The pioneering strategic design agency in France: Carré Noir

3 July 2025 | 3 July 2025 | 2 min |

In this article :

Renowned expertise in branding
A human-centered approach
International recognition
Conclusion

Carré Noir is a strategic design agency founded in 1973 in Paris by Gérard Caron, Michel Alizard, Michel Disle, and Jean Perret. Its name, inspired by Malevich’s “Black Square,” symbolizes the meeting of design rigor and boundless creativity.

Renowned expertise in branding

Specializing in branding, Carré Noir supports its clients in the creation and transformation of their visual identity. The agency operates across several key areas:

Corporate branding: Developing cohesive and impactful corporate identities.
Product branding: Creating distinctive and memorable product identities.
Retail design: Designing attractive and functional retail spaces.
Digital branding: Building digital identities tailored to modern usage.

Carré Noir has collaborated with major brands such as La Poste, Dacia, La Redoute, Asmodee, Saint Louis, Kronenbourg, Engie, Courir, Unisport, Forvia, TotalEnergies, and the Musée National de la Marine.

A human-centered approach

Carré Noir embraces a human-centered approach to its creative projects. The agency values diversity and inclusion within its teams and promotes a culture of collaboration and innovation. Its manifesto, “We are Carré Noir”, highlights the wide range of skills and backgrounds of its employees, emphasizing the importance of working together to craft effective and relevant design solutions.

This approach also reflects the agency’s commitment to developing design strategies that are not only aesthetically compelling but also mindful of human needs and social contexts.

International recognition

Over the years, Carré Noir has earned a strong reputation in the strategic design sector, particularly through its work in branding and experience design. In 2023, the agency was named “Design Agency of the Year,” recognizing its influential role in the field. Carré Noir has also received international accolades such as the Clio Awards and Red Dot Design Awards for its branding and visual identity projects.

These awards reflect the agency’s impact on the design industry and its ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence. They also underline Carré Noir’s ability to meet client expectations while staying ahead of creative and strategic trends.

Conclusion

Carré Noir continues to play a leading role in shaping the evolution of design in France and internationally. Thanks to its expertise, human-centered philosophy, and innovative spirit, the agency remains a key player in the creative landscape.

At Rétines, while we specialize in visual content creation, we understand the importance of a coherent communication strategy. We collaborate with agencies like Carré Noir to offer complementary services that maximize the impact of digital campaigns.

Écrit par Jérémy Carlo

Jérémy Carlo is the editorial director at Rétines, where he ensures the consistency and clarity of all content produced by the studio. His role goes beyond writing—he shapes the tone, structures the messages, and upholds a precise, demanding editorial line that stays true to the identity of Rétines. With a background in visual communication and solid experience in content strategy, he bridges the technical world of photography with clear, no-frills writing.

Jérémy works closely with photographers, art directors, and the commercial team to make sure every word published serves the image, the message, and the brand. From blog articles and client presentations to social media posts and internal documents—everything is filtered through his attentive eye. His strength lies in making complex ideas accessible without oversimplifying, and in highlighting the studio’s work without relying on unnecessary superlatives.

Through his writing, Jérémy helps Rétines exist beyond the image—by giving context to projects, emphasizing the thinking behind each shoot, and bringing to light the technical and aesthetic choices that drive each photograph.