The Devil's in the Details — Jaime Gervais (IDEA Grad 2013) Illustrator and Graphic Designer for TV and Film
We recently caught up with Jaime Gervais (IDEA Grad 2013), for a grad spotlight on life after graduating from IDEA School of Design while she’s in between shows and doing some personal work, creating art for her own art book.
Jaime Gervais loves her job working on fantasy and sci-fi TV shows including the hit Marvel/Hulu show Helstrom, where she designs everything from really cool weapons, costumes, artwork, signage for walls, and significant props that are key to the show’s story. Time management, organized workflow, and staying focused are a huge part of her job.
Catch up with IDEA School of Design alumna and her immersion into the fast-paced world of film. "It's absolutely worth every bit of energy, time, and education that has led me here," she says.
This is a showcase highlighting different areas of Jaime’s work from when she was in school until today.
Check out this grad spotlight!
What type of projects are you currently working on?
Right now while I’m between shows I’m doing some personal work to soothe the soul. Taking this time to enjoy the freedom to relax and have personal time is really important. Once I hop on to another show it’s another heavy commitment that takes up 80% of my time and 100% of my energy. Admittedly, film does not offer much of a work/life balance so it’s important to keep this in check as much as possible. Shown below: “Blue Trametes Versicolor Mycorana” watercolour gouache painting for my upcoming book.
Describe your career journey since graduating from IDEA
It’s been really great learning how to work in the film industry as a graphics artist because it’s nothing like anything I’ve ever known. I work in episodic series mostly and we work while filming so everything we do is very speedy and temporary.
I’ve worked on 28 shows since I graduated and it’s been amazing for the most part and challenging because there is no schooling for learning how exactly to apply what we know. We have to learn as we go along the way by those willing to help us learn and by jumping right in.
I was featured in the Art Director's Guild: Perspective Magazine Jan 2021 — The Devil's in the Details
Why did you choose to go to IDEA School of Design?
While I was working at Opus Framing and Art Supplies, I got to know the instructors, the students and became familiar with the curriculum. I really loved the work that was being produced at IDEA School of Design and I knew it was the school for me.
Graphic Design for TV & Film: An example of what prop identification pieces would look like before they are built.
Did you network much during school?
No, I didn’t have time. With 8 classes per week and working nights from Wed-Fri with only weekends off, there was barely enough time for myself let alone my partner at the time and our pets.
‘Lamb’ by Jaime Gervais (IDEA Grad 2013), CAPIC Rodeo 5 winner best illustration
Awards & Publications
Publication: Art Director's Guild - Perspective Magazine Jan 2021 — The Devil's in the Details
Showcased at the 2019 Concept Art Awards
Award Winner of Best Illustration: CAPIC Rodeo 5 2013
Publication: Imagine FX Magazine Jan 2012
Imagine FX Magazine Image of the Day Jan 2012
“Mother’s” padded room design (B) co-designed by Todd Fjelsted and Jaime Gervais.
What are your memories and highlights from IDEA School of Design and have you stayed in touch with your cohort or instructors?
I went illustration-heavy and had to really learn graphic design from the beginning. It was a great challenge, learning to navigate through the different elements of typography, composition, information hierarchy, etc. because I had never heard of anything like it before and now I use it every day.
Learning how to brand a company from the ground up was very interesting and challenging. My illustration classes were my favourite as I learned to take criticism from Art Directors which is crucial to professional work and I really pushed myself to try new concepts and work outside of my comfort zone.
I knew nothing of photography so learning that was a very difficult and absolutely worthy venture. I absolutely loved package design and learning to tell stories through my art.
I went in with the attitude of, "I'm here to get a University education, not to socialize" and it kept me focussed. I also had a stable home life so I was lucky and had really great support at the time. I put my whole self into everything I did and managed to graduate with distinction and multiple awards.
Being able to go to a place where I could just focus on art and study for 3 years on a beautiful campus in the woods was literally the most rewarding investment of my life.
On screen playback design created for The Travelers TV series Season 2.
How did you get into the TV and film business?
I met a fellow illustrator in the film industry who helped me with getting my foot in the door by applying to one of the film unions and submitted my portfolio. My portfolio had made the cut and I was approved as a permittee and was now able to find work and build up credits so that I could become a full union member with benefits. I now hold two titles of both Illustrator and Graphic Designer and frequently get to utilize both disciplines on each show.
A set illustration (A) of the crypt that holds the sarcophagus co-designed by Todd Fjelsted and Jaime Gervais.
Please describe your process and what’s in your design toolkit these days? What new tools have you learned since graduating?
When designing graphics, I do research on the internet to collect imagery to bring to the art director and we discuss various ideas so we are on the same page. Sometimes I’ll do a few rough speed sketches for composition and make notes as the meeting progresses. I then use stock graphics/photo accounts to gather relevant materials to use and work out the final product. Once approved, the image is submitted to legal for approval, sent to printers, and then delivered to the appropriate department for use.
Illustration is more about getting the concept built behind the scenes so we use whatever photo reference we can find, work out the design, and once approved, it’s sent to Props or Set Decoration to build.
