Well, I’ve written a long text, but a bullet list or just a memory is cool too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TLDR :<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- 2012 – I attend my 1st WaQ<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 2013 – Bell’s \u201clittle\u201d contest<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 2014 – Designer and speaker<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 2015 – You have to give back what you get<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 2016 – Back on the boards<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 2017 – If we have nothing to say\u2026 we help!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 2018 – Art direction and more volunteering<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 2019 – A little more design. And a more\u2026 polarizing conference.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 2020 – We’re going to take a break, I think\u2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 2021 – Online workshop + outdoor viewing<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 2022 – I’ve skipped my turn.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 2023 – I took my vacation at the same time\u2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 2024 – Design theme animation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 2025 – WaQ partner\u2026 Scuse, Interface25. And, Rendez-Vous Num\u00e9rique\u2026 not the week\u2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 20XX – Nostalgia in the making<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
2012 – I attend my 1st WaQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.andfriends.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AD_4nXd_6YoU3oTGF6aGE5M0QGQoaAdYQm_aosxyLZrrQhbkAeQDmlrYorXy09PClx2UZmiUw0xfyxl5dXJ4sADahmwouQ56JlPx8LGkQlwT-OotSbtM9BgTtMABRrYI1V9LRlpRNVTT.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nA long time ago, but\u2026 I vaguely remember seeing a keynote about skeuomorphism, mobile first, and how the Microsoft phone with its flat design approach was going to beat the iPhone. Heh, you can’t always be right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2013 – Bell’s \u201clittle\u201d contest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.andfriends.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AD_4nXeqR1O1gkfrRFRclppt_PIWLZjgZdwXZd4WfeYSqRH4vq06uJFgkYPqImSl2l79mYQ6myAENn3bCqill1-7kSJUxlRXRKA2FVUDZ1DDybxSTTDjXdR9YtqNOl-flT71BpJ-DDz-3g.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAh\u2026 I’m not in the photo, but I won the Bell contest with Marc Boivin, St\u00e9phanie Salman and J\u00e9r\u00f4me Lacroix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2014 – Designer and lecturer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.andfriends.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AD_4nXfPFNyLHXuc65fZHTOevijxgw7JJhZnmKG9ydYkwFwFexC-vuDNb2DLAXPU6S1DQ7JWY5FIuN_GqYdt82dtbIV7nrT_EB1-7JLtaiNfMnWVp7F8R-Hct861Lj97aJngCoWH5BXG6Q.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThat year, I created the WaQ website. I went digging through the internet archives – it aged pretty well, all things considered. And what’s more\u2026 it was responsive, please!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that was also the year \u00c9ric Letarte booked me as a speaker without my knowledge. So even back then, we had a little something going for us in terms of dynamics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My talk? How the web draws inspiration from other print media to structure itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2015 – You have to give back what you get<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.andfriends.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AD_4nXfguT8Y9zM7kc3-C2ujbVF_wNldOBbLeBhNrHM6gGxcPxy6Ci7lxqG5NgOu_hK-E-bO2gYyzZIQDwaBwFNgr_N2MestgAizB3nzW_YAMiTTndGpy3_BYd318RjClVaWQP2XBMqF.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThat year, I understood why organizers and volunteers looked exhausted after three days. My routine: manage the keynote guests, animate the rooms, release the keynotes until late\u2026 very late. Then start again at 6:30 the next morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2016 – Back on stage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.andfriends.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AD_4nXeKvnm6rnfau9T0_EnqdpL9_zS1yC8ztAXvzxk4D0_FKmKCe3-MIrYtSWhWH5VhXowO35YdUAd4mB6JjvDilVI0lxDESZacAVJFqg6VGSQlu4tBlsJkn309M-kXEVM33k-icyuOeA.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThis time, a conference entitled \u201cCreation? From the heart, the guts and the balls\u201d. In it, I introduced designers from disciplines other than web and digital, and showed how some digital personalities adopt similar approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And an EPIC room activation! With a garden party theme, I set up a lemonade stand, a petanque court and clotheslines with socks and bobbins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2017 – If we have nothing to say\u2026 we help!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.andfriends.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AD_4nXevNXoJdWxIZYKTj6FJfmTzj95w2hCiMI-Nu_5FwzoghuvhX067R2tQpFms6ip94yRWlUPmC-ANj6gmUbCHEPiB61V708EGa64rXenKJjq1RWLqa2yg8_OaR4Bk-PbI76p_oOsBMA.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWebsite design, art direction, volunteering. That year, the photographer couldn’t find me. So here’s a gnome at the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2018 – Art direction and more volunteer work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.andfriends.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AD_4nXdn4_WQ_cXhxM_L2EneRpTtLYoTuMYmQJ7YYJDN9-q4LwnVrgqkfUCvH4kO0bLqVWvU9ryuwEqx1D9guqLap8bqYkw6NpSX3VWU3Hci-wxMxa6DvOdnsoioi1nTamnFzNMvtgzdug.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nA little website, a little promo, but mostly\u2026 a lot of icons. Well, I was going for a trip of illustrations made with a triangle grid. Pixel art in triangles isn’t easy. I apologize again to the motion designer\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, a second EPIC sponsor activation! Under the Western theme, we set up a Nerf shooting gallery, with 3D-printed objects, vibration sensors and a points system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2019 – A little more design. And a slightly more\u2026 polarizing conference.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.andfriends.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AD_4nXeCZnXyjkvt_Sibf2TTGzEsWacTmCygBUARDKgKtlYG31xT0uL8O0W_KjrmaIpGOSG-y7pNLnX-N8h7Hsdc7UOth-DKEbUV83nPYMxyye3_sYc4YJKy_fqkwLNerLfkxnLf-uS-BA.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThat year, I had the urge to explore. And to get designers out of their echo chambers. I wanted to tell people that \u201cUX is not more important than UI\u201d. I wanted everyone to come down from their pedestals, to avoid it becoming a war of titles comparing ketchup bottles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The result? I got comments and testimonials from people who felt exactly the same as I did. 5 out of 5! And I also got 0 out of 5, with people saying I didn’t know what I was talking about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today\u2026 UX designers claim that \u201cCX is not more important than UX\u201d. So when you live by fire, you die by fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ah, and a good activation too! A huge backdrop made with markers and filled with post-it notes. I must say, I was a big fan of design sprints back then. I still am, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2020 – I think we’ll take a break\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
