Happy Louis

<p> The idea was born on a beach ... A little boy is playing with my nieces, he is holding in his hand a pink bucket with a little famous cat on it.</p> <p> "It is not really made for boys, isn't it?"  asks my brother-in-law Anton.</p> <p> "But what can we find for boys? Not much ..."</p> <p>  </p> <p> My name is Blandine, I am a graphic designer and I created a character for children: a small dog.</p> <p> I live in Hong Kong with Feist, my adorable boxer; this is where I have developed the character of Happy Louis and his concept.</p> <p> The world of Happy Louis took shape by observing the children behavior in this multicultural country and by relying on the French etiquette.</p> <p>  </p> <p> Thus, from a simple drawing aimed to satisfy the little boys, Happy Louis has evolved to a more educational purpose to enable each child to live in harmony with others.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="2015-01-16_16.48.32-1424336393" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/164415/2015-01-16_16.48.32-1424336393.jpg"></p> <p>  </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>Who is Happy Louis? </strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> Happy Louis is a funny little playful dog.</p> <p> He lives in Paris and discovers the world with his friends Jian who comes from China, Jack the American, Tiago the Brazilian,  Martin the Canadian, Igor the Russian and his fiancée Yuka, the Japanese. Confronted with other cultures, Happy Louis will grow and learn to respect his friends' differences.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="Hl_nom-1417593565" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/143408/HL_nom-1417593565.jpg"></p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="Lescopains-1423211768" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/159583/lescopains-1423211768.jpg"></p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="Home02bis-1423212028" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/159585/home02bis-1423212028.jpg"></p> <p>  </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>What kind of education can we propose for children here and elsewhere?  </strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> Everything starts with a challenge and the finding of a missing feature: etiquette.</p> <p> Though the world is becoming more and more standardized still cultural and educational differences remain. With the development of technology and transport, each child has or will have at some point in life to travel around the world.  </p> <p>  </p> <p> Also, teaching children from an early age the basic rules of life is essential for them to adapt to any situation or environment. "Elegance is an attitude", thus let's do our best to offer to our offspring the best education possible to give them the opportunity to fit any situation at any time and in any circumstances :</p> <p> - The rules of etiquette: manners to adopt internationally and in each country</p> <p> - Language learning to facilitate social interactions </p> <p> - The educational and moral values such as courage, forgiveness, friendship, respect ...</p> <p> - The openness in terms of respect for each country cultural specificities.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="Bonne_manieres-1423221069" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/159660/bonne_manieres-1423221069.jpg"></p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="Salle-de-classe_new-1423212192" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/159586/salle-de-classe_new-1423212192.jpg"></p> <p>    </p> <p> <strong>How to transmit these values and this cultural awareness to children? </strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> Through books!</p> <p> In the relationship between an adult and a child, there is always a book at the beginning. At a time where tablets and interconnected screens monopolize our lives, authentic and trustful relationships established between an adult reading aloud and a young child remain the first and best way to learn.  </p> <p>  </p> <p> Thus through joyful, tender and poetic stories I would win the hearts of children and gain the interest of their parents.</p> <p> I chose to create characters representing animals whose hero is a small dog named Happy Louis. The characters are all different and come from different countries putting an emphasis on diversity and cultural differences while encouraging mutual respect.</p> <p> I also chose Paris to host their stories; a city well-known for its ability to fuel dreams and history better than any other in the world.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="Bouqins-1423213225" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/159599/bouqins-1423213225.jpg"></p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="Petit_palais_new2-1424768587" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/166033/petit_palais_new2-1424768587.jpg"></p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="Sacre-coeur_new-1417587043" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/143402/sacre-coeur_new-1417587043.jpg"></p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>And what about design? </strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> As a designer, I pay a lot of attention to ergonomics, elegance and aesthetics of shapes and objects.</p> <p> I want to share this passion through toys, clothing, furniture and accessories for children by expanding Happy Louis universe on other media.</p> <p> I would like to propose a range of timeless and quality-oriented pieces to allow Louis Happy to accompany children in their daily life by becoming a companion ...  from pyjamas, toothbrush, trim to bicycle, from the cradle to the playground!</p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="Produits-1423214792" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/159609/produits-1423214792.jpg"></p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="Il_etait_une_fois_new-1423227325" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/159694/il_etait_une_fois_new-1423227325.jpg"></p> <p>  </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>2 years already! </strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> Almost 2 years after I started, Happy Louis universe is now built. Now comes the time to make themselves known.  </p> <p> <u>Work achieved:</u></p> <p> - Launching of a website presenting the Happy Louis universe including books, stationery and games: www.happy-louis.fr</p> <p> - Launching of a Facebook page supplied by new illustrations: https://facebook.com/happylouisparis</p> <p> - Conception of a first book for 4 y.o. + children</p> <p> - Conception of 2 books for 18 months +</p> <p> - Creation of a range of clothing and accessories  </p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="Facebook_dessins-1423213991" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/159606/facebook_dessins-1423213991.jpg"></p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="Papeterie-1423218841" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/159637/papeterie-1423218841.jpg"></p> <p>  </p> <p> <u>To be done:</u>  - Conception of other books</p> <p> - Launching of an e-commerce website dedicated to products sales</p> <p> - Creation of emoticons</p> <p> - Creation of cartoons</p> <p>  </p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="Appart_new-1423227149" src="https://d3v4jsc54141g1.cloudfront.net/uploads/project_image/image/159693/appart_new-1423227149.jpg"></p> <p>  </p> <p>  </p>