Spiekermann studied art history at Berlin's Free University, funding himself by running a letterpress printing press in the basement of his house.

[1] Between 1972 and 1979, he worked as a freelance graphic designer in London before returning to Berlin and founding MetaDesign with two partners.

In 2001, Spiekermann left MetaDesign over policy disagreements and started United Designers Network, with offices in Berlin, London, and San Francisco.

[5] He often attends international meetings, and has been giving a substantial contribution in several fields, such as app development and public wayfinding.

He also participated in the creation of numerous corporate identities and other works, including redesigns of the publications The Economist and Reason.