Nicolas Le Dren, 2019 alumni, designer in London
Meeting with Nicolas Le Dren in London on 26 January 2024
L'École de design Nantes Atlantique went to London to meet its graduates and immerse in their daily lives, to better understand their strategic role within their company, in an international context. Stéphanie Martin-Petit, Careers Manager, met Nicolas Le Dren. Nicolas, who graduated from the school in 2019, studied for his master's degree in the school's Digital design Lab. He is now Technical VFX Artist at Marshmallow Laser Feast, an experiential art collective based in London.
How do you think the design professions have evolved in recent years?
The evolution of design professions is perpetual because of its link with societal issues, which makes it fascinating to me. In the fields that I have worked with professionally, such as graphic design, animation and digital arts, recent years have been marked by significant technological developments.
New tools have been added to the artists' palette, such as Radiance Fields (NeRF or Gaussian splats), a promising technology used in particular to capture three-dimensional environments. These models based on machine learning algorithms are multiplying and pose real strategic questions to companies likely to use them.
I also had the chance to observe, following my recent change of studio, the desire of certain professional and cultural entities (still too few in number) to collaborate with companies sensitive to the climate emergency. The integration of a low-carbon creation approach remains a huge constraint for studios, especially as it is in direct conflict with new technologies being developed using ever more resources and energy.
How is your design profession strategic?
It is in this conflict between technological advances and respect for the environment that the design professions encounter strategic problems. Associations like Creatives for climate make it possible to bring together stakeholders and find solutions for the evolution of our professions.
What has the school brought you?
For me, L’Ecole was an environment that allowed me to explore many interests and discover new passions, in addition to the lessons taught.
Any advice for future designers?
I think it is very important to develop your own skills and learn to think critically in order to cultivate your own creativity. The basis of design that the school provides is fundamental and opens up many worlds!
Would you like to ask a question related to the Alumni community? alumni@lecolededesign.com
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