Meet Étienne Savaria

11.06.2026

This week, meet Étienne Savaria, Graphic Design Director at LemayMichaud.

Approaching design as a deeply human discipline, Étienne seeks to create fair, meaningful experiences that are in harmony with their environment. His approach is rooted in listening to users, seeking intent behind every decision, and striving to build coherent connections between architecture, interior design, and brand identity.

His career, shaped by a curiosity for the visual arts and an exploration of design in all its forms, has led him to develop a rich, multidisciplinary practice. From typography to calligraphy, including collaborative public space projects, he has explored various approaches to design. After a professional journey marked by experiences in agencies, entrepreneurship, and other Montreal-based firms, he joined LemayMichaud in 2016, where he now holds a key role within the creative teams.

In this interview, he reflects on his journey, his vision of graphic design, and how he combines creativity, collaboration, and meaning in his daily practice.

Q. If you had to choose three words to describe your approach to design, what would they be?

É. S. “The three words I would choose are: empathetic, sensitive, and coherent.

Empathetic, because I always try to put myself in people’s shoes. I want to understand how they will feel in a space, how they will move through it. The idea is to create experiences where people feel good, reassured, and comfortable.

Sensitive, because in my conceptual approach, every choice must have meaning. I don’t make graphic decisions simply because they look nice; I always aim to convey an emotion or symbolism that enriches the experience. Meaning comes before beauty.

And finally, coherent, because I like everything to come together as a harmonious whole: with the theme, the architecture, the interior design, and the brand identity. Every decision is considered to create unity, rather than adding elements that stand out or feel unnecessary. The goal is for every element to have its place and contribute to a global experience.”

Q. What drew you to graphic design and visual creation?

É. S. “I think my interest in graphic design comes largely from my family environment. My mother was an interior designer and very artistic, and I grew up in a setting where drawing and creating were encouraged. Very early on, I developed a sensitivity to all forms of art and aesthetics, which naturally drew me toward design. Even as a child, I was already having fun creating logos, such as my own monogram using the initials of my name. Without knowing it was a profession, I was already drawn to visual creation.

It was later on, after a few detours and a period of personal exploration, that I discovered graphic design as a field that truly suited me. I realized that when you do something you are passionate about, results come almost naturally.”

Q. Can you tell us about your journey and what led you to your current role at LemayMichaud?

É. S. “I started in social sciences, aiming for a more administrative path, but I quickly realized it wasn’t for me and discovered graphic design. I then took art courses to enter the Bachelor’s program in graphic design in Quebec City. Fun fact: I’ve always been drawn to architecture, and at first I wanted to pursue that path, but the chemistry and physics prerequisites discouraged me a bit. So I set that dream aside… only to come back to it in another way.”, he adds with a smile.

“During my bachelor’s degree, I became very interested in typographic drawing and the origins of the Latin letter. After university, I worked in an agency, and a colleague invited me to discover a calligraphy class he was taking, which was right up my alley. There, I met friends who were running an artistic project called Garbage Beauty, which I joined. The idea was to do calligraphy on objects discarded in the street, giving them a final message or a new voice. This project opened the door to another one: a collective called Les Hommes de Lettres, which created creative projects such as installations, environmental signage, murals, and performances. All of this deepened my interest in visual expression within the built environment.

After a few years, I entered the job market, this time within an architecture firm, and I discovered that I really enjoyed collaborating across disciplines. I eventually joined LemayMichaud in 2016, where I immediately felt that the approach, the values, and the way of working with people aligned perfectly with me. And here I am!”

Q. As a graphic designer by training and now head of the department, what aspect of your managerial role do you enjoy the most?

É. S. “What I enjoy most about this role is the human aspect, even though it comes with its challenges. I really enjoy working in a team and bringing everyone together around a shared meaning. It’s a dimension of the work that really motivates me.

I also appreciate client interaction. Being able to exchange ideas, clarify concepts, and explain and tell the story of what we do is a privilege. Whether a concept is accepted or not, liked or not, it’s always enriching to have the opportunity to share our vision. And when we get to know clients better, discover their passions and perspectives, it makes the work even more interesting. These exchanges often feed creativity and strengthen collaboration across disciplines.”

Q. How do you work with architecture and design teams to integrate graphic design into projects?

É. S. “At LemayMichaud, graphic design is increasingly integrated into projects in a systematic way. We are often involved at the beginning of a project, not to fully develop all graphic elements, since at that stage plans and opportunities can still evolve a lot, but to open people’s eyes to certain possibilities. It’s a moment to show how graphic design can support interior design, architecture, and corporate identity.

Then we work more closely with the other disciplines to ensure everything integrates well in terms of materials, formats, and spatial considerations. That’s where we can really bring graphic decisions to life and complete the design development.

So, to summarize, we intervene early in the process to identify opportunities and contribute to the project storytelling, and later on to refine the aesthetic and material aspects.”

Q. In your opinion, what makes a graphic project truly successful for users?

É. S. “For me, a graphic project is successful when people feel good in the space. That is our primary goal: that the environment feels comfortable and reassuring.

From a practical standpoint, signage must fulfill its function and guide users effectively. But there is also an emotional aspect: the design must create the intended atmosphere and make people feel at ease and connected to the space.

When we receive feedback saying that the project is coherent, pleasant, and beautiful, it is a sign for us that the design truly works.”

Q. Is there a project or creation that particularly marked you or that you are proud of?

É. S. “I would say the Deloitte projects in general have had a big impact on me, but particularly Deloitte Summit in Vancouver. It is a very formative project and, by far, the one where our contribution had the strongest influence on the project narrative. We were engaged as consultants in graphic design, branding, and signage.

As an anecdote, during a kickoff meeting in Toronto, I didn’t have much time to prepare, but I wanted to arrive with ideas. The project spanned eight floors and required creating a cohesive story and journey throughout the space. So, I made a quick sketch on a napkin in a café, took a photo of it… and that concept is what was ultimately selected.

It is a project I am truly proud of, where I felt our contribution had a real impact.”

Q. What trends or design evolutions inspire you the most right now?

É. S. “What I like to see is the availability of new technologies or materials that open the door to new approaches. Whether it’s new products or new effects, that’s really what inspires me, more than following trends.”

Q. How do you stimulate creativity within your team?

É. S. “I really enjoy sharing inspiration and information, but what I try to do most in brainstorming sessions is follow the funnel principle. We start very broadly, explore all possibilities, and I encourage the team not to narrow things down too quickly. The idea is to keep the process enjoyable and let ideas circulate freely.”

Q. Is there a key lesson you’ve learned from your experience in graphic design?

É. S. “What comes to mind is that everything can carry symbolism and be connected. In a project, every detail can evoke something: material choices, shapes, tone, colors, etc. We often think that words or images are what communicate, but everything can tell a story.

This is something I learned along the way, even though it seems obvious today. Being sensitive to every detail and understanding that everything can carry meaning is truly a lesson that has shaped my practice.”

Q. What advice would you give to someone starting a career in graphic design?

É. S. “I would say: stay curious. It’s a classic piece of advice, but it’s true. Curiosity and openness are what allow you to keep learning and evolving in this field.”