Today, on our employee spotlight series is Jean-Baptiste LeTétour, Art Director at PixMob, klik, and Safeteams.
JB, as he is affectionately known, was born and raised in France, a country synonymous with art and culture. By deciding to study graphic design for five years, he found the perfect way to marry his passion and career.
We sat down with JB to learn more about his background, inspirations, and challenges in brand building.
1. Let’s take it from the top! Tell us about your background and how you got into graphic design?
I have been passionate about art and design since I was very young. As a child, I used to go to Paris to visit my grandmother to go to exhibitions, galleries, and art libraries.
My curiosity as a child blossomed into a deep interest in architecture, product design, and eventually graphic design. I strongly believe that for creative people, their environment plays a significant role; it tickles and nourishes our creative spirit.
My curiosity as a child blossomed into a deep interest in architecture, product design, and eventually graphic design. I strongly believe that for creative people, their environment plays a significant role; it tickles and nourishes our creative spirit.
So yeah, I think that was the first step into working in this field.
At the age of 16, I started my own t-shirt brand, creating visuals and communication, then after high school, I specialized in graphic design, which I studied for 5 years. It wasn’t the easiest choice because it diverged from traditional fields, but for me, it was the perfect way to marry my passion and career.
2. How did you learn the ropes of graphic design? What ultimately led you to where you are today?
I first worked as a freelancer on a large range of visual projects, followed by several internships in Washington DC in a communications agency to learn how to work on varied projects. This helped me apply my learnings in the real world, get feedback and continuously improve my skill.
When I arrived in Montreal and worked as a freelancer for the agency Circo de Bakuza on the artistic direction for large-scale events, it is here that I discovered PixMob.
Four months later, I met Simon St Germain (former marketing director), building the klik brand and putting together a marketing team. He trusted me to be responsible for the visual identity of both brands.
It was a natural progression for me in my career since klik was an up-and-coming brand, and there was work to be done on the PixMob side. It was an exciting opportunity and also challenging.
The rest is history.
3. What are a few of the challenges you’ve faced in your role at the company?
Initially, we were working with an agency that’d done some foundational work on these brands. But there was a lot to be done on the evolution of the visual identities of the two brands—PixMob and klik. The challenge was maintaining consistency and creativity across different platforms—digital, print, photography, videography, motion design, and product design. But, it is also the most interesting and rewarding part of my job. It allows me to improve my skills and learn new ones along the way.
The challenge for me was maintaining consistency and creativity across different platforms—digital, print, photography, videography, motion design, and product design. But, it is also the most interesting and rewarding part of my job. It allows me to improve my skills and learn new ones along the way.
4.What’s the one book you’d recommend to someone looking to work in graphic design?
It’s not a book actually (grins sheepishly)! If you’re visiting Paris, you must drop by the Palais de Tokyo—a modern and contemporary art center in the city with an international library. Here you can find magazines and books from all over the world. I’ve personally spent many hours rifling through pages and pages. I’m sure you’ll find something interesting to read here.
5. Who’s someone to watch in your field? Who do you look up to?
A lot of designers' work comes to mind, I am interested in many different horizons to build my visual aesthetic. I really like the work of designers like Superscript, ChateauFortFort, deValence, who never make "pointless" creations and try to give meaning to the form.
A lot of designers' work comes to mind, I am interested in many different horizons to build my visual aesthetic. I really like the work of designers like Superscript, ChateauFortFort, deValence, who never make "pointless" creations and try to give meaning to the form.
This is something that is lost a lot today and that I think is important in graphic design, so I admire those who make it a point of honor.
6. The ability to make an impact quickly is one of the best aspects of Eski. What are you proud of so far?
7. What are the three words you’d choose to describe Eski and why?