Her work spans video games, CGI imagery and films, immersive installations and virtual reality experiences.
Primarily developed with real-time engines, her personal works have been shown internationally. Her practice draws on the codes and structures of video games, taking gameplay itself as raw material. She focuses on core mechanics (tutorials, quests, NPCs, boss fights, save points…) and uses them to question the logics of play and the assumptions embedded within them. By reworking these familiar structures, she creates sensitive meta-games in which the rules of play are subverted to reveal new layers of meaning.
Alongside her artistic practice, she directs commissioned projects for luxury, fashion and high jewelry, guiding brands in exploring the language and aesthetics of video games and interactive media.
She also works closely with creators from cultural fields such as cinema, theatre, dance, offering artistic direction and interactive design, helping translate each author's vision into meaningful digital experiences.
Mélanie is a recurring guest lecturer in video-game history and digital humanities at ECAL. She regularly gives talks, mentors students, and serves on juries across Europe and North America.
SELECTED CLIENTS
LVMH
Hermès
Cartier
Van Cleef & Arpels
Jean-Paul Gaultier
Dolce & Gabbana
Guerlain
Orveda
Vogue Czechoslovakia
Ubisoft
Tétier Bijoux
ARTE
Mazarine Group
Helmut agency
MNSTR agency
Dixon
Jennifer Cardini
Agar Agar
LVMH
Hermès
Cartier
Van Cleef & Arpels
Jean-Paul Gaultier
Dolce & Gabbana
Guerlain
Orveda
Vogue Czechoslovakia
Ubisoft
Tétier Bijoux
ARTE
Mazarine Group
Helmut agency
MNSTR agency
Dixon
Jennifer Cardini
Agar Agar
EXHIBTIONS AND SCREENINGS
Forthcoming
• Picture Perfect, BOZAR, Bruxelles
• Screentime/s, Casino Luxembourg
• ENTER HERE, Kunstmuseum, Bern
• Animatex Festival, El Cairo
• Festival ZERO1, La Rochelle
2026
• Eyes without a face, New Galerie, Paris
2025
• Indulto (solo show), New Galerie, Paris
• Faites vos jeux, rien ne va plus (solo show), Stereolux, Nantes
• Gothiques, Louvre-Lens
• Tales From The Real World (duo show), Octobre Numérique, Arles
• The Siren (solo show), Gray Area, San Francisco
• Berserk & Pyrrhia, Le Plateau and Les Réserves, Frac Île-de-France, Paris
• UXdoc, Rencontres internationales du documentaire, Montréal
• Confort me, A MAZE, Panke Gallery, Berlin
• Next Level, Künstlerhaus, Dortmund
• Realities+D, Sónar, Barcelona
• Future Gaming, Braga Media Arts, Braga
2024
• HEK Special Guest, LISTE Art Fair Basel
• Netflix and Chill, New Galerie, Paris
• Final Girl, Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles, Paris
• Anticipation Festival, La Gaîté Lyrique, Paris
• Linoleum Animation Festival, Kyiv
• NIFF Extended, Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival
• Night of Ideas, Villa Albertine, Jersey City
• Distraction - Gaming Session, Confort Mental, Paris
• MAX3MIN Festival, Milan
• Biennale NOVA_XX, Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles, Paris
• Vivre l'œuvre - Voyage aux frontières de l'art immersif contemporain, Musée d'art de Pully
• Me and who?, Le port des créateurs, Toulon
• Open Factory, Le Centquatre, Paris
• Festival Varilux de Cinema Francês, Brasil
• NODO Fest Equator, Quito
• Néo-matérialités, Le Cube Garges, Garges-lès-Gonesse
2023
• The House of Pain, New Galerie, Paris
• DOQUMENTA, Querétaro
• Competencia VR, Festival de Cortos de Bogotá
• Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, Bucheon
• Transmoderna, Artsdistrict Brooklyn, New York
• Anidox, Viborg Animation Festival, Viborg
• Festival européen du film fantastique, Strasbourg
• Nuit Blanche, Le Consulat Voltaire, Paris
