What is graphic recording?
I've been scribing, live illustrating or whatever you want to call it for over 10 years. So here is what I think it is.
A graphic recorder draws what people are talking about. They combine words and images and arrange them spatially and this is done as the conversation is happening - live.
This work can be quite diagrammatic, or it can be very visual. It can happen slowly across a day, or quickly in hours or minutes. It can be done in person on large pieces of paper, digitally on iPads or remotely on video calls.
At the core of this practice is synthesising the event into a visual record as it happens to engage the audience and provide a memory of the event.
So what does a graphic recorder actually do?
The person who does this work is called a ‘Graphic Recorder’. But they can also be described as a live scribe, a live illustrator or simply a cartoonist. But they have a complex task. Graphic recording requires intense listening to a speaker at an event, a discussion in a meeting or the progress of a workshop. They must be able to recognise, surface and prioritise the most important information in those moments.
As this happens a graphic recorder will rapidly put this down on paper. Capturing the information in these environments is a huge benefit to the audience and participants. And that is why it is done live in front of an audience. This requires speed and accuracy in the note-taking.
In addition the artist can add illustrations, images and diagrams to create a fun and engaging image that not only entertains the audience but actually helps the cognitive process. Connecting images and words together aids the memory.
Why do businesses use Graphic Recording
Graphic Recording itself is a practice that has grown from the art of graphic facilitation. A way of running meetings that better engages participants and gets better results from them. A live visualisation of a meeting or event can bring a session to life. It can aid decision making, idea generation and promote understanding.
Critical meetings, conferences and workshops can lack a core element - which is engagement. Any opportunity to allow people to get to grips with challenging ideas, remember key points and build on them should be taken. By having someone in the room actively supporting the meeting through visuals this can be done.
Having a highly illustrated diagram of a meeting is a way of preventing that event from being forgotten, or remembered as just another meeting. A visual document of that event can function as a post event business tool to promote further conversations, no matter the subject.
Businesses find this adds value to meetings and events that needs to have maximum impact on the attendees. As the costs of meetings rise this methodology is an essential component of gaining full return on investment.
Where do we see Graphic Recording used the most?
Graphic Recording manifests itself in three core scenarios, conferences, workshops and meetings. Conferences use graphic recorders to visualise the talks and sessions from speakers. These drawings, when done on large pieces of paper or via sophisticated AV systems digitally, are a crucial element to entertain audiences. Sitting alongside the presenters, AV teams, lighting, sound and videography a Graphic Recorder becomes a core part of a conference's run of show. In these scenarios the Graphic Recorder holds a similar position to a keynote speaker in that they are providing a highly visible stream of information to the audience throughout the event.
In a more intimate workshop setting a Graphic Recorder takes on a similar role, providing a continuous flow of images and words, but in support of a facilitated process. This is where Graphic Facilitation and Graphic Recording can work seamlessly together. A facilitator of a meeting is supported by the Graphic Recorder in a very tangible and meaningful way. Keeping participants focused, on track and working throughout a workshop is a key challenge of a facilitator. Having a visual record of progress emerge throughout the day is a key pillar in running a successfully facilitated workshop.
Meetings that are not as large as conferences, and not as interactive as workshops are the other places you will find a graphic recorder doing their work. Companies need to have annual kick off meetings, launch strategies or check in on transformations. These sessions often combine the highly presentational with the more fluid and interactive. It’s here that a large visualisation, or series of images, can have real impact again. A hand rendered version of a company's strategy made in front of its key stakeholders can form a better takeaway than a power point. The shifting opinions of a workshop session can garner new insights. Real time visualisation of this will test a graphic recorder's abilities to the furthest extent.
What is the difference between Graphic Recording and Graphic Facilitation?
Best operating in a team that supports each other and Graphic Facilitator and a Graphic Recorder work together. The easiest way to tell the two apart is one will run the meeting (and not do very much drawing) and the other will be drawing a lot. Although it helps if they can swap roles, graphic facilitation requires the ability to confidently draw diagrams and shapes as part of the process. Graphic Recording - depending on circumstances - will often require the ability to confidently speak to teams and groups to make sure the right insights are foregrounded, voices heard and images created.
Critically Graphic Facilitation is a practice whereby meetings & workshops are designed and delivered. Whereas graphic recording is a role which can adapt to many more environments, and is mainly about live visualisation.
Do you have to be able to draw to be a Graphic Recorder and what else do you need to do?
The real truth of the matter is no, you do not need to be able to draw to be a graphic recorder. But it does help. Being able to draw a wide range of images in your own style and incredibly fast will allow you to create graphic recordings that stand the test of time and have impact.
