Graphic Recording
Real-time visual documentation of meetings, presentations, and events using drawings and text.
Also known as: Graphic Facilitation, Visual Recording, Live Scribing, Scribing
Category: Techniques
Tags: visualization, communications, meetings, facilitation, note-taking
Explanation
Graphic Recording (also called Graphic Facilitation or Visual Recording) is the practice of creating large-scale visual summaries of meetings, conferences, and events in real-time. A graphic recorder listens to discussions and translates key ideas, themes, and connections into drawings, icons, and text on a large surface visible to all participants.
**Key Elements**:
- **Live capture**: Created in real-time as discussions unfold
- **Large format**: Typically on whiteboards, paper rolls, or digital displays
- **Visual synthesis**: Distills complex discussions into memorable images
- **Shared artifact**: Creates a common reference point for participants
**Benefits**:
- Increases engagement and attention during meetings
- Helps participants see the big picture and connections
- Creates memorable documentation of discussions
- Supports different learning styles (visual learners)
- Encourages creative and divergent thinking
- Provides shareable summary of events
**Techniques Used**:
- Simple iconography and symbols
- Typography and hand lettering
- Color coding for themes
- Spatial organization of ideas
- Metaphors and visual frameworks
**Relationship to Sketchnoting**:
While sketchnoting is personal and small-scale, graphic recording is public and large-scale. Both use similar visual vocabulary but serve different purposes—personal understanding vs. group documentation.
**In PKM Context**:
The principles of graphic recording can enhance personal note-taking by encouraging visual synthesis and big-picture thinking during learning and meetings.
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