Yes, there are 2 i’s in Liisa’s name- it’s Finnish!
Liisa Sorsa is the co-founder of ThinkLink Graphics and she has been drawing and innovating in the field for over 20 years. Liisa has a design background, and her journey into graphic facilitation began at Bell Canada, where early exposure to Accelerated Solutions Environments showed her just how powerful visual thinking could be. She’s helped shape the field of graphic recording with her signature lush illustrative style, her innovative use of materials and her bold approach to composition.
As a lifelong doodler (Liisa’s words), mentor, and master of graphic recording (our words!), Liisa continues to inspire clients, collaborators, and fellow practitioners alike. Her leadership is a reminder that when you find your people… and trust the power of visuals… amazing things can happen.
Recently, I asked Liisa to answer a tiny Q&A to help give some insight into her unique approach to graphic recording:
What’s the first thing you listen for when a meeting starts?
At the start of the event, we usually hear the speaker(s) talk about the purpose and objectives for gathering. I listen for those key points because I like to connect their goals for the meeting with the themes from the presenters and the dialogue.
What kind of detail do you secretly love drawing over and over?
I love drawing people. Sometimes I’ll draw more detailed vignettes of people talking or gathering, and other times I’ll pepper in silhouette people or outlines. I also tend to draw hands, connector banners (or what we call “spanners). These are usually words that summarize larger themes that we hear.When things get complex, what helps you stay grounded while drawing?
Taking a step back from the board helps me stay grounded. When things are moving too fast, I listen, jot down what I’m hearing on sticky notes, and look for themes to connect the ideas. This allows me to capture the content without commitment to the larger board. This helps to look at the bigger themes without getting trapped in the minutia.What’s a small thing you do to help clients feel seen or supported?
During an event, I will engage with the client and attendees by asking them if there’s anything they’d like to add to what’ they’re seeing so far. I’ll often review what I’ve captures so far (during breaks) and let them know my thinking for the next few activities. People really appreciate being asked for feedback.How do you hope people feel when they look at your finished graphic?
I hope people feel an emotional connection in the work that we do. I want them to feel heard. I want them to see themselves reflected in the work. And, most importantly, to see the hard work they’ve done and the solutions they’ve committed to going forward.
You can find more of Liisa’s work over on our PROJECTS section and on our INSTAGRAM page!
Have a project or event in mind for Liisa? We would love to hear from you!
Please get in touch by sending an email to: hello@thinklinkgraphics.com
