Canadian-based artist, Julien Vallée is a jack of all trades working on a variety of projects involving art installation, video, graphics, and design. Powered by technology and an inclination toward all environmental aspects, Vallée is bridging the gap between manual and virtual art.

How did you decide to be a graphic designer?
I was studying multimedia in college until I realized that if I do this job I would only integrate other people’s images online or on an interactive DVD. I think I found it boring at some point, and that it would be better if I could reflect my own ideas by designing and creating the content myself. So I decided to go to university in graphic design, and I liked it.

From all your areas of specialty (art direction, motion graphic, print design, art installation and video), which one do you enjoy the most and why?
I think it’s the mix of them all. I won’t be able to pick only one because they all involve different ways of working and I like this diversity. To me, motion work involves a lot of time and also a lot of waiting after the machine to make the render.

Where do you work on your designs and projects?
My studio is based in Montreal. I am usually working from there, but since a half year I’ve been working from Berlin and from Barcelona. I was doing the thinking part of the job and some production in my flat and then moving to a studio for the final shoot. But, I must admit that I am working in a lot of places, as the thinking process keeps following me almost everywhere. When I start a project I hardly disconnect from it.

You’ve done a lot of paper installations; is there another medium you’ve explored and would want to explore to make future installations?
I think that I like to try different things, and also the contrast of mixing a lot of techniques together. I don’t feel like (one) craft has something special among the other, it’s just that it happens that I had some relevant projects to develop this technique. Paper has unique characteristics and I like to play with it. One of them is the fact that there is this notion point of no return - if you cut it, fold or glue it, then there is no un-do available. I have loads of projects in mind that don’t involve paper at all… I don’t have any specific medium that I want to explore. I just want to discover over and over.

If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be?
I would be curious to observe the way of working of Michel Gondry and the way he manages his marvelous projects.

Tangible - High touch visuals: Photographer : Simon Duhamel

Whose work or what inspires you most?
I think I enjoy the work of a lot of people, independently of the field. I especially admire people that work for clients that they believe in, and also those that keep a personal artist statement behind their work. To name only one, I think Stefan Sagmeister is a good example with his project, Things I have learned in my life.

What have you been working on lately?
I have done some book & magazine covers like, Computer Arts in the UK and the book, Tangible about spatial working in graphic design.

What music do you listen to?  What’s the one song you can’t get out of your head right now?
Various kinds of music. It depends on the project, the hour of the day, or the latest show I’ve been to. It goes from old punk, acoustic to electronic, and some stuff from our fellow artists in Québec. For the moment I have an old song from a ska band called Catch 22, the song is Dear Sergio.

Why did you choose to live in Berlin?
I moved here mainly because of the city and the pace of the art scene in Berlin. I also wanted to come here to take some time to look back at the work I’ve done for the past two years, and think about the kind of projects and approach in graphic design I want to develop in the future. For me, traveling is the greatest source of inspiration because you’re more attentive to the environment. I pay attention to everything that surrounds me, and it’s a very good source of inspiration. I don’t know if coming here directly changed my work, but for sure it affects your opinion on things and enlarges your vision.

Tell us five websites you check every single morning.
Hum…I don’t have any ritual of websites every morning, but I like to look at motionographer.com; cpluv.com; manystuff.org; formfiftyfive.com8 and itsnicethat.com.

I love the 24 x 140 banner for Tactile. Where do you get all the three-dimensional objects and products to create those spaces? Are they yours?
Yes, they were all from my collection of everyday life objects. From kitchen to living room, toilets to bedroom!

What do you want for your birthday?
Nothing. I just want to have a nice day, nice weather, nice music and some beers!

MTV-One: Photographer : Simon Duhamel

Last but not least, what is your favorite font and why?
Hum, I don’t think I have a favorite font. There is one that I like a lot from Norm, which is Simple Köln. I think she is pretty simple and well designed! Otherwise, it always depends on the project.