I learned by myself. the only trick is to love what you do (sorry, sounds stupids but it's so true…)

Please give us a brief bio of yourself.

I've worked in several studios and agencies (such as fullsix or soleil noir) on various type of projects. i'm graduated from Les Gobelins in Paris. i'm passionate with images, all sorts of them, from photography to graffiti… and of course interactive stuff.

What do you do for inspiration?

Spending lots of time browsing blogs, twitter accounts, fwa(of course !), etc…

I also go see lots of museum/exhibitions and take long walks in paris and around the world. i enjoy walking alone with my camera early in the morning or really late at night….

How do you relax or unwind?

Drawing. thinking about personal projects. Going outside, doing street-sticking or partying. i have a special bound with the city, i'm really comfortable with hanging at night alone or with friends, watching everything and comment on it (from movie poster to shops neons…). City's are drawn in images and fonts, and my eyes like that very much ! (my camera too)

If you weren't working on the internet what would you be doing?

That's a really good question. I'll probably do other graphic stuff because i'm no good at anything else, but the web / interactive is what i enjoy the most… so i work hard every day to never have to answer this question.

What's your favourite part of your job? What's the hardest part of your job? What do you do when you get stuck?

I love it when someone comes with a new project and few guidelines. You have to think about strategy, graphics, motion and technics… i like when ideas pop, it's really exiting ! it's probably the best part, when  all the limits you have are those of your imagination… then comes budgetting, time, and you often have to lower your expectations….

When i get stuck, i try to do the exact opposite of what i first think of, put all the ideas and design upside down. it usually help. I also go work outside, in a park, or a bar, with some nice hip hop !

What's the longest you've ever stayed up working on a project?

Hum… something like 30/34 hours… and it was a lousy project

What software could you not live without?

Photoshop (i love it as much as i hate it)

In terms of software, is there anything new you have been playing with lately or that has impressed you?

Vray for cinema 4d. pretty hard to learn/test, but it's really astonishing… 

I also love littlesnaper. it's a software to organize images you found on the web, create a library, tag them, etc.. really useful.

Who do you rate as being the top 3 design companies?

- north kingdom

- firstborn

- group 94

When dealing with major clients, how difficult is it to meet the needs of such wide target audiences?

It's usually not so hard. if you have a global of the projects. it becomes tricky when clients already have a strategy or worse, a design. most of the time i avoid these projects, it usually ends bad.

What did your very first site look like? Is it still online?

Ah ah, it was really creepy. mix of html and flash 3.5. gratefully, it's no longer online !

Have you written any books, if not do you plan to?

I'd like to yes.. but probably more about graffiti/streetArt. We were working on it with a friend, but we had to hold it for now (not enough time, and we have more exiting projects before).

Are there things you do OUTSIDE of work to ensure that you are in the right mindset to be creative and/or successful in whatever you are doing?

Tricky question. it's not work, it's a passion. it's hard to see when it start to be work or when it ends. i do a lot of photography. lots of streetArt too… 

Of all the websites you/your company have produced, which one are you most proud of?

Always the next one. i get bored really  fast of what we have already done. it's probably what's pushing me forward  :)

Do you think Flash is here to stay?

I don't know. it only depends on adobe. Flash used to be alone, now there's lot of competitors (silverlight, unity,…). Adobe'll have to work a lot to keep flash ahead. The new coming of thibaut Imbert in the flashPlayer team is a good news. i hope flash will go further without forgetting about the old timers.

What are your views on design/graphic school. Do you think someone can get into the field without educational experience in a school environment?

Yes i think there are two kinds of art director : Talented Ones and hard working one. Some people have to work a lot to get better, for other it's just easy, smooth and natural ( and maybe a third category, the talented ones who works a lot…i'm just so jealous of them !). School can give you some keys, it can reveal an artist… but not "make" a good one. i think an AD needs to be self thinking, not follow the guidelines of a school.

On the other hand, school gives you time to practice, and people to share/learn/teach… and that is really essential to get  better faster.

If you were a student entering this industry or an aspiring FWA award submitter, what advice would you give them?

Try to make something different enought to create curiosity, but not too foreign, so as to not loose people.

What would be your ultimate vehicle to travel in?

A motorcyle !!! (actualy, mine was stolen 2 weeks ago.. so..). Or Eventually a fancy giant yellow duck. it should include wifi and teleportation of course...

How have you learned so many Flash/design skills and techniques and can you offer any advice for newbies?

I learned by myself. the only trick is to love what you do (sorry, sounds stupids but it's so true…)

There must be a project that you have always dreamed of doing, what is it?

Working with adidas on a hip hop / street related project

What does the future hold for your company, or you as a person?

I don't know.. but i hope fun, cool people and lots of new stuff to experiment :)

What is the most expensive thing you have bought in the last week?

A Nikon D700.. and i love it !

What type of overcoat do you wear when Flashing, basically are you a labels man?

I'm not so much a label man. but i'm mosty wearing hip hop stuff, so sometimes there's a fat logo in the middle of my chest, doesn't bother me, but if i can avoid it, i'll prefer.

Actualy, i'm a label person for my shoes, three stripes are always on my feet !

It has been a privilege, thanks very much

Thanks a lot. à bientot !

Silenzio
SangueBom Sound Design
John Galliano
cristof-echard
Orbeat
Conforama