We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cécile Dumetier. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cécile below.

Cécile, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Nature Morte has been the most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far. It was my first artistic collaboration with the photographer Ruth Ward.

Nature Morte is a series of still life photographs, featuring discarded waste collected on the streets of East London during the height of the pandemic.

In April 2023, we exhibited the series at the Dalston Curve Garden, a community garden based in East London. This exhibition offered a beautiful yet poignant reminder of the damage we as humans are capable of causing, an issue that needs to be front of mind now more than ever.

The term Nature Morte is the French term for Still Life. The phrase literally translates into English as Dead Nature, an appropriate play on words that encompasses both the essence of the inspiration and the realisation of the images.

The idea of this project started in 2020, the first year of the pandemic, when the only daily “activity” we could do was going for a walk. When wandering in the park near my place, the main things I noticed were not the flowers blooming or the birds singing but the rubbish. Masks, gloves, paper cups, etc… they were piling everywhere and they became part of the landscape. So during each walk, I started to pick some up and collect them in the mind of wanted to create something with them.

After approaching Ruth with this idea, we worked collaboratively to push this project further. We wanted to bring awareness to the environment in a beautiful way by giving a second life to disposable items found on the streets. Our work focused on three ‘hero’ source materials: Masks, Gloves and Paper Cups. Taking our inspiration from Dutch Masters paintings, the still life images both hide and elevate Covid waste within the compositions.

Self-initiative projects like Nature Morte allow me to create meaningful work to balance with my more commercial projects and also give me the opportunity to collaborate with talented people like Ruth Ward.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a French designer and art director based in London. When I went to art school in 2006 I didn’t really know at the time what a graphic designer was and discover it while studying and doing internships. These experiences helped me discovering the variety of work I could do in the design industry and specifically the type of work I didn’t want to do.

After working full-time and freelancing for over 12 years for award-winning design studios in Paris and London including &Smith, Here Design, Two Times Elliott and Koto, I started my own creative studio called Studio Omelette.

Specifically not specialised, the studio focuses on crafting brands’ stories in a unique way through different techniques based on open exploration and research. Studio Omelette has a small, nimble structure to maintain flexibility and foster a culture of collaboration with a diverse team of independent creative talents.

The past year has been exciting. I’ve been working on a variety of projects from exhibition design, digital tool, art direction, branding, packaging and retail projects.

I’ve worked for clients of all scales, from startups to bigger brands such as Apple, The British Library, Dorchester Collection, Liberty London and William Grant & Sons.

I also mentor and give talks at D&AD Shift, a free industry-led night school for self-taught creatives entering the advertising, design and creative industries from outside traditional education.

Having my own practice allows me to be flexible with my time and create on the side some ceramic pieces and also teach at a pottery studio. Be able to step back from my computer and do something with my hands helps me with my mental health and has been really beneficial with my creativity.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

At uni and work we learn to be a creative, to think, to come up with concepts, to design from a logo to a brand world, etc. But we usually don’t learn about the admin and money side. Lots of creatives will go freelance or set up their own studio and it’s important to learn and be confident with the business side.

I’d recommend to get mentors, connect with other creatives and never be afraid to ask for advices.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Collaborating with different clients and talents is the most rewarding aspect for me. Bouncing ideas, learning from each others, creating together is the exciting part of the job.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://studiomelette.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studio_omelette
• Linkedin: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/c%C3%A9cile-dumetier-97b99048

Image Credits
Ruth Ward and Mitch Payne