What I do as a graphic facilitator
So, what do you do?
I've got a strange job. But it's a fantastic job because I get to think and draw for a living. Two of my very favorite things to do.
I'm a graphic facilitator. While a group is having a strategy session, meeting, conference, I map their conversation. I draw a big mural that captures when is being said, showing patterns and connections between ideas.
It helps to focus the group, show them the shape of their work and documents their accomplishments.
What do you mean?
Let's say you're having a two-day retreat and you need to have some messy discussion to get to some strong decisions. There will be points in your agenda where the whole group is conversing. I'd be standing at the front of the room with a big sheet of paper taped to the wall. Roughly, four feet tall and eight feet long. As the group is speaking, I'm drawing a map of the conversation. It is in real-time and in front of them. The group can literally see what they are saying.
Depending on the agenda and the meeting's objectives, I'd be drawing several of these maps a day. Each is one integrated piece, a representation of that part of the meeting showing the individual points/voices/perspectives as part of a whole drawing.
Huh. What does that look like?
Please visit my long, dusty online portfolio. It'll give you a sense of the finished drawings. The portfolio shows the time and scale of each work. If you're thinking of hiring me for your event the items labeled:
and are the best representation of what I do live and large.
As a caveat, I think that 80% of the power of my work is the process, 20% is the product. Meaning, it's being in the room, seeing your conversation become a drawing that really packs the punch. Afterwards, the drawing is an artifact of that moment in time. It's not going to mean a heckuva lot to those who weren't there.
That being said, I like to point folks to two portfolio examples first - The Wizard of Oz, and An Inconvenient Truth - because it's content a lot of people are familiar with, so the drawing may resonate more with you.
Is it mindmapping?
Mindmapping is a specific technique. Like graphic facilitation, it does get one's ideas out of their heads and onto paper with a visual process. Originally developed by Tony Buzan, it has a hub and spoke shape.
Occasionally, my work does take a mindmapping shape; especially in very fast report outs after breakout sessions, where I'm capturing lists connected to a team or a core idea.
Who do you work with?
The variety in my work is one of the best parts of my job! Most of my clients are corporate, though I'll happy work with anyone who'll pay my rate. I've worked for all sorts of industries: biotechnology, consulting, education, finance, food, medical, technology, transportation and utilities...
Sometimes I am hired by facilitators, the traditional, verbal kind. They see how partnering with me will make their client's meeting more powerful and effective. Sometimes I get hired directly by the client.
I'm happy to talk to anyone who thinks they can use my thinking and drawings skills.
Facilitator: So…you say you're a graphic facilitator. Do you… speak?
No, I'm your silent partner. I'll ask a clarifying question if I need to. It's your show. I'm helping you facilitate through my written words and images, not spoken ones.
I love being the visual partner to the facilitator. I'm very happy with my specific role. Meanwhile, I've got over two decades of event experience, so you can bounce ideas off of me.
I can be very independent or a work as your partner. I take my cue from you. We can discuss how to best integrate visual tools into your event.
We don't have a facilitator.
I'm not capable of doing both roles at once. I am dedicated to the visual capture and synthesis.
If you're the project manager, leader, boss, I can work with you. As long as you are managing the event, the time, keeping the conversation on track, I'm good.
I work in industry X, don't you need to know about my industry to be able to draw it?
Great question. In my experience, 90% of meetings are pretty universal strategy, people, resource talk. The business of doing business. Especially the kind of strategic, "fuzzy front end" type of meetings I tend to work. With my experience, I can confidently learn and adapt to the 10% that's specific to your company and objectives.
If you were having a very nuts and bolts tactical meeting, I may not be as valuable. I'd be happy to talk to you about your specific needs.
I like what you do, but I don't know how to use you.
If you haven't been in a meeting that uses a graphic facilitator, it's hard to imagine it. Once you've experienced it, it makes all the sense in the world. Before that, I welcome questions.
Thankfully, with my years of experience, I know when GFing works and when it is less valuable. I'm happy to talk more about your event and your needs to see if I'm a good addition.
And I welcome you to sign up for my once-a-month newsletter. There's usually something about GF in there, and it may help spark an opportunity. Plus, it's short, sweet and brightly colored.
I don't have an event, but I need your skills. What do I do?
I'm open to discuss non-event projects. Sometimes it's done virtually. