EDUCATION SPECIAL
GRAPHIC RECORDING AND EDUCATION
meetings and events by listening to their messages and ideas and translating them into visual narratives through drawing. I got into the field from meeting a fellow graphic recorder at a networking event and had the opportunity to train with them
Graphic recording, sketch-noting, visual summaries,
before starting out on what has been an incredibly fulfilling
live drawing; these are a few terms used, sometimes
journey which has had its fair share of ups and downs.
interchangeably, for the visual interpreting and documenting of events, conferences, meetings and seminars. We caught up with Graphic Recorders Laura Sorvala and Eleanor Beer to ask them about their work, adapting during the pandemic and the value of combining art and information. Can you tell me a little bit about what you do and how you got started in the field? Laura Sorvala I am an illustrator and graphic recorder with
I often receive feedback about how seeing the visuals develop throughout an event is helpful for re-enforcing key messages
a knack for visualising ideas into inspiring visuals. I'm based
How do you think graphic recording adds value to an
in Cardiff, Wales but work with clients across the UK and
event on, or, offline?
Europe. My background is in graphic and branding design and I discovered the joys of graphic recording about 10 years ago
LS: You can break this into three areas: learning, engagement
trying it out at a workshop and thinking 'this is exactly how my
and marketing. Live graphic recording can help with
brain works!' Back then there weren't many people doing live
memory retention and recall and it supports multimodal
illustration in the UK so while I entered a niche area, it
learning. Another benefit is seeing key points visualised as a
was also harder to explain the benefits and value of graphic
group memory, a powerful tool for facilitation and group
recording. It's great to see how the industry and discipline
discussion. I often receive feedback about how seeing the
have flourished and these days it's easy to find different styles
visuals develop throughout an event is helpful for re-enforcing
and approaches for different event engagement purposes.
key messages especially with those with dyslexia or autism. For offline events seeing the physical piece works especially
Eleanor Beer I have a rather unusual job which supports and
well for people to come and help reflect on what they have
empowers people in having better working relationships via
heard and the visual always creates a natural networking area.
creative means. That is, I help organisations to improve their
Finally the visuals often prompt people to take photos for their own record and share them on social media: this extends the event audience and can make conversation continue even after the event has finished. So for marketing purposes that works a treat but finished event visuals can also be used in reports, blog posts, newsletters and in training materials provided that the image use and license has been agreed on. In the digital realm things can work a
© Laura Sorvala
bit differently: I mostly create visual summaries that are used after the event to show impact and promote engagement. For many of my clients a live, digital illustration feed in a virtual 12
| September 2021
