Why Graphic Recording Is the Secret Ingredient Your Meeting Needs
You’ve probably heard it called different things: Graphic recording. Sketch noting. Visual note-taking. Live illustration. Graphic harvesting. You see, graphic recording (like many beautiful, strange, useful things), goes by many names.
- Some call it sketchnoting: a blend of quick doodles and handwritten notes.
- Others prefer graphic harvesting, especially in facilitation spaces, where the goal is to “harvest” the essence of a conversation.
- Live illustration sounds more artistic, like I might show up with paint and an easel.
- Visual note-taking is perhaps the most literal – you’re taking notes in visual form.
- And then there’s visual scribing, which always sounds to me like what the ancient Egyptians did with the heiroglyphics – come to think of it, they just might be the inventors of graphic recording! (historians in the house, can anyone confirm this?)
What do I call it?
Personally, I always default to calling it graphic recording because that’s the name I first heard it by. It sounded like, and looked like, magic. And the more I discover the large community of visual thinkers like me out there, the more magic and variety I see in this special artform.
But here’s the thing, whatever name you call it, it’s all the same magic that can transform your meeting.
At its core, this practice is about deep listening and quick thinking. It’s the art of translating spoken ideas into visual form, live, as they happen. It combines text and imagery to help people see what they’re talking about, reflect more deeply, and stay engaged.
And it works. Every single time.
People perk up when they see their words appear on paper (or a screen) in real time. They feel heard. Discussions become clearer. Big ideas feel less abstract. Participants are more likely to remember what was said and take ownership of the outcomes.
I’ve been called all sorts of things over the years: live illustrator, visual note-taker, graphic harvester, sketch artist, “the doodler,” even “the person who draws what we’re saying.” Whatever the label, I show up to make ideas clearer, meetings smarter, and conversations a lot more memorable.
To borrow from Shakespeare, “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
A doodle, by any other name, can still bring your meeting to life.
So whether you’re planning a strategy retreat, community forum, policy dialogue, or boardroom brainstorm, consider this your invitation: bring a doodler into the room. Call it what you will, just don’t underestimate the power of visuals to shift energy, spark ideas, and make your message stick.
Because when ideas are made visible, they become unforgettable.
If you’re curious to see what this magic looks like in action, you’re in luck! I’ve just launched my new portfolio! Come take a peek and see how doodles can do the heavy lifting.
PS: For bookings or enquiries, send an email to hello@thinkillustrate.com, or call/ WhatsApp us on +254 759 042507.
Until the next doodle, stay curious!
The Doodling Lawyer.