• Animafest Zagreb, Zagreb
• Jeden svět, International human rights film festival, Prague
• It’s dangerous to go alone!, Galerie Edouard Manet, Gennevilliers
• Festival Côté Court, Pantin
• Animation First Festival, New York
• International Film festival Rotterdam (IFFR), Rotterdam
• Festival international du film documentairee (FIPADOC), Biarritz
• Prenons rendez-vous, Meyrin
• Issue 5 Group Show, Studio Magazine, Zurich
Forthcoming
• Picture Perfect, BOZAR, Bruxelles
• Screentime/s, Casino Luxembourg
• ENTER HERE, Kunstmuseum, Bern
• Animatex Festival, El Cairo
• Festival ZERO1, La Rochelle
2026
• Eyes without a face, New Galerie, Paris
2025
• Indulto (solo show), New Galerie, Paris
• Faites vos jeux, rien ne va plus (solo show), Stereolux, Nantes
• Gothiques, Louvre-Lens
• Tales From The Real World (duo show), Octobre Numérique, Arles
• The Siren (solo show), Gray Area, San Francisco
• Berserk & Pyrrhia, Le Plateau and Les Réserves, Frac Île-de-France, Paris
• UXdoc, Rencontres internationales du documentaire, Montréal
• Confort me, A MAZE, Panke Gallery, Berlin
• Next Level, Künstlerhaus, Dortmund
• Realities+D, Sónar, Barcelona
• Future Gaming, Braga Media Arts, Braga
2024
• HEK Special Guest, LISTE Art Fair Basel
• Netflix and Chill, New Galerie, Paris
• Final Girl, Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles, Paris
• Anticipation Festival, La Gaîté Lyrique, Paris
• Linoleum Animation Festival, Kyiv
• NIFF Extended, Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival
• Night of Ideas, Villa Albertine, Jersey City
• Distraction - Gaming Session, Confort Mental, Paris
• MAX3MIN Festival, Milan
• Biennale NOVA_XX, Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles, Paris
• Vivre l'œuvre - Voyage aux frontières de l'art immersif contemporain, Musée d'art de Pully
• Me and who?, Le port des créateurs, Toulon
• Open Factory, Le Centquatre, Paris
• Festival Varilux de Cinema Francês, Brasil
• NODO Fest Equator, Quito
• Néo-matérialités, Le Cube Garges, Garges-lès-Gonesse
2023
• The House of Pain, New Galerie, Paris
• DOQUMENTA, Querétaro
• Competencia VR, Festival de Cortos de Bogotá
• Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, Bucheon
• Transmoderna, Artsdistrict Brooklyn, New York
• Anidox, Viborg Animation Festival, Viborg
• Festival européen du film fantastique, Strasbourg
• Nuit Blanche, Le Consulat Voltaire, Paris
• Animafest Zagreb, Zagreb
• Jeden svět, International human rights film festival, Prague
• It’s dangerous to go alone!, Galerie Edouard Manet, Gennevilliers
• Festival Côté Court, Pantin
• Animation First Festival, New York
• International Film festival Rotterdam (IFFR), Rotterdam
• Festival international du film documentairee (FIPADOC), Biarritz
• Prenons rendez-vous, Meyrin
• Issue 5 Group Show, Studio Magazine, Zurich
2022
• La Biennale di Venezia - Immersive selection, Venice
• Photo Mode, Ideal Glass Studios, New York
• Hyperscapes, Kornhausforum, Bern
• Revolution V52, Caen and Marseille
• GIFF - Geneva International Film Festival, Geneva
• The Art of Play, 3537, Paris
• Octobre Numérique, Arles
• London Film Festival (BFI), London
• DOK Neuland, Leipzig
• Transmoderna, NTX Museum, Amsterdam
• BLON Festival, Klaipėda
2021
• REFRESH #4, Zürcher Hochschule der Künste, Zurich
• Oslo Night, House of Electronic Arts (HEK), Basel
• Palais Augmenté, Le Grand Palais, Paris
• Current New Medias, Santa Fe
• NewImages Festival, Paris
• Originelles, Galerie Charlot, Paris
• Recto Vrso, Laval
2020
• The Planet's Voices, Biennal de Pensament, Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona, Barcelona
2019
• Summer Show, Galerie Lily Robert, Paris
