“Is it graphic recording, live illustration or visual notes? Which do I need?”
A breakdown of what each term means, and how they can work for you.
I’ll be the first to admit: for an industry dedicated to making complex information clear and accessible, our own jargon and overlaps can be confusing.
There are a lot of names for graphic recording, and while there are important distinctions between many, some are interchangeable
So, here is your simple guide, complete with real world examples, to the most popular terms and what they actually mean for your event or project.
Graphic Recording (Live and… Not Live)
Starting with what I most commonly call myself, and the most broadly used term for capturing written or spoken content visually, is graphic recording.
This can be live at in-person events like conferences, summits and workshops; or for virtual and hybrid events like online meetings and webinars. basically wherever ideas and information are shared, graphic recording uses visual storytelling in real time to make it easy to understand and remember. I’ll dive into this next, along with its interchangeable names.
But graphic recording isn’t always live. We use many of the same techniques to transform written or audio material like podcasts, reports, even a stack of scribbled notes, into clear and concise visuals that capture audience attention, deliver the key points, and spark interest in the full piece (it’s your hard work, after all!)
✨Live✨ Graphic Recording
AKA: visual minutes, event scribing, visual note taking, and event illustration
I see the above names being used interchangeably, and when I’m introduced at events as any, I’m happy. Whether I’m in the room at a panel talk or keynote session, or virtually joining an online meeting, my role remains the same:
Transforming thousands of spoken words into a single, cohesive graphic that everyone can follow in the moment and refer back to afterwards.
I will also add that not all live illustrators are graphic recorders. Many live illustrators create portraits at weddings or fashion events, and some paint murals or large scale pieces as performance art. But when live illustrators are translating ideas and information into pictures, to amplify and clarify meaning? That’s graphic recording.
Here’s what a visual summary captured live can look like (all examples are linked to the event/project’s case study):
I illustrated this at a charity event hosted by a number of corporate companies, a combined effort to celebrate their people, challenge sporting stereotypes and connect with their wider audiences. Having a shareable visual of the day allowed them to compound this effect by including it in their follow up communications and social platforms.
One of the best things about live graphic recording is that it can be made an event feature, so as well as having a lasting visual memory, event attendees can watch speakers’ words come to life in real time.
Graphic recorders who work with pens and board can be positioned prominently.
For digital graphic recorders like me, this means beaming my digital canvas onto venue monitors or for digital, streaming from the iPad, throughout, at key points, or as a reveal at the end. On the other end of the ‘visibility scale’ digital graphic recorders can be extremely discreet, by:
Blending in among the audience.
Moving subtly between in-depth workshop discussions.
Easily changing rooms for larger events, to capture a cross section of the day.
Illustrated Infographics & Visual Summaries
Some call it non-live or studio graphic recording
While live graphic recording happens in the moment, infographics and visual summaries created in the studio allow you to send over audio, slide decks or lengthy documents and receive a beautifully structured visual summary ready to share.
Unlike ‘standard’ corporate infographics (which can sometimes feel a bit generic or sterile), infographics by a graphic recorder are often hand-drawn, and have a human warmth that draws people in, making complex ideas feel instantly approachable, even friendly. This is why you might see me calling them “illustrated infographics” or “visual summaries” to make that distinction clear.
If you’ve made it this far and wonder where the rest is… congrats! You’ve found this guide before it’s even finished.
I’ve stopped writing for today, but if you can’t wait to know more, use the scheduler below to put a quick call in my diary. I’m always happy to answer questions about graphic recording (I could talk about it all day tbh).
Let’s Chat
If this jargon busting 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 are working on.