Meet the Resident: Stephanie Heckman
Stephanie is one of our newest creative residents in our Hill St studios. Here she tells us a bit about her creative practice, her journey with her business so far as well as some of the things that have helped her on that journey.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your creative work?
I’m originally from the Dutch dune coast, now based in Belfast since 2018. In my role as visual practitioner, I translate in real-time complex conversations into hand-drawn visual summaries that distill the essence of both content and undercurrent.
When done live at conferences or other events (either in-person or remotely) these visual summaries, or graphic recordings as they’re known, become a tangible memory aide for participants, whilst amplifying the key takeaways to a much bigger audience of those not present at the event.
Any projects you’re currently working on?
In 5 years I have worked with well over a hundred organisations, from local community groups to the UN. At this time though, I prioritise collaborations with those working for progress on climate action, peace & reconciliation and leadership development.
For the past 3 years, I have collaborated with UN Climate Change on several mandated events, on topics from collective progress towards the Paris goals, to the Ocean, to gender issues. Recently we worked together during the COP28 UN Climate Summit to visually translate their highly technical, dense and complex negotiations to a much wider audience. This is a process that concerns all alive on the planet and so all are entitled to having this information be made more accessible.
What was the biggest hurdle for you starting out and how did you overcome it?
Believing that there was a future and a livelihood in the creative niche I was carving out for myself. What helped me get through that first year was the intuitive belief that I was onto something meaningful and valuable, but also the support of many around me.
I sought out more experienced peers I admired, received lots of mental support and cheering from the sideline from my close friends and family, and I joined professional network organisations like Women in Business NI to brush up on skills I knew I was lacking. Also, critically, I was lucky to encounter some early ‘patrons’ that kept passing me bits of paid work until I had built up some experience and was able to diversify my client base more.
How do you stay inspired and motivated?
Witnessing the deteriorating state of our planet and social reality and not turning away from it is hard. But when I connect to my love for the natural world and for the people whose important work I know I am supporting, I know I’m contributing to something very important.
Being asked about the value of this work, seeing the reactions of people to my work, getting inspired by the beautiful art of colleagues of mine, good music to dance through the downs, and seeking out wild places wherever I am, all help to refill the tank and keep going.
What do you wish you had known before starting out?
That all comes in good time, but you do have to aim for something. Dream big, look at the world in opportunities and go after them, but also be patient and trust the process. Aim for a big goal on the horizon and take the winding roads to get there, but also don’t be surprised if once you get there it looks different from how you imagined it, and that the real treasure might not be the one you expected.
What’s your top piece of advice for anyone wanting follow a creative path?
Invest both in your craft as a creative, but also in your skills, knowledge and mindset as an entrepreneur. To turn a hobby into a business, you have to see it and treat it that way. Be honest about the knowledge you lack, and go out to fill those gaps with a growth mindset.
Where can people find you online?
Website: www.stephanieheckman.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/stephaniesaloli
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieaheckman
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Today`s finance resource for emerging creatives is a budget template that you can download from our website as an excel document and complete for your creative business. �Putting together a budget for your creative business will help you to understand your costs, plan out your expenses and reach your goals. It`s also not as complicated as it seems, we have included a downloadable excel budget template on the resources section of our website to help you to put one together for your business (link in our bio or below):
��https://blickstudios.org/resources/useful-finance-resources-links/
Nov 20
�Today for our finance resources for emerging creatives we are sharing what you need to include on an invoice, something that seems obvious, but really isn`t when you are starting out!
�You can download an invoice template as a word or PDF document from the `Resources for Creatives` section of our website (link in bio or below) that you can then customise for your creative business!
��https://blickstudios.org/resources/useful-finance-resources-links/
Nov 19
After a hectic few months, we are back to sharing out useful resources for creatives starting their own business/ practice.
This week we will be sharing some different financial resources. Starting today with some useful financial links for creatives starting their own business
Let us know if you can think of any we have forgotton or anything that was helpful to you when starting out that we can add to the list!
