Considering video games as a major medium, she focuses on their extraordinary immersive properties and seeks to push their boundaries.
Her work, crafted through the use of digital tools, encompasses CGI images and films, interactive experiences, as well as virtual and augmented reality projects.
Her personal work is regularly exhibited worldwide, from New York to Tokyo, in cultural institutions, galleries, and museums.
As an art director, she collaborates on commissioned projects across the luxury, fashion, high jewelry, and cultural sectors.
Mélanie currently teaches video game history at ECAL in Lausanne, and regularly serves as a guest lecturer, workshop leader, and jury member 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
Mazarine Group
Centre Phi
Dixon
Jennifer Cardini
Agar Agar
Inès Chérifi
Mansfield.TYA
LVMH
Hermès
Cartier
Van Cleef & Arpels
Jean-Paul Gaultier
Dolce & Gabbana
Guerlain
Orveda
Vogue Czechoslovakia
Ubisoft
Tétier Bijoux
Mazarine Group
Centre Phi
Dixon
Jennifer Cardini
Agar Agar
Inès Chérifi
Mansfield.TYA
SHOWS + SCREENINGS
2025
• The Siren (solo show), Gray Area, San Francisco
• Berserk & Pyrrhia, Le Plateau, Frac Île-de-France, Paris
• Confort me, A MAZE, panke.gallery, Berlin
• Despite everything, it’s still you (solo show), New Galerie, Paris (upcoming)
• Realities+D, Sónar, Barcelona (upcoming)
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
• 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 + 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
2025
• The Siren (solo show), Gray Area, San Francisco
• Berserk & Pyrrhia, Le Plateau, Frac Île-de-France, Paris
• Confort me, A MAZE, panke.gallery, Berlin
• Despite everything, it’s still you (solo show), New Galerie, Paris (upcoming)
• Realities+D, Sónar, Barcelona (upcoming)
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
• 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 + 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, Boisy-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
2024
• Villa Formose, Taiwan
• Atelier Grand Nord XR (as a mentor), Montréal
• Résidence Evil II (as a mentor), l’Abri, Geneva
2023
• Résidence Evil I, (as a mentor), l’Abri, Geneva
2022
• Digital Playgrounds, Villa Albertine, New York
2021
• Imprudence residency for speculative design, Paris
• La Becque, La Tour-de-Peilz
2018
• Fabbula VR residency, Barcelona
2024
• Villa Formose, Taiwan
• Atelier Grand Nord XR (as a mentor), Montréal
• Résidence Evil II (as a mentor), l’Abri, Geneva
2023
• Résidence Evil I, (as a mentor), l’Abri, Geneva
2022
• Digital Playgrounds, Villa Albertine, New York
2021
• Imprudence residency for speculative design, Paris
• La Becque, La Tour-de-Peilz
2018
• Fabbula VR residency, Barcelona
SELECTED INTERVIEWS + PODCASTS
• Mélanie Courtinat, créatrice de mondes numériques, Le Temps
• 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, 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
2025
• The Importance of Art, AI, and Impact in Video Games, Beyond Play by Villa Albertine, San Francisco
• How to build a sustainable economic model in contemporary digital art, Gray Area, San Francisco
2024
• Forward Festival, Berlin
• Internet Horror, Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival
• Panel discussion, Musée d’art de 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, Beyond Play by Villa Albertine, San Francisco
• How to build a sustainable economic model in contemporary digital art, Gray Area, San Francisco
2024
• Forward Festival, Berlin
• Internet Horror, Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival
• Panel discussion, Musée d’art de 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
TEACHING
2025
• Class patron, Master Immersive design & experience (IDE), GOBELINS, Paris
• Teacher, History of video games, ECAL, Lausanne
• Teacher, Real-time game engines and virtual reality, Beaux-Arts de Paris
• Workshop, Real-time game engines and virtual reality, Bachelor Camera Arts, Lucerne School of Design Film and Art, Lucerne
• Thesis projects review, Bachelor Media interaction design, ECAL, Lausanne
2024
• Class patron, Master Immersive design & experience (IDE), GOBELINS, Paris
• Teacher, History of video games, ECAL, Lausanne
• Teacher, Real-time game engines and virtual reality, Beaux-Arts de Paris
• Workshop, Real-time game engines and virtual reality, Bachelor Camera Arts, Lucerne School of Design Film and Art, Lucerne
• Artist talk, EICAR, Paris
• Workshop, A Visual artist's introduction to building worlds in VRChat, Killscreen gallery, Los Angeles
• Workshop, Real-time game engines, Schule für Gestaltung, St. Gallen
• Diploma projects review, Master video games, ICAN, Paris
2023
• Teacher, History of video games, ECAL, Lausanne
