Growing up surrounded by artworks created by family members from the last four generations, and with Royal Academicians on either side of his family, Ralph Mann knew that creativity was in his blood! Indeed, he would rarely be seen without a pencil in his hand and found drawing to be how he could express himself. 

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Art prizes, an art scholarship, and art school followed.

Ralph then explored the language of signs and symbols and the meanings of art with two degrees in Art History. This was followed by a PGCE in Art and Design, teaching Art and Art History. Here Ralph became particularly interested in learning styles and their application. These were the key ingredients he brought to the mix returning to his core creative practice in 2011 and founding Purple Heron Communication.

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Purple Heron began on the backbone of Ralph's core drawing skills with Digital Artwork and illustrations. This developed into Ralph's hallmark

Live illustration and Graphic Recording and is now expanding to include work that unlocks visual language and enhances communication in others through Visual Thinking and Graphic Facilitation workshops.

 

Indeed, Purple Heron is more than just the aesthetic side of drawing, its about the ideas as much as the artistry! ​​Ralph works in service to you,

and your purpose by offering and enabling creative solutions.

 

His work helps you in sharing your ideas, explaining your processes, documenting your insights, and bringing your discoveries to life.

The true value of his work is in his ability to inspire and influence hearts and minds in both workplace and educational environments, fostering real transformation, distinction, and change.

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As a visual practitioner Ralph's skills-set is informed and underpinned by deep listening skills, active imagination and high emotional intelligence.​​​​Ralph is a strong relationship builder and able to communicate clearly with a variety of team members, bringing a wealth of creative insights to both organisational change and personal development. His growth mindset means he is eager to listen, learn and incorporate new ideas, adapting with ease to changing environments and needs. With this bias toward excellence, he delivers high-quality work with a fierce commitment to his client's success.

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Ralph is committed to lifelong learning and the global promotion, development and application of Visual Thinking and it's practice.

He is a board member of The IFVP - International Forum of Visual Practitioners Institute, working alongside the pioneers of this field

in the research and development of public education programmes.

He is also a member of The European Visual Practitioners community.

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Also a social entrepreneur, Ralph is committed to giving back.

He founded the charity Prodigal Arts , bringing transformation through art; mentoring offenders and ex-offenders to find not only a new creativity,

but a new life.​