HMRC what does it mean to be self-employed? – https://www.gov.uk/working-for-yourself
Registering as self-employed – https://www.gov.uk/set-up-sole-trader
Registering for VAT if your turnover exceeds £85,000 – https://www.gov.uk/vat-registration/when-to-register
Link to a cashflow template – https://www.startuploans.co.uk/cash-flow-forecast-template/
HMRC free payroll software – https://www.gov.uk/basic-paye-tools
View on our website link in bio or
https://blickstudios.org/resources/useful-finance-resources-links/
Nov 18
We have 1 dedicated deskspace coming available in our Hill St studios from the start of December!
- £165 per calendar month all inclusive (rent, rates, utilities,
broadband etc)
- 3 months minimum contract then on a month by month basis
- 24 hour access
- City centre location
Email christine@blickstudios.org for more info or to arrange a viewing or visit our website:
https://blickstudios.org/locations/hill-street-belfast/
Nov 15
Thanks again to everyone who came along to @stephaniesaloli`s creative talk last Wednesday evening and to Stephanie for giving such a great talk with so many insights and lessons for emerging creatives, as always we will be doing a wee event write up over coming weeks of the key lessons!
Nov 14
This week we have been thrilled to have been able to help with @belfastdesignwk and @the_design_salon `s Sustainable Pop-up Design Museum as part of the RE(act) Festival by the @linenquarter in the Europa Hotel today and tomorrow!
If you are attending any events at the festival or just passing by you can pop by to take a look at the Pop-up Design Museum on the 2nd floor!
The Pop-up Design Museum feature 5 local designers incorporating sustainability into their work
- Sam Lynas Co-founder of @get.haru @helpandreuse a tech startup focused on circular fashion
- Azhar Murtuza Founder of @born_maverick a food innovation company
- Stéphanie Heckman @stephaniesaloli a graphic recorder and visual facilitator focusing on working on climate and sustainability events
- Lee Robb founder of Positive Carrickfergus and Co-founder of Carrick Greengrocers @carrickgrocers
- Emily McIlwaine @emtextiles Woven Designer and Horticulturalist
You can also read fab interviews with each of them on sustainability and their design practice over on the Belfast Design Week Website www.belfastdesignweek.com
Nov 12
Thanks to everyone who joined us last Wednesday evening for our final creative talk of the year with the wonderful Stephanie Heckman sharing her creative story!
Nov 11
We are so excited through our @the_design_salon collab as part of the �@linenquarter `s �RE[act] Festival 2024 to have Learning Experience Designer Peter Worth join us for a workshop on November 13th, 3-4.30pm in the Europa Hotel.
Peter works at the intersection of design thinking, professional learning, leadership, and culture change. Consulting globally and based in Northern Ireland, Peter’s work focuses on helping teams to elevate local brilliance and use the mindsets of human-centred design to create change so their users can thrive. In recent years, he has worked closely with the Stanford d.school and Catalyst.
Informed by his background in education, Peter has developed a design practice that balances analytical and creative problem-solving. His belief that great progress can be made by taking the time to listen first has positioned him to guide people through their initial discomfort with design to discover skills they did not know they had and to help educators recognize their power in the transformation of schools as a part of a larger story of impact. In addition, Peter works with K12 schools, universities, businesses, and non-profit organizations to promote local innovation.
Spaces are limited so find out more and grab your free ticket on the events page on our website (link in profile)!
Nov 8
## NEW SOUTH BELFAST STUDIOS ##
We have recently moved our South Belfast Studios and our new studios at 65 Great Northern Street are now open!
Located off the Lisburn Road in a great location with lots of natural light it offers a mix of private and shared studio space.
We only have a couple of dedicated desks left, if you would like more information or to arrange a viewing please get in touch with christine@blickstudios.org or visit our website (link in profile)
Nov 6
Pollen Studios + Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of “Palette Perspectives” by Blick resident Emanuela Mae Agrini @emanuela_mae_agrini_art
The event will take place on November 7, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, at Pollen’s gallery space located at 7 North Street, Belfast. As part of the Belfast Late Night Art event, this evening will showcase a collection of portrait paintings and fashion illustrations, exploring creativity and individual expression through various subjects and styles.
