Whenever I tell people that I do graphic recording, I’ll often get a blank stare and maybe a head nod. The more curious person might ask, “Oh, what is graphic recording?”
Graphic recording is a visual communication method that uses a combination of drawing, writing and sketching to capture the essence of a keynote speech, a business presentation, brainstorm session or a conference panel.
Graphic recording (or visual notetaking) helps to open up engagement, connection, clarity and communication for event attendees in your organization. It offers a chance for attendees to “see” what a speaker is presenting to enable those “Ah ha!” moments.
In a nutshell, creating a graphic recording piece live at a business event helps attendees to remember more of the event’s thoughts and ideas with a visual flair.
Women & Graphic Recording
Today’s graphic recording industry is growing rapidly, and female graphic recorders are making a significant impact on the world. In fact, women make up more than 60% of the graphic recording workforce.
Why are women so well positioned to do graphic recording? Here are a few reasons why women are drawn to perform graphic recording. First, the creative and expressive medium that is graphic recording allows women to draw on their unique talents and perspectives. Women are good listeners, good teachers and strong motivators. These talents are a natural fit to do graphic recording.
Second, women have strong communication and facilitation skills, which helps in the collaborative process for the business objectives of large organizations. Women can ask questions to draw out beliefs and ideas from people.
Third, graphic recording is a kinesthetic way of learning that offers people an exciting way to digest content and retain concepts.
Graphic Recording Professionals
Here are some examples of graphic recording women who are helping to lead the way in the graphic recording industry. (Hat tip to Benjamin Felis, who interviewed graphic recorders.)
Brandy Agerbeck | www.loosetooth.com: As a graphic recorder, Agerbeck gets to think and draw — and listen, and synthesize clients’ complex conversations — while practicing world-class facilitation methods and earning invaluable hands-on experience in businesses across industries, big and small, old and new.
Heather Martinez | www.letslettertogether.com: Visual Practitioner, Lettering Artist, Author, Teacher, Visioneer, and Neuland Ambassador. Since 2016, she has studied with masters of calligraphy, sign painting and graffiti, and shares what she’s earned with other visual practitioners.
Sherrill Knezel | www.meaningfulmarks.net: Sherrill is a listener, graphic recorder, educator and illustrator artist who has done graphic recording for events and conferences.
These are just a few examples of the many women who are making a difference in the world.
It’s an exciting time in graphic recording, and women are leading the way. Our work is helping to make business executives think outside the box with new ideas and concepts, aided with visual images.
[To learn more about graphic recording, search online and social media channels for “graphic recording” or “visual notetaking”.]
Debra Lee Murrow is artist and founder of COLORME Art Spa, a multifaceted arts teaching company in Scottsdale, Ariz., that works with organizations for graphic recording, art workshops and teambuilding. She also is a member of NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners).
