Stéphanie Heckman - Graphic Recorder & Visual Facilitator -
Stéphanie Heckman - Graphic Recorder & Visual Facilitator -
Stéphanie Heckman
Graphic Recorder & Visual Facilitator
I have been working for the past 7 years internationally at conferences as a graphic recorder and visual facilitator. In this role I translate, in real-time, collective conversations into hand-drawn visual summaries that distill the essence of both content and undercurrent. My visual summaries transcend language and accessibility barriers, and communicate key takeaways of complex discussions in an engaging, visual way to a much larger audience than those originally present.
I am from the Netherlands, but have been based in Northern Ireland since 2018. I have worked with close to 200 organisations, but in recent years I have shifted my focus to supporting those organisations advancing climate action, peace and reconciliation and leadership development. Since 2020, I have collaborated regularly with UN Climate Change and numerous NGOs in the global climate space. I have trail blazed a way for the field of graphic recording to support climate negotiations at the highest level and have led teams of graphic recorders to cover sessions during four consecutive COPs (annual UN climate summits). In recent years I have trained up two cohorts of graphic recorders through my Visual Practice Apprenticeship Programme, focusing both on the craft of visual practice and business skills as a creative professional.
What does sustainability mean to you?
To me sustainability is both a personal call to care and action, and a strategic direction governments and industry need to take. On a personal level, it is to reconnect with the nature that surrounds us and that we are a part of, and from that place of care, to strike a liveable balance between fulfilling lives whilst making efforts to stay within our carbon footprint and the planetary boundaries. Social sustainability comes into it well as, considering that social justice, equality and peace are critical to the long-term viability of our societies. And up from there, recognising that individual sense and responsibility need to be met by good governance at local and state level, so voting for parties with a green and social agenda, and help amplify the need for a sustainable and just transition.
How do you incorporate sustainability into your design practice?
By putting my work in service of sustainability efforts. I made the strategic decision years ago that, even or maybe especially as a sole trader, I can choose to align my business with my values. I will always prioritise supporting organisations whose good work needs to be amplified or translated in a more accessible way to a broader audience, and for that I mainly focus on those advancing climate action, peace and reconciliation and good leadership.
Do you have any advice on how designers and design businesses can incorporate sustainability into their design practice?
Look at the materials you use, the travel you do for work, and the organisations your design work supports. Between those three, reconsider and optimise where you can.
Are there any resources you can recommend that have helped you be more sustainable in your design practice?
For my materials, I use Neuland refillable water-based markers, and Falconboard/BeeLite honeycombed cardboard (which is recyclable) as an alternative to foamcore boards (which go to landfill).
I strike a balance between some travel for in-person work abroad for work I believe in, and working digitally/remotely on many other occasions.
And when multiple inquiries come in, or when I reach out for business development, I will prioritise organisations whose work I support and admire and want to amplify or make more accessible to a wider audience through my visual practice.
www.stephanieheckman.com/visualpractice
Watch Stéphanie’s full video with sound here