MRDCMichael Ross
Design Company

Michael Ross · Melbourne

Ideas, design
and delivery.

I help organisations, creative teams and artists develop ideas, give them structure and find a practical route to production.

Children’s content, creative systems, art and design.

Explore the work Get in touch ↗

Selected children’s books

Stories, characters
and printed books.

Story development, creative direction and book production.

The Compassion Collection

Developed with Dr Thupten Jinpa Langri on commission from NABU. Creative direction across the collection, with co-authorship of The Yak’s Dream.

The Yak’s Dream, hardcover presentation mock-up

The Yak’s Dream

Tashi, hardcover presentation mock-up

Tashi

There’s Something in the Pond!, hardcover presentation mock-up

There’s Something in the Pond!

Jikme and the Sacred Law, hardcover presentation mock-up

Jikme and the Sacred Law

Pima & Yeshe: Flowers and Spikes, hardcover presentation mock-up

Pima & Yeshe: Flowers and Spikes

Mingma & Giyatso, hardcover presentation mock-up

Mingma & Giyatso

Zaya’s Dream, hardcover presentation mock-up

Zaya’s Dream

Author and creative director. For Education Cannot Wait and NABU.

The Taste of Victory, hardcover presentation mock-up

The Taste of Victory

Concept and creative direction at NABU, with Colgate.

Hardcover presentation mock-ups using the original cover artwork.

A book from concept to publication

The Lucky Dragon.

Concept development and creative direction at NABU, from story and visual development through illustration and bilingual production.

Explore two spreads from the Welsh and English edition, or open the 14-page sample and turn the pages.

Read the sample as still pages ↗

Book credits

Authors: Amy Lalanne and NABU. Illustrators: Marbin Macalino, Kristin Kahulugan, Myriam A. Jean and NABU. Concept development and creative direction: Michael Ross.

The printed Welsh and English Lucky Dragon hardback
The printed hardback. Select the book to open the sample.
The Lucky Dragon, Welsh and English sample page 5The Lucky Dragon, Welsh and English sample page 6
Pages 5–6, Welsh / English.
The Lucky Dragon, Welsh and English sample page 13The Lucky Dragon, Welsh and English sample page 14
Pages 13–14, Welsh / English.

Selected relationships

Who I’ve worked with.

Across NABU roles, Ai Weiwei Studio and independent commissions.

Michael Ross with Ron Adams discussing books at Kigali Public Library
With Ron Adams at Kigali Public Library. Photograph: H E R V E I R.
NABU group in Miami holding children’s books
NABU, Miami, February 2024. Photograph: Gregory Reed.

NABU roles and projects

Ai Weiwei Studio projects

Ai Weiwei Studio
Ai Weiwei ↗

Independent collaboration
Dr Thupten Jinpa Langri ↗

Illustrators working together at the NABU Creative Lab in Manila
NABU Creative Lab, Manila, October 2023. Photograph: Kimberly dela Cruz / HP Inc.

Creative teams and programmes

The systems
behind the work.

Creative Labs

At NABU, I developed a repeatable lab model connecting spaces, local teams, publishing and community programmes.

Creative Fellowship

I conceived the programme and curriculum, connecting writing, illustration, translation and book production through guided practice.

About

A connected practice.

Michael Ross is a Melbourne-based designer and creative director with experience across China, Berlin and the United States. His work spans children’s content, creative systems, art and design.

Contact

Get in touch

Have a project in mind? Let’s talk.

info@mrdc.au