What Is Graphic Recording? A Simple Guide for NGO and Conference Organisers

Graphic recording is the practice of drawing what people are saying, live, as a conversation or event happens. A graphic recorder (also called a visual scribe or visual sense-makers) listens, makes sense of the ideas in the room and turns them into one large, connected picture of words and images.

How graphic recording works

During a conference, workshop or strategy day, the graphic recorder works on a large board, a wall or a digital tablet. They capture the key ideas, quotes and connections from each session. At the end, participants can see the whole conversation at a glance.

• In person: drawn on large paper or boards in the room, often next to the stage

• Remote or hybrid: drawn digitally and shared on screen during the event or in breaks

• Afterwards: high-resolution images for reports, presentations, websites and social media

Graphic recording, visual scribing and graphic facilitation

Graphic recording and visual scribing usually mean the same thing: capturing a conversation visually. Graphic facilitation is slightly different, because the facilitator also guides the group's process using visuals. Many practitioners, including me, use both. I especially like using it as a reflexive tool to provoke further discussions and reflection.

Why NGOs and mission-driven organisations use it

• People see the big picture and how ideas connect, no matter the language

• Participants feel heard when their words appear on the wall, especially good for those often excluded

• Complex topics, from systems change to peacebuilding, become easier to discuss

• The visuals keep working after the event, in reports, toolkits and funder updates

When to book a graphic recorder

Graphic recording works well at conferences, NGO summits, learning events, strategy retreats, community consultations and online gatherings. It is most useful when many voices need to be brought together into a shared understanding.

I'm Alex Plummer, a live graphic recorder and Rotary Peace Fellow. I've drawn for organisations including UNDP small grants, Catholic Relief Services, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Rotary and EMCC Global.

Planning a conference, summit or strategy day? Book a short call and let's talk about how live visuals can help your audience see the big picture.