I work with a Macbook Pro and a Cintiq pen display. The Cintiq is vital for me to be able to draw directly on the screen in real-time. I also have collected various tools and office supplies, and always bring my own office chair with lumbar support to every studio.
Since graduating, I’ve learned how to fully support a full-time TV series as a graphic designer, Art Directed two TV movies, worked multiple shows as an illustrator, learned a myriad of different ways to produce printed and cut objects from print shops, and how to adapt to a fast-paced environment with an always-changing shoot schedule.
The iron sarcophagus (D) was co-designed by Todd Fjelsted and Jaime Gervais.
What’s in your communications toolkit these days and have tools changed much during the pandemic? How has your work life changed during the pandemic?
I’ve been working remotely so really the only difference is learning how to navigate Zoom. It’s been really useful for meetings.
Do you have any favourite work experiences or any side projects that you are excited about?
I really loved working on fantasy and sci-fi shows like the Arrow, Once Upon a Time, Legends of Tomorrow, iZombie, Travelers, and Helstrom for the really interesting props I’m asked to co-design (weapons, costumes, magical artifacts, illustrations, sci-fi devices, etc.) They are all custom-built and made to function in real life.
As for side projects, I’ve been spending time working with traditional media and creating art using watercolour, gouache, and oils again.
‘Rahziel, the Jabalack’ (watercolour and gouache) is a creature designed and painted for my upcoming book.
“Drop the ego. Nothing really prepares you for this kind of work. Take nothing for granted. Film is absolutely hard work and it’s not for everyone.”
Describe an average day as a graphic designer?
Say good morning to everyone I meet because we are all part of a wonderful team, read the morning email and update my schedule if needed. I then prioritize my workload for the day and check-in with the Art Director to discuss anything I may need to do that takes precedence. Then it’s all work from there on in while keeping watch of the time, and managing other tasks.
Describe an average day as an illustrator?
Usually working from home, I always check my email for any updates and do a status-check in with the Art Director. I then do the work and send progress shots until the final product has reached completion. Once complete, rinse and repeat.
This illustration is based on two points in time. The first image is the iconic death of Caesar by Brutus in the Senate. The second image shows how if Caesar was warned of the killing he would have survived.
How many hours do you work in a day and do you get downtime in between shows?
12 hour days from Monday to Friday are pretty standard in Vancouver’s Art Department film industry. Overtime does occur but it is managed quite closely and needs approval by the production. An episodic series will usually schedule a one to two-week hiatus where the entire production will take a break.
Battle of the Planeswalkers
A private commission based on the popular card series Magic the Gathering by Wizards of the Coast.
What is your number one idea generation strategy?
I don’t have just one because each project is different. I use freeform sketching, image searching, mind-mapping, writing...whatever I feel is the most efficient way at the time.
‘The Belloth’ (watercolour and gouache) is a creature designed and painted for my upcoming book.
What is the best advice you've learned from a mentor, teacher, or fellow student?
Draw what you see, not what you think you see. Paint the light, not the object. Failure is essential when innovating.
“Time management is a huge element since things change so quickly in film, it’s always key to be completely on top of everything I do. ”
Three out of six costume illustration concepts for Aidan Gillen’s character Hynek in Project Blue Book.
Describe a design fail that you learned from?
Photography class taught me that after taking so many terrible photos which I thought were good, that it’s not about the subject matter being ‘logical’. It’s more about the composition being interesting.
‘And Justice Shall Be Done’ (2012) by Jaime Gervais (IDEA Grad 2013)
What advice would you give to anyone considering applying to IDEA Bachelor of Design?
Take a look at all of the previous grad show websites and see what they produced. If you truly see yourself as one of those students and are inspired to want to do what they do, then go for it.
Four of eight concepts for the final design of the shard in Helstrom with #7 being the approved prop build.
What advice would you give to IDEA School of Design students regarding summer internships, practicums, portfolios, and career advice?
Take everything you can, absorb anything that comes your way and try any new opportunity presented to you. Only put forward your best pieces in your portfolios. Immerse yourself entirely and squeeze as much as you can from the program and its faculty. Once completed, you’ll have more doors open to you with the various tools and techniques that you will have learned and you’ll be so grateful for it.
“We don’t have time to just start from scratch and do 30 iterations of one graphic so for the most part, we have to think ahead and move quickly.”
This truck wrap project for iZombie Season 5 took three weeks to complete.
Lastly, where do you see yourself in the next few years, where can people follow you, and is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
When I'm not working on a show, I am currently in the process of creating art for my own art book. The great thing is that with IDEA School of Design’s training, I have all the necessary skills to make a book from start to finish including layout, typography, formatting, graphic design, colour correction, illustration, and how to market it.
I can be found on Instagram at @jaimegervais, artstation.com/jaimegervais, and at jaimegervais.com.
I am so very grateful for being a part of the IDEA Class of 2013 and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my amazing instructors who really helped make me not only a better artist but a better person as well. I’d also like to thank you, James, for being so kind to interview me. This has been a really enjoyable experience.
