The Podcast
🎙️ Explore the intersection of visual artistry, storytelling, and world-building with “Creative Compass: Where Art Meets Story” by Jean-Dominique Lavoix-Carli, Iris Devocca and Alex Karlson. We delve into the creative processes behind art direction, illustration, narrative design, game design, typography, and, overall, how Storytelling affects every creative discipline and how it is influenced by them in return.
Through vivid discussions between Alex and Iris, we uncover how compelling stories are shaped by visual design, and how these elements come together to craft immersive worlds.
Whether you’re a creative professional or simply a story enthusiast, join us as we navigate the world where art and narrative converge.
Listen directly to the Trailer below or open it on Spotify :
Themes
The topics covered on Creative Compass include the following, but this list is far from exhaustive:
• Art Direction
• Comics
• Consulting
• Game Design
• Illustration
• Narrative Design
• Painting
• Storytelling
• Typography
• World Design
Episodes Samples
You may either listen directly these epidodes on the present site or access them through Spotify.
Eight Disciplines, One Story
The Creative mindest of a Storyteller. How to infuse Storytelling through each creative discipline.
The French Air Force Hackaton
How Storytelling can actually design and influence very serious activities and concerns such as a National Army’s Defense.
Fishprey
How Storytelling influences the very conception of Concept Art, Game Design and Gameplay in a Videogame.
Apocalypse in the Red Sea
How Storytelling is influencing the Art Direction of a Header Illustration for a Geopolitics article.
The Team
Jean-Dominique Lavoix-Carli
When I met Iris and Alex online, it was love at first sight between the three of us: we had exactly the same enthusiasm for Visual Art, Narration and, above all, Stories in general!
I have never met people who understood my work so well and who spoke about it with so much passion and kindness, while maintaining a constructive critical eye…
So, when Alex -who produces the show- told me about his idea of creating Creative Compass around my universe, I jumped at the chance.
In addition, since they have total freedom of speech -I was adamant about that- their exchanges give me a host of ideas and allow me to constantly improve. It is a real gift to benefit from their respective professionalisms coming from backgrounds as varied as they are complementary.
Jean-Dominique Lavoix-Carli – Senior Art Director, Illustrator, Author, World Designer & Narrative Designer
A visionary in the fields of art direction, illustration, and narrative design, Jean-Dominique Lavoix-Carli has dedicated his career to bridging the realms of visual art and storytelling. Born in the North of France and educated in Paris, Jean-Dominique honed his creative skills at the prestigious École de Direction Artistique et Architecture Intérieure Penninghen, where he cultivated a unique style that seamlessly blends classical technique with innovative design.
Now based in Corsica, Jean-Dominique finds inspiration in the island’s rugged beauty and cultural heritage, which often permeates his work. His portfolio spans an impressive array of disciplines, including editorial illustration, comics, logo branding and world-building for all kinds of media such as Roleplaying Magazines like Casus Belli or JDRMag, videogames companies like Arxel Tribe or publishing houses like Mnémos Editions.
A standout moment in his career was his contribution to the acclaimed Worldcon “Intersection” exhibition in Glasgow for the 53rd World Science Fiction Convention in 1995, where his science-fiction-inspired artworks Animal Wars : Nature will recyle Man explored prophetically the end of the world via global warming, climate change and revolt of the Animal Kingdom.
Jean-Dominique’s work has also gained recognition in the digital space. His expertise in scenarios, photography, game design, and gamification has led to collaborations with organizations such as Ernst & Young, the French Army’s Air Force and AID – the French Army Innovation, Research and Development Division.
He is currently the Head of Design of The Red Team Analysis Society where his unique Art Direction view, blending visual mastery with deep narrative meaning, leads him to collaborate regularly with Dr. Hélène Lavoix, an international PhD. expert in Strategic Foresight and Warning. Whether designing immersive narratives or crafting intricate illustrations, his work consistently demonstrates a mastery of both form and function.
In 2024, a chance online meeting with Iris Devocca and Alex Karlson became the spark for a creative partnership. Sharing a deep passion for art, storytelling, and the power of narrative to connect people, the trio quickly developed a shared vision.
This synergy gave birth to the Creative Compass: Where Art Meets Story podcast, which delves into the themes central to Jean-Dominique’s work. Together, they explore the interplay between artistic expression and narrative design, drawing inspiration from his extensive portfolio and artistic philosophy.
Iris Devocca
I know Alex since quite a time ; when he invited me to be interviewed for his Tales of StoryMakers podcast on my Gotham-inspired series, based on the works of Hugh Ferriss, exhibited at the Met Annex, I didn’t hesitate. That interview felt like a sparring match of ideas—a real meeting of minds.
But the real spark came later, during the live Q&A. There was this voice from the ether—deep, inquisitive, and French—that stood out. Jean-Dominique asked questions so precise, they were almost surgical, about the intersection of urban myths and visual storytelling. You know, there are not much people knowing Gotham is the true name of NYC and how it inspired Bob Kane’s Batman ; there are even less people knowing that Batman’s Gotham is inspired by Hugh Ferriss’ works… and there is only ONE among them who is french : it’s Jean-Dominique !
