Marc Pouliot, Project Leader, Colour and Trim, has always been creative. This personality trait, which he says is either something you have or you don’t, led him to do a degree in graphic design. But it’s curiosity that enables you to continually innovate: “You have to be prepared to go looking for information, to rummage for inspiration, to ferret things out, from everywhere,” he says. “And I’d advise any young designer to explore, to try things out, and not be afraid of getting your hands dirty, because you can really use everything in our projects.”

Marc’s been honing his curiosity at BRP for the last 25 years, 22 of them at the Design and Innovation Centre. The first things he needed to explore were manufacturing processes, like learning how plastic parts are moulded, or how paint is applied. He and his team also belong to specialized worldwide groups for colour trends, staying at the cutting edge of future vogues. They watch what’s being announced in fashion and the consumer world, so they know what everyone will be wanting, in terms of hues and finishes. If they were limiting themselves to powersports or automobiles, they’d only be looking at today. At the Design and Innovation Centre – on the contrary – they’re aiming for tomorrow, next year and even the far future.

“It makes for beautiful products, that attract people, and make our company successful,” Marc explains. “It’s the overall aesthetics, that you can see running through all the product families, that people love.” When asked about the future, he sees only possibilities. The expansion of the product lines – whether by creating new categories such as three-wheel vehicles, or adding leisure boats to form the new Marine group, or developing electric vehicles – opens more doors for greater innovation and new ideas. “We’re unstoppable,” he asserts.