Nov 5
Last chance to book for tomorrow night`s creative talk with Blick Hill St resident Stephanie Heckman sharing her creative story as a graphic recorder and visual facilitator who translates real-time conversations into hand-drawn visual summaries at events and conferences globally including UN climate change negotiations!
Book through our website (link in profile) 🌟 🌟 🌟
Nov 5
Another chance to check out the interview we did with Stephanie @stephaniesaloli who is sharing her story at our next Creative Talk on Wednesday evening!
Sign up on our website to hear her story in-person!
Nov 4
Ahead of her creative talk next Wednesday evening we thought we would re-share this interview we did with Stéphanie Heckman one of our Hill St residents earlier this year! You can read the full blog on our website (link in profile)
Stephanie will be sharing her creative story next Wednesday 6th November at 7pm in our Hill St studios, you can sign up for your free ticket to hear her story on our website (link in profile)
Nov 1
Just 1 week until our next creative talk with Blick Hill St resident Stephanie Heckman sharing her creative story as a graphic recorder and visual facilitator who translates real-time conversations into hand-drawn visual summaries at events and conferences globally including UN climate change negotiations!
Book your free ticket through our website (link in profile)
Oct 30
As part of our work with @the_design_salon we have been helping to curate the 3rd Pop Up Design Museum on the 12th & 13th November at The Europa Hotel as part of the RE[act] Festival @linenquarter this November 12th-14th to create a more sustainable Belfast.
The Pop Up Design Museum will themed on "Sustainability." You`ll learn about 5 local designers incorporating sustainability in different ways into their practices and we hope you`ll leave inspired and full of ideas for your own life and work.
We also have a very special workshop - "Design thinking (and doing) for sustainability" - with Learning Experience Designer Peter Worth.
We`ll be sharing more information about the pop up museum and workshop in the lead up to RE[act] and you can visit reactfestival.co.uk to discover the full programme of events.
#reactfestival2024
https://blickstudios.org/projects/pop-up-design-museum/
Oct 30
First in person meeting in our Great Northern Street Studios with our fab Nurture Program participants @kitschsistersbelfast @bethanysmillican and @verahylands who we will introduce you to properly over the coming weeks! Looking forward to working with them all on their creative ideas over the next 8 months!
Oct 29
Just over a week until our next creative talk with Blick Hill St resident Stéphanie Heckman a graphic recorder and visual facilitator sharing her story!
Stephanie will be sharing her journey as a creative entrepreneur and how she came to do the work she does. She will share the highs and lows of her journey and what she has learned along the way. She will also share her advice for others on a similar path and for artists and creatives on how to generate an income from their creativity. Stephanie will also share with us some examples of her work including her work for UN Climate Change negotiations.
Event Date(s): November 6, 2024
Event Time: 7.00 - 8.00pm
Location: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LB
Cost: Free
For more info and to sign up, visit our website (link in profile)
Oct 29
Our next creative talk is on Wed 6th November at 7pm in our Hill St studios with graphic recorder and visual facilitator Stéphanie Heckman sharing her story.
Stephanie will talk about how she set up her creative business. Her journey so far as a creative entrepreneur, the highs and lows, what she has learned along the way, advice for others on a similar path and for artists and creatives in general on how to generate an income from their creativity.
There`s more info about Stéphanie below!
Stéphanie Heckman - @stephaniesaloli
Graphic Recorder & Visual Facilitator
Stéphanie Heckman, Dutch originally but based in Northern Ireland, works internationally at conferences as a graphic recorder and visual facilitator. In this role she translates in real-time collective conversations into hand-drawn visual summaries that distill the essence of both content and undercurrent. Her 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.
