People and design

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people and design

a documentary portrait series celebrating 50 years of design in montréal

''People and design'' illustrates the vivid use of space and objects that were designed by graduates of Université de Montréal's faculty of design. Out of some 150 submitted projects, 50 were selected by a committee to represent the six disciplines taught at the Faculty of Planning: architecture, landscape architecture, industrial design, interior design, design playgrounds and urban planning. My goal as a photographer was to showcase the people who interact with these projects in the most diverse and inclusive fashion.

This is reflected in a series of clichés showing everyday life. The human being is seen at the heart of the projects, whether they are a luminous building or a delicate object, green park or neat interior or urban planning. The stories of this gallery of characters revealed a dimension other than that of everyday life: the sociological dimension which testifies to the extraordinary diversity of Montreal. Mixing generations, cultural communities and economic classes, this constellation of individuals also contributes to open dialogue, stimulates the desire to continue to create, to innovate, to rethink, to constantly renew shared living environments.

Here's what the faculty of design had to say about my work:

''The series of images explores Montreal's unique and colorful stories. Guided by his knowledge of Montreal's milieu, a sensitivity and a flair for unusual experiences, the documentary photographer literally went on the hunt for anecdotes. His gallery of portraits, after having surprised, and sometimes even disturbed, leads to a magnificent reflection on the diversity and social inclusion of our city. Anonymous passers-by, underground celebrities, athletes, public figures, resident citizens or tourists, all the protagonists he makes us discover have an unquestionable common trait: they are all genuine people who borrow, live, use the places and objects created by graduates and teachers enrolled in the history of the faculty.''