For the love of good design.
Melissa Nelson Greenberg, known to many as Melisse, is an award winning art director, designer, and fine artist. She has a passion for what is simple yet complex: GOOD DESIGN. This applies from the smallest detail to the bird's eye view. Melissa believes each part of the process from concept to finish should be executed with joy and precision. When form meets function, it seems like magic. However, it is simply good design.
With over 25 years of professional design experience in NYC, Los Angeles, and the Bay Area, growing up in a musical world, and raising two children — Melissa has discovered happiness through finding, creating, and perpetuating the little things in life that make the world a better place to live in. Joy by design.
In 2019, she published her first picture book called "Oh, Bear" about finding the beautiful in the broken. She continues to write, sometimes publishing under a secret pen name.
In all she does, Melissa strives to play her part in making both the publishing environment and the content created inclusive and diverse. This is of utmost importance to her.
While her expertise is in the design and art direction of books for children, from early childhood to young adulthood, Melissa also has experience in high end photography books for all ages along with website and branding design.
Currently, Melissa is the art director at Abrams Kids Books, which you can learn more about here.
AWARDS
AIGA 50 books 50 covers — award for the design of See The City written and illustrated by Matteo Pericoli
Society of Illustrators Art Director Award for Doña Flor written by Pat Mora, illustrated by Raul Colon
Society of Illustrators Original Art Show —multiple books a year from 2002-2022 that Melisse art directed and designed were included in this fabulous show
Various books on NY Times Best sellers List such as Wild About Books, Eldest, and The Book Thief
Golden Poppy Award for Boats on the Bay
PubWest Book Design awards 20016-2018
New York Book Show awards for design (2007, 2008, 2009)
Michael J. Printz Honor books, Pura Belpré Honor Books
Martha Stewart Apprentice (first episode show) — chosen as one of two designers from all of Random House as behind the scenes designer
Woo Hoo award (2004 - an award given to most exemplary employee in department each year)
Residency in Tribeca - Artist in Residence with Chashama (2005-2006)
Center for Arts and Technology Fellow
Cozadd Center for Community Service Challenge Service Learning Grant, 1999
Interview on Children's Illustrators
Although this was from a few years ago, and Cameron Kids grew to produce 20-24 titles per year, the inspiration remains the same.