Workshops
October 17-18, 2019
At VizConf this year you have your choice of six pre-conference workshops. The workshops will take place on October 17 and 18, at Karstens training centre at 123 Queen Street, Melbourne.
- Workshop 1: Level Up Your Lettering with Heather Martinez, October 17-18
- Workshop 2: Sketchnoting 101 with Matthew Magain, October 17
- Workshop 3: Graphic Recording 101 with Matthew Magain, October 18
- Workshop 4: Visual Storytelling with Danny Low, October 18
- Workshop 5: Visual Collaboration with Marcel Van Hove, October 18
- Workshop 6: Secrets to a Thriving Business Boot Camp with Michelle Walker, October 17-18
Workshop 1: Level Up Your Lettering
with Heather Martinez
What you'll learn
What is this tool designed for and what else can it do?
We will explore the marks and lettering styles embedded in each type of Neuland marker nib starting with foundational letterforms to help you find your unique lettering style. What you will gain from this 2-day workshop:
What you'll learn
What is this tool designed for and what else can it do?
We will explore the marks and lettering styles embedded in each type of Neuland marker nib starting with foundational letterforms to help you find your unique lettering style. What you will gain from this 2-day workshop:
- Help you see the nuances in letterforms
- Gain a better understanding of how each tool is designed to produce a different mark
- Increase hand/eye coordination through pen manipulation: holding the marker at different or specific angles, pressure, and working with speed
About the host
Heather Leavitt Martinez is a visual practitioner, art coach and lettering artist living in Southwest Colorado. Her lettering journey started taking shape in 2016 when she vowed to make it a lettering year. After studying with master sign painters, graffiti artists, and calligraphers—which she continues to do today—she decided to translate what she learned to teach other visual practitioners the tradecraft of breaking down any lettering style into the tools used for client work. Heather believes that what we write on the wall is more than mere handwriting—letters are the building blocks of communication. She has presented at two IFVP conferences and last year at EUviz.
Heather Leavitt Martinez is a visual practitioner, art coach and lettering artist living in Southwest Colorado. Her lettering journey started taking shape in 2016 when she vowed to make it a lettering year. After studying with master sign painters, graffiti artists, and calligraphers—which she continues to do today—she decided to translate what she learned to teach other visual practitioners the tradecraft of breaking down any lettering style into the tools used for client work. Heather believes that what we write on the wall is more than mere handwriting—letters are the building blocks of communication. She has presented at two IFVP conferences and last year at EUviz.
Workshop 2: Sketchnoting 101
with Matthew Magain
What you'll learn
Sketchnoting is the art of taking visual notes—for yourself, or to share the experience you’re capturing with others. In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of sketchnoting: why it’s such a valuable skill to develop, and how to go from stick figures that you’re embarrassed about sharing to fun, sophisticated visual notes that bring content to life, spark further conversations, and people love looking at.
In this workshop you’ll get the opportunity to:
Here’s a selection of some of the practical topics that we’ll cover:
Note: This workshop is a useful prelude to Graphic Recording 101, which is held on the following day.
What you'll learn
Sketchnoting is the art of taking visual notes—for yourself, or to share the experience you’re capturing with others. In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of sketchnoting: why it’s such a valuable skill to develop, and how to go from stick figures that you’re embarrassed about sharing to fun, sophisticated visual notes that bring content to life, spark further conversations, and people love looking at.
In this workshop you’ll get the opportunity to:
- learn about sketchnoting: what it is and why it matters
- understand the anatomy of a sketchnote, and where your own strengths and weaknesses lie
- get expert, personalised guidance on how to improve your visual note-taking skills, even if your starting point is “I can’t even draw a stick figure!”
- learn and apply visual metaphor to your sketchnotes
- practice a range of techniques in a live sketching session
Here’s a selection of some of the practical topics that we’ll cover:
- tools of the trade
- basic visual design principles
- layout and hierarchy
- lettering: headings, basic text, and decorative text
- connectors and containers
- faces, figures, and expressions
- depth, texture, and shading
- conventions borrowed from the world of comics
- tips and tricks for working fast
Note: This workshop is a useful prelude to Graphic Recording 101, which is held on the following day.