• LVMH Pavilion, Paris
• NewImages Festival, Paris
• Devenirs Terrestres, La Gaîté Lyrique, Paris
2018
• La Biennale d’art contemporain, Lyon
• La Totale, Studios Orta, Boissy-Le-Châtel
• Tokyo Game Show, Tokyo
• Nordic Games, Malmö
• FILE, Electronic Language International Festival, São Paulo
• Les Rencontres du Septième Art, Lausanne
• VR Arles Festival, Rencontres d’Arles
• Huis van de Vlaamse film, Brussels
2017
• Paris Electronic Week, La Gaîté Lyrique, Paris
• NASSCOM India, Hyderabad
2016
• When Objects Dream, Salone del Mobile, Milan
• Personne Publique, Galerie Pazioli, Lausanne
• Pier 17 opening, San Francisco
RESIDENCIES
2027
• La Becque, Programme principal, La Tour-de-Peilz
2026
• Atelier Grand Nord XR, Montreal
2024
• Villa Formose, Taiwan
• Atelier Grand Nord XR (as a mentor), Montreal
• Résidence Evil II (as a mentor), l’Abri, Geneva
2023
• Résidence Evil, (as a mentor), l’Abri, Geneva
2022
• Digital Playgrounds, Villa Albertine, New York
2021
• Imprudence residency for speculative design, Paris
• Résidences EXECAL à La Becque, La Tour-de-Peilz
2018
• Fabbula VR residency, Barcelona
2027
• La Becque, Programme principal, La Tour-de-Peilz
2026
• Atelier Grand Nord XR, Montreal
2024
• Villa Formose, Taiwan
• Atelier Grand Nord XR (as a mentor), Montreal
• Résidence Evil II (as a mentor), l’Abri, Geneva
2023
• Résidence Evil, (as a mentor), l’Abri, Geneva
2022
• Digital Playgrounds, Villa Albertine, New York
2021
• Imprudence residency for speculative design, Paris
• Résidences EXECAL à La Becque, La Tour-de-Peilz
2018
• Fabbula VR residency, Barcelona
SELECTED PRESS AND PODCASTS
• Mélanie Courtinat, créatrice de mondes numériques, Le Temps
• Mélanie Courtinat, l'interview-fleuve, Fisheye Magazine
• When the game plays you, Refresh.art
• Mélanie Courtinat, Temple Magazine
• EVERYTHINGISM – Mélanie Courtinat, PROJETS Média
• Mélanie Courtinat, artiste et créatrice de jeux vidéo, La Matinale, RTS
• Il devient difficile de se souvenir d’un monde dépourvu de “numérique”, Fisheye Magazine
• Mélanie Courtinat, Tracks by Arte
• Beyond the real world (Mimo reálný svět), Vogue Czechoslovakia
• The Tenth art podcast, Ubisoft
• Le face-à-face artistique de deux gameurs nostalgiques, Le Monde
• Interview with digital art expert Mélanie Courtinat, Forward Festival
• Au GIFF, Mélanie Courtinat émeut grâce à un jeu vidéo immersif, RTS
• Créer un film en VR, c’est comme jouer avec des Lego, mais en plus magique, Usbek & Rica
• Mélanie Courtinat, créatrice de mondes numériques, Le Temps
• Mélanie Courtinat, l'interview-fleuve, Fisheye Magazine
• When the game plays you, Refresh.art
• Mélanie Courtinat, Temple Magazine
• EVERYTHINGISM – Mélanie Courtinat, PROJETS Média
• Mélanie Courtinat, artiste et créatrice de jeux vidéo, La Matinale, RTS
• Il devient difficile de se souvenir d’un monde dépourvu de “numérique”, Fisheye Magazine
• Mélanie Courtinat, Tracks by Arte
• Beyond the real world (Mimo reálný svět), Vogue Czechoslovakia
• The Tenth art podcast, Ubisoft
• Le face-à-face artistique de deux gameurs nostalgiques, Le Monde
• Interview with digital art expert Mélanie Courtinat, Forward Festival
• Au GIFF, Mélanie Courtinat émeut grâce à un jeu vidéo immersif, RTS
• Créer un film en VR, c’est comme jouer avec des Lego, mais en plus magique, Usbek & Rica
LECTURES & PANELS
2025
• The Importance of Art, AI, and Impact in Video Games, Villa Albertine, San Francisco
• Game Worlds as Cultural Infrastructures: The Role of Video Games in Europe’s Emerging Creative Industries, Braga Media Arts, Braga
• Distraction Collective: Friends from the Space Between, A MAZE, Berlin
• How to Build a Sustainable Model in Contemporary Digital Art, Gray Area, San Francisco