That year, there was a program launch. Then\u2026 a pandemic. That’s right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.andfriends.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AD_4nXdGmYZusIKKg94nNjughfmYS0nXxsDSDiLyXlz7Auu229yIsKYdJJ2vR_QeUg_bcnBtyEuAUGmRzaRz0ee-rOy8_bRBlWJycUuTUholkg7A0_8b_MSxttlTeNqOpb8wJ8_IV-9mug.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n2021 – Workshop online + outdoor viewing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.andfriends.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AD_4nXdlsVSVw5AcigDx17s4p8Om0qR053RBOvbGuWiG-2TlF6iEgfPRaZ2-R_OYcBNtE-lREj2CDvno94ENY2tALxeDUOiPgNlziKfSOdXyRnq7P5yzAro5j3pDUMp6nTXuqiwBFTvc-edited.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWe have no choice, it’s going to be remote. So \u00c9ric Letarte and I submitted a workshop on \u201cHow to design your workshops\u201d. It was so popular that we got not one, but two full houses. It was also the start of a mini deconfinement. So we took the opportunity to go and watch the whole thing at the Agora du Port de Qu\u00e9bec.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2022 – I skipped my turn.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It’s the only time I’ve ever skipped a WaQ. Or almost\u2026 I had an excuse\u2026 I was working outside that week\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2023 – I took my vacation at the same time\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.andfriends.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AD_4nXfoF9-EBtG7kqXGCFPVvNuIlEqntOHIpOMAcXQxw2BhoYJ2F-KylRTp8M1Fy3nLlPueidBjTLPScUlR8NqBvoYVumBjZ4cB3IqSHskf07wyCfFIK2dsDxvAxekxFnL4RVroCF6-BQ.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThat time, it was my fault. Yes, I took my vacation at the same time to go whale-watching on the North Shore. I was even supposed to host a room\u2026 But I was still able to say hello at the closing 5 \u00e0 7. That’s something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2024 – Animation of the design theme<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.andfriends.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AD_4nXcrxcmxO3gFN9ksbhrUPKP3IiPJiKhDXXTMH0LLY0MNMGWNJEtzB0w6U0F-_uu-akO0x8FzZr16yjsU9st0QqVuYg0i05tJ7Yro1GWaioAnauhkVE651iFLhMSxetWeiKc4jTADig.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBecause it’s rude to let speakers introduce themselves, I did it for them all three days. Good news for me: I mostly introduced designers! Oh, and yes, the only photo of me is from behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2025 – Partner at WaQ\u2026 Scuse, Interface25. And, Rendez-Vous Num\u00e9rique\u2026 not the week\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.andfriends.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AD_4nXe_k92b86dSwWFT5ldg-8lrd-RMebEz5lKIsaumKiw6pX3KnabQdpSSkV_efBQTVeC4pZj9y-u1x8g3O-NGfF2zurq1nXe5cZ17ZZ8eWwwCrdAj17YCIe6UTvrEhqQ1wEwPvsE3Q.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n&friends is a partner in the revival of the two main events as well as Capital Num\u00e9rique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We were present at the first meeting (we ran a workshop there) to think about how to save this event which, because of politics, was stuck in political and legal limbo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Letting the whole thing die was not an option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we rolled up our sleeves and came up with solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It all happened on August 21, at the library.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Followed by a poutine, because\u2026 emotions like that, you can eat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.andfriends.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/AD_4nXfcd8-oiO_Vrd-z0UL7o8MCsrylhnGnV9MZWlAKafwokf6_j3ZZwgsxibmGMjedyLApvmkMTjLu0L1nzORsagv0Yl23PBdkdE3WuOfrZboWwOHEOqhF4GR8kpjEnbh1NFtNRbEk.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nP.S. I took the opportunity to give a little talk at the Rendez-vous num\u00e9rique. Don’t worry, I went through the same selection process as everyone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
20XX – Nostalgia in the making<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I have no idea what my involvement will be in the coming years, but it will be as a member of the Quebec community. Speaker, partner, volunteer, participant\u2026 We’ll see, and we’ll see you there.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It comes as no great surprise to hear that the WaQ is no more. And in change management, I’ve learned that after the phases of grief – shock, denial, anger, negotiation and acceptance – comes a transitional stage. To grieve well, you have to celebrate. Yes, yes. We must honor the past: what has been, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":287,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-374","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opinions-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/andfriends.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/374","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/andfriends.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/andfriends.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/andfriends.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/andfriends.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=374"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/andfriends.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/374\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":378,"href":"https:\/\/andfriends.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/374\/revisions\/378"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/andfriends.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/287"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/andfriends.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=374"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/andfriends.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=374"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/andfriends.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=374"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}