Our Ethos define who we are, what we stand for, what we do, and what we don’t do.
Ethics:
Do No Harm
• MEK is committed to the highest ethical standards, design principles, and business practices with sensitivity toward social, cultural, animal, economic, and environmental challenges.
• MEK works with companies that treat employees, suppliers, customers, communities, and us, fairly, respectfully, and responsibly.
• We only take on projects where we know we can make real-world impact. While we preference projects advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we’re open to all projects with the exception of the following:
• MEK works with companies that treat employees, suppliers, customers, communities, and us, fairly, respectfully, and responsibly.
• We only take on projects where we know we can make real-world impact. While we preference projects advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we’re open to all projects with the exception of the following:
• Animal agriculture, animal products, animal testing, animals as entertainment
• Fossil fuels
• Human and non-human animal exploitation
• Mining
• Gambling
• Single-use plastics and microplastics
• Fast fashion
• Tobacco and alcohol
• Arms, ammunition, defence
• Environment and habitat destruction
• And other related sectors
Activism:
Do What’s Right
• MEK was founded on the spirit of activism. We believe we have a responsibility to leverage our platform and resources to educate, inspire, and lead by example to create better futures.
• As advocates for diversity, equity and inclusion, we established Womentor, a mentorship program for women in design committed to improving gender equality in the design industry.
• Our founder and Executive Creative Director Mirella Arapian is a board member of Design Declares Australia, a collective of designers, studios, agencies, and institutions declaring a climate emergency.
• MEK volunteers time, profit and resources to donate, rally, bear witness, lobby and petition for important causes across animal liberation, environmental action, social justice and human rights. Organisations we support include Dominion Movement, Street Crew Melbourne, Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative, Armenian National Committee of Australia, All for Armenia, Climate Action Merri-bek and Animal Save Movement.
• As advocates for diversity, equity and inclusion, we established Womentor, a mentorship program for women in design committed to improving gender equality in the design industry.
• Our founder and Executive Creative Director Mirella Arapian is a board member of Design Declares Australia, a collective of designers, studios, agencies, and institutions declaring a climate emergency.
• MEK volunteers time, profit and resources to donate, rally, bear witness, lobby and petition for important causes across animal liberation, environmental action, social justice and human rights. Organisations we support include Dominion Movement, Street Crew Melbourne, Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative, Armenian National Committee of Australia, All for Armenia, Climate Action Merri-bek and Animal Save Movement.
Responsibility:
Do Better
• This website was designed to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption. Through our pioneering design and R&D process, we reduced our CO2 emissions by 67%. See how.
• MEK is located in the heart of Bulleke-bek, Naarm (Brunswick, Melbourne), in an historical building generated by solar power and 100% carbon neutral energy.
• We regularly assess our operations for opportunities to improve our environmental and socially responsible practices, including energy management, community engagement, sustainable sourcing, waste reduction, and water conservation.
• We’re conscious of everything brought into our workspaces. As part of our procurement process we avoid products and objects destined for landfill. Studio materials are plastic free, cruelty free, and biodegradable where possible. Food waste is diverted from landfill and composted. Furniture is refurbished or upcycled, and equipment and hardware is repaired for as long as lifecycles allow.
• We only recommend sustainable solutions to our clients across digital design, print, packaging, and materials. We partner with trusted industry suppliers across the latest technologies and innovations for reducing waste and environmental impact through design, printing, and production processes.
• MEK is located in the heart of Bulleke-bek, Naarm (Brunswick, Melbourne), in an historical building generated by solar power and 100% carbon neutral energy.
• We regularly assess our operations for opportunities to improve our environmental and socially responsible practices, including energy management, community engagement, sustainable sourcing, waste reduction, and water conservation.
• We’re conscious of everything brought into our workspaces. As part of our procurement process we avoid products and objects destined for landfill. Studio materials are plastic free, cruelty free, and biodegradable where possible. Food waste is diverted from landfill and composted. Furniture is refurbished or upcycled, and equipment and hardware is repaired for as long as lifecycles allow.
• We only recommend sustainable solutions to our clients across digital design, print, packaging, and materials. We partner with trusted industry suppliers across the latest technologies and innovations for reducing waste and environmental impact through design, printing, and production processes.