FAQ – Our Services
What is graphic recording?
As the name suggests, graphic recording refers to the capturing (or “drawing out”) of ideas using hand-drawn graphics, as the ideas are being shared in a large group setting.
Graphic recordings are created on-the-fly as the meeting happens, and often as a “big picture” on large format surfaces (the biggest we’ve worked on is 18m x 2m!).
For a more detailed read, check out our article:
*Blog Article: [Ask Our Intern] What is graphic recording, and why bother?
What is visual facilitation/ graphic facilitation?
Visual facilitation (or graphic facilitation) refers to the design and use of visual tools, live visualisation (read: “graphic recording”), and visual-empowered group processes, to shift a group towards its desired shared future. If graphic recording is “drawing out;” then visual facilitation is a “drawing together” of people, their plans, and the big picture. The visual facilitator may play the role of lead facilitator at a meeting, or work closely with the lead facilitator.
For a more detailed read, check out our article:
*Blog Article: [Ask our Intern] What is Visual Facilitation, and Why Bother?
How can your skill help improve my company’s meeting?
Graphic recording, or “drawing out” the ideas before the participants as the discussion happens, can help the group make sense of and process the big picture. The process helps participants stay engaged and retain the content.
A more experienced graphic recorder adds value by going beyond mere chronicling. He or she will actively sense and pick out emergent themes, organising the visual capture around salient visual metaphors. In this sense, the graphic recorder can be a valuable neutral party who observes, and then brings perspective and clarity to the discussion.
At the end of the meeting, you will also have a graphic record that you can use to review progress with the group, share the message with other stakeholders, or use as a sounding board for iterating the great ideas further.
And of course, you’ve probably heard it repeated often enough that, “a picture speaks a thousand words.”
Can you just teach us, and I’ll do it on my own with my team?
Yes we can! Contact us at hello@picturepeopleplan.com for a bespoke training proposal. As part of the post-training follow-up, we can also suggest how we might support your team in developing the skill to a level where you can graphic record with confidence.
What is the difference between graphic recording and visual facilitation?
Yes, there are differences between graphic recording and visual facilitation! Allow us to walk you through the difference…
Graphic recording refers to the literal “drawing out” of ideas as they are shared in a group. The graphic recorder’s role is to listen actively, then capture the ideas in words and pictures on the side of the meeting. However, the meeting agenda is set by the Client.
Visual, or graphic facilitation refers to the design and use of visual tools, live visualisation (read: “graphic recording”), and visual-empowered group processes, to shift a group towards its desired shared future. If graphic recording is “drawing out;” then visual facilitation is a “drawing together” of people, their plans, and the big picture. The visual facilitator may play the role of lead facilitator at a meeting, or work closely with the lead facilitator.
If you require someone to work with your unique organisational challenge from end-to-end, or someone who is highly sensitive to group dynamics or the “emergent,” a visual facilitator who can also graphic record would be an ideal fit.
What is the difference between what you do, and mind-mapping?
Mind-mapping refers to a diagram where ideas are organised hierarchically and radially around (“branching out” from) a central idea. In the strictest sense, “mind maps” as popularised by Tony Buzan are highly idiosyncractic: The mindmapper is the one who decides what branches, words, images and symbols to use to quickly jot down notes on the topic. In this regard, a mind map may not make sense to someone other than the mindmapper.
On the other hand, a graphic recording is meant to be a shared record or “big picture” of what was shared at the large group. It is meant to be self-explanatory, and thus can be shared confidently with people who were not at the meeting. There is no particular way of organising information on a graphic recording. Depending on the needs of the group and conversation, a highly experienced graphic recorder would be able to either capture ideas in chronological sequence, or organise ideas around emerging themes and visual metaphors.