Visual Facilitation

Bringing online visual facilitation courses up-close and in-person with visual communication tools

Bikablo Case Study

Based in Germany and having trainers across the world, Bikablo is a pioneer laboratory and training center for hand-drawn visualization and visual thinking, learning, and collaboration.

As an ever-growing number of people are using visualization to secure common knowledge, explain strategies and processes, connect specialists, and develop smarter products, Bikablo, with its unique visual training programs, is helping about 6,500 people annually (numbers are pre-covid) to achieve this.

Visualization forms the core of Bikablo’s training programs, so it was second nature to its founder, Martin Haussmann, who used an IPEVO document camera for his video calls to capture, visualize, and share content back in 2016. And it was at this point in time that another member of Bikablo, Frank Wesseler, was introduced to IPEVO.

Frank, who joined the Bikablo family as a trainer for visual facilitation and now the contact person for Bikablo’s global training program, shares his initial thoughts of using the IPEVO document camera:

“I immediately loved it and purchased my own. In the beginning, I used it in the same way, and we have also been using it during presentations in classroom settings to present just using pieces of paper that we moved back and forth in order to bring specific contents across. The audience loved it as it was so different from the usual PowerPoint.”

Frank Wesseler, Bikablo’s trainer and contact person for the global training program.

And until today, Frank is still an avid IPEVO user:

“Today, I cannot imagine working without it. I use it during each and every virtual workshop for developing content together with the audience on paper, using visual facilitation.”

Before acquiring the IPEVO document camera, Frank was either using a webcam or DSLR camera for his work, and he explains the difficulties he encountered when he needs to zoom in to show details, and the convenience that the IPEVO document camera brings:

“It was very difficult to use hand-drawn visuals in virtual settings. We used flipcharts and moved the camera closer to the flip, yet it is a lot easier now with the document camera.

When we teach people how to visualize in virtual workshops, the close-ups we can get with the IPEVO products are very supportive. Being able to zoom into the details (without having to move the camera) is a feature that our participants benefit from a lot.”

Thanks to the IPEVO document camera, not only can Frank enjoy more versatility but also get more in-person with the participants of his virtual workshops:

“I can now use a camera angle that I was not able to use before and am more versatile in my virtual work. I am now able to bring more of the hands-on analogue Bikablo style and spirit and the attitude of simplicity and personal closeness to virtual work.”

In addition, the quality, build, and innovative design of IPEVO products are what appeal strongly to Frank. When asked whether or not he would recommend IPEVO products to other visual trainers or practitioners, Frank answers:

“Yes! I really like the quality. The camera is very sturdy. Today, I own several IPEVO products and each one of them seems like it is built to last. I also really like the innovative thinking, e.g, with the Mirror-Cam and the simple solutions to seemingly difficult situations. A colleague of mine has been using one of the IPEVO cameras for ages and it still works like a charm.”