Mirella Arapian
Creative Director, Founder
About
Armenian-Australian designer and founder of MEK, a studio working with organisations pursuing social and environmental change. She also founded Womentor, a mentoring initiative supporting women in design and creative leadership.
SourceSelected articles & interviews
Mirella Arapian on design and creative leadership
On founding MEK and Womentor, building a purposeful practice and improving opportunities for women in design.
In their own words
Being genuinely involved in the cause ensures the brand reflects real values and commitment, rather than just marketing content, trends, or clout.
Reclaiming this visual language for Mavens rewrites the narrative on who gets to create the future.
Climate change is communicated as a political, scientific, or corporate governance issue.
We’re not perfect, but we’re doing our best.
We chose Coconat because it’s a beautiful evocation of ancient Armenian calligraphy and serifs.
The progressive nature of Yerevan as the world’s oldest modern city.
After seven years it was time to make a change and own who we are.
We hope it inspires people to walk their talk and forge their own path.
I work until mid-afternoon then spend the rest of the day doing things at home that make me happy.
I've been experiencing sexism and gender inequality since the first day I entered the design world.
Articles & interviews
- "Mavens Launches Bold Identity to Push Gender Equality in Creative Fields"
Mavens, a gender equality movement in the creative industries, has unveiled a bold new identity by Melbourne-based MEK Studio. The rebrand adopts a 'punk meets prestige' aesthetic, combining editorial sophistication with rebellious energy to reflect Mavens’ evolution from commentary to action. The new identity, featuring a Bauhaus-inspired wordmark and provocative tone of voice, aims to challenge perceptions and drive genuine change across the creative sector.
- MEK’s Mirella Arapian on the graphic design industry’s role in the fight against climate change
The Brand Identity interviews Mirella Arapian, founder and creative director of Australian studio Mek, about the role of graphic design in addressing climate change. Arapian discusses Mek’s sustainable practices, from solar-powered operations to plastic-free materials, and reflects on their redesign of the Green Dot symbol. The conversation highlights how designers can use their influence to promote environmental responsibility and challenge greenwashing in the industry.
- The Edit: five new projects including Ners by Mek