Studio
MCKL is a Los Angeles-based independent type foundry and design studio founded in 2012 by Jeremy Mickel. We build strong creative partnerships to design industry-leading retail and custom typefaces.
Type is the primary messaging tool at the heart of every design, and we make typefaces that accentuate and elevate a brand’s presence across every touch point. For every project, we perform in-depth research, experimentation, creative development, and testing – applying intricate craft and new technologies to typefaces that bring brand identities to life.
In addition to our library of versatile typefaces available for licensing, we have designed custom typefaces and logos for global brands – including adidas, Uber, the LA28 Olympics, Warner Bros, Pfizer, American Express, The Atlantic, and Bon Appétit.
Our creative process is rooted in collaboration. We’ve built lasting relationships with prestigious firms like Pentagram, Collins, Wolff Olins, and Turner Duckworth. Our work has been honored by the Type Directors Club and AIGA, and our typefaces have been exhibited at MoMA PS1, the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum, and the Walker Art Center.
“MCKL’s typography is drop-dead gorgeous and has improved the quality of every identity I have designed.”
Paula Scher
Partner, Pentagram
“MCKL’s typography is drop-dead gorgeous and has improved the quality of every identity I have designed.”
Paula Scher
Partner, Pentagram
“Over the course of many close collaborations, I’ve observed MCKL’s unparalleled commitment to rigorous research, concise concepting, collaborative spirit, and impeccable output.”
Forest Young
Global Head of Brand, Rivian
previously Chief Creative Officer, Wolff Olins
“Over the course of many close collaborations, I’ve observed MCKL’s unparalleled commitment to rigorous research, concise concepting, collaborative spirit, and impeccable output.”
Forest Young
Global Head of Brand, Rivian
previously Chief Creative Officer, Wolff Olins
“My experience working with MCKL as a creative partner has always been a true joy.”
Leon Imas
VP Beverage Design, Pepsi
previously Director of Global Identity, adidas
“My experience working with MCKL as a creative partner has always been a true joy.”
Leon Imas
VP Beverage Design, Pepsi
previously Director of Global Identity, adidas
Team & Collaborators
Jeremy Mickel
Founder & Creative Director
Originally from Ohio, Jeremy studied Fine Arts at Indiana University and moved to New York City in 2001. He worked at Carbone Smolan and Columbia University before starting his own design practice, and continued his education at The School of Visual Arts, where he studied type design with the legendary Ed Benguiat.
He released his first typeface, Router, in 2008 and launched MCKL as a foundry and design studio in 2012. He has published many popular typefaces over the last 15 years and built an international reputation for custom work.
Douglas Hayes
Designer
Douglas Hayes has been working with MCKL since 2016, contributing to Specter, Logic, Owners, and Trust fonts. He has also assisted with custom logo and typeface projects for The Atlantic and Bon Appétit, among others. He holds a BFA in graphic design from The University of the Arts, and a Certificate in Typeface Design from the Type@Cooper Extended Program.
While working with MCKL, he has also found time to collaborate on projects for Tidal Magazine, Transport NY, Nowadays Creative, and Young Jerks Studio. Douglas is a native of Buffalo, New York, and currently resides in Brooklyn.
Graham Bradley
Designer
Graham grew up in Los Angeles, and began his career in type design as the first employee at Frere-Jones Type, where he worked on Mallory and Retina. He has collaborated with MCKL since 2018, contributing to custom fonts for Ogilvy and the MCKL typefaces Owners and Trust, among others. He also designs typefaces for clients and retail licensing at his own studio, A+.
Graham is a contributor to Future Fonts and is the lead instructor for typeface design at Type West at Letterform Archive in San Francisco. He studied at the Type@Cooper program at The Cooper Union, and is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley.