ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Mike Kus: Two Decades of Distinct Brand Identity Design Through Kus-Studio

artist · 2026-04-01

Mike Kus is a British designer and creative director with over twenty years of experience in brand identity design. Operating through his studio, Kus-Studio, he serves a diverse clientele ranging from emerging startups to international corporations, focusing on creating confident and enduring visual identities. His methodology emphasizes bold, concept-driven design that aims to give each brand a unique and credible voice, avoiding trend-chasing in favor of establishing a clear creative perspective. His portfolio includes projects across branding, web design, illustration, photography, and product design, maintaining a consistent standard of quality. Notable works include the identity for Just Phil, a campaign supporting Alzheimer's Research UK featuring a solo cyclist attempting the Tour de France route, which uses bold typography and a magenta palette. Another project, Slashwork, involved developing a complete visual system for a workplace communication platform, resulting in a modern and legible brand identity. Epic Travel underwent a rebrand under his direction, successfully capturing themes of freedom without relying on clichés. Additional projects like Kapil and Holly and MIXD showcase his range, from illustration-led identities to digital agency branding. Kus has also engaged in side projects such as publishing The Pocket Photographer and creating Foliostack, a resource for designers. His work has garnered recognition, including being a finalist for Designer of the Year at the Net Awards twice, receiving six Sites of the Day from Awwwards, and being featured in Taschen's Favorite Websites. He has spoken at design conferences globally, with upcoming talks scheduled for Web Expo Prague in May 2026 and Y in Oslo in October 2026. His social media presence on platforms like X and Instagram offers insights into his studio's daily operations and design process.

Key facts

  • Mike Kus is a British designer with over 20 years of experience
  • He leads Kus-Studio, focusing on bold, concept-led brand identity design
  • His clients include startups and global brands across various sectors
  • Notable projects include Just Phil, Slashwork, and Epic Travel
  • He has been a Designer of the Year finalist at the Net Awards twice
  • He has earned six Sites of the Day awards from Awwwards
  • He has spoken at design conferences in the UK, Europe, and the US
  • Upcoming talks are scheduled for Web Expo Prague in May 2026 and Y in Oslo in October 2026

Entities

Artists

  • Mike Kus

Institutions

  • Kus-Studio
  • Alzheimer's Research UK
  • Net Awards
  • Awwwards
  • Taschen
  • Computer Arts
  • Dot Net Magazine
  • Digital Arts
  • Beyond Tellerrand
  • Pixel Pioneers
  • WebExpo
  • Web Expo Prague
  • Y

Locations

  • UK
  • Europe
  • United States
  • Prague
  • Oslo

Sources