Creative Workshops:

Narrative Diagrams / Sculpting Paper

Empower your creative mind at this workshop exploring the power of the diagram.

  • Bring clarity to your thought process

  • Improve visual communication skills

  • Present information with clarity

  • Draw with confidence

Diagrams are an accessible, direct means of describing the perceived world.
By creating a diagram we reveal the depth of our understanding by examining how or minds organise information on paper.

Diagrams come in many forms – from family trees to timelines, bubble diagrams to flowcharts - and in this workshop we apply these organising principles to narratives of time, location, objects and action. By drawing on their existing knowledge, participants create a structured snapshot of the world.


Objectives

In this workshop, participants will learn:

  • A process for producing clear diagrams

  • How their mind stores and connects data

  • How to select an organising structure

  • How to communicate ideas effectively

  • Greater confidence in hand drawing


Target Audience

This course is ideal for anyone wishing to improve their communication skills.

This course was first created for professional architects, delivered as in-house CPD, but is applicable across many industries, and has been run for groups including project managers, teachers, students, children, and amateurs.


Course Content

  • Introduction

  • Warm-up exercise

  • Assembling the ingredients

  • Finding structure – the central challenge.

  • Drawing the Diagram

  • Group discussion and analysis

  • Further reading

Teaching Style

This workshop combines an introduction to diagramming with timed exercises and one-to-one tuition. Participants receive a balance of tightly and loosely defined tasks, and work towards individual drawings at large scale. Closing discussions provide a forum to share and consolidate learning.

Since the workshop isn’t about creating perfect pictures or mastering technical skills, it gives those who are less confident freedom to express themselves, and gives those who are more confident a fresh challenge.

The workshop aims to have a lasting impact on attendees, with insights and skills enabling them to change how they tackle problems, empowering them to draw in the work environment, and improving their visual presentations. The material can be delivered as a one-off workshop or as a series.

Peter Ayres

Peter Ayres is a designer, artist, and educator.

As Project Lead at Heatherwick Studio, Peter designed, developed, and delivered buildings around the world. His explainer diagrams are central to the exhibition ‘Heatherwick Studio: Designing the Extraordinary’.

He designs logos and brand identities for diverse clients, and contributed graphics to the global bestseller ‘Information is Beautiful’.

He has led workshops on the creative process for over ten years, and specialises in workshops on narrative diagramming and paper sculpture.

He designs, develops, and facilitates drawing workshops for architects and engineers with Drawing At Work