Marie Pier Paquet: Embrace the Fun Side of Creation
Graphic Designer
by Elizabeth Lavis
|24 Oct 2025
For Marie Pier Paquet, creating designs should have an element of play and enjoyment. “For me, creating is somewhat tied to childhood,” she says. “Of course, we must take our clients seriously as they pay for a professional service, but I think remembering to keep the fun side of creation makes our daily lives more enjoyable.”
Paquet, a Graphic Designer for Recreation, comes from Sainte-Aurelie, which is a small town in Quebec near the Canadian-American border. “It’s a very beautiful place, but a bit frozen in time,” she says. “I believe Sainte-Aurelie has influenced my way of defining beauty. I find beauty in the old, in the history of things.” Paquet has lived in Quebec City for several years and finds it to be an additional source of creative flow. “Although it (Quebec City) is a small city, the vibrancy of it compared to my town is a constant source of inspiration.”
Paquet showed an interest and aptitude for design from a young age. “I believe it all began in childhood, first with coloring books, then drawing clothes and moving on to actually making them, then eventually presenting my designs digitally,” she says. “I’ve always loved creating art. It’s just the medium and method that have evolved over time.”
She still embraces many different mediums and methods. “I need to create, whether it’s sewing, knitting, woodworking, or watercolor,” Paquet says. “Learning is my greatest source of motivation. It’s one of the reasons that I love this professional.”
"MRC de Lotbiniere", Marie Pier Paquet
Paquet’s design approach starts by gathering as much information as possible from the client to make sure that her agency aligns with their needs. Then, she conducts market and competitor research before brainstorming and ideating. “At Recreation, we collaborate as a team of strategists and designers,” she says. “Throughout the entire process, we work as a cohesive team, involving the client at key stages. We meet with them several times to share our progress and ensure that we’re on the right track.”
This meticulous research and communication help her establish trust and rapport with her clients. “When I begin a project, I need as much information as possible,” Paquet says. “The more I know, the more confident I feel that I’m heading in the right direction. I build trust with my clients the same way we do with a new friend; listening, getting to know each other, and maintaining transparency through our conversations and the process.”
Paquet’s trusty pencil and sketchpad are two tools of the trade she can’t live without. “I almost always start by sketching on paper,” she says. “Quickly transferring my ideas onto the page helps me clarify my thoughts, gain an overview, and dive into the project with confidence.”
She also stays on top of the latest design trends by traveling to new cities and observing the culture, history, and graphic design. “I love visiting new places, exhibitions, and museums,” Paquet says. “Experimenting with and discovering design in various forms fuels my creativity.”
Paquet plans to continue growing professionally and personally through lifelong learning. “I believe that working on yourself and striving to become a better person positively impacts your professional life,” she says. “Your relationships with clients and coworkers can only improve when you invest in personal growth.”
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