About the host
Matthew Magain is the founder and CEO of Sketch Group, a collective of creative souls who use sketching to solve problems, tell stories, explain ideas, and capture conversations. Over the years, he has created a whiteboard animation about the federal budget, graphically recorded a presentation for Malcolm Gladwell, graphically facilitated a board meeting at the ABC, and visualised a journey map of the foster carer system. He believes sketching can be transformational.
Matthew’s work has been featured in several books about sketchnoting, and he is a regular guest on podcasts about visual thinking. He lives in Melbourne and spends his spare time buying LEGO® online and pretending it’s for his daughters.
Matthew Magain is the founder and CEO of Sketch Group, a collective of creative souls who use sketching to solve problems, tell stories, explain ideas, and capture conversations. Over the years, he has created a whiteboard animation about the federal budget, graphically recorded a presentation for Malcolm Gladwell, graphically facilitated a board meeting at the ABC, and visualised a journey map of the foster carer system. He believes sketching can be transformational.
Matthew’s work has been featured in several books about sketchnoting, and he is a regular guest on podcasts about visual thinking. He lives in Melbourne and spends his spare time buying LEGO® online and pretending it’s for his daughters.
Workshop 3: Graphic Recording 101
with Matthew Magain
What you'll learn
There is a movement afoot.
Across the globe, people are discovering that having a live illustrator present in the room fundamentally changes the dynamic of a conference, workshop, sales pitch, or board meeting.
This live illustration is known as graphic recording, which is a subset of the field of visual facilitation. You also may hear it referred to as scribing, graphic facilitation, or live sketching. Put simply, it is the ability to listen, synthesise, and capture a conversation in words and pictures, in real-time, on a large, visible canvas. Graphic recording is fast becoming an in-demand skill, and this is your opportunity to learn how to do it.
This full-day workshop is for anyone who is interested in learning more about graphic recording. You don't need to be an accomplished illustrator—more important is your ability to be a good listener, to have an open mind, and be full of enthusiasm for learning a new skill!
I'm not pretending that I can turn everyone who attends this workshop into an accomplished graphic recorder in one day—there are practitioners who have dedicated their life to honing their craft. But this will be an intense, hands-on session that will allow you to grasp the basics, and give you the opportunity to try your hand at listening, synthesising, and capturing on a large scale. We'll cover everything from:
Note: This course is a natural extension to the Sketchnoting 101 workshop, held on the day before. If you're attending that workshop as well, this will be an opportunity to take what you've learned and apply it to a much larger canvas.
What you'll learn
There is a movement afoot.
Across the globe, people are discovering that having a live illustrator present in the room fundamentally changes the dynamic of a conference, workshop, sales pitch, or board meeting.
This live illustration is known as graphic recording, which is a subset of the field of visual facilitation. You also may hear it referred to as scribing, graphic facilitation, or live sketching. Put simply, it is the ability to listen, synthesise, and capture a conversation in words and pictures, in real-time, on a large, visible canvas. Graphic recording is fast becoming an in-demand skill, and this is your opportunity to learn how to do it.
This full-day workshop is for anyone who is interested in learning more about graphic recording. You don't need to be an accomplished illustrator—more important is your ability to be a good listener, to have an open mind, and be full of enthusiasm for learning a new skill!
I'm not pretending that I can turn everyone who attends this workshop into an accomplished graphic recorder in one day—there are practitioners who have dedicated their life to honing their craft. But this will be an intense, hands-on session that will allow you to grasp the basics, and give you the opportunity to try your hand at listening, synthesising, and capturing on a large scale. We'll cover everything from:
- tools and materials
- working with a facilitator
- sketching objects and people
- typography
- visual metaphor
- layout
- types of engagements
Note: This course is a natural extension to the Sketchnoting 101 workshop, held on the day before. If you're attending that workshop as well, this will be an opportunity to take what you've learned and apply it to a much larger canvas.
About the host
Matthew Magain is an award-winning designer, illustrator, author, and speaker with a passion for helping organisations communicate better using visual language.
Matthew began his career as a software developer, but after several years left corporate life to teach English in Japan. In Tokyo, he came to realise his students were more receptive when he taught using hand-drawn artefacts, compared with those created on a computer. Back in Australia, he started a business to help people gain clarity of their ideas by visualising them.
Today Sketch Group employs over 20 illustrators, videographers, copywriters, and graphic recorders. Matthew has become a sought after visual consultant, working with organisations large and small. He has contributed to several books on visual thinking, including Mike Rohde's best-selling The Sketchnote Handbook, and has delivered presentations and workshops throughout Australia, South East Asia, and Europe.