• About the Swiss Immersive Ecosystem, New Images Festival, Paris
2024
• Mélanie Courtinat, Forward Festival, Berlin
• Internet Horror, Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival, Neuchâtel
• Panel Discussion, Musée d’art de Pully, Pully
• Panel Discussion, Mapping Festival, Geneva
• Développer un modèle économique durable et innovant dans les arts numériques, Women in Digital by KIKK Festival, Namur
• Chaillot Experience: Anthropocène, Théâtre de Chaillot, Paris
• Don’t Be Afraid of Video Games!, Swiss Interactive Media Design Day, St. Gallen
2023
• Beyond sound, vision, Amsterdam Dance Event, Amsterdam • Semi-marathon, Worldbuilding opening, Centre Pompidou Metz
• Playing Narrative, Serbian games association, Belgrade
• Artist talk, Immersity 6, Angoulême
2022
• Hyperscapes, Kornhausforum, Bern
• Photo Mode in video games, Ideal Glass Studios, New York
• Faire monde, Octobre Numérique, Arles
• Video Games, beyond entertainment, 3537, Paris
• Total Conversion, Galerie Forde, Geneva
• Keeping up with web3 creation, Meta Panel, Paris
2021
• Visual Contagions through the Lens of New Media, University of Geneva
• Connecting with others, Grand Palais, Paris
2020
• Artist talk, Synthesis Gallery, Berlin
• Engaging the audience in virtual reality, Vlaams Audiovisueel Fonds, Brussels
2018
• Virtual reality for creation, Rolex Forum, Lausanne
• Materials of virtual reality, VR Arles Festival, Arles
2017
• Representations of female characters in video games, Unite India, Hyderabad
2025
• The Importance of Art, AI, and Impact in Video Games, Villa Albertine, San Francisco
• Game Worlds as Cultural Infrastructures: The Role of Video Games in Europe’s Emerging Creative Industries, Braga Media Arts, Braga
• Distraction Collective: Friends from the Space Between, A MAZE, Berlin
• How to Build a Sustainable Model in Contemporary Digital Art, Gray Area, San Francisco
• About the Swiss Immersive Ecosystem, New Images Festival, Paris
2024
• Mélanie Courtinat, Forward Festival, Berlin
• Internet Horror, Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival, Neuchâtel
• Panel Discussion, Musée d’art de Pully, Pully
• Panel Discussion, Mapping Festival, Geneva
• Développer un modèle économique durable et innovant dans les arts numériques, Women in Digital by KIKK Festival, Namur
• Chaillot Experience: Anthropocène, Théâtre de Chaillot, Paris
• Don’t Be Afraid of Video Games!, Swiss Interactive Media Design Day, St. Gallen
2023
• Beyond sound, vision, Amsterdam Dance Event, Amsterdam • Semi-marathon, Worldbuilding opening, Centre Pompidou Metz
• Playing Narrative, Serbian games association, Belgrade
• Artist talk, Immersity 6, Angoulême
2022
• Hyperscapes, Kornhausforum, Bern
• Photo Mode in video games, Ideal Glass Studios, New York
• Faire monde, Octobre Numérique, Arles
• Video Games, beyond entertainment, 3537, Paris
• Total Conversion, Galerie Forde, Geneva
• Keeping up with web3 creation, Meta Panel, Paris
2021
• Visual Contagions through the Lens of New Media, University of Geneva
• Connecting with others, Grand Palais, Paris
2020
• Artist talk, Synthesis Gallery, Berlin
• Engaging the audience in virtual reality, Vlaams Audiovisueel Fonds, Brussels
2018
• Virtual reality for creation, Rolex Forum, Lausanne
• Materials of virtual reality, VR Arles Festival, Arles
2017
• Representations of female characters in video games, Unite India, Hyderabad
ACADEMIC TEACHING
Teaching positions (recurring)
• History of Video Games, ECAL, Lausanne, 2021-2027
• Digital Humanities, ECAL, Lausanne, 2025-2027
Workshops
• Beaux-Arts de Paris, 2023–2026
