American Standard

I grew up sailing and enjoyed drawing sailboats since my early years, and I loved taking things apart and recreating them. When I discovered the field of industrial design, I had no choice but to embrace this career. I got my design degree at Ecole Superieure de Design Industriel in Paris, and after a short year working there, I moved to New York where I have spent the last 23 years.

American Standard has shaped the home environment for almost 150 years, at home and at work, in America and abroad. Our brand has a very deep connection with our customers and users, and has a long tradition of innovation and design. When I join the company in 2013, we were on a new path to reinvigorate the brand. We have since reinvented to our approach to design and launched a new luxury brand, DXV, based on our tradition of style and craftsmanship.

An investigative journey; a chance to better people's lives.

A 30-foot yacht for the French boat manufacturer Jeanneau. I worked directly with the craftsmen who were building the prototype, kneeling on the loft floor refining the details full scale. It was fantastic.

Hard to describe… a very deep satisfaction. A feeling that the right balance has been achieved.

I have to quote Henry Dreyfuss, who once said: “If people are mader safer, more comfortable, more eager to purchase, more efficient, or just happier, the designer has succeeded.”

Does it truly provide a solution? Does it add anything new to the discussion? Or does it only serve the ego of the designer.

Being at the front end of the development process, we have a responsibility towards the environment, as our design decisions always have an impact down the road that we should be aware off.

The design field is constantly evolving – the tools, the nature of the projects, the connections between fields of expertise, etc. But the process remain the same at its core.

I grew up in France, was educated in Paris, lived mostly in New York ,but also in Shanghai. The world is full of inspirational experiences, but there is a deeply pragmatic approach to design in the US that certainly resonates with me.

Research, observe, investigate, ideate… then test and test and test. It is all about empathy, trying new ideas and being humble – not being afraid to be wrong.

Positive: every project is a new challenge. Negative: lack of sleep!

More than skills, it is curiosity that drives designers. But sketching (on paper, digitally, in 3D) is also key.

I most enjoy working with my team. They are incredibly talented and have produced some great designs.

I grew up sailing and was drawing up sailboats since my early years, and I loved taking things apart and creating new ones. When I discovered the field of industrial design, I had no choice but to embrace this career. I got my design degree at Ecole Superieure de Design Industriel in Paris, and after a short year working there, moved to New York where I have spent the last 23 years.

It's important for young designers to remember that design is about empathy, not ego.

I have to quote Henry Dreyfuss who once said: “If people are mader safer, more comfortable, more eager to purchase, more efficient, or just happier, the designer has succeeded.”

Research, observe, investigate, ideate… then test and test and test. It is all about empathy, trying new ideas and being humble – not being afraid to be wrong.