At the age of 20, I left my village in the mining basin of northern France. I lived and worked for long periods in Paris, Phnom Penh, Mexico City, and London. I unlearned and confronted other ways of learning, living, collaborating, storytelling, and creating.
Since then, I have spent my time immersed in stories of all kinds. I am privileged to hear a wide variety of stories that reflect a broad spectrum of human values. I am driven by the need to learn, build, and amplify stories that inspire us to care more about ourselves, others, and the planet.
I treat digital media as pharmaka1, neither simple tools nor enemies, but materials to be manipulated, questioned, and reoriented in the service of storytelling. Technology that enriches our presence in the world, rather than eroding it.
Pharmaka — an ancient Greek term (φάρμακον) referring to a substance that can heal or poison depending on how it is used. Philosopher Bernard Stiegler applies this concept to digital technologies: neither good nor bad in themselves, but dependent on how they are used.
Stories—
in the details and the distance,
in ink and pixels,
in memory and possibility.
I capture them, build them, transmit them.
Frame, code, architecture.
Movement, narrative, resonance.
At the intersection of audiovisual storytelling and web technologies.
A few projects that embody this approach, where storytelling, technology, and impact come together.
Bibliothèque nationale de France
For the Bibliothèque nationale de France, I piloted the production of an application where children create their own stories through comics. Selected by UNESCO as part of the global coalition for education. #1 in the Education category on the App Store.
Learning Planet Institut & UNESCO
Lead Product Manager for the entire project. Event platform for the Learning Planet Institute and UNESCO bringing together educators, researchers, and global change-makers.
With Rithy Panh (Bophana)
Project developed after two years of work in Cambodia with filmmaker Rithy Panh (Oscar nominee). A participatory documentary giving a voice to people living below the poverty line. Presented at the Cannes Film Festival.
See the project →I oversee production while keeping my hands in the making, because understanding the field changes strategy.
Digital & audiovisual teams, workflows, R&D
Interactive documentaries, web series, field production
Editorial sites, webapps, prototyping
360° stakes, solutions, limits and challenges
Two complementary modes depending on the ambition and timing of the project.
Production management, complex project management, R&D and innovation, platform launches.
Division management, digital transformation, vision building.
What counts is the ambition of the project and the alignment of values, not the format of the contract.
LinkedIn recommendations
"His technical expertise, creativity, and ability to manage complex projects make him a first-rate professional. I highly recommend Damien for any future collaboration."
"The result: a website that is 40% faster, better referenced, with a balanced French and international audience. If you are looking for someone who can advance code and content, Damien is an excellent choice."
Does your project not fit into these categories?
This is often where the best collaborations are born.
Let's talk about it over a coffee (virtual or real).