Graphic Recording has many names*. Anyone trying to google someone who does what I do will attest to that!
Whatever the term you use to describe it, most people will agree, live Graphic Recording is a really unique and special addition to a meeting.
My live drawing illuminates otherwise commonplace meetings and anchors the event in the memories of the attendees, with the document itself being something that can be referred back to for years to come.
As your meeting goes on, I capture the feel and purpose of the the day, the things that are said, and I visualise the concepts.
Here is a testimonial from a satisfied client;
“Ben is our “go-to-guy” for Graphic Recording. He is great to work with and works hard to make sure that he understands the brief and the required outputs.
Every time we’ve used him, he has created a beautiful and informative set of visual minutes which have brilliantly captured not only the detail, but the spirit of the meeting.
His manner puts people at ease, and everyone involved has seen the value and the benefits of having minutes and actions captured this way. I would wholeheartedly endorse
Ben’s work and we wouldn’t even think of using anyone else” – Rev Phillip Johnson- Vicar, Malvern Link
My Graphic Recording Style
My style of Graphic Recording is bright, colorful and full of personality. My compositions are bespoke rather than cookie-cutter and I try to include likenesses of the meeting
attendees(unless this isn’t called for, some may object!).
A Graphic Recording should reflect the live dynamics of a meeting while fulfilling the purpose that the client wishes the document to fulfil.
I achieve this by liaising with the client in the weeks before the meeting, using the meeting plan to create a draft composition to ensure we are on the same wavelength so that when I draw the piece live I know exactly how much space to dedicate to each meeting section
MY PROCESS
In the lead up to the meeting I ensure that the client and I are agree as to the rough composition of the minutes, so that on the day I can focus on what is being said and capture the live essence.
Practically, I usually require a 1.5 metre by 2 metre stretch of clean wall upon which my paper can be attached(with low tack masking tape to avoid marks).
After having attached the paper to the wall i sketch out the composition of my graphic recording so that i’m ready for the start of the meeting.
During the meeting I take photos of people and documentation that I can work into the graphic recording, I document pertinent things people say, and I draw any symbols or other parts of the recording
during times when people aren’t saying what needs to be recorded.
At the end of the meeting it usually behoves me to have extra time in the room to finish any unfinished parts of the graphic recording, but if the room is unavailable I may be able to complete the
work remotely and send the minutes, either digitally or by post.
Where I go and what kind of events I attend
I have attended important meetings for CareUK, Pullman, The Active Wellbeing Society, King’s College, Accord Group and Sense and though based in Birmingham I’m able to travel across the
West Midlands and the wider UK.
Corporate away days, Vision meetings, AGMs, Charity get-togethers, town hall meetings and a whole raft of occasions could benefit from a graphic recording.
Any important moment that could benefit from being marked in a visual way, I would recommend a graphic recorder for that occasion.
A reason to chose me is, I’m communicative before and during a meeting, a creative and friendly presence and easy to work with in general.
If considering a graphic recording feel free to ask any questions; https://penjones.co.uk/contact/
Thanks for reading, and have a happy meeting!
Ben ‘Pen’ Jones
*It’s also been referred to as Live illustration, Visual note-taking, Illustrated meetings, Live scribing, Creative documentation, Visual facilitation, Visual minutes, Visual recording and
Visual Scribing. Would it be handy if there was one name for it? Yes, but where’s the fun in that?