Tribute to Gérard Caron

Saturday, October 31, 2020, we are all a bit orphans this morning.

The one who structured design thinking in France, who taught us to use this approach to make it a recognized profession, who sponsored the Class of 2004 at the Intuit Lab School, and had dazzled us, less than two years ago, by a conférence on the differences between japanese thought (that he knew so deeply) and western thought, Gérard CARON, founder of Black Square, is not anymore. He passed away in Paris on October 31, 2020. A very deep thought and very moved for his loved ones, and all those he trained, interested and open to our profession.

Gérard Caron is recognized as one of the pioneers from French design to international. He founded the Carré Noir design agency in 1973. Under his presidency until 1998, the agency opened offices in five countries, designed more than 13000 packaging, 1200 visual and branding identities and 90 store concepts. Author of several books published in France and Japan (where he celebrated his 150th trip in 2018), he is cofounder of the Pan European Design Association and of the Gold Signs, which each year reward the most efficient distribution chains. As the founder of Caron Design Network, he participates in numerous interventions in the media and international seminars.

Sa passwords, as rare as precious, enlightens us on certain points which prolong his intervention. From his Franco-Japanese collaborations to his invaluable advice for practicing the profession of designer, it enlightens us on a unique approach to our professions, bringing both human logic and a blow of fresh saviors to one activity which goes way beyond the graphic appearance of things.