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What is Graphic Facilitation?

Graphic facilitation uses visuals to enhance traditional facilitation of a group. Visuals can include hand-drawn charts, visual templates, posters, and group visual exercises. Visuals are especially adept during events that need to set goals and determine steps or actions to achieve those goals.

How is Graphic Facilitation Different than Graphic Recording?

When someone reaches out to me to graphic record or graphic facilitate for them, I always make sure to clarify which role they want me to take. The biggest differences between working with me as a graphic recorder versus a graphic facilitator is the amount and type of work you want me to do both before the event and in the room.

A Graphic recorder is more of a visual note taker, capturing the substance of a conversation for the participants. (For more information, look at the Graphic Recorder page.) I will usually be drawing on a chart on the side of the room, not taking part in the conversation itself.

As a graphic facilitator, we will work together during the planning process to determine the best way to facilitate a group to meet your goals. During the event, I will facilitate or co-facilitate from the front of the room while visually capturing, organizing, and synthesizing the information shared.

How do I Work with You as a Graphic Facilitator?

We will work together ahead of time to determine your goals, the process and agenda, when or how you want me to facilitate, whether we will team facilitate, what kinds of activities might help the conversation, and room set up. We will have planning calls and many emails. I will make recommendations and help you plan the process and prepare an agenda, determine some visual templates to use, and find other visual aids that will best support the conversations. Your goals and the choices we make together will affect how the session takes shape. In the room, I will be at the front facilitating or co-facilitating the group while capturing the conversation with large paper and markers. I will help synthesize and make meaning out of what is being said by asking questions, organizing the information, and finding connections with and for the participants. You can keep the original drawings and I will take photos and digitally enhance the charts to send to you. I can also make recommendations on how you could leverage the images with your participants after the event. If there were follow up actions, recommendations, or a “parking lot” of topics to get back to another time, I will document and send you these as well. 

When Would I Use a Graphic Facilitator?

You want a graphic facilitator at live events, such as meetings of varying sizes, presentations, workshops, classes, or conferences. A graphic facilitator can provide clarity and more effective communication in group or team situations. Having the visual component appeals to multiple learning types, gains attention and interest, and improves memory retention. It also provides visual documentation of an event.

When Should I Contact you About an Event?

If you have decided you want a graphic facilitator for your event, you should contact me as soon as possible. This ensures that:

1. I can reserve your date on my schedule. 
2. We can clarify my role and how you want me to support your event
3. We have plenty of time to work together to plan a successful event. 
4. I can gather any needed supplies or send them to the event location if it is not local.