Phillip RossPhillip Michael Ross, also known creatively as Maikeru, is a Richmond, Virginia-based multidisciplinary illustrator, designer, and art director with over a decade of experience in visual storytelling. His work blends emotion, atmosphere, culture, andcharacter-driven imagery across editorial design, illustration, branding, and publishing. As an artist, Maikeru focuses on creating visuals that feel human, expressive, and intentional-using color, composition, and body language to tell stories that connect with real people. As the illustrator of If My Depression Had a Name, Maikeru brings care, cultural sensitivity, and emotional honesty to a story created to help young readers feel seen, understood, and less alone.As a father, Maikeru approaches stories for children with a deeper sense of responsibility, empathy, and care. His creative work often centers on identity, emotion, and the quiet moments people do not always know how to explain out loud. Whether he is designing a visual system, illustrating a character, or building a full narrative world, his goal is to create work that feels honest, grounded, and meaningful-especially for young readers who deserve to recognize themselves in the stories they hold. Read More Read Less