Zadkine | Vision on Education

Getting a vision implemented...
Zadkine logo
Jeroen
Jeroen
Marco
Marco
Sander
Sander

Introduction

Zadkine is a large ROC in Rotterdam and surrounding areas. Last year, Zadkine developed a new institution-wide education vision. It was a beautiful vision that everyone could relate to. But what does "We receive (future) students in a warm and personal way" and "We support lifelong learning" mean in practice? For the director, teacher, and receptionist? Zadkine approached Hutspot to select concrete themes from the vision, co-create visuals and translate them into practice with the organization. As Hutspot's visual partner, we were asked to develop the further translation of this strategy in collaboration with Zadkine through the process of co-creation with illustrators. Read on to find out how we did it!

Selecting themes from the education vision

The first step was to analyze the education vision. Which elements are incorporated in it? Which elements are tangible and can be translated into practice? With the results of the analysis, we were able to propose seven concrete themes. The aim was not to come up with new texts. The education vision needs to remain recognizable.

Visuele Verbinders verhalen vertellen strategie voorbeeld praatplaten visueel denken consultancy bureau design thinking methodiek communicatiestrategie

Collaborative drawing

The next step was to reach agreement and refinement on the themes. "A picture is worth a thousand words" is a phrase we often use. That's why we use visual storytelling and work with illustrators. This way, we get the images out of people's heads and onto paper.

Zadkine praatplaten sessie sneltekenen live tekenen op locatie Rotterdam virtueel visueel visie strategie bepaling

How does it work?

First, we brainstormed with a small committee on the seven themes and made sketches. These drawings were digitized into a line drawing so that stakeholders in a larger group could be stimulated with these drawings.

Next, we met with the professionals involved in Rotterdam, divided into three groups. With three illustrators, we visited each group, with each illustrator working on their own theme.

Zadkine onderwijs praatplaat tekening learning community visie rotterdam strategie

We presented the drawing at the table and then it could be further developed based on the participants' input. The final visualization gradually crystallized. In the end, we presented these images to the entire group.

Image: We add simple color usage to a line sketch to give an illustration more dimension and depth. By simply using the Zadkine color, it becomes immediately recognizable and gives the drawings the desired look & feel.

"A picture is worth a thousand words"

- by Fred R. Barnard

Subsequently, the seven sketches were digitized and coordinated with Zadkine before being delivered. The result: seven shared images on the themes, with an explanation.

Implementation: dialogue with the colleges based on 7 themes in visuals

A beautiful result! Seven themes with explanation and compelling visuals. And now? Zadkine is a large ROC with colleges that are diverse in size, sector, and target group. It is very logical that, for example, the theme "In the middle of the world's Rotterdam" means that one college (or course) provides education from different locations in the city of Rotterdam, while for another college, it mainly connects with the international context that Rotterdam offers.

The process guidance will be provided by Hutspot. For this purpose, we have developed sliders boards for all domains to make this translation in a number of sessions. Two questions are central to this approach: where are you now? And where do you want to go? The position of the sliders is determined by the participants. It is the story behind it that makes it truly interesting! This way, we stimulate participants with sharp questions and ideas. Colleagues notice that they sometimes have different perceptions and can now discuss where they want to go together.

Image: Working with sliders boards per theme


These sessions are a good step towards implementing the educational vision. Each college will then determine for itself: what will we focus on in the coming period? And what do we need for that? At the moment (May 2020), we are trying to continue the sessions as much as possible remotely. It is important to continue paying attention to the educational vision during this time and to think about how it can be translated into distance learning.

Securing the educational vision

Drawing attention to the vision and having conversations about the vision are crucial to getting the implementation started. But it doesn't stop there. The colleges are then responsible for taking action, and it is important that they achieve results on the themes.

Do you want to get started with the implementation of your strategy or vision? We would be happy to provide a suitable approach!
Feel free to contact us here

Visuele Verbinders B.V.

Caballerofabriek Unit 45
Saturnusstraat 60
2516 AH Den Haag