Live Illustration

Live Illustration is fun to watch; however, it need not be the center of attention.  So the answer to 'where does a graphic recorder / live illustrator stand?'   Matt has stood on the stage behind speakers, on the side of the room, or far in the back.

If graphic recordings boards are to be moved quickly from a ball/conference room to a common area- it is a good idea to find a location with a quick and easy path between both.

We draw on paper, whiteboards, and foam core material.  We utilize easels and our own set of moveable wall panels.  Preliminary conversations will define which material is best for your event and how we will get it on site.

Matt will load and bring all materials for most events within driving distance of the Big Paper Studio.  When plane travel is required, we may work with your event team to secure a drawing surface.  We utilize art supply stores as well as national supply distributors to secure materials.

Depending on the project and location, we may ask for the provision of easels - which are generally available at hotels, conference centers, and other typical meeting locations.

Lastly, a small table and low chair are requested to set materials on during a live illustration.

A vast majority of human beings are visual learners. While PowerPoint presentations are helpful, a unique and eclectic creative experience can engage meeting attendees in new ways.

Hiring a live illustrator or visual practitioner shows investment in your people. Being able to hear "Wow, I didn't think they thought we were worth this much" shows your employees that they are valued.

Having a live illustrator practically guarantees that meeting takeaways will not be forgotten.  Attendees often snap photographs of Big Paper creations.

Bringing in an outsider brings a new perspective to any meeting. Not only do we help ask the stupid questions no one else is seeking, but our loyalty rests solely with the outcome, Asking tough questions and being a No-Person in a series of Yes-men is freeing to all people involved.

Bringing a mind with other-industry knowledge, a wide array of experiences, and both left and right brain thought helps head in new directions and inspire creativity.

Photographs of created images can be used for internal communications, slide share presentations, reports, sales tools for future event ticket sales, and even leveraged in print on coffee mugs, awards, and more.

Our work is often hung or placed in corporate offices, employee lounges and reflects past events and excitement.  Some clients professionally mount graphic recordings in frames behind glass or clear plexiglass.

Images can be recreated digitally in high precision vector format- making them applicable for mural work and prominent signage.  See examples of our virtual/ digital sketchnotes (popular during the pandemic) to get an idea of our vector art style.

Graphic recording is the act of creating illustrations that follow the verbal components of a meeting, talk, or conference through summaries in both written word and graphics. I use this phrase interchangeably with live illustration.

A graphic recorder will use large surfaces ( foam boards, paper, chalkboard, whiteboard), high-quality markers, and other marking tools. Drawings can be created before the group experiencing the discussion or revealed afterward and presented with other images in a collection.

Using concepts of visual storytelling, a graphic recorder will translate facts and figures into characters, emotions, metaphors, and dialogues. The resultant imagery creates stories with which viewers can involve themselves instead of forgettable bullet-point lists.

The three skills involved with graphic recording are listening, synthesizing, and drawing, most often in real-time. Leading businesses and event organizers continually seek deeper engagement for their visual learners - and live illustration is a delightful and surprising way to do so.