Iris Jean ARNAUD

1.)     What was your very first job?
My first professional experiences were my internships. I worked for the french publishing house Assouline for a summer, I was designing coffee table books, loved it. I also worked at Etam, a french lingerie and underwear maison, I was designing patterns, embroideries, T-shirt design, hangtags etc... kind of sexy... loved it too.
 
2.)     Please describe, in your own words, what your job is and what work it entails.
I'm in charge of all printed and digital assets/results for our main brand Paul Mitchell and Paul Mitchell the schools (campaigns, packaging, promotions). I'm also in charge of all JPMS corporate brochures and our distributor tool/magazine named New+Now (photography and design).
 
3.)     How did you discover that the creative world was right for you? Was there a time in your life that you credit to this discovery? Was there a train of events that brought you to where you are today?
I have always been an artist. I started with ballet dance, did a bunch of shows... et oui! Then I tried music (drums, violon, piano...) and singing... but my family asked me nicely to stop lol... and I started drawing, painting and photography... wanted to create and make beauty.
 
4.)     In your constantly growing and expanding industry, how do you find inspiration to keep your work fresh, innovative and relevant?
I'm curious... I guess that's the key. Everything is an inspiration. Love travelling, taking pictures, love mixing art, going to art galleries/shows/fairs... but also to flea markets, or just walk around in a place I have never been and totally discovering.
 
5.)     If you had to pick one piece of work or project that you are most proud of, more for the creative work and innovation it required, rather than its recognition or industry “success,” what would it be?
When I was living in New York, I started taking part of artistic events, as an artist. When I left New York for Paris, I created my own little gallery called Spot. I loooooved it. It was just a KIFFE as we say in french. Meeting with creative people, organizing a place where they can meet many other creative people and show their work... It was just what I always dreamed about. I was fitting perfectly. It that sense, it was a real success for me.
 
6.)     Which creative disciplines do you commission most, and are most interested in seeing more of and why? Which of these disciplines are you most interested in seeing at CONNECTIONS? (ie photo, film, social, experiential, vr, influencer marketing, event production, production services etc)
Love seeing photos and experiential, VR... love tech and art together.
 
7.)     What was the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
My bigger risk was probably when I moved from Paris to New York for the very first time. It was for an internship in a creative studio. I was 24 years old. And it was my first time in the US!!! Never regretted it. And I stayed not only 3 months, but 4 years!