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Johnson Banks

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Johnson Banks
Company typeLtd
IndustryBrand consultancy
FoundedLondon 1992 (1992)
FounderMichael Johnson
Headquarters
London
,
UK
Websitejohnsonbanks.co.uk

Johnson Banks, sometimes styled johnson banks, is a design consultancy in London. Founded in 1992 by Michael Johnson, the company specialises in brand consultancy and visual identity systems, focusing on work for the not-for-profit, education, cultural and blue-chip sectors.[1]

History and ethos

Initially Johnson Banks focused on both print and identity work, but since the mid-2000s has specialised in identity and branding projects. Undertaking both the strategic stage and creative stage of branding projects, the company is unusual in doing large projects with only a small team.[2][3]

Work

Notable work includes the rebranding of the charities Shelter[4] and Christian Aid,[5] and the 2010 re-brand of London's Science Museum.[6]

As well as branding the company has also conducted several experimental typography projects, including creating a bilingual typeface based on Japanese katakana,[7] a pictogrammic symbol set[8] based on Mandarin characters and in January 2012, in collaboration with Ravensbourne college, they created ‘Arkitypo ’ – a typographic alphabet using 3D prototyping techniques.[9]

Notable branding projects

  • BFI (British Film Institute), London (2006)[10]
  • Christian Aid, UK (2005)[5]
  • MORE TH>N (2001)[2]
  • Parc La Villette, France (1999–2006)[11]
  • Science Museum, London (2010)[6]
  • Shelter, UK (2004)[4]
  • Think London (2004)[12]
  • Virgin Atlantic (2010)[13]

Other work

  • Fruit and Veg (UK, 2003) and Beatles stamps for the Royal Mail (UK, 2006)[14]
  • World Questions, King's answers for King's College London (UK, 2010/12)[15]

Awards and recognition

The company has won a number of awards including seven D&AD "yellow pencils",[16] one D&AD "black pencil",[17] 13 Design Week Awards,[16] four Art Directors Club of New York "cubes" and six distinctive merits.

References

  1. ^ Profile of Michael Johnson in Design Week magazine
  2. ^ a b Interview with Johnson in Computer Arts magazine
  3. ^ Article about Michael Johnson on Design is History
  4. ^ a b Article about the Shelter rebrand in Design Week magazine
  5. ^ a b Article about the Christian Aid rebrand in Design Week magazine
  6. ^ a b "Article about the Science Museum rebrand in Creative Review magazine". Archived from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  7. ^ Article about Phonetikana – Johnson Banks' bilingual typeface, on Design Boom
  8. ^ 'Mandagram' Chinese pictogrammes on Johnson Banks' website
  9. ^ Article about Arkitypo in Wired Magazine (UK)
  10. ^ Article about the BFI rebrand in Design Week magazine
  11. ^ Profile of Michael Johnson in Design Week magazine
  12. ^ Article about the Think London identity on Logo Design Love
  13. ^ Article about the Virgin Atlantic rebrand in Design Week magazine
  14. ^ Interview with Michael Johnson about stamps on the AIGA website
  15. ^ Feature on the King's campaign
  16. ^ a b Debrett's People of Today entry on Michael Johnson
  17. ^ Page about the Black Pencil award winning project Fruit & veg stamps