Issue 48 - Meet you at the graphic recorder club

Deep dive into a graphic recording walk through, some BIG news that you won't want to miss, and some spring prompts for your visual dictionary.

Graphic recording deep dive

Whether you’re an experienced graphic recorder or in the early stages of your graphiking career it is always fascinating to see other people’s processes, and I know that if you’re totally new to this world then it can be hard to understand HOW graphic recording is even possible!

In this month’s Visual Edit we’re going to explore a live Graphic Recording together. To help us do that I’m sharing a real life graphic recording that I did for a client.

Right, let’s dive in.

This was a 3 hour meeting that I attended virtually. I worked on my iPad and apple pencil and used the Procreate App. The drawing was done live but off screen (so they couldn’t see me or my drawing as it was happening) and it was then shared with the participants during the final 15 minutes of the meeting.

Here you can see it as a static finished image:

Before the job began I had a couple of client briefings. The client sent me the agenda and the research document they were going to be referring to the day before the meeting, so I had time for a quick glance through to give me an idea of the types of topics that would be coming up.

All of this meant I was able to start with some drawing and content already in place:

• The client’s logo

• My logo

• A title

• The footer image of the young people to set the scene

• The basic layout of the KEY FINDINGS and REFLECTIONS including the main headings of the research the meeting was about.

As well as getting some content on the page ready for the session, this prep time also helps me get my head tuned in to the topic that is going to be discussed at the upcoming meeting.

Everything else happened as I listened to the presentations and discussions in the meeting.

You can see the whole thing here in a time-lapse video:

(As you watch, keep an eye on the time and hit PAUSE at 1:53).

The 3 stages of this graphic recording:

1. Preparation and pre-creation - The first thing I want to flag is that the first 33 seconds are all pre-created.

   The main part of the meeting starts at 33 seconds and if you want to scroll back to that point in the video you’ll see what I have on the screen in front of me as people start talking.

2. Working within a framework - Then, for the next 1:20 minutes (.33 - 1:53) I’m heavily relying on my pre-created layout, filling in the spaces I’ve created with the live content I’m hearing.

3. Working in the wild blank spaces where you have no knowledge of what’s coming - Then at 1:53 minutes you can see something else happens. I respond to a comment that feels important but doesn’t fit into layout I’ve used so far. There you can see I jump off into the blank space and start to adding additional content. The blank space is there on purpose for exactly this moment - even though I don’t know when the moment will come in a meeting, there is always content that will appreciate the white space you’ve left.

This mix of approaches is what I love about being a graphic recorder! It totally speaks to both sides of my personality: the “be prepared” girl scout prepper and the flexi-brained creative who likes to wing it.

This third section, jumping back in to the structured REFLECTIONS section of the framework and then back out again to the wilds, makes up the remainder of the session. Shuffling, adjusting and tweaking as more content gets added. All of the time thinking about what will happen if the client stops now? and what happens if they never stop?! and those thoughts help me balance where I put content so that it will look good if I have to stop early, or have to squeeze more in.

Altogether I was pleased with the output and of course the client loved it, so win-win.

If you are interested in being a graphic recorder, or you’re curious about what to cover in client briefings, then get in touch, because as well as being a graphic recorder with my own clients I have a great course that gives you all the knowledge and skills you need to get out there and do it for yourself. Get the course info here.

Ai won’t take your drawing job any time soon

ICYMI, Natasha wrote last month about a pet peeve of hers (they are many and varied)… companies using Ai images, and yet she’s optimistic that Ai isn’t taking a graphic recorder’s job any time soon…

Read the full article here:

Reasons to be cheerful

BIG NEWS!! Join the graphic recorder club

For a long time (seriously for years!) we’ve had requests from you for a community space where you can connect with each other, continue developing your knowledge and skills and share the experience of being a visual worker with others who understand. Up to now we haven’t found a way of doing it that didn’t feel like hard work, but now on Substack I think we’ve finally found the place.

SO…drumroll… we are opening a paid membership option, called the graphic recorder club (grclub?) for all the graphic recorders, sketchnoters, business illustrators and general badass visual communicators that are looking for a friendly supportive place to hang out and call home. It’s like a secret club house with comfy sofas and art supplies, where you bring your own cuppa and everyone you talk to knows what a graphic recorder is.

Here’s what I’m planning for the grclub:

• Chat - the chat function will be turned on so you can chat with me and Natasha, but more importantly as the community grows, with each other. Find other visual thinkers to cheer on and buddy up with. There really are other people out there who understand what you do, and are just as obsessed with marker pens as you are!

• Pod - a monthly audio chat to listen to while you walk the dog, drive to the shops or take a bath. Each month we’ll talk to you about a different topic to do with working visually, and of course you’ll be able to share your thoughts and ask questions for us to cover in future episodes.

• The Visual Edit, this very monthly newsletter, which will remain monthly(ish) and free for everyone to access.

Then these other elements will come and go throughout the year:

• Drawing skills - techniques and demos, deep dives and drawing skills.

• Business skills - we’ve been running our own visual thinking business for almost 20 years so we have some thoughts to share on setting you up for success (spoiler alert - we will never say go big or go home).

• Behind the scenes - I’ll show you my pens if you show me yours! Behind the scenes insights into life as a graphic recorder.

• Seasonal gatherings - This is me thinking out loud…I’m not actually sure what this bit will look like but I’m thinking it would be nice to have some seasonal live online get togethers, and you’d be on the invite list if and when they happen.

• Random other things - that I haven’t even thought of yet.

If the graphic recorder club¹ sounds like somewhere you want to be then don’t worry, you’ll be the first to know when membership goes live at the start of May.

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Drawing prompts for spring

In the world of graphic recording and illustration we love a metaphor, and spring is a fluffy basket full of icon options and layers of meaning for your visuals.

• Spring / seeds / gardening- early stage, fresh, a new start, preparation

• Nature / flowers / animals - innocence, early signs of progress, hope, energy

• Bright colours / sunshine - optimism, energy, youth, warmth

I’m sure you can think of loads more to add to the list.

Add some spring icons to your visual dictionary:

Of course if you live in the Southern Hemisphere you might want to refer back to issue 43 which was our Autumn edition.

Bulletin Board

If you have any relevant visual thinking news you’d like us to share, email Natasha at support@graphicchange.com

1. I’m starting to explore Graphic Journalism and am growing my visual storytelling skills here.

2. Over at The JOTT I shared the tale of my recent arm injury. Turns out it’s Tendonitis from too much use… aaaargggh! not what you want to hear when you draw for a living. If you haven’t read

   Kriota Willberg
   ’s book Draw Stronger then I can definitely recommend it.

3. Term has started over at the Graphic Change Academy and trainee Graphic Recorders and Graphic Facilitators are starting to share their work in the classroom and get 1-1 feedback from me.

Here’s what current student Eileen said:

“It is so useful to get your feedback! Other online courses can feel like drawing into the void in comparison.”

If you want to join us check out our 12 week online supported courses:

Be a Graphic Recorder and Be a Graphic Facilitator

1. If you have any questions about the grclub then email: support@graphicchange.co.uk