I picked up Design Origin : France from the college library, the book explores the French nation’s contemporary design that remarkably informs the country’s traditional emphasis on arts and crafts. The title profiles more than 40 prolific creatives who produce stunning work for local and international clients from the fields of music, fashion, sports, architecture and publishing. All 40 of the studios are asked the same questions, so I decided to focus solely on studios from Paris and the questions 'How would you identify your artistic style with french culture?', 'Where can you find influences in France?' and 'How would you define French creativity?'
Adrienne Bornstein
How would you identify your artistic style with french culture?
I feel like I belong to the young European generation of graphic designers who all share similar knowledge, professional backgrounds and are only differentiated in terms of cultural references. French may be more literary in typography by playing more with line breaks and vintage typefaces.
Where can you find influences in France?
Im greatly influenced by objects and images that surround me, from childhood memories to recent finds. I often include in my composition the vintage objects that I've bought at French flea markets.
How would you define French creativity?
France has always been very respectful for its patrimony in all fields. Thats why we are still influenced by the likes of Savignac, Bernard Villemot, and Cassandre, and appealed by the handmade nature of Michel Bouvet, Philippe Apeloig and Michal Batory's work.
Avant Post
How would you identify your artistic style with french culture?
We do not entirely asscoiate oursleves with French culture. To us, french graphic design style is more about creating strong images, whereas we work towards being information architects who develop concepts through organising elements within a graphic system that we design.
Where can you find influences in France?
Both in the work of great designers and the amateur creations that we stumble upon in the streets, such as the handpainted typefaces of Paris' classic storefronts. We try to spot little details that we could use in a smart way when they fit the creative concept.
How would you define French creativity?
This is really a tricky question. We can define our own creativity process, but it would be unrealistic to pretend that we understand what french creativity is. Does such a thing exist?
Giga Kobidze
How would you identify your artistic style with french culture?
French culture is unique. I believe it encompasses a much wider definition of culture than the one that is used elsewhere that confines our ability to express ourselves.
Where can you find influences in France?
The aesthetic sense is deeply embedded in every corner of this country. The flow of life is communicated through its vibrant people, their energy, and their style as you travel through France. The movement of life here, with the innate sense of individuality is a constant inspiration for me. I love it.
How would you define French creativity?
French creativity comes from the roots, it comes from a rebellious spirit, an energy and a curiosity that is centuries old. I understand completely why the french have excelled at conveying emotions through different creative paths through art, be it graphic art, digital art, haute couture or its cuisine.
In the pool
How would you identify your artistic style with french culture?
Its difficult to stand back from your work and the country youre living in. We both have a father of non French descent, so we have a cultural mix in our family which also reflects France in general. Perhaps the fact of being inspired by diverse influences is what brings us closer.
Where can you find influences in France?
Everywhere! Paris is a city of endless inspiration! The street is a real means of expression in Paris. We are always pleasantly surprised when we see super funky posters promoting classical events. The amazing posters Pierre Jeanneau created for the Belleville Theatre is especially memorable. There are always something interesting to see and a lot of specialised libraries.
How would you define French creativity?
It seems cliche that France in the eyes of the world is all about luxury goods, traditions, good food, because France is also about the result of anti conformism as reflected in its art, fashion and bolder graphic design that always try to differentiate itself from other European design. Situated in the middle of western Europe, our borders are quite open to ongoing immigration. In a way, we lose a bit our nations identity. But on the other hand it creates emulation and makes France a rich cultural cross road.
Following research into Design origin : France, the book left me with a number of potential research paths which could inform the ideas. Including studios and practitioners mentioning handprinted typefaces on store fronts, Pierre Jeanneau, Michel Bouvet, Philippe Apeloig and Michal Batory's work.
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