Meet the Buroform crew: David Geelen
Buroform is a diverse team brimming with talent. Wondering what it’s like to work with us? Then take a look behind the scenes. Meet David Geelen, Project Manager.
David Geelen
Hello, I’m David, father of two and from a family of advertisers, creatives and graphic designers. I have now been working in the printing industry for twenty-two years, five of them for Buroform.
At Buroform, I am responsible for…
About five years ago I started at Buroform as a graphic designer and DTP person, but over time that role has expanded tremendously and become more diverse. I am a project manager, responsible for our larger clients who need more than just printing. This could be POS displays or other promo materials, visuals or illustrations, stickers, the decoration of a store, you name it. They can come to me with any question and I provide a solution. I direct and arrange everything. I even go along to set up displays or help put labels on paint jars and such more. A real friendship relationship has developed with many clients over time, which allows me a lot of freedom and allows my creativity to run wild. In the end, you can describe my job very simply: I do everything I can to make our clients score, to get their brand noticed in the best possible way.
I got my job at Buroform through…
I studied graphic design at St. Luke’s and have been working in the industry ever since. I have been a graphic designer and art director in some advertising agencies, and worked briefly in a digital printing company. At one point, a friend of mine quit his job at Buroform to leave for a trip around the world. He then proposed me to management as a possible successor. My first project was one for Kellogg’s. That went well and since then everything has moved very quickly.
My morning ritual is…
Getting up with a good cup of coffee. Or more than one. I can’t live without it. Other than that, I go through the news and entertain the kids once before braving the traffic jams towards the Buroform offices. Once I arrive, I walk through my emails, create my daily schedule and take a long look at production to make sure everything is understood. Then the real work can begin and I handle my files according to urgency.
A typical workday is…
Hectic! I do that to myself a bit, I must admit. I always try to be available to customers. If anyone sends an email, I will reply as soon as possible. This, of course, causes me to constantly roll from one thing to another. It may sound chaotic, but for me it works that way.
What people don’t know about my position is….
I am very perfectionist by nature, which makes me perform all my tasks to the extreme. Every assignment I treat as if it were for myself. I put myself in the customer’s place every time. How would I like to deliver this project myself? That’s my starting point, that’s where I set the bar for myself. When I’m working on something, it’s hard for me to let go. It has to be right first, only then can I go home. I even help pack so that everything can still leave for the customer on time. Or for an order for complex POS displays, I meticulously draw the whole picture for the suppliers, so they know perfectly what to do.
The moment I am most proud of at Buroform is….
There are several, without needing to sound smug. But some projects I am proud of. I think of Kellogg’s, for which we and Buroform once stickered the entire interior with Tony the Tiger figures in various positions. I collaborated on that concept and drew all the illustrations myself. The response then was overwhelming. That includes projects by Hino, Wellpet and Scania.
What I like most about working at Buroform is….
Freedom. That allows you to take many things into your own hands and achieve great results that sometimes were not anticipated. There is always a challenge waiting for you and that keeps the job particularly exciting. In addition, I love the atmosphere here immensely. At Buroform, there is work to be done, but there is always room for a dose of humor. There is a hands-on mentality, which makes for a very positive vibe in the workplace!
On weekends you’ll find me…
Then I enjoy the free time. Over the weekend, I turn the switch all the way around. Then Buroform is on hold for a while, and the focus is entirely on my friends, family and children.
If I wasn’t a “graphic designer/project manager,” I’d be…
My spouse is from Japan. Should I not do what I am doing now, I would move there and open a steakhouse or a Belgian beershop. Not a weekday thing, I would go all out and make something really original.
The best career advice I have ever received….
Just being yourself. I think it’s hugely important to show who you are and what you can do. Be honest with yourself; that will get you the furthest.
Stay tuned. We continue to share stories about each member of our team. That’s how you get to know what it’s really like to work at Buroform.
Would you like to be part of our #Buroform team? Then take a quick look at our job openings and there might be something for you.
See you soon!
