Heidi Donohoe

Lifelong learning and a passion for books is pivotal to Heidi’s approach to her teaching, research and practice.

Heidi has a BA (Hons) in Illustration from Falmouth School of Art and Design; and an MA in Communication Design from Central Saint Martins; completed at the same time as a PGCE from the University of Greenwich. She has completed a second MA in Design Practice, which forms part of her current PhD study.

Heidi’s research interests have developed from a background in artistic practice to explore themes with a narrative focus. These include: conceptual narrative; culture and communication; hermeneutics and narrative; narrative and interpretation; narrative methods; narrative theory; representation theory; visual communication; and visual perception.

Currently studying a PhD in Design Practice with Northumbria University, Looking at Conceptual Narratives, Heidi is developing her background as an illustrator by exploring relevant theories.

She says:

“I love the concept of storytelling through image and text. In recent years, I have been inspired by the Show Studio exhibitions (showstudio.com), which showed creative processes such as fine art, fashion and photography through film and visual learning platforms. I like that platform but wanted to develop it into theory.”

Subsequently, Heidi writes scholastic papers and abstracts for research conferences. For example, she submitted an early stage of her PhD research on virtual platforms to the MeCCSA Postgraduate Network Conference at Bournemouth University in 2011.

“It was a useful way of getting feedback on my research from students and academics at an early stage,” she says. “It has helped to shape the work I am producing now.”

She is a member of the Design Research Society, and is invited to attend conferences in the UK and overseas.