If you ask me why Fabular...
A year and a half of conversations with myself
My first day at Fabular happened completely spontaneously. When I started university, I hadn't planned on getting a job at all – especially not like this one. So, I arrived on my first day of work without any big expectations: relaxed, but also a little unsure.
Everything was new and interesting. Everywhere I looked, something caught my attention – from the ladies who radiated warmth and made me feel welcome from day one, to the space itself, which almost immediately began to feel like my second home. And today, a year and a half later, I can honestly say that it truly has become one.
I must admit, in the beginning, I was scared. I had no previous experience and was starting completely from scratch. Looking back, I realize that was my greatest advantage. I was allowed to learn in a place that encourages me every single day to grow, ask questions, and step outside my comfort zone.
Why Fabular?
Why not?
It might sound like a cliché, but honestly – give me one good reason why not.
Whenever someone asks me what I do at Fabular, I always think of my grandmother. If I had to explain my job to her, I'd say:
“Grandma, I do what I’ve always dreamt of doing”
Creativity has always been a part of who I am. From drawing classes on Radićeva street and ballet at Ilirski trg to where I am today, I've always looked for ways to create. Those seemingly small moments shaped the person I've become and ultimately led me to where I am now.
If I had to describe a typical workday, I'd start by saying that I rarely feel like I'm going to a job I can’t wait to leave. And I think that’s the best part of the whole story.
At Fabular, my role is first and foremost to learn – but also to contribute. I work on projects that demand creativity, curiosity, and strategic thinking. From market research and user experience development to creating innovative solutions for clients in the hospitality and creative industries.
What excites me most is building brands, understanding what people truly need, and seeing the moment when strategy transforms into something tangible – something visually compelling and conceptually strong. That's when I realize that branding is so much more than most people imagine.
My biggest “aha” moments happen during our brandstorming sessions – which, fortunately, are never in short supply at Fabular. Those are the moments when I learn the most: how to approach branding challenges, think from different perspectives, and uncover solutions that weren’t obvious at first glance.
And then there’s feedback. Every comment I receive from the team, whether positive or critical, is something I genuinely appreciate. In fact, I might value the more critical ones even more, because I know I always leave learning something new.
When I look back at the person I was a year and a half ago, I can see just how much I've grown. Today, I'm more confident in my decisions, more resourceful, more adaptable, and much better equipped to handle the challenges that, if I'm being honest, never stop coming.
I’ve learned how to truly listen to clients and find inspiration in their honesty and the simplicity of their answers. I’ve learned the importance of teamwork, patience, empathy, and listening to others. Of course, I still have a long way to go, but that’s exactly what excites me the most.
Fabulars atmosphere
I wish you could experience it for yourself.
To me, Fabular is like a small fortress, with each of us building a part of it. Our workdays probably don’t look the way people on the outside imagine them. There’s almost always great music playing, lunch breaks always involve good food, and we’re never short of great coffee.
I would describe our predominantly female team as inspiring, energetic, and full of diverse personalities. At Fabular, you’re not afraid to make mistakes. The only thing you might fear is never trying in the first place. And when you do something well, you’ll get that little push that motivates you to do even better next time.
I don’t think everything is always perfect here – and I'm genuinely glad it isn’t. It’s the everyday situations, the challenges, and the different perspectives that make us real. I believe that's where the beauty of working in a team like this truly lies.
Balancing work alongside university has been an incredibly interesting experience. Some days feel as though they last fifty hours. There are moments when it seems like the to-do list will never end, but interestingly, those are the times when I perform my best.
When exams, deadlines, and projects all pile up at once, life becomes stressful, sleep is in short supply, but it’s also incredibly exciting. Sometimes, in a single day, I feel like a business woman in the morning, a student in the afternoon, and a friend in the evening. And honestly, I love it. The chaos has taught me how to stay organized, be responsible, and appreciate every small achievement even more.
One of the biggest misconceptions about branding is that many people still don’t really know what it means. When I tell people where I work, they mostly nod. But if I ask a follow-up question, I quickly realize they often have no idea what branding involves.
Branding is often seen as something secondary or simply “the nice part of the story,” when it’s so much more than that. It’s the way people perceive a brand, a space, a product, or an experience. That’s why every project carries its own weight and responsibility.
My favorite projects are always the ones where I can bring a part of myself into the process. Art and culture have always been a significant part of my life, and through Fabulart, I can combine my creative side with what I do every day. I believe that’s when the best ideas emerge – when you bring a piece of yourself into your work.
Looking back on the past year and a half, I realize I didn’t just learn how brands are built. I learned how to think differently, how to embrace challenges, how to trust my own ideas, and how to take something valuable away from every piece of feedback.
I joined as a student with no experience, full of questions and curiosity. Today, I'm still a student, still full of questions, but with far more confidence and an even greater desire to keep learning.
If you ask me what Fabular has given me, my answer won't simply be a job or professional experience. It has given me people I learn from every day, opportunities that have shaped me, and a place where I truly feel I can grow.
And I think that's the most beautiful part of this entire story. Because alongside all the brands, I've had the opportunity to help build, here - quite unexpectedly - I also began building my own.
Nika Pinjušić
