Interview with Nadine Grenier

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.

«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.

Visual identity, books, posters

A visual identity

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.

When I succeed to find the most simple design.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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).

The design inspiration is everywhere and all the time: by working, in the street, by watching a movie, at the supermarket...

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.

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.