Active since 2018, Stéphanie has worked with close to 200 organisations, but focuses on supporting those advancing climate action, peace and reconciliation and leadership development. Since 2020, she collaborates regularly with UN Climate Change and numerous NGOs in the global climate space. She has trail blazed a way for the field of graphic recording to support climate negotiations at the highest level and has led teams of graphic recorders to cover sessions during three consecutive COPs (annual UN climate summits) and related events. In recent years she has trained up two cohorts of graphic recorders through her Visual Practice Apprenticeship Programme, focusing both on the craft of visual practice and business skills as a creative professional.
https://www.stephanieheckman.com/
EVENT DETAILS
DATE: Wed 6th Nov
TIME: 7PM
VENUE: Blick Studios, 46 Hill Street
You can book your free ticket on our website (link in profile)
Oct 28
Our next creative talk is on Wed 6th November at 7pm in our Hill St studios with graphic recorder and visual facilitator Stéphanie Heckman sharing her story.
Stephanie will talk about how she set up her creative business. Her journey so far as a creative entrepreneur, the highs and lows, what she has learned along the way, advice for others on a similar path and for artists and creatives in general on how to generate an income from their creativity.
There`s more info about Stéphanie below!
Stéphanie Heckman
Graphic Recorder & Visual Facilitator
Stéphanie Heckman, Dutch originally but based in Northern Ireland, works internationally at conferences as a graphic recorder and visual facilitator. In this role she translates in real-time collective conversations into hand-drawn visual summaries that distill the essence of both content and undercurrent. Her 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.
Active since 2018, Stéphanie has worked with close to 200 organisations, but focuses on supporting those advancing climate action, peace and reconciliation and leadership development. Since 2020, she collaborates regularly with UN Climate Change and numerous NGOs in the global climate space. She has trail blazed a way for the field of graphic recording to support climate negotiations at the highest level and has led teams of graphic recorders to cover sessions during three consecutive COPs (annual UN climate summits) and related events. In recent years she has trained up two cohorts of graphic recorders through her Visual Practice Apprenticeship Programme, focusing both on the craft of visual practice and business skills as a creative professional.
https://www.stephanieheckman.com/
EVENT DETAILS
DATE: Wed 6th Nov
TIME: 7PM
VENUE: Blick Studios, 46 Hill Street
You can book your free ticket on our website (link in profile)
Oct 21
We are very excited to announce our speaker for our first Nurture Creative Talk on 6th November - Stéphanie Heckman @stephaniesaloli - Graphic Recorder & Visual Facilitator.
Stephanie will be sharing her journey as a creative entrepreneur and how she came to do the work she does. She will share the highs and lows of her journey and what she has learned along the way. She will also share her advice for others on a similar path and for artists and creatives on how to generate an income from their creativity. Stephanie will also share with us some examples of her work, including her work for UN Climate Change negotiations.
ABOUT STEPHANIE:
Stéphanie Heckman, Dutch originally but based in Northern Ireland, works internationally at conferences as a graphic recorder and visual facilitator. In this role she translates in real-time collective conversations into hand-drawn visual summaries that distill the essence of both content and undercurrent. Her 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.
Active since 2018, Stéphanie has worked with close to 200 organisations, but focuses on supporting those advancing climate action, peace and reconciliation and leadership development. Since 2020, she collaborates regularly with UN Climate Change and numerous NGOs in the global climate space. She has trail blazed a way for the field of graphic recording to support climate negotiations at the highest level and has led teams of graphic recorders to cover sessions during three consecutive COPs (annual UN climate summits) and related events. In recent years she has trained up two cohorts of graphic recorders through her Visual Practice Apprenticeship Programme, focusing both on the craft of visual practice and business skills as a creative professional.
https://www.stephanieheckman.com/
EVENT DETAILS:
DATE: Wed 6th November
TIME: 7 - 8pm
VENUE: Blick Shared Studios, 46 Hill St, Belfast, BT1 2LB
For more info and to book your FREE ticket visit our website (link in profile) 🌟 🌟
Oct 4