• Teacher, Real-time game engines and virtual reality, Beaux-Arts de Paris
• Artist talk, Amsterdam Fashion Institute
• Artist talk, Lucerne School of design, film and art, Lucerne
• Workshop, Real-time game engines and virtual reality, Master Photography, ECAL, Lausanne
• Workshop, Digital presence, Master Fashion Image, Institut Français de la mode, Paris
• Workshop, Artistic direction, Bachelor Plasticien FX, EICAR, Paris
• Diploma projects review, Master + DSAA Image media éditorial, École Duperré, Paris
• Thesis projects review, Bachelor Media interaction design, ECAL, Lausanne
2022
• Teacher, History of video games, ECAL, Lausanne
• Artist Talk, Master Fashion Image, Institut Français de la mode, Paris
• Artist talk, Master Virtual reality, University of the Arts, London
2021
• Teacher, History of video games, ECAL, Lausanne
• Artist talk, Zurich University of the Arts, Zürich
• Artist talk, Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Paysage de Versailles
• Workshop, Augmented reality, Bachelor Graphiste jeux vidéo, GOBELINS, Paris
2025
• Class patron, Master Immersive design & experience (IDE), GOBELINS, Paris
• Teacher, History of video games, ECAL, Lausanne
• Teacher, Real-time game engines and virtual reality, Beaux-Arts de Paris
• Workshop, Real-time game engines and virtual reality, Bachelor Camera Arts, Lucerne School of Design Film and Art, Lucerne
• Thesis projects review, Bachelor Media interaction design, ECAL, Lausanne
2024
• Class patron, Master Immersive design & experience (IDE), GOBELINS, Paris
• Teacher, History of video games, ECAL, Lausanne
• Teacher, Real-time game engines and virtual reality, Beaux-Arts de Paris
• Workshop, Real-time game engines and virtual reality, Bachelor Camera Arts, Lucerne School of Design Film and Art, Lucerne
• Artist talk, EICAR, Paris
• Workshop, A Visual artist's introduction to building worlds in VRChat, Killscreen gallery, Los Angeles
• Workshop, Real-time game engines, Schule für Gestaltung, St. Gallen
• Diploma projects review, Master video games, ICAN, Paris
2023
• Teacher, History of video games, ECAL, Lausanne
• Teacher, Real-time game engines and virtual reality, Beaux-Arts de Paris
• Artist talk, Amsterdam Fashion Institute
• Artist talk, Lucerne School of design, film and art, Lucerne
• Workshop, Real-time game engines and virtual reality, Master Photography, ECAL, Lausanne
• Workshop, Digital presence, Master Fashion Image, Institut Français de la mode, Paris
• Workshop, Artistic direction, Bachelor Plasticien FX, EICAR, Paris
• Diploma projects review, Master + DSAA Image media éditorial, École Duperré, Paris
• Thesis projects review, Bachelor Media interaction design, ECAL, Lausanne
2022
• Teacher, History of video games, ECAL, Lausanne
• Artist Talk, Master Fashion Image, Institut Français de la mode, Paris
• Artist talk, Master Virtual reality, University of the Arts, London
2021
• Teacher, History of video games, ECAL, Lausanne
• Artist talk, Zurich University of the Arts, Zürich
• Artist talk, Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Paysage de Versailles
• Workshop, Augmented reality, Bachelor Graphiste jeux vidéo, GOBELINS, Paris
JURY
2025
• Support Fund for Digital Experiences, Cineforom, Switzerland
• App Category, Immersive Media Design Award, St. Gallen
2024
• Support Fund for Video Games (FAJV), Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée, France
• Support Fund for digital experiences, Cineforom, Switzerland
• Prix Émergences, La SCAM, France
2023
• Support Fund for Videogames (FAJV), Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée, France
• Support Fund for digital experiences, Cineforom, Switzerland
• Digital experimentation & innovation Awards, Le Club des Directeurs Artistiques, Paris
• Art Games Jam, Octobre Numérique, Arles
• Virtual reality selection, Sehsüchte Film Festival, Potsdam-Babelsberg
2022
• Photo Mode exhibition, Ubisoft, New York
• Future Is Sensible Award, Geneva International Film Festival, Geneva
2025
• Support Fund for Digital Experiences, Cineforom, Switzerland
• App Category, Immersive Media Design Award, St. Gallen
2024
• Support Fund for Video Games (FAJV), Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée, France
• Support Fund for digital experiences, Cineforom, Switzerland
• Prix Émergences, La SCAM, France
2023
• Support Fund for Videogames (FAJV), Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée, France
• Support Fund for digital experiences, Cineforom, Switzerland
• Digital experimentation & innovation Awards, Le Club des Directeurs Artistiques, Paris
• Art Games Jam, Octobre Numérique, Arles
• Virtual reality selection, Sehsüchte Film Festival, Potsdam-Babelsberg
2022
• Photo Mode exhibition, Ubisoft, New York
• Future Is Sensible Award, Geneva International Film Festival, Geneva