Graphic Recorder or Graphic Facilitator – Who should I be asking for?

by Angelique McAlpine

It's not uncommon for me to field questions from many of you who are unsure whether to inquire about Graphic Recording, Graphic Facilitation, Visual Note-taking, Scribing, Graphic Note-taking, Live Meeting Notes, or Sketch Notes. And that's perfectly okay – these industry terms can often seem like a confusing web as they mostly refer to similar services.

I've put together a brief guide that aims to clarify the 'what's what' and 'who's who' in the sphere of visual meetings. Spoiler alert: It's really just two categories.

Graphic Recorder or Visual Note-taker, Graphic Note-taker, Scribe, Visual Scribe, Graphic Scribe, Meeting Illustrator, Sketch Noter etc. All the same thing!
We are passive presence in the room listening intently and drawing what we hear;. We may create a single drawing that synthesizes major themes and connections, or many detailed drawings throughout the event.  A full portfolio of my Graphic Recordings can be viewed here.

Sample of a GRAPHIC RECORDING. This piece is a synthesis of a full day of community listening sessions and breakout groups held virtually

Graphic Facilitator 
​A Graphic Facilitator takes an active role designing and guiding participants through a process, using visual tools such as templates, visualization cards, stickies, digital feedback tools, Mural and Miro, etc. Below is a template designed by a facilitator and the Graphic Facilitator working in partnership. Also shown is the template after the group worked their way through interactive processes that had them working individually, in pairs, and small groups, with a full group share out.

Sample of a template used during a session that used just a few of the visual tools of GRAPHIC FACILITATION.