On 31 May 2025, the Now25 conference will take place in Paris. Join us, to listen a mix of inspiring speakers evoking topics as broad as graphic design, web design, motion design, publishing, visual identity, communication and type design. If not already done, register now to take advantage of the best rates.
It seemed interesting to us to make you discover the profiles of our guests. Discover Mathilde Vallée.
Biography Mathilde Vallée is a Paris-based senior art director and graphic designer with over a decade of experience. She specializes in bringing brands to life with distinctive personalities. Her work is defined by a playful yet refined aesthetic, deeply inspired by pop culture and vintage design from the 80s and 90s. She combines thoughtful strategy with a whimsical eye for detail, blending nostalgic references with fresh perspectives.
Interview
What is your favorite way to start a day?
Mathilde Vallée I don’t really have a “morning routine”. I like to either wake up very early and be active, or get up by myself between 8 and 9 and take the time to read my emails and catch up on the news in bed and make myself a banana-peanut butter smoothie. After that, I like to walk or cycle to the office — it’s a great way to get some fresh air before diving into work.
Could describe your typical day?
Mathilde Vallée I try to be organized (even if I’m not really!), so most of the time, I start my workday by making a to-do list and answering emails. I also try to get through tasks I enjoy the least, like administrative work, early in the day. After that, it depends on the project. I actually enjoy the fact that no two days are the same. Some days, I juggle multiple projects at once, while other times, I stay focused on the same mission for months!
What your preferred place to work?
Mathilde Vallée My first job was in an agency, and I was friends with most of my co-workers. So when I started freelancing, I initially felt quite lonely working from home. I also found it sometimes harder to stay motivated without a clear separation between work and personal life. A few years later, I started sharing an office space with friends — also freelancers — which made a huge difference. Since then, I’ve worked in four different office spaces. I now share an office space with close friends Simon and Thomas, who run Chien Bleu Studio. I truly enjoy working there with them — they’re very dedicated, and we often end up working late nights or weekends together, which is much more motivating than working solo! Being surrounded by other creatives is incredibly inspiring. We frequently help each other out — whether it’s for a fresh perspective on our projects or an opportunity to collaborate when possible.
Do you listen music to while working or are you one of those who prefer absolute silence?
Mathilde Vallée I listen to music most of the time while working. Even though I enjoy working in a shared space, I like to isolate myself with music, so I usually wear my AirPods with noise cancellation on. I love listening to music that puts me in a good mood and keeps me motivated, but I often adapt my playlist depending on my mood or the project I’m working on. I also have a bit of a quirky habit — I love playing movies on a side screen while I work. It feels like a podcast to me, and surprisingly, it sometimes helps me focus. But only movies I’ve already seen, mostly from the 90s and 2000s. However, when I’m writing quotes or really need to concentrate, I prefer absolute silence.
What do you do to evade yourself from work?
Mathilde Vallée What helps me the most is practicing yoga. Even though I work a lot — often at night and on weekends — it’s the one thing I never postpone or cancel. It helps me find balance, stay focused, and gives me energy while making me feel way less stressed! I also enjoy going for a walk to clear my mind or cooking, as I like doing something with my hands that doesn’t involve a screen.
“Working with experts in their respective fields, especially those with strong artistic styles, results in much more powerful and original work.”
– Mathilde Vallée
What is the best way to work, in a team or alone?
Mathilde Vallée I really enjoy both. Since I run my studio alone, I mostly work by myself, which I actually like because I’m very demanding — I kind of like to control everything. I can be a bit of a control freak sometimes! That being said, I also love working with other creatives. Brainstorming and exchanging ideas as a team is incredibly beneficial and often leads to perspectives I wouldn’t have considered on my own. I regularly collaborate with illustrators and designers on my projects. Working with experts in their respective fields, especially those with strong artistic styles, results in much more powerful and original work. I would love to collaborate even more with other creatives on my projects, but in reality, budget constraints sometimes mean that hiring an illustrator or photographer isn’t always possible, so I have to manage things myself. I also frequently work with large creative teams for international clients, which is an amazing experience. Sharing ideas and working together allows us to create something much bigger than what one person could achieve alone.
Do you ever feel “too comfortable”?
Mathilde Vallée I think I really need and love to stay creative. Over the years, I’ve realized that I now have more intuitive reflexes and ideas than before. I’ve become much more efficient, but at the same time, I always try to push myself. Not long ago, I started feeling bored with branding design. I was — and still am — more drawn to imagery, which is partly why I started practicing photography. More recently, I learned video editing and motion design to create social content for a Los Angeles-based brand called Asta Resort. I would also love to explore object design in the future. I’ve always been fascinated by tangible, three-dimensional creations, and I think it would be an exciting challenge to bring my aesthetic and design sensibility into physical objects.
“I believe we, as creatives, have to do the same — continuously adapt and find ways to integrate new tools while staying true to our craft.”
– Mathilde Vallée
Does AI change the way you work?