It was magnetic. Alex and I both noticed it immediately. After the session, we reached out to him, and it was like we’d all known each other for years. Like, bam! We weren’t just riffing; we were creating something. Jean-Dominique brought this European sophistication, Alex brought his rugged Western storytelling edge, and me? Well, I added a little NYC flair.
And that’s how Creative Compass came to life. It’s our passion project, really—art and story coming together like lovers at twilight. I like to think I bring the charm, the spark, the occasional British-ism to keep it posh. And yes, if you’re wondering, I do adore being the provocateur, stirring the pot just enough to keep the magic simmering. Keeps the boys on their toes.
Iris Devocca – Painter, Illustrator, Plastic Artist & Photographer
A dynamic force in the art world, Iris Devocca is a celebrated painter, photographer, illustrator, and plastic artist known for her ability to merge traditional techniques with bold contemporary themes. Splitting her time between New York City and Los Angeles, Iris draws inspiration from the energy of urban landscapes and the rich cultural diversity of these iconic cities.
A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Iris began her career designing intricate book covers for independent publishers, a craft that soon evolved into gallery exhibitions showcasing her evocative paintings and multimedia installations. Her acclaimed series, Reminiscent Echoes of Tomorrow, explores themes of memory and urban decay, earning her features in magazines such as ArtNow and Canvas.
In addition to her studio work, Iris has contributed illustrations for notable publications like The New Yorker and collaborated on set designs for experimental theater productions in Los Angeles. Beyond her art, Iris is an avid traveler and an advocate for arts education, hosting workshops for underprivileged youth through initiatives like The Vivid Urban Palette Project.
Having worked on numerous articles written by Alex Karlson she met in Washington, Iris enthusiastically accepted his invitation about co-hosting the podcast Creative Compass with him, in collaboration with Jean-Dominique Lavoix-Carli.
Alex Karlson
Meeting Jean-Dominique online was like stumbling across a hidden gem in the desert, you know? One of those serendipitous moments that make you pause and think, ‘Dang, this is something special.’ His art struck me right in the gut—not just pretty pictures, but stories unfolding in every brushstroke. It reminded me of the raw, unapologetic energy you get from a great indie flick, the kind that leaves you thinking about it for days.
When Iris joined the conversation, it was suddenly like we were a crew of filmmakers, all on the same wavelength. She’s got this knack for capturing emotions in her work—like how some directors can tell an entire story with just one perfectly framed shot. The way she and Jean-Dominique riffed off each other’s ideas was electric, and I knew right then we had something big brewing.
That’s how Creative Compass came to be. With Iris’s artistry and Jean-Dominique’s world-building, it’s like we’re crafting an indie masterpiece with every episode. We didn’t just want to create a podcast ; we wanted to build a campfire where people could gather and talk about the art and stories that move them. Out here, folks don’t beat around the bush—we cut to the chase. That’s the vibe I bring to the show.
Alex Karlson – Writer, Journalist, Scenarist & Producer
A master storyteller with a passion for uncovering untold narratives, Alex Karlson is a journalist, writer, and screenwriter based in the tranquil deserts of Nevada, where he finds inspiration in the stark beauty of the surroundings of Carson City, settled like a modern-day hermit besides the shores of Lake Tahoe.
With a journalism degree from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, Alex honed his craft reporting on cultural shifts and human-interest stories for national outlets such as The Atlantic and Rolling Stone.
Alex’s first book, Desert Whispers and Little Sounds that matter, a deeply personal collection of essays on life in rural America, became a bestseller and was lauded for its poignant and vivid prose. His transition into screenwriting brought him acclaim at The Sundance Film Festival, with credits including the indie hit Echo Junction, Silence Terminus and the docuseries The Shadow Stars of History, which explores forgotten American stories. He writes regularly for The Washington Post where his humorous chronicle about the bizarre and the supernatural, 51 Shares of Little Greys, received unilateral praises from both the critics and audience alike.
Known for his resonant baritone voice and thoughtful insights, Alex has also hosted several podcast episodes on storytelling and culture, guesting on platforms like Tales of StoryMakers and Narratim. He is now co-hosting the brand-new podcast Creative Compass with Iris Devocca and Jean-Dominique Lavoix-Carli about Art and Stories mutual influences and innovative creative insights of all kinds. When not crafting narratives, Alex enjoys hiking, playing guitar, and exploring the quiet corners of Nevada’s vast wilderness.
Credits
All images, texts, titles and characters subjects to copyrights : ©Jean-Dominique Lavoix-Carli. Music under the license of ©StlabStudioMusic (Licenses 4ea63052-f0db-4cc5-8482-ba5d26ba017e and 998a2fb7-d4f9-42da-a7c3-52d97c3d35bd) and ©Roa – https://roa-music.com/. Created with the help of NotebookLM.
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Check the latest comments!
Thank you very much for your comment coming from an IT expert, Nouha!
Very interesting article and excellent choice for th Sphinx!!
Splendid as always! And also this showcase the very broad scope of your design skills!
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