Since 2020, we’ve seen a huge jump in requests for digital graphic recording in online meetings—and honestly, we’re still loving it. Drawing and capturing ideas on our iPads has opened up so many possibilities beyond pandemic safety. At ThinkLink Graphics, we’ve discovered that virtual graphic recording is flexible, powerful, and a great way to bring visuals, charts, and illustrations into any online meeting—literally at the swipe of a finger.
Now that we’ve become pros at digitally recording meetings and events, we wanted to share a list of tips to help make sure that your virtual graphic recording delivers maximum value.
1. Connect with your graphic recorder ahead of time
It always helps to connect with your graphic recorder before the meeting. We’ll review the agenda, chat about goals, and figure out how we can make the visuals support your discussion.
2. Go through the Agenda to identify the graphic recording sweet spots
Not every minute of a meeting needs graphics, but there are some moments where it really shines:
- Synthesizing report-backs and updates
- Capturing multiple perspectives to help everyone reach a shared understanding
- Multi-day events where you want to weave together themes over time
- Helping areas of the agenda become more engaging for brainstorming and creative thinking
3. Create a “dream team” with your graphic recorder and facilitator
If there’s a facilitator running the meeting, we coordinate with them to make sure our visuals complement their activities. Connecting early ensures everything flows together seamlessly. During the online meeting, the facilitator and graphic recorder can really support eachother. For example: the online chat is a goldmine of ideas and reactions, and we graphic recorders only have 2 eyeballs! Facilitators can help by reading key chat messages aloud so we can include them in real time. And, because graphic recorders are deeply listening, they can help propel meetings forward with visual synthesis. Often, the facilititator can refer to the metaphors and visual storytelling emerging within the graphic recording to keep the conversation efficient.
4. Share the graphics in the meeting (WOW, they really are drawing as we speak!)
Video feed: The graphic becomes a “participant” in the meeting. The moderator or facilitator of the meeting can invite participants to pin it to their screens to explore at their own pace.
Overhead view: With the document camera on, you can watch the graphic recorder’s hand in action—fun and engaging!
Tip: The more the audience sees the drawing happen in real-time, the stronger the connection to the content.
5. Test your tech
Before the big meeting, schedule a test run. Make sure the graphics display clearly, transitions work between breakouts, and the recorder has any necessary audio cues. Pro tip: record the session as a backup!
6. Capture breakout sessions
Breakouts are rich in ideas. Here’s how we make sure nothing gets missed:
- Groups report back their top 2–3 ideas to the full group
- The graphic recorder hops between breakouts for highlights
- Have more than one graphic recorder so as to dedicate an artist to each breakout session.
- Assign a note-taker in each group to feed content back to the graphic recorder to encorporate after
7. Walk through the graphics at the end
Reserve 5–10 minutes at the end for a “reveal” or walk-through. Spotlight the graphic for everyone to see while the graphic recorder zooms in and makes sure the ipad is in focus. This gives the group a chance to reflect, ask questions, provide feedback, and reconnect with the key ideas. Your graphic recorder can offer additional thoughts and insights during this time, or the artwork can be used as an effective closing tool. We have seen several groups highlight the graphic at the ned of a meeting to give as sense of closure and to celebrate the collaboration and achievement.
In this video walk-through, Devon Kerslake reflects on a graphic recording that was created for Mass Culture. The piece was created during a virtual gathering about the current climate of arts funding in Canada.
8. Use the graphics after the meeting
Graphic recordings don’t stop at the meeting. Here are some ways to maximize graphic recordings:
- Communication tools—use them in reports, presentations, or as visual executive summaries Tip: you can easily share graphic recordings with people that may have missed the meeting
- Tangible artifacts—frame them, print them on calendars, mugs, or cards
- Social media—share snippets to spark discussion
- Time-lapse videos—watch the concepts come to life and add voiceover or meeting clips
At ThinkLink, we love helping clients turn visuals into ongoing conversation starters that last long after the meeting ends.
Planning an event? Whether you’re just starting or need help ASAP, we’re always happy to chat about how to make graphic recording work for your online meetings. Reach out to hello@thinklinkgraphics.com
