I sometimes get asked what a typical day looks like as a self-employed “illustrator of ideas and information”.
And if you’re not familiar with graphic recording, it’s turning complex information into clear, shareable, memorable visual summaries. When it’s done live (e.g. at conferences or workshops) it’s often called live event illustration. Head to my portfolio for real world examples.
I should start by saying there’s no such thing as a typical day here! Because I offer three core services, (in person and remote live event illustration, infographics, and soon, animated explainer videos) my location and focus shifts constantly. There are also many days that look deathly boring to anyone else as I tinker with the workings of the business itself hunched over my laptop.
But let me take you along for my favourite kind: live illustrating locally, here in London.
8:45am
With many events starting later in the morning or even in the afternoon, I often have time to cycle my 5 year old to school before getting “event ready”.
This usually means putting together an outfit that fits the event; formal for corporate conferences, colourful for more playful events or when I’m the creative event feature! Then, I pack my my iPad and its various cables and spares into a small tech bag.
10:00am - Coffee & Commute
I’ve lived in London for around 15 years, but something still feels so special about whizzing by Tube to live illustrate at a central London venue. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of the feeling of being brought in as a visual partner at events people look forward to for months.
I pick up a coffee for the commute, check over my digital canvas and read through the agenda (for the tenth time, just to be sure) on the train.
11:00am - Arrival
After arriving at the event venue, I track down the organiser to say a proper hello, check the tech setup if streaming my canvas, and settle into my spot.
Sometimes, this is as basic as an allocated seat among the audience with a clear view of the stage. For other events, I set up a dedicated "“live illustration station” with a side monitor displaying my illustration coming to life in real time or just during breaks.
11:30 am - Event Starts
As guests file into the venue, I’m already getting a sense of the mood, which can differ wildly from one event to the next. For example, environmental workshops, especially those following heavy global gatherings like COP, can carry a pensive or even weary tone. By contrast, celebrations and innovation summits often start off buzzing with energy and chatter.
I like to weave that feeling into the event’s visual summary, so when guests look back, they’re reminded not just of what was said, but how it actually felt to be there.
As the keynotes and panels are introduced, I find my flow state. I listen for the recurring ideas, the threads that connect them, and subtle shifts in the room’s energy that tell me when something resonates. The drawing part is what happens automatically, and an illustrated visual summary starts to take shape.
1:00pm - Lunch
The discussion pauses and a queue forms for the catering. I sometimes use that moment to reflect on what I’ve illustrated so far and whether it seems like an accurate balance of the key themes so far.
I then join the crowds to eat and chat, often answering questions about live illustration, how the visual summary is coming together and how guests will receive the piece after the event (decided with the organiser in advance). It’s always lovely to hear when guests have been fascinated watching speakers’ words come alive, or that they’ve taken in so much more by visiting the illustration after a talk.
2:00pm
Moving into the second half of the agenda, I get back to my position and find my rhythm again, while sensing whether the tone has shifted over the break.
I’m always paying attention to timings and ensuring the live illustration’s structure fits within its “chunk”. It can be tempting to illustrate everything! But we’d end up with a visually overwhelming piece, so discernment and sensitivity to what speakers and delegates seem to care about most is key.
4:00pm - Event Close
While the final speaker was making their closing remarks, I was finalising and exporting the event’s visual summary to share instantly with the organisers. This means they can beam a complete picture of the day onto the main screen while guests network, immediately share a snapshot to socials, or both!
I hang out a while to chat to the organisers, speakers and guests, before heading home.
While some events are much longer, even running across multiple days or involving cross-country/international travel, this is a fairly normal routine when live illustrating London events.
One of the things I love most about digital live illustration is the ability to share images right away, meaning the work ends with the event. (I do offer a round of tweaks, but I won’t hear about this until the following day or so!) There’s no heavy board or suitcase of pens to transport — I get to enjoy my child, dog, and probably some knitting to decompress.
If you’d like to learn more about how digital graphic recording works, here’s a guide I made. If you’re considering a live illustrator for your next event, you might like to read my pricing guide. And if you want to hear it straight from me, claim your free chat and pop a call in our diaries below.