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3DTotal : Hi Olivier, could you please give our readers a little introduction to yourself; your age, location, current projects, etc…
Olivier : Hi, my name is Olive2d (Olivier Derouetteau), I’m 35 years old, I live near Paris in France and I’m a 2d addict! I have actually been working in a French video game studio as an Artistic Director, Game-Designer and Author (so many jobs in one!) Since 1999. I have worked on many children’s’ games for licensors such as Disney and Ubisoft. In fact, my entrance into the game world was by chance; I was originally working as a stylist, drawing back-packs every day, when a friend asked me if I would be interested in a video game job. I didn’t know anything about the game designer job, so I just decided to
try it for one week, so it’s funny that I am still in this firm even now! I am often working for children’s’ games in Lexis Numerique and the like. I can say that I am less interested by adult games, because they’re just too serious for me. I think that childrens’ games have inspired many of my illustrations. I’m actually trying to develop my own style, and I would like to create my first childrens’ book…
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3DTotal : That sounds great! So, you’re a “2d-addict”? What exactly would you say defines a 2d addict? (I’m sure we have other readers out there experiencing similar symptoms!)
Olivier : Well, 2D is a very powerful form of expression because there are so many styles, so many imaginative ways! I can draw when I want, where I want, it is just so powerful! In fact, drawing gives me a real fantastic freedom! When I am drawing, everything is possible and there are no limits… except perhaps the limits of my imagination.
3DTotal : So, what was it that originally inspired you to become an artist?
Olivier : I have never asked myself this question. I always knew, and still know now, that I will create all my life. I have always drawn and when I was a child the teachers said that I was a ‘dreamer’. My parents gave me a strong interest in artistic creation; my father was a designer too, as was my grandfather (I have some very old painted advertisements, which are very funny!), and my mother also taught physical activities, such as; cooking and leather-working. So I can say that I have been plunged into the artistic world since my birth! |
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3DTotal : Would you say you are still a bit of a ‘dreamer’ now? Do you think it is important for artists to be able to dream?
Olivier : Yes, I really do think that I am still a dreamer! My wife sometime says that I still have the vision of a child because I am always looking at the funny little details around me; snails, funny stones, etc... There are just so many little things! I am fascinated by old objects and old materials because they all tell us a little story about themselves… So, yes, I think that being able to dream is very important for an artist! |
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3DTotal : Looking at your portfolio, I am particularly taken by the curious creatures who seem to inhabit
the magical world that you have created through your artworks. Can you tell me a little about your
thoughts behind these creations?
Olivier : Well it’s difficult to explain because I have never asked myself this question. I am interested in finding creatures that make me smile and dream, and that’s why they are so strange I think. I create characters now because I once drew one of my friends. My characters are never realistic and always have a ‘toonish’ style (they are not serious as you can see!). They are never perfect as ‘people’, but they always have a funny touch to them. I am also interested by mechanics and gears and I always put some robotics or mechanical elements into my illustrations. It’s probably because I have studied micro-mechanics for 4 years!
3DTotal : I see! …So would you say you draw a lot on your personal experiences in the creation of
your artworks? Are you able to find inspiration in everything that you see, or do you think these
elements come into your works subconsciously?
Olivier : Well, many things inspire me; sometimes it’s a situation, sometimes it’s an object, sometimes it’s a colour or an atmospheric idea; in fact there are no rules. I think it’s a mixture of every little thing that I see, live and dream; the creation process is just so complex. I think that the most important thing about creating is doing…So, when I have a little idea - I do it! |
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