old wounds & candy
About
Everyone who is honest is interesting.
– Stefan Sagmeister (famous graphic designer)
I distinctly remember one of the first jobs I got during my internship at Mortierbrigade (almost 8 years ago). The Mobistar network had malfunctioned, and we were asked to write a nationwide apology on the full last pages of every Belgian newspaper. There were no on-staff copywriters available, so they gave this huge responsibility to an intern: me. For the initial tone exploration I got to work with Jens Mortier, and for the visual aspect I was partnered up with Philippe De Ceuster. Both of them founders, creative directors and advertising legends.
how it transformed me
There was no time for protocol or rank, just our collective result. They respectfully listened to my input, contributed in ways a partner does—not a boss. I even remember Philippe asking for my opinion on hís layout! In those 48 hours I went from ‘art student with a passion for words’ to ‘copywriter’ like it was nothing. I learned more from working a few hours with these legends, than working entire months under them.
this made me curious
How many other creatives have benefitted from experiences like this? So, I read a bunch of interviews with top creatives recalling their first months on the job, I listened to podcasts, watched several creators on YouTube, and—sure enough—a clear pattern emerged. Directors opened up about having worked with more experienced assistants, award winning creative teams owed their success to them being mixed-age and working as equals. Plus, without exception, all the concept providers I asked, stated they became much better after their first shoots or recordings. Simply from working with top talent.
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