V ictionary
book contribution |
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Inertia book contribution
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Journey
on |
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Codexseries3 contribution |
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Roma
catalogue version 01 |
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Roma angels |
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Roma catalogue version
02 |
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Subway |
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Atlantic-records |
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Arnaud Mercier
is a well known French graphic designer based In
Marseille (France) where he works as a freelancer.
Arnaud has worked for clients such as Nike, Atlantic-Records,
Emi, Alcatel.
Related links:
http://www.elixirstudio.com
(Arnaud Mercier's web site)
http://www.newstoday.com
(Newstoday board)
http://www.computerlove.net
(Computerlove board)
http://www.Shift.jp.org
(Shift board)
31, 1m80, dark hair, blue eyes, shy, married, no
kids.
I spend my time working at home on my laptop or
travelling and taking photographs.
I have a background in photography, video, math
and software development.
Graphic design, painting, movies, literature and
architecture.
Not a single artist, or too many to pick just one.
My style is a mix of emotion through photography
and technology through the use of vernacular elements
taken from today's communication means.
Aestheticism, eye for detail.?
-
Your style has been imitated dozen times through
the web. What do you think about that?
Do you think a designer should make its style evolve
or maybe change?
I've always been proud of inspiring people.
I just sometime wish it would have brought me more
rewards.
Copying is understandable when you start; I did
it like most of the designers do. Then you have
to evolve and find your own path and then evolve
again and again.
-
When clients come to you, are they generally aware
of your style?
Yes, they usually contact me after seeing my portfolio
on the web. They hire me to get a certain style
and quality, and that's a good way to start a relationship.
I immerse myself in the client's universe, trying
to understand and know it as best as possible.
Then I try to create a graphic realm that suits
/ describes best the one of the client using the
technology, the will and the needs of the client.
I really do what one could call an exercise of interpretation...
in the boundaries of my style, for sure.
The ones who think (not that I have something against
the ones who don't).
Alan Fetcher, Bruce Mau, Tolleson, and many others.
Keep on doing what I'm doing today, evolve, and
try to make decent money out of it.
-
Has your passion for graphic design evolved?
In some way, yes. In both a positive and a negative
sense...
If I dared to compare it to the love for a woman:
with the time you loose the instantaneous craziness
but the love is deeper in your soul.
I can't work around the clock like I used to, but
now I take much more joy doing my craft everyday,
taking pleasure at doing little rituals like creating
a letter form or scanning a picture.
I feel that I'm doing a much more important thing
than I could think in the past (well, or at least
I have to convince myself to keep on doing this
job).
I don't see any big changes for what is coming.
The media change, but not the ideas nor the principles
of graphic design.
Has it changed? I don't know. I don't spend a lot
of time on the web, and I'm not aware very much
of what's going on. Surfing the web takes me too
much time - time that I prefer spending far from
the screen.
- Do you
think there's a kind of "star system"
In the field and what do you think about it?
There's one, kind of. I think that most of those
"stars" deserve the title. I don't think
it's a closed system - talented people can still
easily get noticed.
And, what does it mean being a star in such a small
community?
Apple Powerbook G4
(and with It, I never forget my Lomo and my slide
scanner)
- How do you
feel the Interaction between you and the computer?
How have you evolved with computers and how does
this Interaction affect your everyday life?
I appreciate working with my computer much more
since I bought my Powerbook.
The feeling is really different from the feeling
you get with a desktop - it feels like taking notes
/ drawing on a standard notebook, something more
personal, more intimate - and something you can
do anywhere - you're not bound to stay in a closed
space anymore and that's really liberating.
Do graphic design with respect of the craft. Try
to be a professional.
-
Explain to us what do you mean by "try to be
a professional"?
Doing you job in the respect of the craftsmanship.
Elevate your work to reach the highest level of
quality.
Participate in creating an Internet that is useful,
easy to use and easy on the eye.
No pain no gain.
Newstoday for the inspiration
Computerlove because it's well done (and French)
Shift.jp.org for the editorial content
Google because it's really helpful.
Cutting edge.
- Have
you built some of your projects differently due
to cultural differences?
Do you think that cultural differences are Important
In Graphic Design?
Have you got an Idea of what those differences will
become In the future?
I guess that when clients in North America ask me
to work for them it's because they need a European
touch for their project.
Cultural differences are important but unfortunately
they tend to disappear... and not only in the field
of graphic design but also in fashion, decoration,
architecture...
Maybe we will reach a point where we will use those
differences on purpose, to re-affirm our cultural
identity.
Thanks for creating on line communities, for spreading
graphic design, for inviting me.
Many thanks to Arnaud Mercier for answering our
questions.
Interview by LoÔc Sattler for XperimentZ
XperimentZ 2003 |
