What to expect from a Graphic Recording: a guide
If you've never commissioned a scribing session before, you're not alone.
Many organisations discover Graphic Recording (scribing) when they're looking for a more engaging way to capture conversations, energise participants or create lasting impact from an event. Whether it's an annual conference, sales kick-off, leadership summit or industry gathering, live visualisation can transform how people experience and remember key messages.
But what actually happens during a scribing session?
Here's what you can expect when working with a professional Graphic Recorder.
First, let's define Graphic Recording
Graphic Recording, often referred to as Scribing or Live Illustration, is the process of capturing conversations, presentations and discussions in real time through hand-drawn visuals.
As speakers present ideas and audiences engage in discussion, a Graphic Recorder listens, synthesises information and translates key themes into a large-scale visual story.
The result is a dynamic and engaging visual record that captures far more than meeting notes ever could.
Participants can literally see ideas taking shape as the event unfolds.
Before the event: understanding your objectives
A successful scribing session begins well before the event itself.
The preparation stage is all about understanding your audience, objectives and agenda.
This typically includes conversations around:
Event goals and desired outcomes
Key themes and messages
Speaker schedules
Audience demographics
Branding requirements
Venue logistics
This preparation allows the Graphic Recorder to familiarise themselves with the subject matter and identify the most effective visual approach.
Every event is different, and the visual story should reflect that.
During the event: listening, thinking and drawing
One of the most common questions clients ask is how a Graphic Recorder manages to draw while simultaneously listening to complex discussions.
The answer lies in experience and structured Visual Thinking.
Throughout the event, the Graphic Recorder actively listens for key messages, emerging themes, memorable quotes and important connections between ideas.
These insights are then translated into illustrations, typography, icons and visual metaphors in real time.
While the process may appear effortless from the audience perspective, there is a significant amount of analysis happening behind the scenes.
The aim is not to document every word.
The aim is to capture what matters most.
This creates a visual summary that is both informative and engaging.
The impact on your audience
One of the reasons Graphic Recording has become increasingly popular is its ability to increase engagement.
When people see ideas being visualised live, curiosity naturally follows.
Attendees gather around the artwork during breaks, discuss what they see and often make new connections between topics that may have previously felt disconnected.
The visual becomes a focal point for conversation.
For conferences and large-scale events, this can significantly enhance the overall participant experience.
Rather than information disappearing once a presentation ends, key messages remain visible throughout the day.
This helps improve understanding, retention and participation.
More than a live event experience
The value of a scribing session extends well beyond the event itself.
The finished artwork becomes a powerful communication asset that can be used across the organisation.
Many clients use their Graphic Recording outputs for:
Internal communications
Change programmes
Social media content
Event reports
Stakeholder engagement
Future presentations
A single visual can continue creating value long after the conference has ended.
A uniquely human craft
In an increasingly digital world, there is something powerful about seeing ideas captured live by hand.
Graphic Recording combines analysis, storytelling and illustration in a way that feels authentic and memorable.
Every piece is bespoke. Every visual is created in real time. Every event produces its own unique story.
For organisations looking to create more engaging conferences, workshops and events, a scribing session offers far more than documentation.
It creates a shared experience.
One that helps people connect with ideas, engage with discussions and leave with a clearer understanding of the conversations that matter most.
