The Journey

Marcus began his prolific career working with a prominent Australian design firm dedicating ten years to practicing and developing a solid understanding of the core principles of design. His talent and dedication to succeed progressed him through the ranks from studio designer, art director, to then associate director within the firm. These gained skills and knowledge then paved the way for Marcus and his partner Donna as project manager, to set up and establish their own studio Marcus Lee Design in 1996. In the year 2000, Marcus Lee Design was awarded the inaugural brand design contract for Museum Victoria and Melbourne Museum. The project was significant in that it provided Marcus a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with his Aboriginal heritage, enabling him to design the Museum’s contemporary customer service uniforms based from traditional Indigenous designs. This was the catalyst which subsequently identified an exciting new direction for the design business.

Having employed many young and aspiring designers for over twenty years, Marcus has provided professional guidance and mentoring of his staff to learn, develop and grow by understanding the importance of good sound design principles and applying the same enthusiasm to every design project regardless of how large or small. Marcus was born and raised in Darwin, pursued his design education in Adelaide, and is now based in Melbourne. With a mixed race background comprising of Aboriginal, German, Japanese and Chinese, Marcus’s Indigenous heritage stems from the Karajarri people in the Kimberley region, Western Australia.