La Camaraderie is a multidisciplinary design agency creating participative exhibitions and events.
We were a team of 7 designers (5 graphic designers, 1 space designer and me, a product and interaction designer), working with 2 lead designers (one more graphic oriented and the other one more 3D and installations), who are also the directors of La Camaraderie. I was working on several projects that involved graphic design, GIF and video making, building up cases and ideas for competitive projects, and internal development. One of the biggest project was for Science innovation in Quebec, for which we made scientific vulgarization capsules, created a stand and developed the communication around their event. Another one, Charlie le Yéti, was for the IglooFest of Montreal.
We made a lot of projects. Nevertheless, the main project I was in charge of was the Christmas exhibition for La Place des Arts. It has been really enriching and important to me because it is gathering product design, UX, graphic design and scenography. Moreover, as I was the assistant project manager on this project it means a lot of logistic and responsibilities. I am really glad I had had the opportunity to be in charge of my own team, dealing with the skills and abilities of the three designers I led throughout this project. The exhibitions was entitled "Quand les lutins s'en mêlent" (trans: "When the goblins meddle in") and was made around a story of a baker having problems, messing up the cakes, and finally being helped by the goblins to make the delicious Christmas cakes. The entire tale was experienced by walking through the different scenes and enhanced by an original soundtrack. The walls and the furniture were made of thick cardboard and the cakes were made of paper.
"Quand les lutins s'en mêlent" - translation: "When the goblins meddle in"
Context : La Camaraderie is in charge of the Christmas exhibition of La Place des Arts in Montreal.
Subject : Create a step by step narrative exhibition of the tale created for the exhibition.
Target : Family and children from 1 to 10 years old.
Quand les lutins s'en mêlent, a tale written by Simon Gauthier
translation : "When the goblins meddle in"
Chapter 1:
During the winter holidays, the main attraction was to observe the beautiful shops front with the shimmering lights, the Christmas decorations and the magical characters. The shop were competing to be the most outstanding one. However, there was one that wasn't joyful and decorated; the one that belongs to Oziaz the baker. As Christmas eve was coming and Oziaz was disappearing in its kitchen, baking all the time, day and night, cakes and sweets. He started to become sadder and sadder, savourless, as his pastries.
Chapter 2:
When the very day before the Christmas night clients came to complain: "Your flan is as hard as concrete!", "A small sock in my croissant!", "Yours keys in my puff pastry!", "What's happening Oziaz, have you lost your mind?". Alone and overwhelmed in his bakery, Oziaz even though to end it all. When suddenly he saw in the flour dropped on the floor, small footprints. And in the cookie dough, a tiny bed. And against the shelves, small ladders made of braided hay. He understood: "Goblins! Tricksters! Crooks! First you ruined my work and then you made a fool of me!".
Chapter 3:
Determined to get rid of these creatures, Oziaz hided himself between the bags of flour. At dusk, he heard some scratching, cracks and other noises. All of a sudden, he jumped! Surprised and confused, the goblins fled, leaving a mess on their track. Furious, Oziaz hounded them from his shop to the forest where they vanished in the bushes. When he thought he was left alone, voices said:"Did you ran well? Now it's time to dance!".
Chapter 4:
Right behind hime was standing hundreds of these small creatures. From their green eyes was coming a bewitching light. And then something took the hand on him. Oziaz started to move, jump, and do flips and splits. And as strange as it may seem, he felt as ecstatic as being in a trance, and found it so pleasant that he asked the goblins to keep on dancing. Entertained, the little creatures felt pleased by the massive baker. As more were joining in Oziaz gladly invited the whole troupe to continue in his bakery.
Chapter 5:
Inside, the hurly-burly was stronger than ever. From up on the shelves, goblins dived head first in the flour bags, rolled on the rolling pins, and Oziaz was juggling with kitchen stuff. He got on the kitchen table and started baking dozens of recipes, as spectacular as a magician can be. Astonished, the goblins sure knew they were in front of a great sorcerer. The rest of the night was fantastic. The hundreds of creatures helped prepare the cakes, following the orders: ingredients, quantities and process of the great Oziaz. From the ovens came an unbelievable amount of pastries, tarts, sweets and cakes. When dawn was rising, all enjoyed the cooking of the night and the screams of joy sealed the deal to gather and fest every year. And that is how happened the first Christmas eve between humans and goblins.
Chapter 6:
Not long after the sunrise, the town folk gathered in front of Oziaz's bakery. Against the window display were hundreds of noses of fascinated people. The vitrine was amazing. Full of decorations beyond imagination, the shop had jewels of sweetness as only fairies can make - people said. Even more incredible was the smile on the sleeping baker's face.
Chapter 7:
Since that night, Oziaz found back the happiness of his work, bringing back the savour of his pastries. And when Christmas is coming soon, people can see him dance in the town's street, a sidestep here, a leap there. Oziaz was waiting for his fantastic friends that had bring some magic in his life.