Matthew is also the founder of Graphic Gear, the official reseller of Neuland refillable markers for Australia and New Zealand, and in 2018 he co-founded the VizConf conference series, Australia's annual gathering of visual thinkers and doers. He lives in Melbourne, Australia, and spends his spare time buying LEGO® on eBay and pretending it’s for his daughters.
Matthew Magain is an award-winning designer, illustrator, author, and speaker with a passion for helping organisations communicate better using visual language.
Matthew began his career as a software developer, but after several years left corporate life to teach English in Japan. In Tokyo, he came to realise his students were more receptive when he taught using hand-drawn artefacts, compared with those created on a computer. Back in Australia, he started a business to help people gain clarity of their ideas by visualising them.
Today Sketch Group employs over 20 illustrators, videographers, copywriters, and graphic recorders. Matthew has become a sought after visual consultant, working with organisations large and small. He has contributed to several books on visual thinking, including Mike Rohde's best-selling The Sketchnote Handbook, and has delivered presentations and workshops throughout Australia, South East Asia, and Europe.
Matthew is also the founder of Graphic Gear, the official reseller of Neuland refillable markers for Australia and New Zealand, and in 2018 he co-founded the VizConf conference series, Australia's annual gathering of visual thinkers and doers. He lives in Melbourne, Australia, and spends his spare time buying LEGO® on eBay and pretending it’s for his daughters.
Workshop 4: Visual Storytelling
with Danny Low
What you'll learn
Engage people and enable access to topics that are normally dry as a bone! Visual Storytelling brings your complex topics alive. You will transform your topic into an engaging comic strip. With the bikablo®-emotions-figures, big canvases, bikablo® layouts and the right visual dramatic composition you will not only convey your message, you will transform your PowerPoint slide deck in an engaging story and learn how to entertain your audience!
In this workshop you will get the opportunity to:
What you will get on top of all this!
What you'll learn
Engage people and enable access to topics that are normally dry as a bone! Visual Storytelling brings your complex topics alive. You will transform your topic into an engaging comic strip. With the bikablo®-emotions-figures, big canvases, bikablo® layouts and the right visual dramatic composition you will not only convey your message, you will transform your PowerPoint slide deck in an engaging story and learn how to entertain your audience!
In this workshop you will get the opportunity to:
- New drawing technique for figures: You will learn how you can visualise scenarios and emotions by using speech bubbles, pictograms and the bikablo®-emotion-figures. Additionally you will learn how you can draw a real person with character and facial expressions.
- Big pictures: With overlapping and a better understanding of perspectives, text and colour you will develop poster designs so that you will convey your content is a clear way on a big canvas.
- Process comics: We have a look at the fundamentals of comics and learn how to visualise a how-to guide, procedures and step-by-step instructions as a sequence of pictures.
- Become a storyteller: You will transform your presentation into a living and breathing narrative, that follows a dramaturgical curve. You will draw your story live and involve the audience actively.
What you will get on top of all this!
- Documentation: For your rework at home we will produce a photo documentation online including the input from the trainer and the working results of each learning group.
- PDF Handout: Additionally you will get a digital handout about visual storytelling that includes further details around the subject for your own study.
- Visual Friends Community: All attendees who have participated in a bikablo® training are getting invited into the online community with lots of tricks and tips, links and recommendations. You are welcome to share your work and ask for feedback. You can exchange icons and key visuals with other people.
About the host
Danny is Certified Professional Scrum Master, Agile Team Facilitator and Visual Facilitation Trainer who is a strong believer in using visual language to capture and convey meaning. He uses bikablo® as a powerful way to engage team members and stakeholders in his work. Danny enjoys snow skiing, mountain biking and travelling. In his spare time he instructs in Kung Fu/Tai Chi and coaches junior Rugby Union teams. He lives in Brisbane, Australia.
Danny is Certified Professional Scrum Master, Agile Team Facilitator and Visual Facilitation Trainer who is a strong believer in using visual language to capture and convey meaning. He uses bikablo® as a powerful way to engage team members and stakeholders in his work. Danny enjoys snow skiing, mountain biking and travelling. In his spare time he instructs in Kung Fu/Tai Chi and coaches junior Rugby Union teams. He lives in Brisbane, Australia.
