Graduated, now with her own documentary on NPO
Telling stories, that's what Nina Sloots loves most. She studied Graphic Design at ArtEZ Academy of Art and Design in Arnhem and graduated with the documentary Geloof je het Zelf? (Do You Believe It Yourself?), about the distance that grew between her and her spiritual friend Pascalle. She is now studying for a master’s degree in Journalism, combining her love for image and story in new ways. “Those four years at ArtEZ really changed me.”
The freedom to explore
Choosing Graphic Design was no coincidence. “Both my parents are graphic designers, so I grew up with it,” Nina says. “But what really appealed to me was that I could tell stories in countless ways.”
She remembers her time at ArtEZ as a period full of freedom and strong guidance. “Brainstorming together was the most valuable part for me. Talking about what you had made and the ideas you had. That last bit, coming up with ideas, was my favourite. It still is.”
From art academy to university
After her bachelor’s, Nina chose to do a master’s in Journalism. “I felt I was too young to start working and wanted to prove to myself that university was not beyond my reach.”
What once seemed unattainable now feels natural. “Back then, university felt so far away. But now that I study there, I no longer feel that way. If you really want something, you can almost always make it happen.”
Still, she sometimes misses the depth she found at ArtEZ. “There, I was encouraged to explore my own perspective. That still helps me to approach stories from a different angle.”
"Because ArtEZ was so intertwined with my own life, I now have a much clearer sense of who I am.”
A documentary on NPO
When her documentary Geloof je het Zelf? was nominated for Makers van Morgen, an NPO platform for emerging documentary talent, it was a special moment. “It was my ultimate goal to share my work with a wider audience. I am still very proud of that.”
Personal work
Many of Nina’s projects are deeply personal. “If I find something difficult in my life, I have to do something with it.” During her studies, she made a project about her grandmother, who was seriously ill at the time. “In the final weeks before she passed away, I got to know her better. And because ArtEZ was so intertwined with my own life, I now understand much better who I am.”
“My interest in social issues began at ArtEZ.”
Journalism, design and dialogue
Alongside her studies, Nina works at Helix, a foundation for debate and dialogue in Eindhoven, where she does research and contributes to the visual identity. She is also involved with Diversion, an organisation that educates young people on topics such as polarisation, disinformation and algorithms. “That interest in social issues started at ArtEZ.”
Her advice to students: “Do not focus too much on one topic. You have four years to try everything. Do what feels right at the time, without immediately having to aim for a higher goal.”
The future
After her master’s, Nina wants to continue making documentaries. “My ideal job does not pay, so that will not be it,” she laughs. “But I do want to keep focusing on personal projects. Because my documentary was broadcast on NPO, I can now apply for funding for a new one. I will do that someday, but first I want to finish my studies.”
Ultimately, she sees herself working in radio, film or television. “For that, you still have to go to the Randstad, but I want to bring that world further south.”
