For round 5 of our blog series, Inside Source, we sat down with our Creative Director, Marcel Fisette. Marcel has been part of team Source since day one, and has a strong passion for graphic design and has worked in the field since 1995. Marcel oversees all packaging design and with his friendly demeanor, strong leadership and interpersonal skills, he has become a favourite of clients and staff members alike.
How would you describe your role at Source Nutraceutical as our Creative Director?
[Marcel Fisette] As the Creative Director, I assume many roles. Primarily, I oversee all design and production artwork that comes through SNI. It can be product packaging, promotional materials, trade show materials, advertising, in-store display messaging or websites. However, I also do a lot of client management and business development. I love to talk to people and offer solutions to the needs they bring. Sometimes it’s as simple as needing a small print piece to promote their product, or as complex as creating a new brand identity from logo, packaging, marketing, website and social media management.
What would you say is the most enjoyable part of your job?
[Marcel Fisette] I would have to say that I enjoy working with my colleagues and team members the most. They are fantastic, and without them I wouldn’t be able to do my job well. I also love working with people and enjoy being able to help them with a need. Often, clients will come to SNI without any real idea of how to give their product and brand a personality.
When we explain that we can help with all aspects of bringing their idea to life, and the reaction they have once they realize that they’ve found the right partner, it’s a great feeling.
What do you think are the benefits of the “in house” environment at Source Nutraceutical that sets it apart from your “run of the mill design studio”?
[Marcel Fisette] The real benefit comes from the technical expertise that SNI brings. We not only specialize in creating great packaging, marketing materials and websites. We offer the regulatory compliance aspect that most other agencies lack. Our design team works on packaging layouts every day. They are familiar with the regulatory requirements needed to ensure compliance in Canada, and mitigate any risk with missing those requirements that can trigger Health Canada citations, trade complaints, corrective action or even product recall.
What about the challenges?
[Marcel Fisette] Some of the challenges are trying to “get in the head” of the person trying to communicate their vision on a new design or brand. In the almost 20 years of working in the field, I’ve found that I’m able to work well with clients that know what they want, but have a difficult time in formulating it into words or direction. That, along with the help of my team, are able to then shape it into something that they’ll love.
Were you creative as a kid? Was graphic design something you always saw yourself going into?
[Marcel Fisette] I was always somewhat creative, for sure. I loved to draw and play music. I don’t get the chance to as much anymore with a very active family. I do get to be creative in other ways though. Sometimes it’s by finding a way to solve budget or time problems for clients, or by finding alternate ways to send a message to consumers for brands. There’s many non-traditional ways to be “creative”.
What was your first design job out of school?
[Marcel Fisette] I was an illustrator at a manufacturing plant that designed and built inter-city coaches. I created illustrations for the instruction, parts and service manuals. Mostly exploded views of part assemblies. But, I was also a pretty active freelancer coming out of school. I helped restaurants with menus and signage, an interior design firm with a mailing campaign, a therapeutic massage clinic with their corporate ID, and also a few body shops with print marketing material.
Marcel, Candice, Stuart and Bernie at Natural Products Expo 2016 in Anaheim California
What has been your favourite project you have done with Source to date?
[Marcel Fisette] That’s a tough one, as there’s so many projects we work on, during any given time. One that we did was for a gum brand, and we got to work with several illustrators in creating a brand mascot. The client loved it so much that we actually worked in creating a mascot costume. When it was completed it was fun to try it on around the office.
We also helped in developing the brand ID for a 3d Ultrasound franchise company. We got to do it all from the logo development, signage, print materials, website and everything in between. We also of course work on 100s of packaging layouts. Some of the fun ones were for some beautiful cosmetic brands. We also got to develop some great line extensions for kids snacks, granola bars, as well as innovative ones for cricket based protein!
What do you think Source does best?
[Marcel Fisette] SNI is second to none in terms of service. I believe this is the main reason that clients keep coming back to work with us. We value long term partnerships with clients, and people seem to recognize this. Also, we offer a “one-stop-shop” business model that no other service provider can provide. Having regulatory expertise, packaging compliance and marketing expertise, as well as importation and order fulfillment expertise all under one roof is undeniably valuable. People find that working with one service provider as opposed to 3 or 4 different agencies streamlines all aspects of brining their product to market, as well as being a huge time saver. The fact that SNI’s graphics team can also do marketing, branding, tradeshow materials, websites, SEO & PPC management as well as social media management and not only packaging design has proven to be a huge plus for our clients. They recognize that we understand the brand space, and the industry.
What is your biggest passion outside of work?
[Marcel Fisette] My family is my biggest passion. My beautiful wife Christine and I have a son who’s 9, and a 12 year-old daughter. They keep us young. Between dance, gymnastics, hockey and baseball; they keep us busy. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. Between sports seasons, we spend a lot of time at our summer getaway, where we do a lot of beach lounging and fishing.
Along with this team of qualified graphic designers you will rest assured that all of your design needs will be met; whether they be adapting already existing artwork to fit Canadian standards, or working from the beginning to help develop your brand from the beginning. We’ve got you covered.
