Graphic Recording for Conferences, Workshops & Events
Ready to book a graphic recorder for your event?
I'm Emily, a Midlands-based illustrator creating colourful visual notes for conferences, workshops, talks and panel discussions across the UK and beyond.
As a graphic recorder I capture key ideas, conversations and important messages through drawing as they happen (Live!), transforming spoken information into engaging illustrated summaries.
Graphic recording creates a lasting visual record that can be shared with attendees, used in reports or enjoyed long after the event has finished.
Why hire a graphic recorder for your event?
Have you ever…bought a lovely new notebook for an event, started super neat on page 1, scribbled pages of notes only to never looked at them again? Graphic recording offers a different way to capture information, turning conversations and ideas into colourful illustrations that people actually want to revisit. You can still make your notes, but with graphic recording the main themes and key events will be instantly memorable (not to mention a lot nicer to look at)
Whether you're bringing people together to share knowledge, discuss important issues or explore new ideas, graphic recording can help make your event more memorable.
Make complex ideas easier to understand
Combining illustrations and notes helps to communicate complicated subjects in a clear, engaging and fun way.
Create content you can share
The finished illustrations can be used in newsletters, reports, presentations and social media, helping your event reach people who couldn't attend.
Capture the conversations that matter
From keynote presentations to panel discussions, graphic recording brings together the important themes, memorable quotes and ideas shared throughout your event.
Give your event a lasting legacy
Rather than letting valuable conversations disappear once everyone heads home, you'll have a colourful visual record to share with attendees, colleagues and stakeholders.
words are BETTER with pictures
I think we’ve all had a hunch - a book or text with pictures is much more exciting to look at than reams and reams of words. Well some clever folks at Cambridge University have proven this theory, known as ‘The Multimedia Principle’. People who learn with words and pictures perform better at applying their knowledge than people learning with words alone.
Mayer, R. E. (2021). The Multimedia Principle. In The Cambridge Handbook of Multimedia Learning. Cambridge University Press.
There's also something called the Picture Superiority Effect. Research has shown that pictures can be easier to remember than written words. So if you’d like people to remember your talk, pictures may just be the answer!
Paivio, A., Rogers, T. B. & Smythe, P. C. (1968). Why Are Pictures Easier to Recall Than Words? Psychonomic Science, 11, 137–138.
Graphic Recording in Action
From conversations about technology and education at Birmingham Tech Week to discussions about wildlife, conservation and local communities, I love capturing a wide range of subjects through graphic recording.
My background in product design engineering means I'm comfortable working with technical information, while my illustration experience helps me translate complex conversations into colourful, engaging visual summaries.
Whether it's a keynote presentation, panel discussion or community event, each graphic recording is created around the ideas and conversations happening in the room.
I’m just as excited to be at your event drinking conference coffee as you are!
Graphic Recording for Conferences, Workshops & Events
Graphic recording is great for big corporate conferences, however it’s useful in so many other settings too…
It’s a brilliant way to capture ideas and conversations at online meetings, panel discussions, AGMs, workshops, networking & talks.
Visual notes keep people talking well after the event is over.
AGMs & Community Meetings
Graphic recording offers an engaging way to document the important discussions. Live illustrations and a digital timelapse can be shared with members, stakeholders and supporters. Make your minutes that bit more accessible.
Workshops & Talks
Visual scribing can help capture the key messages and ideas being explored in workshops and talks. They offer something useful and engaging for participants to revisit afterwards.
Online Events & Webinars
Graphic recording doesn't always require an illustrator in the room! I can join your online event remotely. You can see the illustration unfold live or share it intermittently with the attendees throughout.
Conferences & Panel Discussions
Graphic recording is the perfect addition to keynotes and lively panel discussions. I can help you capture the key themes, ideas and the reaction in the room. Share the finished illustrations with delegates or use them in post-event communications.
How does graphic recording work?
Before your event
Before the event I’ll schedule a call. We can chat about the main topics and agenda being covered and what you’d like to achieve with the finished artwork. I'll ask lots of questions so we can get the most out of the event on the day. Before the day we’ll have a quick chat or email about logistics such as registration and where I should sit.
On the day
I'll join your event in person or remotely, using my iPad to create digital graphic recordings as the conversations unfold. I listen for key themes, interesting ideas and memorable quotes, combining handwritten notes and illustrations into colourful visual summaries.
I can work quietly from the audience without interrupting the speakers, or we can discuss displaying the illustrations on a screen as they develop.
After the event
Once the event has finished, I'll make any final adjustments and send over your completed digital illustrations. You can use these in newsletters, reports, presentations and social media, or share them directly with attendees so they have something to revisit after the event. If you need the illustrations immediately after a session, just let me know beforehand and we can plan for that!
How Much Does Graphic Recording Cost?
Graphic recording is a professional creative service, with prices varying depending on the duration of your event, the number of sessions being illustrated, the location and how you plan to use the finished artwork.
I recommend clients typically set aside £2000+ for a full day of graphic recording.
Half days, shorter sessions and online events can be quoted individually.
This includes an initial briefing call, preparation, live illustration, a digital time-lapse video and finished digital artwork for agreed online uses.
If you're organising a charity or community event with a particular budget, do get in touch. I'm happy to discuss what's possible!
Looking to Hire a Graphic Recorder?
I'm based in Warwickshire, working across Birmingham, Northampton, the wider Midlands and beyond. I'm 1.5 hours away from London and happy to travel to the City and across the UK. I’m equally happy to join your event remotely!
I’d love to help you with graphic recording! Get in touch and tell me a little about your event, including the date, location and what you'd like to capture, and I'll be happy to put together a quote.
Want to learn more about Graphic Recording?
I’ve written a helpful blog post here.
Graphic recording is also known as live illustration, visual scribing or visual note-taking.
Whatever you call it, the process is the same: capturing conversations and ideas through drawing as they happen.