PORTRAIT. Mikaël Barelaud-Eludut, artist and graphic designer validated by Kylian Mbappé
At 33, Mikaël Barelaud-Eludut is a graphic designer renowned for his artistic creations that he posts regularly on his Instagram account. At the origin of numerous creations for world famous brands but also for Monegasque entities, this art enthusiast is about to take the artistic direction of his own agency: Office Mikado. Discover the new portrait here from our series dedicated to Monaco entrepreneurs.
He did not take FC Barcelona or Real Madrid, or even AS Monaco. On the famous Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) license, FIFA’s main competitor in the range of football video games, Mikaël organized his evenings in the edition mode, which made it possible to redo the logos and other jerseys of the game’s teams.
A vocation is born in Dallas
“A lot of clubs weren’t licensed in the game, so I reproduced the jerseys and logos and ran the memory card all over the neighborhood”, smiles the one who was also having fun drawing the characters of the Simpsons with football shirts on the shoulders. Homer and Bart supporters of AS Monaco? Yes, yes, you are not dreaming.
Arrived in Monaco at the age of three with his family from Limoges, Mikaël Barelaud-Eludut grew up in the Principality in social housing owned by Moneghetti. A modest but happy childhood. “My father left us with my mother and my sister, he confides. My mother worked at the Monaco prison. Financially, it was not always easy. ”
READ ALSO: Benoit Biancheri, Olivier Blanchy, Arnaud Sbarrato, the winning triplet of The Office
A reasoned sentence then regularly in his head. “Work always pays off. ” After having completed his high school in the Principality and obtained a “very good” mention allowing him to obtain a scholarship – “A real chance” – Mikaël then takes the direction of the United States. And from Dallas, to Taxas. “Deep America, he jokes. It was exotic. But I liked it. ” To the point of staying there for two years. And to find his vocation.
It must be said that it was already all found, this vocation. “This is where graphics got serious. I persevered. I wanted to make it my job. ” Back in Monaco, this passionate about Formula 1, architecture and contemporary art has only one goal: to create a portfolio. “I worked almost for free for two years on my own, he recalls. And then I was spotted. “
A strong community on social networks
Talent never stays in the shadows for long. The Del Monte group, world leader in the production of canned foods, offers him to join the European headquarters, based in Monaco. For five years, it was he who designed the preserves. Sliced pineapples? Yes it’s him. “Along with all this, Instagram has started to democratize. ”
READ ALSO: “EatIn Monaco, it’s my baby”
Real hard work, able to hardly sleep – “If I sleep six hours it’s luxury” – Mikaël Barelaud-Eludut publishes his personal artistic creations on his account. What does not leave indifferent other, more important accounts. Today, “Mikadololo” has no less than 23.5k subscribers.
A network that allows it to find customers, first local, then more and more prestigious. Moncler, Puma, Nike. Collaborations which multiply and which destine the Monegasque resident to open his own business. First a consultant for The Office Communication, this young father of a 20-month-old girl is about to take on the artistic direction of the communication company renamed “Office Mikado”.
A first consecration for those who dream of one day opening an art gallery in the Principality. “Not to put myself forward personally but to exhibit the works of young artists that I follow on social networks and who deserve to be known. ” Attached to Monaco, Mikaël Barelaud-Eludut no longer sees himself leaving. “I’m so lucky. When you leave you realize how much you are in the most beautiful part of the world. ” Words of an accomplished artist.
