IFVP 2020 – What A Virtual Conference Meant for the Field of Visual Practitioners

In a time of physical distance, connecting with friends and those in our professional field is more important than ever. That’s why I am SO deeply appreciative to the IFVP conference planning team, for putting in the immense lift to host not one, but THREE days of virtual workshops and learning over the course of the summer. 

This year felt pivotal for our community – not only was it the 25th Anniversary of the IFVP, it was also the first fully virtual conference. Because of the remote platform and significantly reduced cost, people from all over the world were able to attend.  

The workshops and conversations that emerged reflected that diversity. We heard more open and honest discussions about structures and systems of power and equity, and stories about resilience. Sitting with not knowing, feeling our whole selves (physically, mentally, emotionally), and how we bring ourselves and biases to the work. 

Together, we created a virtual web to catch one another as we explored in vulnerable ways, thought critically, and danced forward into uncertainty. Literally. We had the best dance parties.

If you’re curious about what happens at a graphic recorder conference, you can register retroactively and get access to all the session recordings. 

That includes my session called Talk Nerdy to Me: Tips for Success Capturing Scientific and Technical Content. (I like talking nerdy. If you do too, here’s a post I wrote about the science behind graphic recording and visual communication.)

Once again, thank you from my heart and soul for your support, great senses of humor, brilliant minds, collaboration and what you're each doing to make the world a better place.

Cheers, 

Where in the Virtual World is ConverSketch?

Working on several longer-term projects focused on reflecting, learning, and iterating pilot programs. The two teams I’ve worked with are very different…Health care teams to better support children with medical complexity, and the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS).

One Thing You Can Do for More Successful Remote Meetings and Classes

In one form or another, many of us have found ourselves settling into the realization that we’re going to be working and learning remotely for a while longer.

As research and experience reveal that virtual meetings are hard for humans, let’s be honest. How many times have you been in an in-person meeting and felt exhausted and bored? Regardless of platform, I’d like to take a moment to remind us:

We CAN take ownership of how we design meetings for impact and energy!

There are incredible tools and tech out there to support remote work and learning, and it’s easy to narrow our focus to the technology, or fixate on not being able to work together in person.

I love the way So You Want to Host a Web Meeting reframes: Remote meetings are SUPPORTED by technology, but they are not ABOUT the technology. So start with the PURPOSE, then add the tech!

Here’s the question I like to ask myself or my clients: What is the IDEAL OUTCOME for this meeting/event/class? At first, don’t even think about the how – just let yourselves imagine.

Once the purpose or outcome is clear, THEN you can think creatively about HOW. What tools or mindsets do we have now we didn’t utilize before? How might we leverage tech in new ways to create experiences that delight participants or students and ignite creativity and collaboration?

Exhibit A: Here’s what a wonderful, authentic client had to say after a virtual session we designed together and I graphic recorded remotely last week:

What a rich and rewarding session, Karina. Thank you. The excellence that ensued, in large measure, was brought about by your presence, your skills, and your work in making this strategic brainstorm session “not just another Zoom meeting.” Your services and final output, coupled with the willingness of our student leaders to engage, dream big, and plan a great Fall 2020, left us in a really good place to move forward with executing their ideas.

- Adam J. Herman, Jones Graduate School of Business, Rice University

So, what can YOU make possible?

Once again, thank you from my heart and soul for your support, great senses of humor, brilliant minds, collaboration and what you're each doing to make the world a better place.

Cheers,

Where in the Virtual World is ConverSketch?

iBlockBias: Last week I was honored to tune into a session hosted by Block Bias – a non-profit dedicated to facilitating important conversations and giving folks tools to work toward anti-racism. In 2 hours, these women built an environment where people got vulnerable, honest, and left feeling empowered!

Zoom Academy: Zoom Education hosted a two-day free training for teachers, school support, and administrators on how to learn and use their platform for more engaging and effective learning. Panels of experts and hands-on workshops left participants feeling better equipped for a very VUCA future.

Rice University: Working with the fine students representing the Jones Graduate School of Business to imagine what student life could look like this fall.