Fons Hickmann: Designer, Educator and Cat Whisperer
Berlin-based Fons Hickmann is not your average graphic designer. Sure, he’s the head of the celebrated design studio Fons Hickmann m23, a professor, and a multi-award-winning innovator in visual communication. But behind the accolades, there’s a designer who doesn’t take himself too seriously—even if his work speaks volumes.
Specializing in graphic design, corporate identity, and poster art, Hickmann’s projects transform complex ideas into visually striking, often provocative pieces. His studio’s ethos blends experimental flair with conceptual precision, making it a go-to for those who want design to challenge, inform, and inspire.
Hickmann has been at the helm of the “100 Best Posters” association since 2018, championing design excellence in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. His CV reads like a who’s who of design prestige: he’s a member of AGI Alliance Graphique Internationale, TDC New York, ADC Europe and has lectured around the globe. But don’t let the credentials fool you—his playful love for cats (and grudging affection for the occasional dog) adds a lighthearted dimension to his otherwise serious creative pursuits.
At the Berlin University of the Arts, where he teaches Hickmann shares his design philosophy with an influential and inspiring approach. His work may be seen as bold and boundary-pushing, but his down-to-earth humor keeps it accessible, proving that groundbreaking design doesn’t have to come with an oversized ego.
If Fons Hickmann had a motto, it might be: Design is serious business—but don’t forget to pet the cat.