About

We are Upset. Culture-led, content-driven, built to last.

Upset is a Swiss design studio redefining how brands communicate through content-driven design rooted in culture and critical thinking. Since 2019, we’ve built visual identities, brand strategies, and design systems for cultural institutions, independent brands, and individuals who value clarity over convention. We simplify the complex, shape distinct narratives, and create work with lasting presence.

We believe that design, development, and production aren’t isolated processes. These disciplines are connected from the first idea to the final detail — united throughout every step of our projects.

Founded by David Lüthi and Mirko Leuenberger after a decade of collaboration, Upset works across strategy, art, and design from its Zurich base. Our practice is typographically precise, conceptually sharp, and made to endure — from brand positioning and identity systems to editorial design and digital experiences. We work closely with clients, creating authentic connections that foster meaningful relationships with audiences. Depending on a project's scope, we collaborate with a flexible network of specialists — making us scalable, agile, and able to assemble bespoke teams where needed.

We work with the curious.

Consulting

Brand Strategy & Positioning
Identity
Vision/Mission
Purpose

Design

Creative Direction
Branding
Corporate Identity
Editorial & Book Design
Digital Design
UX/UI
Type Design
Motion Design
Packaging
Areal Branding
Design Systems
Funding
Copywriting

Experience

Web Development
Storytelling
Workshop
Social Media
Exhibition Design
Scenography
Installation
Teaching
Publishing


Contact

Upset GmbH
Hohlstrasse 192
8004 Zurich
studio@upset.ch
Instagram


Team

David Lüthi
Co-Founder / Creative Director / Type Design
MA Design, Visual Communication

Mirko Leuenberger
Co-Founder / Creative Director / Technical Lead
BA Visual Communication

Alex Jenter
Development & Creative Coding
BA Industrial Design

Former Interns
Micha Niederhäuser
Pauline Koch


Partners

Fabian Luginbühl
Motion Design

Pascale Janine Diggelmann
Concept & Communication

oneweb
E-Commerce and Software Development

attribute
Drupal and Vue Development

Milk Interactive
App Development

Sylvain Morger
UX Research

Jonas Shriqui
AR & VR, Creative Coding

Philipp Koller
Generative Typefaces


Talks & Teaching

F+F Schule für Gestaltung Zürich
Fachklasse Grafik St. Gallen
GBSSG St. Gallen
HKB Bern
HSLU Luzern
ZHdK Zürich


Clients & Collaborators

ALPS
Benjamin von Wyl
Biennale Bregaglia
Blu Architekten
Bonbon
Büro146
Bureau Brunner
Collegium Helveticum
Curaden AG
Das Verlag
Edition Hochparterre
Enable Foundation Hong Kong
EKZ Elektrizitätswerke des Kantons Zürich
Fortec
Forum Schlossplatz Aarau
Freundliche Grüsse
HFbK Hochschule für Bildende Künste Dresden
Intercom Verlag
Jung von Matt Branding Identity
Kilian Ziegler
KIFF Aarau
Lisa Christ
Milk Interactive AG
motti
oneweb
Reformierte Kirche Kanton Zürich
Salz & Water
SKKG Stiftung für Kunst, Kultur und Geschichte
Strauhof Zürich
Toblergmür Architektur
UZH University of Zürich
VERSIVE
ZHAW
ZHdK University of Arts Zurich
Zentrum Paul Klee Bern


Awards & Nominations

100 Beste Plakate DE/AUT/CH, 2024
Schönste Deutschen Bücher, 2024
100 Beste Plakate DE/AUT/CH, 2023
Willy Fleckhaus Preis 2020, Nomination
Die Besten 2020, Hochparterre, Nomination
Design Preis Schweiz 2019, Nomination
Swiss Design Awards 2018, Nomination
Schönste Schweizer Bücher 2018 ➀
Schönste Deutsche Bücher 2018 ➀
2× 100 Beste Plakate DE/AUT/CH, 2018
APG Swiss Poster Award 2018, Bronze ➁
European Design Awards, Bronze 2017 ➁
3× Essence 16, Best of Swiss Graphic Design, 2016 ➁
Kunst- und Kulturpreis Kanton Solothurn, 2016
European Design Awards, 2× Gold 2016 ➁
European Design Awards, «Best of Show» 2016 ➁
ADC Award Switzerland 2016, Bronze ➁
ADC Award Switzerland 2015, Bronze ➁
Design Preis Schweiz 2015, Nomination ➁
Schönste Schweizer Bücher 2015 ➀
2× 100 Beste Plakate DE/AUT/CH, 2015 ➁
100 Beste Plakate DE/AUT/CH, 2014 ➁
Nomination Zeugindesign Preis, 2013
for/with ➀ Bonbon / ➁ Raffinerie


Ideology

Karate Studio is our collaborative atelier, founded in 2019 on the belief that good work happens when different minds meet. Over time, we’ve turned our too-big space into a home for creatives from all kinds of backgrounds. It’s a place where disciplines collide and ideas bounce off each other — work none of us could pull off alone. All desks are taken for now, but feel free to drop by for a coffee.


Jobs & Internships

Thank you for your interest in joining our team. We’re not currently accepting applications for positions or internships. Please follow our social media and website for future opportunities.


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