Margot Lévêque
Margot Lévêque is a designer based in France. Specialising in type design, Margot has worked for the likes of Hermès, Actual Source, Pentagram, Louis Vuitton, Dinamo, and Nike.
What tools do you use for your practice?
The software I use the most: Glyphs! Not surprisingly... Otherwise of course I use Photoshop, Indesign and Illustrator. For the hardware I use: mouse, keyboard, screen, tracing paper, pencil and black marker.
What’s your daily schedule?
First thing, I brush my teeth. Because the second thing I do: Yoga! That's my real routine. Then I eat a big breakfast and get to work. I have lunch with my boyfriend around 1pm-2pm and at 6pm I stop working and I go for a walk, or watch TV, it depends on my mood of the day!
Where did the idea of the Type Design Guide for Beginners come from?
I get a lot of messages on Instagram and the questions are often the same. In France Type Design can be very elitist (you have to already have a solid background to enter public schools...) otherwise, it can also be very expensive! Few courses remain accessible to learn typography. It was a way for us to make accessible a discipline that is meant to be inaccessible.
Has your typography practice affected the way you look at typography?
It's true that before, i didn't pay attention to details. Now, when I walk in the street, I stare for a long time at logotypes, numbers on mailboxes, street names... before I didn't give a damn. Now I try to look at everything I can as much as I can, it gives a lot of inspiration! everything is already there. it's up to us to reinterpret it!
What is a prediction you have about your industry that others may not know or agree with?
I think that when typography is out of trend, it will be something else. For example, 5 years ago, it was trendy to design posters. The trend is always changing!
How do you see yourself in the future?
I confess, I don't know. But I would say keep on being freelance, and on having clients like today! I'm so grateful. Otherwise, become a yoga teacher in Los Angeles when I would be 50 years old.
Where do you spend money and where do you make money?
In this period of covid... in food! My boyfriend and I are vegetarians, we cook a lot. It's still not so easy to eat in restaurants in France when you're vegetarian! Otherwise; trips, hotels, or good restaurants (occasionally).
How many people do you consider a part of your practice?
I work as a freelancer so I'm working alone - however I also work at Louis Vuitton and Dinamo. In addition to my clients, I would say that there are about twenty people around me.
What do you think is the most valuable asset for emerging designers?
Do not attempt to acquire all possible design skills. Specialize in a skill you love.
What's your favourite restaurant to order from?
At the moment I'm in the Luberon, in the south of France. And sometimes, I like to order sushi: vegetarian californias are my favorites!