Workshop 5: Visual Collaboration
with Marcel Van Hove
What you'll learn
Here we use active role-playing to teach you new ways of group collaboration on a whiteboard. We talk about group dynamics and why and how people can use drawing to engage and collaborate better. At the end of the workshop, you will have learnt some drawing games, tricks & tips about how you can bring people together in ad-hoc meetings on a whiteboard.
What you'll learn
Here we use active role-playing to teach you new ways of group collaboration on a whiteboard. We talk about group dynamics and why and how people can use drawing to engage and collaborate better. At the end of the workshop, you will have learnt some drawing games, tricks & tips about how you can bring people together in ad-hoc meetings on a whiteboard.
About the host
Marcel van Hove lives in Germany and Australia and has 10+ years experience in agile coaching and visual facilitation. These days he is full-time “startup dad” and takes care of his son Liam while he helps the Visual Friends to conquer the visual universe. If he gets enough sleep he believes that every complex problem can be solved with smart people together on a whiteboard.
Marcel van Hove lives in Germany and Australia and has 10+ years experience in agile coaching and visual facilitation. These days he is full-time “startup dad” and takes care of his son Liam while he helps the Visual Friends to conquer the visual universe. If he gets enough sleep he believes that every complex problem can be solved with smart people together on a whiteboard.
Workshop 6: Secrets to a Thriving Business Boot Camp
with Michelle Walker
What you'll learn
The Secrets to a Thriving Business boot camp is designed so you can step back from the everyday busy-ness of working in your visual practice and enable you to work on your strategy and direction. You will discover what's missing and what needs strengthening so you can grow and create more income for you—and more impact for your clients.
In this two-day program, you’ll learn the 5 pillars of a successful visual business.
At the end of the program, you will leave with:
What you'll learn
The Secrets to a Thriving Business boot camp is designed so you can step back from the everyday busy-ness of working in your visual practice and enable you to work on your strategy and direction. You will discover what's missing and what needs strengthening so you can grow and create more income for you—and more impact for your clients.
In this two-day program, you’ll learn the 5 pillars of a successful visual business.
- Pillar #1: Your Business Vision and Mission
- Pillar #2: Your Business Model
- Pillar #3: Your Money Mindset
- Pillar #4: Your Reputation Builder
- Pillar #5: Your Business Systems & Support
At the end of the program, you will leave with:
- confidence and clarity about your business, your market and your creative strategic offering
- new strategies for speaking to clients so you consistently attract new and repeat business
- new ideas to grow your business and your reputation without sacrificing your values or your sanity and
- tools so you thrive while doing the work you love!
About the host
Michelle Walker is the founder and owner of the internationally renowned Curious Minds Co, which she established to provide specialty graphic facilitation, recording and whiteboard animations for clients.
Michelle has two signature training programs: her Essentials and Advanced visual thinking courses, and her Secrets to a Thriving Visual Business bootcamp, which she has delivered around Australia, Asia, the US and Europe for 7+ years. Michelle continues to receive strong, positive feedback from participants regarding the quality, impact and usefulness of her professional development training and coaching programs.
Michelle has authored several books in the field, including Building Your Visual Language Library: 15 Visual Templates for Facilitators, 12 Great Icons, and most recently she contributed a chapter about business smarts for visual practitioners in the Visual Facilitator's Field Guide.
Michelle Walker is the founder and owner of the internationally renowned Curious Minds Co, which she established to provide specialty graphic facilitation, recording and whiteboard animations for clients.
Michelle has two signature training programs: her Essentials and Advanced visual thinking courses, and her Secrets to a Thriving Visual Business bootcamp, which she has delivered around Australia, Asia, the US and Europe for 7+ years. Michelle continues to receive strong, positive feedback from participants regarding the quality, impact and usefulness of her professional development training and coaching programs.
Michelle has authored several books in the field, including Building Your Visual Language Library: 15 Visual Templates for Facilitators, 12 Great Icons, and most recently she contributed a chapter about business smarts for visual practitioners in the Visual Facilitator's Field Guide.
I'm very new to the craft of graphic recording but I feel I progressed so much just by connecting with the community! VizConf 2018 has inspired me to dive in deeper, and I'm looking forward to sharing what I've learned with colleagues and friends :)