Taking the pulse with Rosemarie Ouellet Larochelle

2024 Applied Arts Design Awards winner Young Blood Rosemarie Ouellet-Larochelle came to Design later in life after earning a degree in Actuarial studies from Laval University and, before that, Music Studies at the Quebec Conservatory of Music and Dramatic Art—violin being her instrument. In 2017, she changed her course to earn another degree, this time in Graphic Design from Laval University. Creativity is a skill she has under wraps. Her work for client Jardins du Nique earned her a Young Blood win under the Entire Design Program category. Rosemarie reveals her inspiration for this piece.

Can you walk us through the specifics of creating this piece?

Jardins du Nique is a micro-farm located near Quebec City. Having already worked with this client on a past project, I knew their tastes and expectations regarding branding. I was lucky to be given a lot of creative freedom and little constraint for this project. I wanted to create a unifying and warm brand image like its owners. I also wanted to use graphic codes associated with agriculture such as the checkered pattern. The colour palette I chose and the compositions reflect the abundance of varieties grown by the gardeners. I wanted to create several colourful and geometric illustrations of vegetables to add playfulness to the branding. I created a unique and recognizable typographic logo that seems to have just emerged from the earth, like a seed.

What has the response been like for this piece?

The owners of the farm loved it and accepted it right away!

What is the hardest part when you created this specific piece?

I work full-time in an agency based in Quebec City, so I'm used to showing my work to my colleagues and interacting with them weekly. Their opinion is precious and constantly help me become a better designer. However, I created the identity of the Jardins du Nique alone on a freelance basis. So I would say that the biggest challenge of this project was that I had to work alone and to trust my instincts!

How do you stay creative/inspired?

It may be counter-intuitive, but I try to consume as little Design as possible on a daily basis. Having also studied classical music, I find inspiration unconsciously in music, dance and theatre. I see at least one show a week; it's an opportunity for me to recharge my batteries, contemplate beauty, and find off-screen inspiration. I also spend a lot of my free time in my community garden. These moments working the land offer a well-deserved break for my brain and help me cultivate my creativity.

Taking breaks from our creativity allows us to pause, take in what is around us, reset, and come back refreshed. Congratulations on this winning work, Rosemarie!