For Merric French, design has always been more than a career — it’s been a way of life. Raised in a family of designers and fine furniture makers, with artists and fashion designers for grandparents, creativity was woven into the fabric of everyday life.

“School holidays often meant working in the family workshop,” he says. “It was an incredible environment for a young designer.”

This early hands-on exposure to craftsmanship laid the foundations for what would become a fast-paced, boundary-pushing design career. After graduating from Monash University with a Bachelor of Industrial Design in 2013, Merric’s journey has taken him across disciplines, continents, and sectors — from co-founding a boutique studio in Melbourne to leading major urban mobility projects in the U.S., and now, returning home to launch his own design consultancy, Any Minute Now.

Finding his place at Monash

Merric’s path to Monash was influenced by family and his own curiosity about how design shapes the world.

“I’d already spent time in the G Building as a teenager, attending open days and meeting lecturers. When I received my offer from Monash, it just felt right.”

It wasn’t just the curriculum that made his university experience memorable — it was the people.

“The sense of community was the highlight. You were surrounded by like-minded, talented individuals who pushed you to do better — not out of competition, but respect. You never wanted to let your cohort down.”

Merric also credits the Monash teaching staff with setting him up for long-term success. Mentors like Professor Selby Coxon, Dr Mark Richardson, Professor Peter Elliott, Dr Ilya Fridman and Professor Gene Bawden left a lasting impression.

“They genuinely cared about our growth, even when that meant having tough conversations. That kind of mentorship stays with you.”

A career built on complexity and impact

After Monash, Merric hit the ground running. He first co-founded a design studio with fellow alum Alex Goad, tackling ambitious, often unconventional projects — including producing Aesop’s Nasotheque, a design feat that merged technical precision with material sensitivity.

He later moved to San Francisco to join Box Clever as a Senior Designer, working on products across consumer tech, furniture, and healthcare, for clients such as Google, Samsung, and Daimler. “That experience really broadened my perspective — combining strategy with execution across vastly different sectors.”

One of his most influential roles came at Lyft, where he led industrial design for their Bikes and Scooters division. Tasked with building an entire micromobility system from scratch — e-bikes, scooters, docks, service vehicles, and more — Merric helped develop infrastructure tailored for dense urban environments.

“The system, which serves New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles now supports over 25 million rides every six months in Brooklyn alone. Seeing that kind of scale and impact is incredibly rewarding.”

Merric recalls a particularly vivid memory from that time, riding one of his own designs through freezing Manhattan traffic.

“Despite the -10°C weather, I was the fastest vehicle in the city — overtaking cars and delivery scooters with ease. It was a real, personal moment of understanding just how powerful thoughtful, well-integrated design can be."

Image: Lyft e-bike

Launching ‘Any Minute Now’

Now back in Melbourne, Merric has channelled over a decade of experience into his new venture: Any Minute Now, a design development practice that bridges industrial design, business strategy, and creative collaboration.

“Starting my own practice was about building something with intention — something that reflects what I’ve learned about how design can move fast, make meaning, and last,” he says. At Any Minute Now, no two days look the same. “We’re still finding our feet, but I’m focused on creating a culture that values the ‘happy accident’ — those unexpected sparks that lead to surprising solutions.”

Leading a business has brought its own lessons. “You quickly learn that design is only part of the job. There’s operations, communication, leadership. You need to triage constantly and stay clear about what matters most.”

Staying grounded and giving back

Despite his rapid rise, Merric remains closely connected to Monash Art, Design and Architecture (MADA) and the design community that shaped him. He recently returned to speak at the ‘MADA Then’ alumni event — an experience he found energising.

“It’s always a pleasure to come back to the G Building. It’s grounding to see how much the space has evolved while still keeping hands-on making at its heart.”

For Merric, staying engaged with Monash isn’t just nostalgic — it’s strategic. “Monash produces talented, thoughtful designers. Staying connected helps keep that pipeline of creativity and collaboration alive.”

Advice for the next generation

Merric believes choosing the right course is imperative.

“The Monash Design program balances creativity with critical thinking and real-world relevance. It sets you up to make a meaningful impact from day one.”

His advice to aspiring designers is simple, but powerful: “Gain empathy, and gain it quickly.” Beyond technical skill, the best designers deeply understand people, context and culture.

“Get out into the world. Travel. Eat strange food. Talk to strangers. Ride a motorcycle. Get your hands dirty. The more you experience, the more perspectives you bring.”