Visual minutes at the Department of Business Industry and Skills, London

Had a lovely two days earlier this week drawing out the diversity of civil servant staff members at the Department of B.I.S. in Victoria Street, London.

Some unusual stories came out, backflipping cocktail shakers, a lady who's specialty subject was the sheep of Yorkshire, musicians, sailors, singers, martial artists, even a running poet.

There were numerous tales of exotic former commutes, my favourite was the person who had to sail down the amazon as part of her daily trip in to work..

Many thanks to artist Beatrice Baumgartner-Cohen for getting me involved!

Visual minutes in Zurich and London

It's been a busy week, firstly visiting Zurich for work, capturing a day's marketing strategy for an international e-commerce company, watched over in the Hauptbahnhof by Niki de St Phalle's blue Guardian Angel:

and drinking in the Swiss silence:

The next day, back in London I visually minuted at the Southbank Centre's "WOW" festival.

WOW stands for 'Women of the World, it's been running for 5 years and is now going global, with partnerships including New York, Iceland and Ethiopia.

It was a really inspiring day kicked off with Jude Kelly and Miriam Gonzalez-Durantez (Nick Clegg's wife) talking about mentoring for girls and skilfully facilitated by Isisara Bey.

Visual minutes in Lisbon and London

What a fun week!

Firstly I spent two days at an air travel conference in Lisbon. The work is confidential but a here is the shining beauty of Lisbon, and some nice portuguese graphics:

Then I participated in the staff away day at the Southbank Centre, this was called the Festival of Us.

Staff shared everything from workshops on wine-making to their bicycle journeys from London to Mumbai, and from poetry readings and yoga to to a pop-up choir. The day was an exuberant burst of group energy.

Here's me finishing this off upstairs in the Royal Festival Hall, with the iconic 1950's bat and ball carpet design as a backdrop:

Graphic Facilitation for The Railway Children - Launch 8th December at Aviva, London

Over the summer I worked for The Railway Children, recording a research project into the different journeys that young people make when they run away. 

The launch of the research project took place today on the top floor of Aviva insurance, a major supporter of the charity. Newsreader Jon Snow was also there and he gave a short presentation as Chair of New Horizon Youth Centre who worked in partnership with The Railway Children on this project.

It all felt quite exciting, and wow, what a view!

The two main journeys were circular and linear. More information can be found here:

https://www.railwaychildren.org.uk/news/2014/12/report-charity-criticises-fewer-safe-places-for-teenagers-in-crisis/

My images were used throughout to illustrate the research project publication, here is a sample:

Thanks to Jane Thompson for hiring me and the young people from New Horizons Youth Centre for their hard work and commitment.

Permanent Visual Minutes

This last week I've really had a lot of fun, working in a new 'innovation space' within a company, to inspire and encourage employees to think creatively and to enable problem solving. 

The room has been launched as a space to cross pollinate ideas, with the aim of making the business more agile. 

I recorded people's thoughts and ideas, and then was asked to draw them on the blinds of the innovation room, as a lasting memory of the launch.

British Library Schools Project

Had an enjoyable time working for the British Library today, listening and recording the thoughts and ideas of the young people present.

The discussion centred around web privacy and access. It was part of the Southbank Centre's 'Web We Want' festival that will continue into 2015.

Next year is also the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta.

Corporate Graphic Facilitation

This was for a company undergoing a huge shift in company culture, the day was also about having fun through learning-games, experimenting, opening up conversation and encouraging dialogue. 

In their words: "Let's over-communicate together!"

..some learning through game-playing.