Polimekanos is a graphic design practice based in London. It was founded in 2001 by Joseph Kohlmaier and Stefan Kraus and works across a variety of media, from books, posters, identities and stationery to exhibition design, signage and websites. Our clients include individuals and small businesses,
as well as institutions in the corporate, educational and cultural fields.
Joseph Kohlmaier was born in Vienna, Austria. He founded Polimekanos with Stefan Kraus in 2001. Joseph studied photography at the Schule für Künstlerische Photographie in Vienna and architectural history in London, where he gained a masters degree in 2005 and where he also teaches as a senior lecturer in the history and theory of architecture. He is director of MUSARC, a research-based music, sound and architecture project at the London Met where he also runs a choir. In the past, Joseph has worked as a lecturer, researcher, performance artist and on public art projects.
Prior to starting Polimekanos together with Joseph in 2001, Stefan Kraus worked in London for Imagination Ltd (Journey Zone at the Millennium Dome), for Nick Bell Design and for Duncan Baird Publishers. Before moving to England in 1997, Stefan studied at the Hochschule der Bildenden Künste Saarbrücken in Germany, where he received his degree, and also for one year at the Beaux-Arts de Nancy in France. Main focus of his studies were fine art, art theory and design. He also works as an independent artist.
Shoko Mugikura received a BA in Visual Communication Design from Musashino Art University (Tokyo) in 2003 and an MA in Book Design from the University of Reading in 2006. She worked for Boag Associates before joining Polimekanos in 2007.