Reinier Postma, 4/5, home blogger ArtEZ Business Centre

Since my graduation, everything has been all about ‘progress’. How do I get a paid job within my field as soon as possible? How do I get new commissions? How do I make sure I stay productive and don’t stand still?

I’ve noticed that in the Netherlands, ‘standing still’ shouldn’t take too long. When that happens, you run the risk that people think you have no ambitions or that you’re lazy. Although I felt proud when I completed my studies, that feeling was quickly replaced by restlessness. And that restlessness got stronger and stronger over the months, because of the expectations of people around me. I had to deal with the usual questions like: “Do you have a job yet?” or “What will you do now?”

It didn’t take long until I rolled up my sleeves and started building my future. Work hard, keep experimenting, and try to stay positive despite setbacks, that was my motto. And the hard work was rewarded: my agenda filled up for the time ahead. I was leading a drawing project at a high school, designing two art routes and doing an internship within an organization focused on sustainist design, all so I could gain experience developing projects that strengthen communities.

My future was on track, but the coronavirus changed everything. All my commissions were cancelled. I couldn’t travel to the internship I had applied to. Acquiring experience in an inspiring team becomes pretty difficult from home. So I decided to pause the internship. In short, everything I had built up after my graduation fell apart like a house of cards.

In a moment like this, you feel like the ground falls out from underneath your feet. It’s an art in itself to stay positive in such circumstances. Still, I think that’s the best way to deal with this. The positive aspect of the crisis is having the time to stand still for a moment without shame. It’s an ideal time to contemplate my role as a designer in society.

I have enough time now to think about questions that I didn’t have room for before. What is my goal? Where do I want to be in five years? Who do I want to cooperate with in the future? What kinds of projects do I want to work on?

I will use the standstill this coming period. In these circumstances I suddenly have much more time to read articles and books*, there is a huge range of online lectures and courses* that I follow and I want to get in touch with people who inspire me. I’ll write down any information I find interesting and exciting, so that it can help me make choices later.

• *Sustainist design Guide
• *Pakhuis de Zwijger

Translation by: Witold van Ratingen