Graphic Recording FAQs | Breakthrough Visuals

HOW DO I KNOW GRAPHIC RECORDING IS A GOOD FIT?

Graphic recording (also called Scribing or Visual Note-Taking) is great for:

Events and meetings where information density is high and being delivered or processed verbally (keynotes, panels, meetings, ideation sessions, workshops).
Giving attendees a high-level view of the conceptual content, patterns, and key ideas and are not as interested in capturing highly granular or technical data, for example: precise product specifications, software demos or code.
Events and meetings that invite ideation, collaboration, capturing shared vision, or making decisions.

HOW DO VISUAL NOTES HELP PEOPLE REMEMBER THE CONTENT OF A PRESENTATION?

Meetings and conferences are mostly about the words — spoken or written. That means there's a neurological disconnect between the information your attendees receive and how their brains prefer to process it.

Visual notetaking taps directly into our incredible ability to process visual information! Consider these facts:

Two-thirds of the electrical activity of the brain is devoted to vision when the eyes are open. Source. Graphic recording engages eyes and brains.
Adding visuals to a spoken lecture increase retention after three hours from 25% to 80%. Source. Graphic recording helps your attendees remember what they learned at your event.

IS IT DISTRACTING?

No. Graphic recording is surprisingly quiet and unobtrusive. Though graphic recorders are best positioned at the front of the room, they are usually well to the side. While attendees will glance over at what I'm doing, they'll ultimately direct most of their attention to where the action is, the speaker and whatever visual aid they are employing. In fact, graphic recording actually supports the speaker's content, both during the talk at the end, and when the finished graphic sums up the presentation in a dramatic and memorable way.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GRAPHIC RECORDING AND GRAPHIC FACILITATION?

Graphic recording involves capturing the key elements of an event with live sketch notes. Graphic facilitation involves actively incorporating visuals as part of a group process, for example, as an aid to a brainstorming session or as part of an exercise where participants contribute to a piece.

WHAT IF THE SPEAKER IS ALSO SHOWING A SLIDE DECK OR VIDEO?

No problem — graphic recording doesn't interfere with the projection in any way.

WHAT SIZE ARE THE FINISHED DRAWINGS?

I typically work on 40"x60" or 48"x48" foamcore boards, on rolls of paper 24" wide, or digitally on a tablet. But anything that can be drawn on can be potentially used.

DO WE NEED TO PROVIDE ANY SUPPLIES OR MATERIALS?

I bring everything I need to draw if the event is within driving distance. If not, I will source any materials needed for you.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE FINAL, PHYSICAL DRAWINGS?

They are yours to do with as you see fit — I leave them on site. Many clients like to display them as works of art that commemorate and explain their event long after it's over.

WILL YOU NEED TO HAVE INFORMATION OR NOTES ON THE PRESENTATIONS IN ADVANCE?

Any advance information you can give me is helpful, particularly event outlines and Powerpoint presentations. It's also common for clients to want to meet before the event and talk over what's going to take place. But graphic facilitation is all about listening and improvisation and I'm also happy to record an event without any preparation at all.

WHAT DOES YOUR RATE INCLUDE?

For starters, you’ll see your event content synthesized and distilled in real-time into highly shareable, beautiful, and memorable content. In addition, clients receive:

Up to 5 hours of content captured per day of your event (within 9 contiguous working hours)
High-res digital versions of the final images
All of the original drawings
Unlimited reproduction rights to the image (with attribution)

I JUST NEED YOU FOR A FEW HOURS. DO YOU HAVE A HALF DAY RATE?

I will consider half-day or hourly rates for work in the Philadelphia/Southern New Jersey area. However, please understand that no matter the length of the engagement, there is travel, setup and image post-processing time to take into account. I'm happy to brainstorm additional ways you can use the graphic recordings I create to maximize your investment!

SOUNDS GREAT! HOW DO I BOOK YOU FOR MY EVENT?

First, contact me so I can review the objectives and specifics of your event and I’ll send you a detailed quote. Next, I'll provide a Letter of Agreement and sign any NDA or service agreements you require. Once you've approved/signed the Letter of Agrement and I receive a deposit, if there is one, we'll schedule a call to go over your agenda and logistics. I'll send you an invoice for the rest of the fee and any additional expenses immediately after your event.