Design City: Talent Spotlight in Montreal
Interview with Alexandre Renzo

TAXI >> How would you describe the design scene in Montreal? Alexandre Renzo>> Montréal is a new design city, an emerging city that has its own well-established design industry, but at the same moment, is difficult to define. There’s a lot of good design going on, a lot of creative projects, but no unique style or intimidating design heritage to live up to. It’s young and multicultural, the design here was recently shaped by people from different parts of the world (has for me, my mother’s flemish and my fathers family was Italian). Perhaps, because of this, everyone is free to make a place for himself in the design scene and the small-scale-big-city feeling makes it a very interesting place for innovative design. TAXI >> What do you feel is lacking in Montréal's' design industry and how do you think you can contribute to the industry, society and economy as a creative individual Alexandre Renzo>> I read somewhere that in 1986, a government study identified design as one of the seven industry of Montreal new economy (beside to aeronautics, plasturgy, information technologies). Since then, a lot was made and design has taken its place in our culture but I think that small design exhibits, such as the ones created at the Centre de design de l’UQAM should get more funding because they are slowly, amongst other, raising awareness towards Quebec’s design, locally and internationally. Also, by a design identity point of view, small independant practice are equally important. I try to put a bit of the personality of our culture in the work we do for the movie industry here so that people can relate to it. TAXI >> Your posters in your work are great. You use a lot of interesting fonts in your posters. Can you tell us which is your favourite Typeface and why? Alexandre Renzo>> As movie poster designer, I must say that Univers Thin Ultra Condensed is a classic of the genre, it’s a must have for biling blocks (!). Recently, a client ask us to use a typeface that had the «movie poster» feel. We gave her the classic ultra condensed look and she was happy… TAXI >> A substantial amount of your work are cool movie posters too. Tell us which is your favourite genre of film? Alexandre Renzo >> I like all genre of film, I’m fascinated by how people relate to movies, and consequently to the poster. Because of the work. I get to watch all sorts of movies that I wouldn’t have seen by myself and I love it. I have to be an audience other than myself in order to design a good poster. Otherwise, I like the old Louis de Funès french movies because he reminds me of my grandfather. TAXI >> Share with us what is your dream project to work on. Alexandre Renzo>> A project where we switch sides ! The client does the design and we do his job… I’m not sure that this would be a dream come true, but I think we could mutually get a lot from it !

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Design City: Talent Spotlight in Montreal
Interview with Manon Boyer

TAXI >> How would you describe the design scene in Montreal ? Manon Boyer>> Montreal’s cultural differences are undeniably the most interesting of the country. It is so inspiring as it draws even more interest from abroad. I think we have a great niche of talented Innovators and trendsetters from all different backgrounds & origins. As a city Montreal attracts attention for it’s Old New York feel and European look and the film industry from all over uses our cities assets. I have used Montreal for my fashion & advertising photography backgrounds. Every corner is a different feel and we have endless possibilities. It is user friendly as we are very open. It is my favourite model! It has ever-changing scenery and beautification happens everywhere all the time. TAXI >> What do you feel is lacking in Montreal’s' design industry and how do you think you can contribute to the industry, society and economy as a creative individual? Manon Boyer>> From what I hear commercially is the lack of creative control. When you look at what is happening internationally no matter how exciting and amazing you have to face the reality of our City and it’s economy. But as for me I will always strive to give my 100% creatively. I love what I do it is my passion and that is what drives me. TAXI >> Tell us about your most memorable photography assignment. Manon Boyer>> I think the one moment that marked me the most was the time I photographed Montreal from above. I am afraid of heights you see and I shot Montreal from One of Montreal’s tallest building. With the help of my fearless assistant I managed as he held me back by a belt to leap over the edge of that building my feet tucked underneath the edge of a beam. As my body was shaking from fear I managed to stay put by looking through the camera lens and shooting away different parts of the city. What kept me going was looking through the lens and my awe for what I was seeing. When I finished I was escorted (by my hero my assistant) back inside the building (knees shaking all the way) and felt really proud that I managed to even press the shutter let alone step as close to the edge of the 46 story building I was on. There was little wind on that day which made the whole shoot possible. TAXI >> What are your greatest influences in photography and life? Manon Boyer>> People mostly the ones that love life and live their lives to the fullest. TAXI >> Where do you derive your inspiration from? Manon Boyer>> Every day life Music and all the beauty that this planet offers.

