Lionel Renard

Why this persona fits the audience

He runs an interior design studio in Lyon and uses virtual tours to show before-and-after room layouts for clients and contractors. He creates small numbers of tours for staged homes, adds callouts to materials and fixtures, and sometimes embeds them on a portfolio site.

• Age: 43
• Location: Lyon, France
• Occupation: Interior designer
• Income: EUR 50k-68k
• Education: Degree in interior design
• Company size: 1 (sole proprietor)
• Years in role: 15

“The true beauty of a space isn't just how it looks, but how it makes you *feel* – and every detail contributes to that.”

Lionel Renard discovered his passion for interior design during childhood, sketching elaborate room layouts in his notebooks. After earning a degree in Interior Design from a respected French institution, he honed his skills working for a larger firm in Paris for several years before deciding to establish his own studio in Lyon, his hometown, over a decade ago. He initially focused on traditional design services but quickly recognized the power of visual communication in the digital age. Approximately five years ago, he began experimenting with 360-degree photography and virtual tours, seeing them as an innovative way to showcase his work and bridge the gap between concept and reality for his clients and collaborating contractors. He invested in a high-quality camera setup and learned the necessary software, viewing it as an essential evolution of his craft. This allows him to present 'before and after' scenarios with striking clarity, adding detailed callouts for materials, finishes, and specific product selections, which he then often embeds on his studio’s portfolio website. He's recently been refining his process for creating these tours for staged homes, aiming to make them more engaging and informative for potential buyers and real estate agents. Lionel’s income allows for a comfortable, albeit not extravagant, lifestyle in Lyon, and he reinvests a significant portion of his earnings back into his business for better equipment and software. He values his independence and the direct client relationships he cultivates, seeing each project as a testament to his dedication to craftsmanship and client trust. His approach to time is deliberate; he believes that rushing leads to compromises, and he applies this philosophy to both his design process and his personal life, seeking a sustainable pace that prioritizes quality outcomes.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Lionel's typical weekday begins around 7:30 AM with coffee and a review of emails. By 9:00 AM, he's at his studio, often reviewing material samples or sketching concepts. Mid-morning might involve a virtual client meeting, presenting updated 3D renders or, increasingly, a walkthrough of a recent virtual tour. Lunch is usually a simple affair at his desk or a quick bite at a local boulangerie. Afternoons are dedicated to work – either on-site at a client’s property to take measurements and photos for virtual tours, or back at the studio refining designs, preparing specifications, or editing virtual tour content, adding annotations. He aims to wrap up by 7:00 PM, often followed by a quiet dinner.

Lifestyle

Lionel lives in a well-appointed but compact apartment in Lyon's 6th arrondissement, filled with carefully chosen furniture and art that reflects his professional eye. He’s a creature of habit, starting his day with a strong espresso and the local newspaper before heading to his studio. His social life is modest, preferring intimate dinners with a few close friends over large gatherings. He values quiet evenings, often spent sketching new ideas or reading about art history. While he enjoys the finer things, his approach to personal finances is prudent, prioritizing quality over quantity in his purchases.

Work life

Lionel's days are a balanced mix of client consultations, site visits, and studio work. He prides himself on his ability to translate a client's vision into tangible designs, often spending hours meticulously sourcing materials and refining layouts. The virtual tour aspect has become crucial; he spends significant time capturing high-resolution panoramas of completed projects and staging efforts, carefully annotating them with details about paint colors, fabric swatches, and fixture brands for both client approval and contractor reference. He’s constantly seeking ways to improve the clarity and impact of these tours, seeing them as an extension of his design narrative.

Relationships

Lionel is primarily influenced by his network of trusted architects, artisans, and a select group of long-standing clients who appreciate his meticulous approach. He maintains cordial relationships with former colleagues from his early career. He is not married and has no children, dedicating most of his energy to his profession and his curated social circle.

How they decide

Lionel is a highly analytical and research-driven decision-maker. He weighs options carefully, often seeking out peer recommendations within his professional network for tools or services he's considering. He prioritizes tangible evidence of quality and long-term value over immediate cost savings, but he’s not immune to budget constraints. His decisions are rarely impulsive; he prefers to gather information and reflect before committing.

How they sound

Lionel speaks with a measured, precise cadence, his French accent clear and refined. He uses professional terminology comfortably but avoids overly technical jargon when speaking with clients, opting for descriptive language. He’s not prone to slang or casual diminutives, maintaining a tone of respectful professionalism. When discussing his work, he speaks with quiet passion, emphasizing the 'why' behind his design choices.