3 Top Benefits of Digital Live Illustration for Events
Why I choose paperless graphic recording: from low-waste to fast file turnaround
The first event I ever live illustrated was a London climate summit, and it was here I made the conscious decision to graphic record digitally. It just made sense: no material waste, no heavy items to transport and approximately zero shipping footprint (besides my Tube journey!)
What started as an eco-friendly choice actually offers so much flexibility for clients, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Now, whether I’m working with environmental non-profits, health researchers or corporate teams, I choose to scribe digitally every time because:
I can connect to venue screens (or virtual feeds, if the event is online) so guests can see ideas and information come to life in real time, just like if I was painting on a giant board.
Unmatched mobility! Whether I’m scribing across multiple conference rooms or travelling internationally, a compact iPad setup lets me move around freely and discreetly.
My favourite: zero digitisation time. Files are available right after events, with tons of flexibility for various applications, so clients get maximum mileage from each visual summary: from same day social media posts to printed wall art.
Let’s dive in…
1. Seamless Connectivity Across In-Person and Online Events
When event organisers choose a digital graphic recorder, live screen streaming is often top of the list.
An iPad can hook up directly to stage displays or AV setups. All we need to do is agree in advance, I’ll check in with your event tech team and work in a connection test on the day. For simpler setups, I can drop the image over for display at an event’s close, acting as a recap of the day.
Working paperlessly also ensures a seamless experience across online and hybrid events. I can stream my digital canvas directly into virtual feeds (like Teams or Zoom), so remote attendees get the same real-time visual notes as guests in the room.
Example: At a multi-location conference inspiring faith-led climate action, I live illustrated speaker portraits alongside inspiring quotes for stage displays and real-time social posts. At the same time, I live illustrated a suite of visual summaries of each day, becoming the organisation’s follow-up and debrief images.
2. Freedom to Move: Room-to-Room, UK-Wide & International Travel
One of the best practical advantages of digital graphic recording is total freedom to move, not just between breakout discussions or rooms at a single event, but to travel nationally and internationally.
For events here in London, across the UK and even travelling globally, I can pack everything needed to create a high-impact live visual summary in a single bag and arrive ready to illustrate.
Did you know?
A digital graphic recorder only needs a few tools to capture the visual notes for an event:
A tablet. I choose an iPad, usually opting for refurbished and using it as long as it works well for minimal environmental impact.
A stylus, in my case an iPencil.
Drawing software. My favourite is Procreate for its easy interface, but I use Adobe Fresco when the artwork will be used at large scale.
Cables for charging and connecting to displays, plus spares of course.
For a corporate charity event, I moved between challenges on the golf course, panel discussions at the clubhouse, even illustrating on the shuttle bus! Then later displaying a time-lapse video of the process on loop for the event’s evening networking session.
3. No Lead Time After Events! Files Shared Right After
The moment your event wraps up, guest engagement and inspiration built through the day could be at its peak. That 24 hour window is a prime opportunity to reach wider online audiences and give delegates immediate takeaways, even on their journey home, building rather than losing momentum.
As a digital graphic recorder, there are no digitisation delays. While your last speaker is making their closing remarks, I’m already exporting polished, high resolution visual assets, ready for sharing across your communications channels, like Instagram carousels, LinkedIn roundup posts or that follow-up email.
Here’s what’s included as standard with each live event illustration package:
High resolution images for digital sharing.
20-30 second time-lapse video of the illustration process.
Full sharing permissions to use your visual summaries across all your digital channels, publications, and internal communications.
Producing digital files means your visual summaries aren't just for event day. Afterwards, I can adapt your artwork for a range of future uses. Whether that's slide decks, printed wall art or postcards to send to your guests, the event’s key message lives on as a visual memento. As a qualified animator, I can even animate your visual summary into an engaging, looping video, stopping online scrollers in their tracks and holding audience attention through presentations.
Example: I illustrated this map-style visual summary of corporate values and goals in the dimensions of a wall at the company’s HQ, and provided it in a format suitable for large scale printing. Now, this giant wall art reminds staff arriving each day what they’re working towards.
Let’s Chat
If this guide has left you with any questions, or you’d like to check on my availability for your event or project, you’re very welcome to get in touch, either by emailing hi@elliefoster.com or by setting up a complimentary 15 minute call with the below scheduler.
There’s no obligation; I love to hear what people considering live illustration or infographics are working on.