True to the motto "March 8 is every day", we want to introduce you to FLINTA* from Berlin and their work in this new format.

Drum roll for our first: Stefanie Berkmann is an art director, illustrator and 3D artist and has lived in Berlin-Friedrichshain for 7 years.


We are delighted to be able to visit you here in your wonderfully colorful studio. How did you come to choose this career path?
I'm delighted to be here! During my communications management studies, I quickly realized that I was missing the creative side. So I went in the direction of art direction, discovered my passion for illustration and started sharing my work on Instagram. During the first coronavirus lockdown, I also discovered 3D and taught myself Blender - it's been an integral part of my work ever since.

What makes working in these areas special for you?
Being able to be creative every day, creating new visual worlds - and coming together with great, inspiring people in the process!

A lot of your work revolves around femininity, where does that come from?
For me, creativity has always been my way of processing personal experiences. As a child, I spent hours drawing in my room - especially women. This helped me to find a deeper connection with myself and also to connect with other women on a special level.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I draw inspiration from many things - art, photography, architecture, fashion and music. But mostly from people and their stories. Often it's also my own experiences and emotions that flow into my work.

How do you perceive the mutual support in the industry?
In recent years, I've become increasingly aware of how strong the bond is among creative women - especially in Berlin - and how important the women in my life are to me. I experience so much support and backing, which I find very special. In the advertising industry, where I worked a lot before, I often experienced this very differently - which was largely, but not exclusively, due to the structures and behavior of white cis men.

What does the "feminist day of struggle" represent for you?
For me, it represents visibility, recognition and cohesion among FLINTA*. It reminds me of how far we have come, but also that there is still a lot to fight for - for real equality and against structural inequalities.

What do you wish for FLINTA*?
I would like the work and contribution of FLINTA* to be valued more - that we are seen, recognized and supported even more in the future. To all FLINTA*: Don't let self-doubt stop you and listen to your heart. Surround yourself with people who support you and encourage you to see your strengths. Be proud of your uniqueness and fight for the space you deserve. Even in the more difficult moments: You are never alone, and together we can achieve a lot.

What would you like to say to your younger self?
That I should trust my intuition more and go my own way. Self-doubt is normal, but it shouldn't stop you.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Berlin as a location for you?
For me, Berlin is a place where countless cultures come together and everyone contributes something unique. This diversity is what makes the city so special and incredibly inspiring. At the same time, Berlin can also be overwhelming - the speed, the constant development, the urge to constantly reinvent yourself. In a city that never stands still, you sometimes feel like you have to constantly keep up, which often creates the feeling of never really being enough.

What has changed over the years?
The pressure to keep up is growing because Berlin has increasingly established itself as a trendy and creative hotspot. There is a constant (perceived) expectation to reinvent yourself, to be creative and at the same time remain competitive - be it in art, business or lifestyle. The city is full of people who want to realize their dreams, but that also sometimes makes you wonder if you're doing enough or if you can even keep up with the city's development.

What is Berlin missing?
I think Berlin lacks places where people/creatives can come together, exchange ideas and express themselves creatively. The city is so big and sometimes I feel alone with my worries, fears and thoughts, although I'm sure there are many others who feel the same way. Berlin can also be very hard for me, and I would like to see more solidarity and more 'caring for each other'.

What do you associate with your neighborhood?
I think Friedrichshain is very authentic and kind of cute. Especially at the weekend, I like to go to the market at Boxi and just sit in the sun with a coffee.

Thank you, Steffi <3

This content has been machine translated.