At ThinkLink Graphics, we often turn around mid-event to find a child mesmerized by what we are doing.
While it’s not officially ‘part of the job,’ many of us feel that engaging with youth during an event is really important: after all, it’s their story, and they deserve to have a hand in telling it. Sometimes we invite them to colour beside us, sometimes we just take a moment to ask them about the art that they make. For many kids, this might be the first time that they have ever seen an artist working up close!
When kids color alongside us during a graphic recording session, they’re doing more than just filling in colour… They’re actively contributing to the visual story, helping ideas, emotions, and conversations come to life. By participating, they move from being an observer to a collaborator. Often, the contributions of these young community members make the final piece richer, brighter, and full of their unique perspective. Whenever possible, we simply welcome kids to feel what it is like to draw with our markers on a big board. It is a simple act to create this welcoming space for young artists… but we feel that planting the seed of creativity is worth the effort.
This kind of hands-on creative collaboration encourages confidence, sparks imagination, and shows young people that their voice matters. Even small contributions can make a big difference, and by joining in, kids see firsthand that they can shape the stories around them. For us, it feels so good to share the field of graphic recording with future artists and witness their enthusiasm.
Here is the bonus: having youth involved keeps the sessions lively and it’s inspiring for us too—it reminds us why we love visual storytelling and the power of collaboration.
So, if a child wants to chat with us, or is curious about trying out a marker (or two!) during a graphic recording session, we very often say yes. Sure, the work of graphic recording is a serious skill and requires a lot of focus and attention- but if we can nurture a child’s creativity or boost their confidence- we always try to find a way!
