what we do
WE CO-HOST THE BIANNUAL GLOBAL SUMMIT OF VISUAL PRACTITIONERS, SUPPORT RESEARCH, PROMOTE EDUCATION ON VISUAL PRACTICE, PROVIDE STANDARDS for THE PROFESSION, and CERTIFY VISUAL PRACTITIONERS WORLDWIDE.
The IFVP Institute® is formed for charitable and educational purposes. More specifically, the IFVP Institute® is organized and operated to promote the development and application of visual thinking and practices, such as graphic recording and graphic facilitation, through sponsored research, public education programs, and related activities.
IFVP Institute® Visual practitioner competency model™
The IFVP Institute® has compiled grassroots insights from generations of practitioners to create a Visual Practitioner Competency Model, focused on graphic recording and graphic facilitation. It serves as a set of competencies that define the skills and talents required to be a well-rounded and competent Visual Practitioner. At the same time, it serves as the basis of the Institute’s Certification Program, which is internationally recognized and accredited.
Having a certificate is by no means required to be a Visual Practitioner, but for those in countries where a certificate is needed to those who would greatly benefit from being certified -- either by being first in line for hire or paid more or enhancing individual credentials -- a certificate of achievement, as assessed by seasoned practitioners, is of value in this unique and rapidly growing industry.
There are currently two levels of certification being offered. You will find a download on this site that will provide you with a self-assessment tool to determine (a) your level of proficiency, as you perceive it, for each competency, and (b) which level you want to apply for. The two levels are:
• Visual Practitioner -- requires a minimum of 3 years in the field, plus your self-identified proficiency average in the 5-6 range.
• Master Visual Practitioner-- requires a minimum of 5 years in the field plus your self-identified proficiency average in the 8-9 (or more) range.
You will find all the information about the program if you go to the Certifications tab.
Go to the Certification Application tab to apply.
The IFVP Institute® Visual Practitioner core Competencies
A. FEEL: EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE and MANAGEMENT
A. FEEL: EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE and MANAGEMENT
A. FEEL: EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE and MANAGEMENT
- A.1. Self-awareness: demonstrates self-awareness (strengths, challenges, presence, influence, lived experience).
- A.2. Remain present: possesses the ability to maintain focus on the current moment and refocus attention to remain present.
- A.3. Self-management: demonstrates self-management (reactions, biases, energy management, needs).
- A.4. Cultural competence: possesses the ability to respect, appreciate, and interact with cultures or belief systems often different from one’s own.
- A.5. Unbiased listening: listens and captures people’s expressions without altering content or ideas.
B. KNOW: EXPERTISE
A. FEEL: EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE and MANAGEMENT
A. FEEL: EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE and MANAGEMENT
- B.1. Business expertise: has business knowledge to support the process and delivery of services.
- B.2. Professionalism: models a professional attitude.
- B.3. Adaptive anticipation: has the ability to anticipate and adapt to client needs.
- B.4. Professional growth: builds and maintains professional knowledge for continued growth.
C. DO: SKILLFULNESS
C. DO: SKILLFULNESS
C. DO: SKILLFULNESS
- C.1 DO: SKILLFULNESS - Basic Skills
- C.1.1. Legibility: writes legibly.
- C.1.2. Drawing skills: draws identifiable objects and figures.
- C.1.3. Preparation: Understand the range of tools and materials needed for each type of engagement.
- C.1.4. Group-oriented capture: understands how to manage time and space for capture according to the group’s needs and knows how to build and visualize an agenda.
C. DO: SKILLFULNESS
C. DO: SKILLFULNESS
C. DO: SKILLFULNESS
- C.2 DO: SKILLFULNESS - Facilitative Skills
- C.2.1. Adaptive performance: has the ability to anticipate and adapt while recording and facilitating.
- C.2.2. Categorization: captures content by way of listening and organizing.
- C.2.3. Active listening involves actively discerning different listening levels to capture critical information about the group, process, and ideas.
