VALS: Christian Petersen — After practice, after research

Christian is a graphic novelist interested in how narrative and image-making can reshape our thinking about the climate catastrophe. His graphic novels are recognised for their design and have been awarded the Karen Blixen prize, selected as among Denmark’s most beautiful books, and he has been chosen as a European Design Award finalist.

He is also a lecturer and PhD student at Norwich University of the Arts, UK.
Using ethnography and critical design methods, his research centres on how visual communication designers can remake their practices to address climate-related challenges more effectively.

Speaking at Prague City University, Christian will share two perspectives on the climate catastrophe.
One, from the vantage point of a graphic novelist, where he explores early post-apocalyptic literature, and considers its potential to expand our visual vocabulary around climate collapse.
The other vantage point is that of the design researcher. Drawing inspiration from design anthropology, Christian advocates for designers stepping outside the studio to create the shortest possible distance between themselves, the climate-related problems they urgently need to address, and the impacted communities they serve.