Iselin Skuseth Flo

I am a Norwegian-born, London-based visual communicator. I have always appreciated art, and utilising my creative abilities has always been a passion of mine. In my early teenage years, I lived in California with my family for two years. During this time, my interest for art and design grew exponentially. I highly valued the experiences, obtaining enriching knowledge and personal growth, in addition to being surrounded by a diverse international community. Subsequently, I decided to study abroad in the UK for my higher education.

I obtained a Bachelor’s Degree with Honours in Graphic Design from University of Brighton (2022), and currently studying a Master’s Degree in Visual Communication at the Royal College of Art (2022-2023).

I am intrigued about how graphic design can assist people through everyday struggles. I keep asking myself: how can my creative work promote other people’s mental wellbeing? How can it help myself? 

My current work explores how creative methodologies can improve our mental health. On a gloomy day in February 2023, I glanced at my Polaroid camera. I felt the urge to capture my state of mind. As I did, I realised how much power non-verbal communication is capable of; sometimes the way we feel is challenging to express with words.

I initiated this project using an auto-ethnographic approach, supported by broader contextual research. In particular I discovered the use of photography in therapy, and how it is used as a tool to promote mental wellbeing, marking the beginning of months of research and self-discovery. I intend for my practice to engage in the vulnerable, honest, and deep – qualities I find important in creativity and expression.

The aim of my work is to highlight how important photography is and how it can have a positive impact on people’s lives. As I am not a trained professional within the field of phototherapy, I have utilised my own creative abilities to communicate the positive impact that photography can have on our mental health.