Some people search fairs and the internet for that one stamp that’s still missing from their collection. Not Geert Wille: he simply designs the stamps of his dreams himself ... or those that philatelists and collectors dream of. In the meantime, he mainly collects personal experiences: he started as a postman at bpost, but recently found the job that matches his training.

Geert, are you a stamp collector who turned his hobby into his profession? How exactly did you end up in this role?

Geert Wille: “No, not at all (laughs). I was trained as a graphic designer: I lived in South Africa for 25 years and also did my studies there. But when I came back to Belgium, I couldn't easily find a job with my diploma. So I started looking for good jobs without a degree, and among the jobs with no experience required, I saw a bpost postman job. I started in 2015 as a postman and moved on to a position with more responsibility. That's how I became a mailroom office clerk, and then a team leader.”

“When I saw a position as a stamp designer become available, I applied and since December last year I’ve been working in the Philately & Stamps Printing service. With my background, that seemed ideal.”

Did bpost actively help you seize opportunities? And, if you have ambition, are you supported here?

Geert: “Yes, I think so. As I said, I started as a postman, but you can really grow quickly and easily here. I am also still being trained in my current job. We’re enrolled to attend a computer class, to learn how the program works and to discover its new functions. These programs are constantly changing, so you have to keep up.”

“In the future, maybe becoming a product manager would be something for me. That's definitely encouraged here and you get every opportunity to do so, but at the moment I'm still totally immersed in this job.”

And what does your new job entail?

Geert: “We design both permanent stamps for general use, such as the Royal stamp, and limited ‘collector's stamps’. Each year we develop a program of 20 to 22 themes and each theme is depicted on a sheet that contains 2, 5 or 10 stamps. Our designs go through a whole process. After approval by my team manager, we submit the designs to the Philatelic Commission. This is a group of experts that includes representatives from bpost and the philatelic world, plus a few additional experts, such as an advisory historian. After that, adjustments are made and the final creations are finalized and made ready for printing.”

“The whole process, from the determination of the themes to the creation and production phase, takes about a year. We also have derivative products such as the First Day Sheet, a beautiful collector's card with stamped stamps and an info text around the theme, and our special Collector's Cards. And at the end of the year, we always present the new collection of stamps to the outside world. So we’re currently working on the 2023 collection.”

How does such a design come about?

Geert: “We designers are first briefed by our team manager who puts the program together. Based on this briefing, you start to think creatively about it: what does this theme mean, how can I portray it ... Then you put the first sketches on paper where you design the various stamps. These stamps are in a sheet, so we design the stamps and sheet as an integrated whole. These basic ideas are then worked out digitally. After that you can possibly also create different designs, which are then considered and reviewed.”

Do you feel supported by colleagues?

“There are two internal designers, in addition to the team manager and a coordinator who work out the content. We also have a whole team behind us to help find the right information and keep everything on track. Such design work really is teamwork here! In addition, for certain themes we also work with external designers. So, yes, we can count on a lot of support.”

“Of course, we can always turn to those directly involved in the theme. For the squares in Charleroi, for example, we contacted the city to ask which buildings were important, which images we could use, etc. Or if we were doing a report on a museum, for example, we would arrange to meet there to find inspiration. These people are usually very happy that there will be a stamp about them!”

What makes the job so enjoyable for you? And how do you look to the future?

Geert: “Any graphic designer can design a business card or a brochure. But being able to design a stamp that will actually be released on the market is something very special. I consider it a privilege that I get to do that.”

“My first stamps have yet to come on the market. I won't hear the first reactions to ‘my’ creations until November when the new 2023 program will be presented. I’m looking forward to that. We will also be present during the presale to philatelists: and then I’ll be able to sign my work!”

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