Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Hi, my name is Megan Burgers and I took my bachelor’s degree at Amsterdam Fashion Academy in the field of Fashion Business, along with studies of Visual Arts from the International University of Düsseldorf. Currently, I am working as a Digital Marketing Executive and Social Media Coordinator from Amsterdam Fashion Academy. Althoug I did not acquire a solid graphic design background after certain modules I undertook during my studies (e.g on Photoshop and Illustrator), I developed an urge and talent for pattern designing in the field of fashion. Time passed and the demand for my patterns increased leading me to form my own company and brand Wight Studios where I work on different kinds of projects connected to fashion and fashion design from photo-shooting to blogging on issues of fashion and trends.
Moreover, nowadays there are a lot of online stores and boutiques which search for a certain image, including logos and banners where graphic pattern design is necessary. I started working when I was nineteen on Marketing Consultancy so it goes hand in hand with my practical skills on graphic design.
What do you consider your distinctive achievement?
I think it’s the personal relationship I have with the customers. I mean obviously you have to present a price for your work but I am very flexible. In case a customer is not happy with the result, I adapt to her/his needs and in general I provide multiple drafts and options on the certain theme I am asked to work on. In general, I reckon that the personal relationship with the customer is the one that I consider my distinctive element.
What are you looking forward too?
As I said this success was never in my plans. I work part-time in fashion events management where I focus on their social media and marketing and I love the combination of fashion marketing and graphic design. I opt for seeing my company expanding into a broader fashion consultancy company and to combine the best of the two. This, I could say is my ultimate ambition, which combines my work and my passion.
Which advice would you give to other professionals?
This is ahard question. I think that the answer is to pick something you really like to do. I know it sounds kind of cliché but it’s true. I like my job and I can work for the whole day without even looking at my watch. I also find networking and mouth to mouth advertisement to be crucial. Social media is also a great way to attract clients such as Instagram.
What are the challenges that we need to overcome to make about cultural entrepreneurship more accessible?
Challenges is something that we face everyday. When you undergo the start of a company you face the challenge of funding and finance. The most common challenge of paying the bills and reaching the point of making your business profitable. This I consider the bigger challenge. A lot of people are afraid to start their own business possibly because they lack a certain safety net. I was privileged to have my father for support at certain points. If you are a good artist you will find your way, regardless.
Do you consider yourself a European professional and artist?
What I do is based on trends and this field is international but depends on the industries you work with and the countries these industries are based. For instance, I know that my patterns do not adapt well with German trends. They are always quite behind in the fashion industry. I believe it depends on the circumstances and your collaborations. In general, I find interesting how people in the field face the same problems and knowledge has to be shared in order to facilitate the growth of creative industry in the region.
Thanks Megan.
