What I've Learned

...at Atelier JANTAMINIAU

Maud Versteeg
Wed 2 May

What did you learn during this internship?

I have learned a lot during my internship at Atelier JANTAMINIAU. I have learned to not be afraid to ask for help or give input. Luckily I am not a shy person and when I have asked people for help myself everyone at atelier made an effort to help me. When I gave feedback, it was taken seriously and sometimes used. I had a lot of cool assignments to work on and that was super nice!

I have also learned a lot about how to make sure you communicate the mission and vision of a brand in everything you make for them. Also, I learned to create for someone else. I think at the academy you create and make a lot for yourself, you mostly make what you like to see or want to make. It was a challenge but also a refreshing experience to make something for a brand with its own style and also for the customers of course.

What didn’t you expect to learn but experienced as a bonus?

The most important thing I have learned from my internship at Atelier JANTAMINIAU was that bonus you are asking about. My entire time at WdKA I have struggled with who I am as a designer. I am a Fashion Design student but I don’t want to make clothes or have my own label, that is why I had some trouble positioning myself in the fashion industry. At first, I felt like I needed to sew and make patterns because that is what a Fashion Design student is supposed to do.

During my internship, I had a revelation about what I wanted to do. I have always been fascinated by branding and communicating a concept to the world - it is something I have learned a lot about and found out it was something I was good at. Being a graphic designer as well I see things differently from most of the (traditional) fashion designers and I can help with creating the ways to visualise and present a concept. Focusing on these things that make me unique and different from other Fashion Design students, now I’m ready to start.

Did you gain any insights that can be used in your further life and study?

Well, I kind of answered this question above already. Another thing I have learned was that I needed to be better at receiving criticism. I sometimes react defensively. Which, of course, is kinda stupid because the person is only trying to help you. So I’m trying to work on this ;).

During my internship, I had a revelation about what I wanted to do.

What kept you awake at night?

Nothing really… I did enjoy my internship. I fit in the team very well and still keep in touch with them. The environment was great, I felt like I was learning something every day and that it was okay to make mistakes. If I made a mistake I immediately got help in correcting it. When I did something good I received a lot of compliments and that really made me feel more confident and made me feel like a validated member of the team.

What was the greatest obstacle?

To be honest... I was my own greatest obstacle. At first, I was terrified to speak up if I had an idea or question because Jantaminiau is a very well known and an accomplished designer. I wanted to do absolutely everything right, which, of course, is not possible. My other biggest obstacle was breaking out of what I thought a Fashion Design student should be. But thank god I finally did that!!

I don't have images of what I have been working on during my internship because I am not allowed to disclose that information.