Ali Hodgson is a values-led, multidisciplinary and award-winning graphic artist and designer with a track record for working with organisations, non-profits and individuals who are making a real difference in the world. With people and planet at the forefront and centre of the work Ali does, she has a particular interest in working on complex social and environmental issues, utilising her background in branding, storytelling and social design to rise to, and help others, in the unique challenges of the ‘Global Problematique’.
Ali was the 2023/24 UNESCO Biosphere Artist in Residence, a position held in collaboration with Manx Wildlife Trust and UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man, and supported by the Isle of Man Arts Council. Many collaborative projects and artist-led events emerged during the year-long position, the biggest of which being the development of the 'Biosphere Game’, a bioregional game that encompasses Ali’s interest in regenerative and whole-systems thinking and designed to bring people together to collectively reimagine our future.
Players of the game are invited to participate in ways that help cultivate a holistic perspective to change in which nothing within the human / ecological system (our biosphere) is left out. The game can be used as both a light-touch public engagement tool with people of any age or background, as well as a deeper facilitation method for communities, businesses and policy makers wishing to create change. During her residency, the game was played with over 500 people from all ages and backgrounds across the Island, and the number is still growing!
Collaboration, creativity and whole-systems thinking are at the heart of how Ali works. She has an MA in Visual Communication from the Royal College of Art in London, and outside of the traditional design disciplines, she has experience in visual thinking, narrative design, inclusive design, education, research and campaign development. She has worked for and with clients all over the globe, including the World Fair Trade Organisation, International Futures Forum, Enable Foundation, The Scotland on Sunday, Resurgence & Ecologist Magazine, DESIS (Design for Social Innovation Towards Sustainability) and closer to home, Net Zero IOM and Manx Wildlife Trust.
