At a recent event, I found myself deep in conversation with someone who was genuinely curious about graphic recording. She wanted to know how I decide what to capture—and just as importantly, what to leave out. It’s a great question, because it gets right to the heart of how our brains work when we’re drawing in real time.
Graphic recorders rely on small visual “vignettes” to shape the flow of information and add layers of meaning. I’m constantly asking myself: How will someone experience this later? Where will their eyes travel first? What will help them land on the key ideas?
Words and titles give the structure—but the drawings live inside that frame. When you’re deeply listening, those vignettes act like a giant visual highlighter, inviting people to pause, look closer, and make sense of the moment.
One of the subtle strengths of graphic recording is how small visual vignettes—little scenes, icons, and characters—add meaning that words alone can’t capture.
Colour That Creates Mood: A splash of colour guides the eye and sets the emotional tone. Warm hues add energy; cool tones bring calm. Colour quickly communicates what matters.
Composition That Clarifies: Even tiny visuals shape the overall flow. A vignette placed thoughtfully can balance the page, break up dense content, and help viewers navigate ideas with ease.
People That Build Connection: Simple characters and gestures add humanity. When people see people, they relate—and they remember. Small figures can reinforce collaboration, hope, or shared purpose.
Words With Intention: In graphic recording, words and visuals work together. Placing key phrases within or beside a vignette deepens understanding and makes insights stick.
These little visuals may be small, but their impact is big—they help participants feel the content, not just read it.
For fun- Check out some little vignettes below from the Canadian Inclusive Green Spaces Symposium.
