Inspiring Journey: Jonathan Fecteau
Studio life
The inspiring journeys initiative aims to highlight members of our teams who stand out for their diverse backgrounds and unique experiences.
What is an inspiring journey at Frima?
It is a professional path that reflects both personal and professional growth. It can include career evolution, impactful involvement, alignment with the company’s values, and more.
Throughout his journey at Frima, Jonathan has distinguished himself through his versatility and ability to evolve with the pace of projects. From his early days in design to his current role as Game Director, he has developed his expertise through impactful collaborations and unwavering passion. His path reflects both boldness and dedication, two strengths that continue to inspire his work every day.
1. Jonathan, tell us about your journey at Frima.
I have a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and spent three years working in graphic and web design before joining Frima. Although I’ve always been passionate about video games, I didn’t really see any opportunities for myself: UI design was less common at the time and was mostly handled by artists.
I had been keeping an eye on Frima from afar, as I knew someone who worked there. When a UI design position opened up, I took a chance and was selected. When I started, I joined a large team already well into a project and was warmly welcomed. That first assignment spanned several years, and more projects followed. At one point, we started working on a major IP that I had long been a huge fan of: it truly felt like a childhood dream come true!
Later on, I had the opportunity to step in for a lead on a project, which allowed me to gain hands-on leadership experience. I was fortunate to collaborate with Epic Games and even had the chance to visit them in North Carolina. As the team grew and we became more structured, I gradually transitioned into the role of Game Director, thanks in part to my in-depth knowledge of the project.
I’ve always been a very multidisciplinary person, both technical and artistic, and I’ve carried that curiosity for other fields with me throughout my journey.
2. What is the project you are most proud of so far, and why?
The project I’m most proud of will always be Fortnite. We stood by each other, even through tough times, and managed to work together with remarkable efficiency. What sets our team apart is its ability to do whatever it takes to deliver what’s needed, while consistently meeting our goals year after year. We’ve also built an exceptional relationship with our partners. A genuine bond of trust has taken shape, strengthened by a human approach to collaboration and a shared drive to do things right.
Fortnite is a project that made history in the video game industry, and I am immensely proud to have contributed to it.
3. Which of Frima’s values do you feel most strongly about?
I was named Ambassador of the Boldness value at the 2023 Recognition Gala. To me, boldness never stands alone: it only has meaning when paired with collaboration. If no one follows your ideas, being bold serves no purpose.
In life, you have to dare, be willing to be wrong, and have the courage to keep moving forward regardless. I often say there’s no fire without a spark: you need to question the status quo, look beyond what’s right in front of you, solve problems, and help drive change when needed. That also means taking calculated risks, the kind that leads to real progress.
4. What advice would you give to someone starting out in the profession?
I encourage them to be curious, to go beyond what they learn in school, and to keep deepening their knowledge on their own. I also recommend taking an interest in the industry and building a network of contacts. You have to take initiative and put yourself out there to get noticed in this field. Being passionate and showing it is essential. I will always choose to work with someone who overflows with enthusiasm even if they don’t have all the skills yet, rather than someone high-performing but lacking passion.
5. What was your first impression of Frima when you arrived?
When I joined Frima, it genuinely felt like stepping into a new family. I was young and quickly formed almost sibling-like bonds with my colleagues. We took part in plenty of group activities and outings. Back then, the Social Club played a big role in my life: it’s where I built meaningful personal connections.
6. What is a typical day like in your role?
My role is quite broad, as I’m involved in a bit of everything! I help guide the project from both a creative and functional standpoint. My goal is to ensure that processes are well established and that quality remains consistent across all departments. I collaborate with all the directors to make the best possible decisions and also contribute to the overall strategic vision. This involves close collaboration with the production team, whether to assess the feasibility of new initiatives or to structure teams in the most effective way. I also work closely with our partner to make sure their needs are met. At the core of it all, what matters most to me is having a strong team and fostering positive relationships between all departments.
7. What is your favourite video game ever?
Mario RPG on the Super Nintendo is a game I have many memories of. I finished it several times and developed a real fondness for it. Simple, yet built around RPG mechanics seamlessly integrated into the Nintendo universe I loved, it truly stands out. I first played it when I was very young, and returned to it over the years, even with colleagues at Frima, when we’d take on the wild challenge of finishing it in a single night!
To me, this game succeeded in making the RPG genre accessible to a wider audience, thanks to its original gameplay, sense of humour, and polished visual direction. It’s a great demonstration of an RPG creator joining forces with a brand like Mario.
Psst! We have several openings in Jonathan’s team! Click on the link below for details and to jump in the game!