Michael Johnson

Michael set up the company in 1992, after learning his trade in brand consultancy, design and art direction across the globe in Tokyo, Sydney, Melbourne and London.

25 years later, Johnson oversees the strategic and creative output of the company but is just as likely to roll up his sleeves and get involved in the work himself. This access to key directors is one of the ways that Johnson Banks is different from competitors often ten times its size.

For over a decade, Johnson has been a regular speaker at the world’s design and branding conferences. He has given keynotes four times at Typo Berlin, spoken three times at Brand New conferences in the USA and Europe, twice at Kyoorius Design Yatra in India, and moderated the event once. He has presented at What Design Can Do in Amsterdam, and judged its refugee challenge competition. He has conducted lecture tours across India and China, and one day will take up an invite to do the same across Australia.

Johnson has taken part in five Pecha Kuchas, including one at the home of the rapid fire presentation format in Roppongi, Tokyo. He also spoke at and organised a Pecha Kucha for Japan in 2012, in reaction to and fundraising for the Fukushima disaster.

For over a decade, Johnson edited the influential Thought for the Week blog (now to be found on this site under Thoughts) and his branding workshops have been running for nearly a decade, determinedly demystifying the branding process for hundreds of delegates in London and Tokyo.

In his spare moments he wields old-fashioned yet wonderful cameras, and wonders why, after 47 years of trying, he isn’t a better guitar player.

Presentations

Watch these presentations by Michael Johnson

Conferences

Michael Johnson has presented at these conferences