Mathilde Vallée I try to stay open-minded and aware of changes and evolutions in our industry, and AI is obviously a major one. For now, I see AI as an additional tool rather than a replacement. It’s interesting to explore, but I don’t rely on it for the core of my creative process — design is about intuition, storytelling, and human emotion, which AI cannot fully replicate. I often work with Google, and AI is one of the key topics we focus on. It’s fascinating (and a little bit scary) to see how major companies are constantly pushing the boundaries and evolving to keep up with these changes. I believe we, as creatives, have to do the same — continuously adapt and find ways to integrate new tools while staying true to our craft.
What do you think of the never ending trend of grotesque and geometric sans-serif typefaces everywhere in graphic design?
Mathilde Vallée I love working with type to create bold and visually striking identities. Typography is a fundamental element of branding, shaping the tone and personality of a project. As for the never-ending trend of grotesque and geometric sans-serif typefaces, I understand their appeal — they are highly versatile, modern, and adaptable across different media. Their simplicity makes them effective, but their ubiquity can sometimes lead to a lack of personality and originality in design. That’s why I always try to bring a unique touch to each project, whether through unexpected type pairings, custom lettering, or incorporating more expressive and character-driven typography. I believe type should do more than just be functional; it should convey emotion, identity, and a strong visual voice.
Are you a “pop and quirky style” or “Swiss style“ designer?
Mathilde Vallée I’m definitely known for my pop and quirky style! But I would say I’m a bit of both. I love bringing fun and playfulness into my work, but I’m also deeply drawn to Swiss-style design — I’m very meticulous with details, typography, and simplicity, even if that’s not what stands out at first glance. I’m passionate about editorial design and love simple yet expressive black-and-white layouts with strong typography.
I’m really lucky to be approached by clients who appreciate my quirky, pop-inspired style and trust my vision. However, sometimes having such a distinctive style can feel limiting — it places me in a specific niche, whereas I like to explore different design approaches.
Right now, as I launch my studio and future website, I’m trying to find the right balance — staying true to my signature aesthetic while also showcasing that my work is thoughtfully crafted and seriously considered. This way, I can attract a broader range of clients and creative opportunities.
Is visual accessibility important to you?
Mathilde Vallée Yes, absolutely! I believe life is already complicated enough — we all deserve a little fun! I want my work to be engaging, but also clear and easy to read. Good design should communicate effectively without feeling overly complex or exclusive. Additionally, when I develop visual identities, I always keep in mind that they need to be easy for clients to use afterward. A great design isn’t just visually strong — it should also be practical and adaptable.
Do you remember when you decided to pursue your career in design?
Mathilde Vallée When I was little, I was always drawn to design in general. I loved fashion design and remember creating outfits for my Barbies using a sewing machine with my grandma. My mom introduced me to interior decoration and home design, while my father taught me about computers, photography, and DIY projects. We used to program robots made with LEGO, which was a great way to experiment and be creative. After high school, I knew I wanted to follow a creative path. However, to reassure my parents, I chose to pursue a general Literature degree with art and art history options. Later, I considered a career in interior design or architecture and enrolled in a MANAA (foundation year in applied arts), where I explored space design, graphic design, and product design. I loved it, but in the end, I chose graphic design for my BTS, mostly for practical reasons — my space design models were too big and cumbersome to carry around!
“Singularity is a strength, and constantly comparing yourself to others is counterproductive.”
– Mathilde Vallée
When you started, who had the most impact on you?
Mathilde Vallée What I remember most is that our teachers often encouraged us to pursue whatever we wanted and to embrace creative freedom in our school projects, reminding us that things would be very different and full of constraints later on in our careers. At the time, I sometimes felt frustrated because I wanted to work on more concrete and professional projects. Ironically, now that I work in the industry, I find myself doing the opposite — bringing back that sense of freedom and experimenting with different media like collage or handmade elements, which I loved doing in school.
Do you sketch on paper or on tablet?
Mathilde Vallée I’m a paper lover — I always have a notebook or loose sheets and a pen with me. I sometimes sketch, as it helps me think and organize my ideas. I also take notes or make quick (and terrible) doodles in the Notes app on my phone when an idea pops up — either before going to bed or even in the middle of the night. I sometimes use my iPad for sketching and improving my drawing skills, but most of the time, I use it to watch shows or movies while I work :-)
Do you have words of wisdom for young practitioners?
Mathilde Vallée Try your best not to compare yourself to others — whether in life or in your graphic design journey. Singularity is a strength, and constantly comparing yourself to others is counterproductive.
What will be the message you would like to convey during your Now25 talk?
Mathilde Vallée I’d like to emphasize the importance of creative freedom and personal expression in design. Over time, it’s easy to get caught up in client expectations and industry trends, but maintaining a unique voice is essential. I want to share how embracing experimentation, imperfection, and even playfulness can lead to stronger, more meaningful design work.
Thank you very much Mathilde!
– Interview by Lia Porquet
Register to the graphic & type conference in Paris ➼ Now25 conference
Learn more about TypeParis
➼ Type & graphic designers interviews
➼ Summer25 programme
➼ Reports
➼ Attendees feedback series
SPONSORS
