REFLECTING DIVERSE VOICES: GRAPHIC DESIGN IN VOICE NOTES
Hello, I'm Ganna Bielcheva, a graphic designer from Ukraine with a background that bridges technical precision and creative exploration. I started my career in the printing industry, where I developed a strong foundation in layout, production processes, discipline, and attention to detail. Over the years, I worked with advertising agencies, publishing houses, and IT companies, taking on diverse roles that expanded my skills across branding, editorial design, and digital media. I also shared my expertise as a university lecturer, helping students connect design theory with real-world practice.
Now, living in the UK, I'm continuing to develop my design practice by adapting to new audiences and influences. I see this transition as a creative opportunity — to merge cultures, evolve my voice, and contribute to meaningful projects with both heart and clarity.
Reflecting on my journey with the Voice Notes project, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to such a meaningful endeavor. As a graphic designer, my role encompassed creating a series of uniquely designed postcards, posters, the book cover, app cover pages, the design and implementation of the website; and an Instagram post for Refugee Week. Each piece aimed to encapsulate the project's essence and the diverse voices it represents.
My involvement began when I came across the project information; the vacancy seemed tailor-made for me. I possessed the necessary experience and skills, had personal experience of relocating to another country, and my primary job as a youth coordinator in the refugee sector aligned perfectly. This convergence added a sense of responsibility, as I knew I couldn't accept failure. Fortunately, everything fell into place, and I was entrusted with the role, given immense creative freedom for design decisions.
Participating in the workshops with numerous authors was an extraordinary experience. Leah always started our sessions with a small game, immediately engaging everyone and dissolving any tension or shyness. I vividly recall running around the room searching for the smallest blue object—a moment filled with laughter and camaraderie. Despite my lack of prior writing experience, I found immense joy in listening to others. Certain phrases have stayed with me, such as Vincius's poignant question: "Mom, do you still remember me?" These words stuck in my mind. I was inspired to preserve these feelings visually, to convey the atmosphere and highlight the diversity while uniting everything cohesively. A broad color palette, typography accommodating various languages and scripts, and original art drawings became my tools in this endeavor.
Credit: Amal Thomas
Designing for this project presented unique challenges. There was the pressure of responsibility when working with creative individuals—writers. Since we didn't discuss the visual aspects with the project participants, I only had a file with lines from various writers' novels, each with a different mood. Additionally, I considered the scalability of the design; the visual composition needed to look excellent both in small formats and as large posters at exhibitions, social media posts, and postcards. This required fine-tuning, working with line thickness, and finding the right font. The color palette also needed to transition perfectly from print to digital formats while remaining as consistent as possible.
The significance of the Voice Notes project lies in its celebration of diverse voices that have experienced forced displacement. By showcasing these unique narratives, the project fosters understanding and empathy, highlighting the resilience and creativity of individuals from various backgrounds. This emphasis on diversity and inclusion deeply resonated with me, reinforcing the importance of representing multiple perspectives through art and design.
Credit: Tom Platinum Morley
On a personal level, this project contributed to my growth. Participating in the workshops marked my first experience in writing, especially in a foreign language. It gave me a boost and confidence. Now I am more assured in expressing my thoughts in words and use this for personal advancement. It was also my first experience applying for a grant, with tremendous support from the entire team. This opened up new development strategies for finding my unique voice in design and future growth.
After the exhibition in Nottingham, doors opened for new collaborations, including the Nottingham Contemporary project "A Word to Our City." This city has now become a crossroads of my creative paths. Additionally, I gained experience not only in design but also in implementing a website on the WordPress platform.
Contributing to this project has been a profound experience, allowing me to merge my passion for design with a cause that resonates deeply. It reinforced the power of art and design in storytelling and advocacy, reminding me that creativity can bridge gaps and foster understanding across diverse communities.
Funded by the Arts & Humanities Research Council and led by Nottingham Trent University, this project is produced in collaboration with Compass Collective, Counterpoints Arts, Hardi Kurda, New Art Exchange, Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature, Refugee Roots, and Slemani UNESCO City of Literature.
Keep connected with Ganna
Instagram: @ganna_bielcheva
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ganna-belcheva-52810635b
Website: https://bielcheva.com
Upcoming Events
15 April - 6pm
Hold to Record: Voice Notes from Refugees (London)
Published by Palewell Press, this anthology features new writing from refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.
There will be special readings from the anthology by the contributors. Some drinks and light snacks will be provided.
A collaboration with Compass Collective and Counterpoints Arts, Hold to Record is part of the Voice Notes project, funded by the Arts & Humanities Research Council.