Creative Minds: Michael Fabian K wants to take Indonesian creativity centre stage

Name: Michael Fabian K

Place of origin: Jakarta, Indonesia

Places lived and worked: Jakarta, Indonesia

Pronouns: He/him

CV:

• Lead creative, ALVA Maleo (part of FCN), Jakarta (2024-Present)
• Creative director, Flock (part of FCN), Jakarta (2022-2024)
• Creative director, Wunderman Thompson, Jakarta (2020-2022)
• Associate creative director, Dinosaur, Vietnam (2019-2020)
• Sr. art director, Flock (part of FCN), Jakarta (2017-2019)
• Art director, J. Walter Thompson, Jakarta (2016-2017)
• Art director, iris Worldwide, Jakarta (2014-2016)
• Jr. Art Director, DDB, Jakarta (2013-2014)
• Motionographer, Plankton Labs, Jakarta (2012-2013)

1. How did you end up being a creative?

I always wanted to be a game designer. Growing up with Suikoden, Final Fantasy, and Pokémon made me fall in love with storytelling in games. But in high school, I realised coding wasn’t my thing and so found myself drawn to a different kind of art—one that’s honest, a little self-deprecating, yet still sharp. That shift happened when I came across Volkswagen’s Lemon ad. Something just clicked and from that moment, my path took a whole new direction.

2. What’s your favourite piece of work in your portfolio?

‘Wearable poster’ for Grab is very special to me. I believed so much in that idea that I just could not let it go. I brought it to four different agencies, faced rejection after rejection for all sorts of reasons—until, somehow, a client saw its potential. We managed to secure just enough budget to produce it on a small scale. Then came the wait—eight long months for the rainy season, just so we could finally bring it to life. Looking back, I still wonder—who waits and wishes for rain? But I guess when you truly believe in something, you just do. The process, the belief, and the persistence behind it made the experience unforgettable. When it finally happened, it felt surreal.

3. What’s your favourite piece of work created by someone else?

‘Burma’ for Human Rights Watch from J Walter Thompson. Because of its simplicity at the time—just a pen, a bit of art direction, and yet it travelled so far. Plus, it was the first time I saw an Indonesian (Roy Wisnu) make it to the global stage—not just any stage, but one that led straight to a Black Pencil win.

4. Who or what are your key creative influences?

If there’s one person who truly opened my eyes to the fact that someone from a country like Indonesia can make it in this industry, it’s Roy Wisnu. He didn’t just pave the way—he made it possible for so many of us to believe we belong. Through him, I’ve come to know many other incredible Indonesians, one of them being my current CEO, Ivan Hady Wibowo. His ambition isn’t just inspiring—it’s infectious. But beyond that, maybe it’s not just about one person. I’ve always been drawn to and deeply connected with the kind of work that makes you feel something—GUT, adam&eveDDB, Mother London, Rethink Canada, Uncommon London. Their ideas don’t just stand out; they stay with you.

5. What is on your bucket list?

Call me naive, but I want to see Indonesian advertising grow on a much bigger stage. It’s getting there, but I don’t just want to watch—I want to be part of that acceleration. And it starts with giving the kids at Maleo, a local underdog agency, a spotlight in global advertising.

6. Who do you most admire?

My mom—she has a way of handling pressure like it’s second nature. Strong, steady, and always pushing through on her own. A super gung-ho type mom! She’s the kind of person whose resilience quietly amazes you. And through it all, she never stops reminding me to rely on God, not just myself. I am endlessly grateful for her.

7. Tell us about the worst job you’ve ever had

It was a moment when, as a junior, I got stuck in a silent war between the ECD and group head. I didn’t pick a side, but just because I reported to one of them, it looked like I did. And that was enough—I got sidelined. No work, nothing. It sucked, but I learned the hard way: never get caught in office politics, never play favourites, and never let personal bias dictate your moves. It’s a lesson that took a little struggle to sink in, but one I won’t forget.

8. What really motivates you?

I feed off the energy of people with the same unhinged ambition—those who never stop firing off ideas. That, and blasting The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance at full volume.

9. Do you have any secret or odd talents?

I have an advertising library channel with quite a few subscribers on it.

10. What’s your favourite music, film, or TV show of the past year, and why?

Home Sweet Loan, directed by my college friend—now a well-known Indonesian director—Sabrina Rochelle. It’s sappy, family-centric, and super relatable, with a punch that makes you realise how finite we all are. Please watch it on Netflix—trust me, I'm not biased.

11. What’s your favourite GIF/meme and why?

It perfectly sums up how I feel about human interaction.