Célia
Mahiou

What led you into design?

During my Master in Literature at La Sorbonne, I had the idea to create a magazine. The problem? I had zero budget and no design skills. So, I made the entire visual identity and layout... on Paint. (Yes, Paint!) It was chaotic, but it worked—and, to my surprise, I fell in love with the process.

That is when I realized design was something I wanted to pursue seriously. After finishing my degree, I decided to do another Master in Design at Les Gobelins. It was the best decision I have ever made. Today, design is my main focus, but I still write on the side—because why choose between the two when you can do both?

What does a typical day look like?

My day starts with coffee (obviously) and getting myself organized. Mornings are usually for calls and planning—I try to tackle any admin tasks and structure the rest of my day during this time. Once the meetings are done, I lock myself into Figma. My happy place: headphones on, distractions off, and ideas flowing.

Afternoons are for deeper creative work, but I make a point to take a break—remind myself that there is a world outside my laptop screen. If inspiration strikes late at night, I am not afraid to roll with it—I have found that some of my best work happens after hours, when the world is quiet, and my brain is weirdly productive like some sort of design vampire.

When I am not glued to my screen, I unwind with a good movie, yoga, or hanging out with my friends. Somewhere in there, I remind myself to breathe, laugh, and occasionally sleep.

What's your workstation setup?

Nothing too fancy—I like to keep things simple and flexible. My favorite “workstation” is often my living room at home, especially if the light feels vibrant and energizing. On other days, you will find me at a cozy coffee shop nearby, soaking in the buzz of people and the creative energy of the city. For me, it is less about having a perfectly curated setup and more about being in a space that inspires focus and flow.

Where do you go to get inspired?

Inspiration often comes from the unexpected, and I’m always looking for new perspectives to fuel my creativity.

At the moment, I am drawn to the visceral, tactile photography of Maisie Cousins. Her work, with its bold exploration of texture and color, reminds me to embrace the messy and imperfect human aspects of creativity. Music is another key source of inspiration—lately, I’ve been listening to Catching Flies, whose lush, atmospheric soundscapes often translate into design concepts in my mind. I have even found myself sketching or brainstorming immediately after a track leaves me with a specific mood or visual impression.

What product have you recently seen that made you think this is great design?

I recently discovered Shona Heath’s work through Poor Things, and honestly, it felt like being invited into the weirdest, most fabulous dream I have ever had. Her surreal, dreamlike set designs feel like stepping into another world—one that is equal parts bizarre and beautiful. The way she uses unexpected materials and details to create these otherworldly environments is pure genius. It is proof that great design doesn’t need to play it safe—it can be whimsical and unsettling.

What pieces of work are you most proud of?

Every project is an opportunity to create something meaningful, so I always strive to deliver work that I can genuinely stand behind.

One project I am particularly proud of is soon.global, which I designed in collaboration with Alban Bleicher, a developer. It was just the two of us handling every aspect of the project—from creating the digital identity to building an immersive experience.

What made the project even more special was earning an Honorable Mention at Awwwards, which was such a rewarding recognition for something we built as a small, passionate team.

What design challenges do you face at your company?

As a freelancer, one of my biggest challenges is staying balanced. When I am immersed in a project, I can get so focused that everything else fades into the background—sometimes even meals or sleep! It is something I am working on because, as much as I love designing, I know great ideas also come from stepping back and recharging.

What music do you listen to while designing?

Any advice for ambitious designers?

Don’t settle for what feels safe—push yourself to explore ideas that challenge conventions and your own limits, even if it means failing a few (or many) times. Growth happens when you experiment, fail, and learn from it. The more you step outside your comfort zone, the more you will define your unique perspective to my opinion.

Also, great design isn’t just about bold visuals—it is about creating impact. Aim for work that is beautiful and useful. And if you ever feel stuck, remember: rules are just suggestions someone else made up—break them.

Anything you want to promote or plug?

I am starting something new soon—stay tuned! You can check out my portfolio, or just say hi on Instagram or LinkedIn.