Today we’d like to introduce you to Jean-Lou Renoux.
Hi Jean-Lou, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in a small town in an area I like to refer to as the Midwest of France. I wouldn’t go so far as to say I was an outsider, but I always felt a bit different. I knew I’d have to push beyond the limits of my hometown.
Like a lot of kids from my generation, I was a computer geek—I loved playing around with hardware and getting the latest bootleg software from my friends. But unlike some of those other kids, I didn’t have an internet connection at home. When I wanted new songs on my MP3 player, I connected the stereo to our old desktop and recorded songs from the radio with a program. I’d edit out the ads and other unwanted bits and voilà, homemade Limewire. I also explored more conventional modes of creativity, studying art and painting. Eventually, those two interests just kind of naturally intersected.
I studied computer science, marketing, and finally, design. After completing my degree, I first worked at small advertising agencies in my hometown, helping local businesses develop their online presence and branding materials.
Two years later, I was ready for a bigger pond. I decided to sell all my belongings and buy a one way ticket to Toronto. I gave myself a year to learn English, find a job in my field, and learn the lyrics of a Drake song—I succeeded in the first two.
I spent four formative years in Canada, working at a digital advertising agency on some of the country’s biggest brands like Johnson & Johnson and Canadian Tire and this little burger joint called McDonald’s.
I then accepted a job offer from R/GA in New York, a digital agency and innovation consultancy. Turns out, the next four years in Brooklyn had even more in store for me. I was lucky enough to work on really cool projects for my favorite brands (read Nike, Jordan, and Converse), met my wife, and adopted our cat, Frank.
Los Angeles was the next logical move for us. My wife is a native Angeleno, and we were ready for new challenges, palm trees, and a lot less snow.
Today, we live in South LA with Frank and our three months old son, Louis.
When I’m not working, I’m taking care of my plants, playing soccer or obsessing over my latest project (currently trying to make my home office—the garage—smell a little less like a garage).
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As much as I was ready, it was still difficult to leave home and my family. I’m the oldest of three and we’re all pretty close.
Being separated by hundreds and hundreds of miles (or kilometers) means there’s a ton of logistics involved in visiting and keeping up with one another. Sunday FaceTime has become essential.
Ten years later, I still feel guilty living so far away from them.
And while the transition from Canada to New York was smooth in that paragraph up there, the IRL experience was a bit different.
Getting my first work visa took almost a year. I took what was supposed to be a quick trip to France in order to finish the visa process (that my new company told me was totally simple and all but done) only to have it denied. The embassy kept my passport and put me in limbo. I ended up having to move back to my childhood bedroom for months, with no job and a week’s worth of clothes. The rest of my life was packed up in boxes in Toronto, waiting for me.
Just when I considered giving up and staying in France (a full six months later)—my paperwork cleared and I made my way back to Canada to get my things and finally drive to New York to start the new job I signed with a year prior.
Looking back now, I’m grateful for the lessons I learned along the way—however painful—and I’m proud of the journey I’ve made.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a Design Director with over a decade of experience working for agencies and clients in France, Canada, and the United States.
Over the years, I have had the privilege to collaborate with some of the most talented people in my industry on a wide range of projects, from product design to branding and interactive experiences for small businesses, start-ups, and global brands.
In New York, I got the chance to be part of the team who redesigned Converse’s global website and more recently, I co-led the design for the launch of Google’s new cloud gaming service, Stadia.
In 2018, I joined Deutsch—an ad agency in LA—where I am the design lead on the Taco Bell team and have been working on a range of projects, from branding to TV spots. You might have seen some of our work during The Dodgers’ commercial breaks.
What matters most to you?
My family and friends have always mattered most to me.
I was fortunate to grow up in a small, close-knit family. Early on, I learned the importance of rituals: Sunday tea time with grandmas, family vacations, holiday celebrations.
This pandemic highlighted the importance of those relationships for me and reminded me to not take any of it for granted.
I have my own family now—it still feels a bit surreal when I look at my son (yes, he’s the cutest). I am so grateful and so excited for the opportunity to create new rituals together. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: jeanlou.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanlou_/
Image Credits:
Angeliea Stark https://www.instagram.com/angeliea/
