About | VP Drawesome

We are an Irish network of independent visual practitioners.

We are passionate about the power of visuals to connect people and ideas in creative ways.

Are you interested in working with us, but not sure what or who you need? Below we explain what graphic recording and visual facilitation are and what both can look like. As members of the Drawesome network we collaborate on larger events requiring multiple practitioners, but we also work independently with clients. You can contact us as a collective or reach out to individual practitioners directly yourself (find contact info on our profile pages).

What is Graphic Recording?

Simply put, graphic recording is the live capture of ideas in a visual way. A graphic recorder works in real-time in conjunction with day hosts, but doesn't take an active facilitation role herself. Graphic recording is also referred to as live illustration, graphic harvesting, scribing, sketchnoting or visual note-taking. It can be done in-person on paper or boards and it can also be done digitally, in-person or remotely. You can see examples of these options below and on our individual profile pages.

Why do you need a Graphic Recorder?

Instant Images

Graphic recording captures ideas and expressions as they are being spoken. This can be part of conferences, trainings, design sprints or any gathering of people. A graphic recorder will illustrate your ideas in real-time at your event, making your ideas engaging, shareable and actionable - instantly.

in a World of Information Overload

Meetings and conferences are often packed with great ideas and insights which are lost when people leave the room. These ideas are often complex, with many inter-relating parts. Having a displayable visual overview of all ideas aids reflection and processing of information. By finding patterns or visualising imagined scenarios, graphic recording aids in building new perceptions and alternatives and creating a shared vision.

Inclusion

Sometimes stakeholders come from very different worlds and everyday language can be a block to empathy building or understanding. Engagement processes are often enhanced with visual and unusual means of recording thoughts. Graphic recording helps people to feel heard, because they can literally see their voice represented on the wall.

What is Visual Facilitation?

Visual (or graphic) facilitation is about using visuals as tools to help a group achieve a shared purpose. When graphic recording becomes co-creative as part of a facilitation process with the use of visual templates, visual teaching aids, mental models, diagrams, and so on, it becomes visual facilitation. A visual facilitator will design and lead a process using visuals as part of their repertoire.