My approach to vision is based on collaboration and shared foresight. As I tell my story below, I am reminded of all the people who acted as stepping stones and links in the web of my life and work. They helped me do what I love by doing what they love. I am grateful to be part of this continuing thread.

childhood and formative years

I was born in Israel in the sixties and soon after travelled with my family to Ivory Coast in West Africa where we lived for seven years. Early childhood in Abidjan imprinted unforgettable impressions marked by warm community life and seasoned with local colourful folklore. Moving back to Israel and losing my father to a terrorist attack marked the second part of my childhood alongside some highschool years in Paris. I remember my teenage years as a period of trying to make sense of an ever expanding cultural identity which was to shape career choices in later life.

early apprenticeship

National service in the Israeli army brought priceless experiences in the work domain, exposing mental curiosity and forming unlikely friendships in the face of mounting social paradox. In the early 1980s I was back in Paris studying a foundation year in the graphic arts at ESAG and continuing a full BA course at the Bezalel Academy of Art & Design in Jerusalem. Freshly graduated, I landed in London in 1988 and soon afterwards joined Pentagram Design where I worked for two years under the supportive guidance of Pentagram partner Mervyn Kurlansky.

graphic design

In 1992 I started my own consultancy, Lolli Aboutboul Design, working principally with art and socio-political organisations and the corporate sector. I was fortunate to be working with theatres, dance groups, orchestras, galleries and blue chip companies, alongside international social and environmental bodies. During this period I also embarked on a part-time degree in philosophy at Birkbeck College and taught my first graphic design courses at Guildhall University and the Surrey Institute of Art and Design. I remained both student and teacher for years to come, which I thoroughly enjoy.

developing creative group processes

I began experimenting with creative group interaction in the mid 1990s, whilst operating from a Soho studio as a graphic designer. Looking for ways to integrate my passion for social change and personal development with my design work, I connected with organisations who were rebuilding their identity and vision along similar lines. Starting with introducing painting activities as part of branding and vision meetings proved successful and evolved into a fuller range of workshops and programmes. (for more information see page on creative events and the vision seminar)

creative consulting and coaching

In 2001 I transformed my design practice into a creative consultancy, catering for projects in the fields of organisational creativity, brand design and cross-disciplinary training and education. Since then I have been acting in various capacities - as designer, concept builder, workshop planner and facilitator. I have also been invited to speak at conferences and contribute in panels on subjects that touch on vision, identity and creativity. In 2005 I decided to enrich the scope of my work with individual coaching and trained with The Coaches Training institute. As well as coaching private individuals and professionals, I offer professional coaching to social entrepreneurs (for more information see pages on co-active coaching and vision & brand design.

other areas of development training

My curiosity about human potential saw me dipping over the years into various forms of development training including: Emotional intelligence with 6seconds; The Mythogenic Self ™ (Mytho I) with Joseph Riggio, Neuro Hypnotic Repatterning with Richard Bandler; Intuitive and Spiritual Development with Mary Aver and others; Shamanism and Dream Work with Ken Eagle Feather and others; Voice and Sound Healing with various teachers; Healing and Reiki with various teachers. All those experiences are usefully integrated and form invisible yet active parts of my work.

contact me

You can contact me via email on the following address: ella@visionmadevisible.com

Website copy and design by Ella Aboutboul
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Thank you
Antony Parry and Sarah Wedderburn for the invaluable help offered through general feedback and copy editing.