You might attend an event and see someone drawing quickly on the stage behind the speaker. Or maybe you see cool visual notes shared on Twitter.
What is this called? Graphic recording? Sketchnotes? Visual notes? Infodoodling? Graphic facilitation?
Let me try to add a little clarity for you. All of these practices involve hand-drawn infographics that combine words into pictures to convey complex ideas in a visual manner.
Graphic facilitation happens when the image maker is also leading and directing a conversation about change. With graphic facilitation, a facilitator leads a small group of people such as a committee, a C-suite team, or a board through a process that helps them make decisions about their group. A graphic facilitator designs the format of the conversation and draws it out visually as she leads it. Attendees often contribute to the visual conversation through the use of sticky notes or writing the paper. Sometimes a facilitator may lead the conversation and employ a graphic recorder to record the conversation visually.
>> Using a graphic conversation to create a plan of action or come to a consensus
Graphic recording is the art of translating a conversation, public address, presentation, or panel into words and images in real time. Images can be created with marker pens on large pieces of paper or hand-drawn on an iPad and projected on a screen.
>> Publically recording a conversation or session
Sketchnotes are similar to graphic recording, but they are created on a small scale. A sketchnote artist usually sits with the audience and creates sketchnotes in a notebook or on an iPad. These images are shared via social media during or after the event. Sketchnotes may be created of videos or podcasts as well as a form of show notes.
>> Capturing a conversation, presentation, video.
Graphic facilitation, graphic recording, and sketchnotes all combine words and pictures to engage both sides of the brain for higher retention. A little more clarity in the world is a great thing!
Anne McColl is Creative Director and Chief Infodoodler at LiquidSketchStudio.com, a Southern California graphic recording boutique that provides digital and large graphic recording + sketchnote services for events and meetings. Her mission is to make powerful ideas easy to share. Subscribe for updates on visual thinking for business.