Story 3 – Pip Maarschalk – Italy

I am a creative working in photography, visual storytelling, and content creation, with a strong interest in building my own creative business. My work focuses on combining artistic vision with branding and communication. During my EYE stay, I collaborated with the team of Delizia, a creative project focused on events, culture, and visual identity.

I discovered the EYE programme through my studies and saw it as an opportunity to gain practical experience in an international environment. I decided to participate because I wanted to develop my entrepreneurial skills, expand my network, and better understand how to turn my creative work into a sustainable business.

My main expectations were to gain hands-on experience, improve my professional confidence, and learn how to combine creativity with structure and strategy.

During my EYE stay, I worked closely with the team of Delizia, combining creative production with structured planning. We held weekly meetings to set goals, review progress, and define tasks, which helped me stay organized and focused. I contributed to content creation by photographing events, editing visuals, and supporting the development of Delizia’s visual identity through mood boards and concept ideas. I also explored new formats such as video and podcast production, recording and editing content with my own equipment. Alongside this, I prepared editorial shoots in Naples and Milan, including concept development, model research, and planning. The relationship with my host was very collaborative and open, allowing me to share ideas, receive feedback, and grow both creatively and professionally.

This experience helped me grow significantly as a creative and as an emerging entrepreneur. I developed new technical skills, especially in video production and editing, and improved the quality and consistency of my work. I also strengthened my communication and networking skills by reaching out to agencies, brands, and shops in Bologna and Milan. Through my work with Delizia, I gained a deeper understanding of branding, content strategy, and teamwork. I built valuable connections and expanded my professional network, which can lead to future collaborations. Most importantly, I gained confidence in my abilities and a clearer vision of what I can offer, which is essential for building my own business.

This experience helped me grow not only as a creative, but also as an entrepreneur. I gained confidence, developed new skills, and learned how to turn my ideas into concrete actions and opportunities.