Why Hire a Graphic Recorder? What to Expect And How to Prepare

Working With A Graphic Recorderdigital graphic recording

Mar 2

Today I’d like to take it back to basics. What is graphic recording, exactly? Who is that person drawing and why? Is it really worth it? Let’s explore together!

What is graphic recording?

drawing of graphic recording, black, blue, yellow, and green text and highlights on white background

Graphic recording is the practice of visually capturing ideas, conversations, and presentations as the group watches using hand drawn words and pictures on a large surface. A trained graphic recorder listens and synthesizes key themes into a dynamic visual map as events unfold. The result is an engaging, memorable image that serves as a shared record of the discussion.

What is a graphic recorder?

A graphic recorder is a skilled visual practitioner who listens deeply to conversations, presentations, or meetings and captures key ideas in real time through drawings and handwritten text. We work quickly and intuitively to synthesize complex information into a clear, engaging visual narrative on large paper or digitally. Our role is at the nexus of active listening, visual practice, and communication design. We’re pros at meetings and have a unique window into what works from attending events across sectors, cultures, and continents.

white woman with brown hair holding marker creating a colorful graphic recording visual summary during an indigenous meeting

What are the benefits of graphic recording?

Graphic recording transforms passive listening into an active, visible, and memorable experience, making it especially valuable in high-stakes meetings, large events, and complex problem-solving sessions.

Benefits include:

Understanding & Memory: seeing and hearing information boosts memory, helps with complex ideas, and shows systems and relationships at a glance.
Engagement: Holds audience attention, creates more dynamic and participatory meetings, and people are naturally drawn to seeing someone, well, drawing in real time.
Inclusion & Accessibility: Supports multi-lingual groups, different learning styles, and makes abstract concepts more tangible. Note: graphics do not support people with sight impairments, which can be addressed.
Group Alignment: Creates shared alignment, reduces misunderstandings, and helps groups find common ground. I like to say it moves ideas from “me” to “we”.
Documentation: When have you ever looked at that pile of flip charts after a meeting? Graphic recording produces a rich record of discussions, is easier to revisit and share, and shows not only content, but the energy of the conversation.
Creative Thinking: Seeing graphic recording encourages more open and visual thinking, sparks new connections and ideas, and shows that creative or “imperfect” ideas are welcome – the drawings are often less than perfect!
Organizational Value: Graphic recording is useful for strategic planning, workshops, conferences, and team offsites, can be included in reports, social media, or internal communications, and shows you care about quality communication.

Additional side effects may include innovative thinking, trust, long-term commitment, action, laughter, positive energy and a deep sense of satisfaction after a day of rewarding work.

Can we leverage your skills before and after the event too?

Graphic recording is an investment you make that provides immense value beyond your event. Discover case studies and ideas for how to partner with a graphic recording before and after your meeting here and here.

photograph of woman with long brown hair sitting in chair in home office, as seen from above. She is working remotely, drawing on an ipad which is on her desk with paper notes an dpencil. There is a gray cat sitting behind her in the chair.

What about digital graphic recording?

One of the benefits of graphic recording is the human connection created by seeing a person creating art on paper in the room, sometimes the move is to work digitally instead. I have years of experience working on an iPad and sharing my screen for remote meetings or large-scale projections so groups of hundreds of people are able to see. A fun and useful deliverable is a time lapse video of each graphic created, which can be used on social media, websites, or emails to your audience.

How do I choose digital or paper?

If you’re meeting remotely, with a large group and want to project the visual, or don’t have a budget for travel, digital graphic recording might be for you. You can read more about the pros and cons of digital and paper graphics here.

people standing in ballroom looking at hand drawn visual notes and talking with woman graphic recorder

What do I need to do to prepare to work together?

A graphic recorder is an investment, and there are a few things you can do to make the most of our time together. Proactive communication and a clear purpose for the event and the graphics are key. A skilled graphic recorder will walk you through the process and make it easy, and I’ve written about making the most of working with a graphic recorder here.

Thank you for your collaboration, humor, and what you do to make the world a better place.

Cheers,

Where in the World is ConverSketch?

digital graphic recording for colorado association of environmental education. green, white, and black text outline ideas for green careers from students and educators

CAEE Green Careers: Last week was the Green Pathways conference, giving middle and high school students around the country windows into environmental careers and futures. I was delighted to listen in to a session asking students what they’d like to see from their teachers, policy makers, and from school admins.

Newsletter Highlight: Convergence is a nonprofit organization that “transforms conflict into collaboration.” In their latest email newsletter, they highlight some of my visual notes for the Compass Cohort I’m a part of this winter. I’m enjoying learning and expanding my skill set to better support clients when more mediation may be needed. I look forward to sharing insights after I’ve completed the course in April.