Thanks to her degree in information design and her master’s in exhibition design, topped by her multi-year experience as an independent graphic artist, Heidi looks at lots of theoretic and practical knowledge in design. She joins the team with sound event expertise gained during years of working as the project manager of the international Joseph Binder Awards–Austria’s only design competition for graphic design and illustration. Based on her master’s thesis exploring “women in commercial art“, Heidi has published three more books on this topic.

You’ve single-handedly run the project management of an international design award and coordinated players from different backgrounds. What is your take-away from this experience?

From budgeting and sponsoring to coordinating an international jury, organizing the award ceremony to exhibition management, and editing for print publishing:  I oversaw everything. This gave me a very wide range of practical experience, which allows me now to keep the track of things when dealing with large-scale projects and not to get bogged down. Instead, I trouble-shoot quickly and efficiently. I particularly value goal-oriented collaboration with the various players involved in the project, which requires a high level of communication skills and empathy.

You have the detail-oriented and observant eye of a seasoned graphic artist and designer. How does this percolate your approach to conceptualizing and implementing events?

As a graphic designer, my gaze and know-how allow me to assess projects correctly with regards to their design and to know what can be done in which way in advance. Looking closely, spot-on composing, and not losing sight of the balanced overall picture is what characterizes my way of working in conceptual design. My design expertise is also an asset when it comes to implementing events, allowing me to spot faults and problems faster and to solve problems independently and swiftly.