But if you just need to get the job done then visuals comprised of boxes, arrows, lines and so on will work. This does require being able to articulate a visual language in a meaningful way and do it in front of a room of people looking at you.
Top tips for graphic recording:
Make sure you can listen carefully and pick out key themes
Be ready to engage on a deep level with the subject matter of the meeting or event
Be confident in drawing, writing and making on the fly editorial decisions in front of an audience
You do not have to visualise everything everyone says
Don’t run out of space before the end
Good materials make all the difference
Make sure people know why you are there, what will you will do and what you wont
Makes sure you have good light - you need to be able to see
Graphic Recording
event bookers FAQ:
A graphic recorder will adapt to any event, look at the schedule and be able to say what can be drawn and what can’t. But here are some questions we are often asked.
Book early to avoid disappointment?
Events professionals will know that certain times of the year have many events.
What do you use?
Equipment varies from large boards to be placed in a room through to the simple requirement of a table and plug for an iPad - it all depends on the unique qualities of the event in question.
Do we need to see the presentations?
It is not usually necessary to send a 600mb Powerpoint over. Highly complex presentations can benefit from our having a preview, generally key themes, pre-reading and an agenda will be enough.
Are you sure we are presenting our new strategy?
Strategy presentations, CEO briefings or other high level content can always benefits from pre-event coordination, get in touch.
Can you draw digitally live?
Yes, it's a core part of what we do post pandemic. We have taken the art of illustrating zoom calls back to in person events. However sometimes a big board or bit of paper can be a better fit for the event - it's all about what's best for the audience.
Will you sign an NDA?
Graphic Recorders seamlessly travel from the top boardrooms one day to a community meeting the next. But client confidentiality, Chatham House rules and discretion are just as much part of what we do.
Can we keep the drawing afterwards?
Yes. If we do one on paper, it’s yours. We also as a matter of course digitise the work print quality and send it over to you post event. It’s just easier that way!
Do you Travel?
We travel the world for Graphic Recording but there are often local providers in various locations.
Top tips for
event bookers:
Schedule, agenda and important information:
Prior to an event all of this information will help the artist know what to draw, how much time to devote to each element and allow themselves to become familiar with your organisation.Build the graphic recording into your event:
Allow time for the audience to look at the work as part of the schedule, be it digitally on the screens or in the coffee breakMake space for the graphic recorder:
Believe it or not but organisers can forget this. A drawing board will need space in the room to be set up, an AV team will need to budge up and provide a chair next to their mix desk so an iPad can be plugged in.Tell the audience they are here:
Without a proper introduction the graphic recording artists producing artwork will confuse the audience. A simple one line intro at the start of the event makes such a difference! It’s incredible how often this is overlooked.Make a plan for post event distribution:
This kind of work is always popular with audiences and the question you will be asked over and over again is ‘can we get a copy of the drawings’. They make a great way to re-engage with audiences post event and can even be printed or turned into flip books as an extra level of ‘take away’.
Who uses Graphic Recording?
The answer to this question is simply - everyone can use it! This work can be done in any business area. The scribes who create graphic recordings are used to working for a pharmaceutical company one day and a fintech the next. This makes these artists a particularly valuable source of expertise as they often have a very broad perspective of multiple industries. Every event is different but here are some key scenarios a Graphic Recorder can find themselves at work, based on recent examples:
Visualising breakout sessions for a new vision for a major law firm
Creating patient journeys from live interviews for the healthcare sector
Digitally capturing a new strategy presentation from a CEO to their staff live in a prearranged sequence
Gathering insights from a group of school children to be drawn up and presented to visiting politicians
Creating a crowd sourced mural from industry professionals in the marketplace area of a conference
Capturing 12 speaker sessions digitally from an all day event for immediate social media distribution
TL:DR
If you are having an event bringing a Graphic recorder to it is essential if you want it to be memorable, engaging and creative.
Find out more with these links…
David Sibbet the godfather of Graphic Recording and has written many books including ‘Visual Teams’.
Loosetooth - the website of Brandy Agerbeck who’s book ‘The Graphic Facilitators guide’ is an excellent starting point for people wishing to begin Graphic recording
World Café - it’s an old site but it checks out. One of the first formal and integrated uses of Graphic Recording in a Graphically Facilitated process.
The Graphic Facilitation Facebook Group is worth joining as an easy place to meet practitioners at all levels globally.
The International forum for Visual Practitioners is a good source of further information.
Finally Gamestorming is my favourite book and the place that I first discovered the concept of Graphic Recording via Sunni Brown
And while it’s not ‘Graphic Recording’ specifically I got my first big break at an unconference - the best conference format
Drop me a line..
If you would like to know more about Graphic Recording and what I can do for you!