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Design City: Talent Spotlight in Montreal
Interview with Stephane Milhomme

TAXI >> How would you describe the design scene in Montreal ? Stephane Milhomme>> I’d describe Montreal as a very diversified city with many great artsist who make the design industry in Montreal a better place. Artist who put Montreal on an international level. We’ve noticed a great change in the last few years but I think the best is yet to come. TAXI >> What do you feel is lacking in Montreal’s' design industry and how do you think you can contribute to the industry, society and economy as a creative individual? Stephane Milhomme>> As a fashion design photographer, I would like to show images that are more creative and open minded for magazines who dare to show a bit more. I can contribute to the industry by showing a personalised image of the fashion industry in order to have the audience dream while looking at my photography. TAXI >> I love your photography; it seems to have quite a certain romantic quality to it. Are you a romantic by nature? Stephane Milhomme>> I don’t see myself as a romantic, I rather see myself as a human being who sees both women and men differently than the average male photographer. TAXI >> The models in your images have a special distinct personality to them. Do you get to choose all your models? If so, what do you look out for in them before you fire away your shutter? Stephane Milhomme>> Unfortunately it is difficult to always chose the models, but when I am fortunate enough to be able to do so, I like to chose women who are not too sexy with non-classical looks. I like to show subtle emotions that allows the reader/viewer to make up his own story. TAXI >> We notice that you like to place your models in interesting but yet simple spaces. We especially like the ones with the concrete spaces in your portfolio. Tell us honestly, which is more important to you? The location or model? Stephane Milhomme>> The model is far more important than the location. I love photographing people in very distinctive places or, and this may sound contradictive, in unknown locations where no one can recognise where we are.

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Design City: Talent Spotlight in Montreal
Interview with Lino

TAXI >> How would you describe the design scene in Montreal ? Lino>> I think Montreal can be proud of what's going on in graphic design here. Because of our multicultural society we merge different influences and the result is a very hybrid look, with a strong graphic impact. TAXI >> What do you feel is lacking in Montreal’s' design industry and how do you think you can contribute to the industry, society and economy as a creative individual? Lino>> I think what's missing is a dose of audacity from the "deciders". We still live in "boomers" market and unfortunately they slow down the emergence of fresh talents. I think it's time to trust the intelligence and the sensibility of the consumers and Art is certainly a great way to open this dialogue. TAXI >> What was the turning point in your life that made you decide you wanted to be an illustrator? Lino>>Probably the end of the 90's. Everything was changing so fast around us. Family, religion, work, politics, media, environment, images every where with a lack of reality. I personally decided then, to believe in Art more than anything else. Making art is giving me a sense of liberty and I really think it can help people. TAXI >> Your works are a little reminiscent of Salvador Dali, it feels surreal. Share with us why you choose surrealism as a key theme in your works? Lino>> The surrealism and the symbolism movement really influence my work because they both explore this intersection of consciousness and dream, it's poetry, and it has the power to reveal the invisible side of us. TAXI >> Which character or figure do you think you identity most with in your works, and tell us why? Lino>> I think what is the most dominant character in my work is the way I use painting, collage and drawing to make a strong and simple message with one or two symbols that can go straight to the point with sensibility and poetry..

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Design City: Talent Spotlight in Montreal
Interview with Janice Nadeau

TAXI >> How would you describe the design scene in Montreal ? Janice Nadeau >> Very present, active and growing. TAXI >> What do you feel is lacking in Montreal’s' design industry and how do you think you can contribute to the industry, society and economy as a creative individual? Janice Nadeau >> In my opinion, there is a lot of talent in our city, but I think it also lacks visibility. The city’s big events — cultural or not — should be more extravagant and call more for the creators’ implication, and use those happenings in order to exhibit established artists as well as new talents. As an illustrator, my objective is to burst the possibilities of my art by spreading my talent to other aspects of the domain. Exploring territories where design is not often see is a way to make design more visible and present. TAXI >> Your illustrations have a very distinct style to them; it looks very exquisite, very French. Did the Parisians inspire you? Janice Nadeau >> I am very inspired by the 20’s and 30’s French bourgeoisie retro charm and class, and naturally attracted towards this period fashion, pattern and textile history. I try to insufflate little reminiscence of this era in my work. TAXI >> How did you get into illustrating and decide that this was the path you wanted to take? Janice Nadeau >> It is my passion for drawing who naturally lead me first to design. I studied graphic design at University du Québec in Montreal and then specialized in illustration at L’École supérieure des Arts décoratifs in Strasbourg (France). It combines my passion for design, illustration and hand lettering. TAXI >> If you weren’t an illustrator and an artist, what would you be? Janice Nadeau >> Fashion designer, antique dealer, chef pâtissier, horticulturist and garden designer, florist, set and costume designer… it’s all related to art in the end!

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TRAVEL ALBUM: DESIGN CITY publishes the essential photography subjects of a city. As they say, architecture landmarks denote the progressing development of a country. Design in each and every city speaks in different languages and dances to different cultures. A lot of cities are growing in the design realm but no one would know about this development but the travelers and the locals themselves. Only. The exciting quirks and electrifying eccentricity of Everyday Product, Design Schools, Designers, Resources, Hotels/Buildings, Design Studios/Personalities, Local Galleries, Museums, etc, are found in both secret and obvious places of the city.

We miss out on these simple things during travel or simply during our busy lifestyle in our own city. So the next time you travel, think of TRAVEL ALBUM: DESIGN CITY.

Design in Progress: Montreal. How Design a City is Montreal? We find out...

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