At ImageThink, we believe the best ideas don’t just need to be heard—they need to be seen. That’s why, since our founding, we’ve championed the use of visual practice to drive innovation, align teams, and unlock organizational potential.
One of the most vital communities supporting that mission globally is the International Forum of Visual Practitioners (IFVP). In this article, we’re sharing why the IFVP matters—what it stands for, who it serves, and why we believe more professionals should know its name.
What Is IFVP?
The International Forum of Visual Practitioners (IFVP) is a global network of professionals who use visual tools and strategies to facilitate clarity, engagement, and action. Its members include visual strategists, facilitators, educators, and organizational change agents—all united by a belief in the power of visual thinking.
IFVP doesn’t just support the field of graphic recording or visual facilitation. It advances the craft, sets standards, builds community, and offers a platform for continued growth in this expanding profession.
Our Connection: A Longstanding Partnership
ImageThink’s founders, Nora Herting and Heather Willems, joined IFVP in 2010—at a time when the organization was still relatively small but incredibly passionate. Over the years, we’ve contributed to IFVP conferences, shared insights from our own work, and built meaningful relationships across the community.
We’ve watched the organization evolve into a more global, inclusive, and visionary space. And we’re proud to say we’ve grown alongside it.
ImageThink CEO, Nora Herting reconnects with former workshop student at IFVP
A Place to Give—and Receive
As a visual strategy firm committed to shaping the future of our field, we believe it’s important to give back to the community that helped shape us.
Being an active member of IFVP allows us to support emerging practitioners, share our learnings from Fortune 50 engagements, and stay engaged with the evolution of visual thinking on a global scale.
It’s also one of the best spaces to mentor and be mentored. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or bringing decades of experience, IFVP fosters a culture of generosity, collaboration, and cross-pollination. We’ve met mentors who challenged our thinking—and mentees who reminded us why we started.
Who Belongs to IFVP?
IFVP’s members represent a broad and dynamic spectrum of visual practice professionals:
- Visual strategists guiding change inside major organizations.
- Independent facilitators helping teams clarify their goals and navigate complexity.
- Educators and researchers exploring the science and impact of visual learning.
- Innovation consultants leveraging drawing and co-creation to spark insight.
It’s not about one title. It’s about a mindset—a commitment to visuals as tools for transformation.
Jim and Sarah Nuttle host a graphics Jam at the 2024 Annual Conference.
Why IFVP Matters
IFVP is more than a professional association. It’s a catalyst.
Here’s why it matters:
- It promotes professional development through training, tools, and shared knowledge.
- It connects practitioners across industries and geographies.
- It legitimizes visual work as a strategic capability—not a novelty.
- It nurtures a global conversation about how visuals change how we lead, learn, and collaborate.
IFVP Programs and Resources
What IFVP offers its members goes far beyond networking:
- Conferences: Annual global gatherings where practitioners share tools, trends, and techniques.
- Webinars & Learning Labs: Ongoing education to evolve your practice.
- Mentorship Programs: Designed to support personal and professional growth at every level.
- Resource Libraries: From templates to case studies, curated by and for visual thinkers.
As a global firm, we value IFVP’s role in building professional rigor and expanding access to learning across borders.
The Future of IFVP and Visual Practice
As organizations grow more complex and distributed, visual thinkers are more valuable than ever. IFVP is evolving to meet that demand through:
- Global-first accessibility: Offering virtual learning and events to serve a worldwide community.
- Inclusivity and diversity: Expanding membership to include voices from every continent and context.
- Partnerships with adjacent fields: From UX design to organizational development, IFVP is shaping how we visualize change.
And we’re here for it.
Why Professionals Should Know IFVP
Whether you’re a team leader seeking better alignment, a consultant guiding transformation, or a facilitator designing more meaningful meetings, IFVP offers a unique value proposition: a global network dedicated to the power of visual practice.
At ImageThink, we’re proud to stand among the practitioners who call IFVP home—and we believe its role in shaping the future of work is only just beginning.
From the ImageThink Team
We’re committed to elevating visual practice worldwide—not just through our client engagements, but by contributing to the field itself. IFVP is one of the best spaces to grow your skills, expand your impact, and join a vibrant global community.
If you’d like to hear more about our experience—or see how we put visual strategy into action—let’s connect.