- C.2.4. Page layout: Understand page layout - from free flow to format.
- C.2.5. Information design organizes information with clear sequence and connection in ways that assist in effectively navigating the content and agenda.
- C.2.6. Hierarchy: Understand the hierarchy of content.
- C.2.7. Pattern recognition: discern relationships and patterns in content.
- C.2.8. Visual Communication: understand how to use graphic elements and color as connectors and containers.
- C.2.9. Documentation skills: understand how to use formats, templates, and metaphors.
- C.2.10. Group dynamics: Understand group processes used to find collective meaning and pivot as needed to achieve the goal.
“I'm so excited to see these competencies come together, and thanks to the IFVP Institute for championing this work! Defining what it means to be a visual practitioner allows us to better articulate our work to clients, orient new people to the field, and provides a framework for all of us”.
Tanya Gadsby, BFA - Creative Director & Graphic Facilitator
Consultant and facilitator Rob Evans speaks at the 2019 Global Conference at Montclair State University - photo credit Steve Weinstock
Photographer and Professor Tom Franklin speaks at the 2019 Global Conference at Montclair State University - photo credit Steve Weinstock
CO-HOST THE GLOBAL SUMMIT
PROMOTE EDUCATION ABOUT VISUAL PRACTICE
CO-HOST THE GLOBAL SUMMIT
Join us for our signature event: the Visual Practitioners Global Summit. Each year, the IFVP Institute® and IFVP host a summit with workshops, keynotes, in-depth sessions, and the opportunity to broaden your networks around the world. Find out more here.
SUPPORT RESEARCH
PROMOTE EDUCATION ABOUT VISUAL PRACTICE
CO-HOST THE GLOBAL SUMMIT
The IFVP Institute® supports research about visual practice. We value the role of research in advancing our field, which is why we've compiled a collection of articles about visuals.
We also want to partner with you and your project on visual practice. Get in touch and tell us what you have in mind!
PROMOTE EDUCATION ABOUT VISUAL PRACTICE
PROMOTE EDUCATION ABOUT VISUAL PRACTICE
PROMOTE EDUCATION ABOUT VISUAL PRACTICE
The IFVP Institute® supports leading educational practices for our field. Our current projects include drafting aspirational core competencies. In 2020, there will be multiple opportunities to participate in giving feedback about some of the best practices for our field, to which we can all aspire.
BECOME A FOUNDING DONOR
visual practice
Graphic recording - 2019 Global Conference at Montclair State University - photo credit Steve Weinstock
Check in at the 2019 Global Conference at Montclair State University - photo credit Steve Weinstock
WHAT IS A VISUAL PRACTITIONER?
WHAT IS A VISUAL PRACTITIONER?
WHAT IS A VISUAL PRACTITIONER?
Visual practitioners are a diverse group of professionals who employ a variety of tools and methods, including custom visuals, diagrams, illustrations, storyboards, visual agendas, mapping systems, images, icons, drawings, multimedia, and more to capture information, communicate ideas, and stimulate creative thinking.
GRAPHIC RECORDER
WHAT IS A VISUAL PRACTITIONER?
WHAT IS A VISUAL PRACTITIONER?
Graphic recording is the real-time translation of conversations or presentations into text and pictures. Graphic recorders do three things simultaneously: they listen for key ideas, synthesize them, and document them in visual form.
GRAPHIC FACILITATOR
WHAT IS A VISUAL PRACTITIONER?
WHERE TO FIND A VISUAL PRACTITIONER
Graphic facilitation combines group facilitation and graphic recording.The graphic facilitator leads groups and individuals towards a goal.
IFVP THE GLOBAL PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR VISUAL PRACTITIONERS
IFVP THE GLOBAL PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR VISUAL PRACTITIONERS
IFVP THE GLOBAL PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR VISUAL PRACTITIONERS
BECOME A FOUNDING DONOR
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