Rizon Parein has built a life around imagination, craft and a healthy dose of risk-taking. A Belgian artist and creative director, he is best known for founding the Antwerp design and creativity festival Us by Night, which feels as much like a cultural gathering as it does a design conference. What began as a modest get-together has grown into something truly international, with its mix of talks, installations and nightlife creating an atmosphere unlike anything else.
His creative career has taken him to incredible places, from collaborations with some of the world’s biggest brands to partnerships with artists and innovators worldwide. Yet what stands out about Rizon isn’t the scale of his projects but the way he approaches them. Curiosity and play sit at the heart of his work, a balance of ambition and joy that now extends into his family life too. Rizon and his wife have spent much of the past few years travelling with their young son, encouraging him to discover the world with the same sense of wonder that drives his father’s creativity. From Lego sessions at home to adventures abroad, parenting has become a source of inspiration and transformation.
In this conversation with Creative Parent, Rizon reflects on fatherhood, creativity and the lessons he has learned about balancing work, travel and family.
How has becoming a parent changed the way you see both your work and your life, and did your own upbringing shape the kind of father you have become?
Growing up with separated parents, I often found a lot of the drama in my childhood centred around money. That kind of upbringing made me obsessed with financial security, so when I was considering my career, I decided to go into advertising as it felt stable. This same mindset led me to say yes to almost everything that came my way, and I would often accept jobs outside my skill set. This was all during the very early days of 3D, when most people were still using it for functional, non-creative work. Clients would see my portfolio and assume I could handle anything, from Pixar-style character animation to fire effects, so I ended up having to learn on the fly for every project. This way of working meant I challenged clients when needed, which naturally led to a few confrontations, but it also taught me resilience.
My approach eventually led me to work with brands like Nike and Jay-Z, based on the 3D neon work I was creating. Around the same time, I founded Us by Night. What started as a one-off event quickly grew into something bigger with the support of Nike’s network. At the time of the first edition, my wife was several months pregnant, and I remember seeing her while standing on stage and thinking, ‘This is the life I want.’
Did becoming a parent change your relationship with ambition and the way you structure your life and work?
Becoming a parent shifted my priorities. Before, I’d happily work until three in the morning, sleep, and get back to it mid-morning. After having a child, I realised ambition doesn’t have to mean sacrificing everything else. My wife is also very ambitious, and we’ve learned to balance our family and work lives. I still love my work, and I’m passionate about it, but if I’d started a family ten years earlier, I wouldn’t have achieved as much as I did. Being older helps you navigate faster and make better decisions.
Running Us by Night and working on global projects sounds challenging. What has it been like to balance that world with family life?
Some editions of Us by Night have been easier than others. Before the pandemic, the third edition was a breeze. The same venue, same partners on board, it was simply just a case of arranging a new lineup. Later, we moved to a bigger location, and the relaunch after the pandemic was extremely stressful: finding a new team, managing finances, taking complete ownership, and rebuilding brand relationships. I remember being on holiday in Portugal and having to work, which meant missing my family half the time and left me feeling very agitated. But support from our partners helped, and now, for the first time, we’re landing on a financial break-even.
How has travelling and relocating as a family shaped your son’s development and your experience of parenting?
Travelling and relocating have really shaped our family. During a year in California, my son started school in what felt like a Spielberg movie… sunshine, open spaces, smiling kids everywhere. He adapted immediately, learned quickly, and gained confidence. Returning to Belgium was a challenge academically and socially, but focusing on basics like sleep and routines helped him thrive. Travel has given him independence, resilience, and exposure to different cultures.
How does your son connect with the creative world you’ve built, from the festival to your design work?
From a young age, he loved our interactive installations, especially the big white cars he could paint on. Last year, he watched an actual keynote on stage and loved it. I love his creativity. He goes completely organic with Lego, and he even made my nose with just a few bricks. I love that he did that! He’s also obsessed with cars and design, and seeing him engage with these creative experiences gives me goosebumps.
Some creatives wonder if becoming a parent means giving up a sense of freedom. How has that played out for you?
I had a wild nightlife before, and even ran a club for a few years. But having a family hasn’t limited my freedom. My wife and I balance travel and work equally. I’m really looking forward to taking my son to New York. Sharing experiences with him doesn’t feel limiting at all; it’s actually exciting.
“Parenthood reshapes freedom — it’s more about what you do together than what you do alone.”
What advice would you give to creatives who are considering starting a family, but worry about what it might mean for their work or ambitions?
Being an older parent has made me more patient and mature. I take time to explain things properly to my son. Younger me wouldn’t have had that patience. Parenthood teaches you how to be present, and I really appreciate that peace of mind. It’s one of the most rewarding parts of life; you learn that you can pursue your work, your passion, and still be fully there for your child.
