We’d like to introduce you to Justien Heideman, an intern from TU Delft in the Netherlands currently pursuing a Master’s focused on Design for Societal Innovation. For three months she engaged deeply with Indigenous Maya communities in the Sololá region, generously sharing her experience and knowledge while intricately collaborating with the Economic Development Program team. Continue reading to learn more about her experience!
“Hola a todos, my name is Justien and would love to give a little insight into my experience as an intern at Natün. In my studies and work, I am guided by a drive for equity, culture sensitivity and social justice. I became curious about how design for social impact unfolds in an international development setting. I wanted to better understand how design can support communities outside of my familiar environment, and how different cultural contexts shape meaningful and respectful social innovation.
Somehow, by chance and by luck, Natün crossed my path. Their mission, values and true bottom-up approach significantly resonated with me. I recognized a great learning opportunity in expanding my understanding of community-driven impact, while using my design background to support meaningful, equity-focused work. I was warmly welcomed into the Economic Development Program team to work on a strategy and new product lines for the Artisanship component. They have given me trust and a lot of space to explore and learn about the organisation, the language, the culture and the program.
Before arriving, I knew little about Maya textile traditions. After having visited the country earlier, I had an admiration for the bright and colorful culture, but wasn’t aware yet of the deep cultural and symbolic meaning behind each textile, its patterns and the importance of weaving in the Maya culture. A big part of this learning came from Seño Cruz, an incredible colleague, course instructor and talented Artisan. We were in a constant skills exchange where Seño Cruz taught me the ancestral technique of backstrap loom weaving and explained so much about the meaning of different designs, colours and patterns. On the other hand, I was able to share my own skills related to product design processes and aesthetics.
She allowed me to join the weaving classes alongside local women who attend weekly courses as part of Natün’s Trade School. Every Wednesday they wove for nearly eight hours straight. Meanwhile, I sat there struggling after three, maybe four hours at most. My back hurt, my hands cramped, and I was moving at a snail’s pace. They laughed kindly as I struggled through each step, and I laughed with them. It was humbling, eye-opening, and a reminder of the extraordinary skill and resilience behind every handwoven textile piece you encounter in Guatemala.
My appreciation for the textile art grew massively. What started as “How can Natün make its products appeal to Western customers?” shifted into “How can I help Natün share the beauty, heritage and meaning already present in these textiles?”
Together with the Economic Development Program team, I developed a first product line. My strategy was the following: simple, functional products that people can use in daily life, enriched with meaningful details inspired by traditional huipil designs from the Panajachel and Sololá regions. This way we created products that celebrate cultural relevance. Additionally, we explored ways to optimize pricing and strategic product selection that prioritizes artisan wellbeing and their livelihoods even more.
Additionally, I collaborated with other Natün team members on a variety of creative tasks which allowed me to further understand other programs in the organization and be more deeply involved in the program. Ranging from editing videos, designing illustrations, helping out with some graphic design elements and doing photography during events in the different communities Natün works with. One of the highlights being photographing the Promotoras, a group of about 50 Indigenous women who participate in leadership and advocacy capacity building workshops with Natün. This year the Promotoras researched important cultural aspects of each of their communities, one project centered around the traditional indumentaria (clothing) of each community, I had the opportunity to photograph them in front of the church in Panajachel.Their pride and their smiles were inspiring and contagious and it was so fun and special to be able to share and capture that moment with them.
Alongside the creative processes, I contributed to the strategy for relaunching and strengthening the Artisanship component in the future. The timing of my internship was key because during my time at Natün, the organization was finalising the Strategic Plan for the next 5 years.This means that apart from creating, I have also been listening and observing a lot. Natün truly operates from the bottom up; they collaborate with local leadership, build trust with communities, and design programs with cultural awareness and respect. Their efforts feel grounded in humility, care and long-term impact. The internal atmosphere also reflects these values. It felt open, collaborative and transparent. Being part of this organisation, even though it was only for a short time, has inspired my thinking as a (social) designer. It has expanded my understanding of what responsible design and social innovation can look like in practice.
This experience has strengthened my commitment to exploring even further how I can use my design skills in international development in my future career. I feel inspired to continue learning and working in contexts where culture, equity and community come first.
When I look back at the past months, it is hard to put into words how meaningful my time at Natün has been. I came in as a design student curious about social impact, cultural equity and community-driven innovation. I leave deeply inspired, humbled and with a heart full of gratitude for the women, colleagues and communities who welcomed me so warmly.”
Justien’s story is one of many that illustrate how Natün serves as a space for learning, reflection, and professional growth.
If you would like to learn more about internship experiences, experiences, and opportunities to engage with our work, we invite you to visit our website and explore more.
