An Interview with Stéphanie Heckman Graphic Recorder and Visual Facilitator

Published: November 1, 2024

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!

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

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 here

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