• Bachelor Camera Arts, Lucerne School of Design, Film and Art, Lucerne, 2023-2026
• Master Photography, ECAL, Lausanne, 2023
• Schule für Gestaltung, St. Gallen, 2024
• Killscreen Gallery, Los Angeles, 2024
• Master Fashion Image, Institut Français de la Mode, Paris, 2023
• Bachelor Plasticien FX, EICAR, Paris, 2023
• Bachelor Graphiste Jeux Vidéo, GOBELINS, Paris, 2021
Mentorship
• Mentor, Passerelles Program, Contemporaines, Paris, 2025-2026
• Class Mentor, Master Immersive Design & Experience, GOBELINS, Paris, 2024-2025
Academic jury
• Thesis Projects Review, Bachelor Media & Interaction Design, ECAL, Lausanne, 2023-2025
• Diploma Projects Review, Master Video Games, ICAN, Paris, 2024
• Diploma Projects Review, Master and DSAA Image Média Éditorial, École Duperré, Paris, 2023
Guest lectures
• ECAL, Lausanne, 2025
• EICAR, Paris, 2024
• Amsterdam Fashion Institute, 2023
• Lucerne School of Design, Film and Art, Lucerne, 2023
• Institut Français de la Mode, Paris, 2022
• University of the Arts London, 2022
• Zurich University of the Arts, Zurich, 2021
• École Nationale Supérieure de Paysage de Versailles, 2021
Teaching positions (recurring)
• History of Video Games, ECAL, Lausanne, 2021-2027
• Digital Humanities, ECAL, Lausanne, 2025-2027
Workshops
• Beaux-Arts de Paris, 2023–2026
• Bachelor Camera Arts, Lucerne School of Design, Film and Art, Lucerne, 2023-2026
• Master Photography, ECAL, Lausanne, 2023
• Schule für Gestaltung, St. Gallen, 2024
• Killscreen Gallery, Los Angeles, 2024
• Master Fashion Image, Institut Français de la Mode, Paris, 2023
• Bachelor Plasticien FX, EICAR, Paris, 2023
• Bachelor Graphiste Jeux Vidéo, GOBELINS, Paris, 2021
Mentorship
• Mentor, Passerelles Program, Contemporaines, Paris, 2025-2026
• Class Mentor, Master Immersive Design & Experience, GOBELINS, Paris, 2024-2025
Academic jury
• Thesis Projects Review, Bachelor Media & Interaction Design, ECAL, Lausanne, 2023-2025
• Diploma Projects Review, Master Video Games, ICAN, Paris, 2024
• Diploma Projects Review, Master and DSAA Image Média Éditorial, École Duperré, Paris, 2023
Guest lectures
• ECAL, Lausanne, 2025
• EICAR, Paris, 2024
• Amsterdam Fashion Institute, 2023
• Lucerne School of Design, Film and Art, Lucerne, 2023
• Institut Français de la Mode, Paris, 2022
• University of the Arts London, 2022
• Zurich University of the Arts, Zurich, 2021
• École Nationale Supérieure de Paysage de Versailles, 2021
JURY
• Immersive Media Design Award, St. Gallen, 2024-2026
• Support Fund for Digital Experiences, Cinéforom, Switzerland, 2023-2026
• Support Fund for Video Games (FAJV), Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC), France, 2023-2025
• Prix Émergences, La SCAM, France, 2024
• Digital Experimentation & Innovation Awards, Le Club des Directeurs Artistiques, Paris, 2023
• Virtual Reality Selection, Sehsüchte Film Festival, Potsdam-Babelsberg, 2023
• Art Games Jam, Octobre Numérique, Arles, 2023
• Photo Mode Exhibition, Ubisoft, New York, 2022
• Future Is Sensible Award, Geneva International Film Festival, Geneva, 2022
• Immersive Media Design Award, St. Gallen, 2024-2026
• Support Fund for Digital Experiences, Cinéforom, Switzerland, 2023-2026
• Support Fund for Video Games (FAJV), Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC), France, 2023-2025
• Prix Émergences, La SCAM, France, 2024
• Digital Experimentation & Innovation Awards, Le Club des Directeurs Artistiques, Paris, 2023
• Virtual Reality Selection, Sehsüchte Film Festival, Potsdam-Babelsberg, 2023
• Art Games Jam, Octobre Numérique, Arles, 2023
• Photo Mode Exhibition, Ubisoft, New York, 2022
• Future Is Sensible Award, Geneva International Film Festival, Geneva, 2022