Blending Creativity, Design, and Journalism at IPI Vienna
Blending Creativity, Design, and Journalism at IPI Vienna
By Roana Balillari
When I was given the opportunity through the Innovation. Media. Minds programme to choose between several workshops and congresses, I immediately knew which one I wanted to attend: the IPI World Congress & Media Innovation Festival 2025 in Vienna.
For me, the decision was simple. The most important part of working in media has always been the people, journalists, storytellers, and creators who dedicate their lives to informing, connecting, and inspiring others. I wanted to be in a space where I could exchange ideas, share experiences, and learn directly from those who shape journalism today.
And that is exactly what Vienna became: a living, breathing classroom filled with ideas, curiosity, and collaboration. Over several days, the Congress brought together journalists, editors, designers, and innovators from all over the world to discuss the challenges and opportunities of modern media. Coming from a background in graphic design and public service media, I have always believed that storytelling is more than words or visuals. It is a bridge between people. The discussions on AI, climate storytelling, and media innovation reminded me that journalism is not only about facts but also about empathy and perspective, about helping audiences see the world through someone else’s eyes.
One moment that truly stayed with me was a phrase shared during one of the sessions: “Without journalists, we don’t have truth, and without truth, we don’t have democracy.” Those words struck me deeply. They captured the essence of what journalism stands for. A responsibility to defend transparency, truth, and connection in a time when misinformation spreads faster than understanding.
During the Congress, I met so many inspiring journalists, editors, and creators. We spoke about collaboration, independent media, and the power of design in storytelling. I joined sessions exploring how technology, especially AI, can support journalists while keeping human values at the center of every story.
I also shared insights about Western Balkan Myth Busters, our youth-driven project developed through the Innovation. Media. Minds programme. It was incredibly rewarding to see how people from different countries connected with our idea, using humor, folklore, and research to bridge cultures and spark curiosity among young audiences. The encouragement I received reminded me that even small, local stories can have a universal heartbeat when told with authenticity.
As the Congress came to an end, I found myself walking through the streets of Vienna, reflecting on how journalism and design, though different in form, share the same purpose: to communicate, to connect, and to create understanding.
Leaving Vienna, I felt grateful, inspired, and more certain than ever that creativity has a place in every newsroom. I returned home with new ideas, meaningful connections, and a renewed passion to keep blending design, journalism, and empathy to tell stories that do not just inform, but truly resonate. Because in the end, that is what storytelling is about: turning information into empathy, and empathy into action.
Funded by the European Union, the Innovation. Media. Minds Program: Support to Public Service Journalism in the Western Balkans, is managed by the Goethe-Institut on behalf of the European Commission and in collaboration with its implementing partner DW Akademie. The contents of this story are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
When I was given the opportunity through the Innovation. Media. Minds programme to choose between several workshops and congresses, I immediately knew which one I wanted to attend: the IPI World Congress & Media Innovation Festival 2025 in Vienna.
And that is exactly what Vienna became: a living, breathing classroom filled with ideas, curiosity, and collaboration. Over several days, the Congress brought together journalists, editors, designers, and innovators from all over the world to discuss the challenges and opportunities of modern media. Coming from a background in graphic design and public service media, I have always believed that storytelling is more than words or visuals. It is a bridge between people. The discussions on AI, climate storytelling, and media innovation reminded me that journalism is not only about facts but also about empathy and perspective, about helping audiences see the world through someone else’s eyes.
One moment that truly stayed with me was a phrase shared during one of the sessions: “Without journalists, we don’t have truth, and without truth, we don’t have democracy.” Those words struck me deeply. They captured the essence of what journalism stands for. A responsibility to defend transparency, truth, and connection in a time when misinformation spreads faster than understanding.
I also shared insights about Western Balkan Myth Busters, our youth-driven project developed through the Innovation. Media. Minds programme. It was incredibly rewarding to see how people from different countries connected with our idea, using humor, folklore, and research to bridge cultures and spark curiosity among young audiences. The encouragement I received reminded me that even small, local stories can have a universal heartbeat when told with authenticity.
As the Congress came to an end, I found myself walking through the streets of Vienna, reflecting on how journalism and design, though different in form, share the same purpose: to communicate, to connect, and to create understanding.
Funded by the European Union, the Innovation. Media. Minds Program: Support to Public Service Journalism in the Western Balkans, is managed by the Goethe-Institut on behalf of the European Commission and in collaboration with its implementing partner DW Akademie. The contents of this story are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.