PhD Research

Illustrated map of existing and emerging design disciplines created while undertaking a doctorate at RMIT.

The height of the trees indicates the age of the discourse. The breadth of the tree canopy indicates influence. The roots indicate ideology, and connections between emerging domains.

WA Primary Health Alliance

WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) wanted to stop and review the work they had been doing over the past 3 years, in order to see what they had done and where they were going. Through the visual mapping process they were able to refine and remember their roles and find clarity. I took disparate information and mapped it in a way that made sense and helped WAPHA to begin the process of refining what they wanted to say. The visual mapping process helped WAPHA to think and see the project more clearly, to understand where they have been, where they are going and the role they play in the bigger picture.

Visual mapping for a strategy workshop

Three horizons map for a strategy workshop focused on anticipating the way that present trends will affect the long-term economic horizon. This client is situated within the emerging regenerative economy.

The Australian Prevention Partnerships Centre

The Australian Prevention Partnerships Centre (TAPPS) needed a way to visually communicate the ‘deep dive’ of doing systems change work with researchers and partners. I worked with Dr Therese Riley on this process map to highlight the different roles that people play in system change work, including at what ‘depth’ they engage in the work. Therese is an amazing visual thinker. She imagined an ecology of under water sea creatures, and I went to work! We were all very happy with how this map was able to communicate the complexity of the Prevention Tracker program, but was still accessible to others.

Pocket Guide to Systems Wayfinding

Systems work is complex and hard to communicate. This pocket guide stems from research insights generated by a community of system practitioners. In collaboration with Seanna Davidson, I worked to develop a visual landscape that could communicate the journey of doing systems work.

A Whole Community Approach to Partnering

Southwest Primary Care Partnership wanted to communicate the systemic approach that they take when partnering to improve health determinants in their region. We used different metaphors to communicate their role as a nurturer, broker and guide within the ecosystem of services and community organisations that they work with. I worked with Seanna Davidson (The Systems School) to draw out and reveal their systems change practice, a practice which had been a long, challenging and rewarding journey. This illustration was created to generate a deeper understanding of their own practice (for themselves) and to communicate what they do to others.