We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Nadine Grenier ("NG").
I try to develop some projects for a large panel of people. And when I succeed to touch some people non-interested by art with my projects, I consider it as a success. I like pushing boundaries and building links between different artistic practices. Art makes it possible to question every day its way of thinking.
Nadine Grenier Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Nadine Grenier.
Designer Interview of Nadine Grenier:
DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
NG : I studied first industrial design and then graphic design in art schools. During this years, I have had some time to develop different way of creativity. This dual background is important in my practice in graphic design, it influence my way of thinking…between two and three dimensions.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
NG : I am a graphic designer and artist. As a graphic designer, I create visual solutions in response to the client's request while trying to bring an artistic touch. As an artist, I develop totally free projects. This back and forth between command and total freedom is very important in my way of working. One feeds the other and vice versa.
DI: What is "design" for you?
NG : «Design» etymologically means «draws», «goal», «to build». It consists to find solution at a problem. From the constraints of the client you have to give the best answer to the initial request by combining the vision of your client and yours.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
NG : Visual identity, books, posters
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
NG : A visual identity
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
NG : My favorite software are "Illustrator" to draw and "Indesign" to create some layouts. I also like to think about paper and printing choices when it is possible.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
NG : When I succeed to find the most simple design.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
NG : It is very important to take the time to talk with the customer to understand precisely its demand. Secondly, you also ahve to try to get the customer to take a risk, choose the most creative project (and therefore the least reassuring) to go ahead.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
NG : The design allows to develop the creativity, gives an impression of freedom. The designer must also always question his work to progress. The most interesting thing in this job is to use your knowledge to discover, learn, progress.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
NG : The artistic professions touch the ego of the graphic designer, the designer, the architect ... so when my designs are realized, I am obviously proud. But ultimately, the most important thing is not the final result but the way to get there.
DI: What makes a design successful?
NG : A successful design is one that is able to respond perfectly to the initial demand, which appeals to the client and the designer, who is mastered from the beginning to the end of the project and who helps the customer develop his activity.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
NG : A design is bad when you think it could be better. And a design is good when you think it is obvious, the best solution ... as if we had already seen this design.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
NG : I think this is a difficult question. On the one hand, the designer's job is to help the customer develop his business. On the other hand, the designer is also the one that creates fashions. So by creating fashions, companies that do not renew their image become outmoded. Here is an example with two companies that sell the same product at the same price or offer the same service. If one of the companies has better visual communication, they are more likely to sell their product. This poses an ethical question: is the image of the company more important than the product it sells, or the service it offers?
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
NG : I think that design will evolve more and more towards digital. But I sincerely hope that the paper will remain because we can touch it, there is an emotion, a heat that we do not have with digital.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
NG : My last exhibition was in March in at the Arsenal of Venice for the Arte Laguna Prize. I have exposed an artistic project: an installation with 300 clocks. My next exhibition will be in September, in my city Saint-Aubin-du-Cormier (in France).
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
NG : The design inspiration is everywhere and all the time: by working, in the street, by watching a movie, at the supermarket...
DI: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
NG : I do not want to be locked in a graphic style. I prefer to develop, renew styles. For me, the most important is the idea, and the style is at the service of the idea. Of course, I have my preferences: I am influenced by the minimalism and above all, I like to develop concepts.
DI: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
NG : I live in France: the handcrafts and creativity are very developped in a lot of domains. That is sure I live in a favorable context for creativity.