Rich Pictures: Encouraging Resilient Communities (Earthscan Tools for Community Planning)

Rich Pictures focuses on the value of developing visual narratives – Rich Pictures – as an important component and starting point for community participation. A key device for the community to share ideas and perspectives on current and potential future situations, Rich Pictures provide a shared space for members to set out ideas and negotiate.

While Rich Pictures are widely and globally used, this is the first book discussing their use, and how and when to use this technique for maximum participatory value. A valuable read for community engagement professionals, planners, politicians, and members of affected communities, Rich Pictures is richly illustrated with examples and authors’ testimonials.

Simon Bell is Professor of Innovation and Methodology at the Open University. He has a keen interest in participatory methods and this is demonstrated in his recent co-authored book: Resilient Participation (2011). He is also fascinated with group processes and this is demonstrated in his widely used method – Imagine.

Tessa Berg is an Assistant Professor of Information Systems at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland. Tessa’s PhD thesis was based on Rich Picture research. She has facilitated numerous Rich Picture workshops across a wide variety of community groups and is particularly interested in visual communication through symbol metaphor.

Stephen Morse is Chair in Systems Analysis for Sustainability at the University of Surrey. He has a background in applied biological science, and his research and teaching interests are broad, spanning both the natural and social sciences. Steve has helped pioneer a number of participatory methodologies for sustainability assessment and has been involved in research and sustainable development projects across Europe, the Mediterranean, Africa and Asia.