Louis Gagnon, Canada

AGI member since 2010

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After completing a bachelor’s degree in graphic communications from Laval University in Québec City, Louis Gagnon began his career as an art director at Graphème (Cossette), where he became creative director. After then working at design agency Nolin Larosée, Louis cofounded Paprika with Joanne Lefebvre in 1991. Today, as vice-president of creation, Louis has more than 1,000 national and international awards to his name. The Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec has acquired over 20 of his works for its permanent collection.

In 2007, Pyramyd released Paprika, the first book dedicated to a North American agency, in its “Design & Designer” collection. Three years later, the Parisian gallery Anatome, paid tribute to Paprika with an exhibition of its work.

For the last 18 years, Louis has been a course instructor at the Ecole de Design of the University of Québec at Montréal, where he has been sharing his passion for timeless design that sparks the imagination with students.

In 2023, he received the highest Canadian distinction, the Les Usherwood Award, for a lifetime of excellence in the field of design and communication.

Design work by Louis Gagnon


    Louis Gagnon, Canada (2010)

    After completing a bachelor’s degree in graphic communications from Laval University in Québec City, Louis Gagnon began his career as an art director at Graphème (Cossette), where he became creative...

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    After completing a bachelor’s degree in graphic communications from Laval University in Québec City, Louis Gagnon began his career as an art director at Graphème (Cossette), where he became creative director. After then working at design agency Nolin Larosée, Louis cofounded Paprika with Joanne Lefebvre in 1991. Today, as vice-president of creation, Louis has more than 1,000 national and international awards to his name. The Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec has acquired over 20 of his works for its permanent collection.

    In 2007, Pyramyd released Paprika, the first book dedicated to a North American agency, in its “Design & Designer” collection. Three years later, the Parisian gallery Anatome, paid tribute to Paprika with an exhibition of its work.

    For the last 18 years, Louis has been a course instructor at the Ecole de Design of the University of Québec at Montréal, where he has been sharing his passion for timeless design that sparks the imagination with students.

    In 2023, he received the highest Canadian distinction, the Les Usherwood Award, for a lifetime of excellence in the field of design and communication.

    Exhibitions

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    The Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, Québec

    20 works were acquired by the museum for its permanent collection

    Paprika-Seripop. Un regard graphique sur Montréal

    2010

    Anatome, Paris

    Parisian gallery Anatome, one of Europe's leading centers for contemporary graphic design, pays tribute to two Montreal-based graphic design firms, Paprika and Seripop, with an exhibition of their work.

    Agencies

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    • Nolin Larosée, Montreal

    • Graphème (Cossette), Québec

    Awards

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    • 2023

    Les Usherwood Award

    Other Professional Activities

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    • Course Instructor at École de Design of the University of Québec at Montréal

      2003 – present

    • Jury President of the Grafika Annual Graphic Competition

      2000, 2016 – present

    • The One Show, Jury member

      2011 – present

    • Judge for the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity

      2010 – present

    • Judge for the Art Directors Club of New York

      2004, 2010 – present

    • Judge for Communication Arts

      2001 – present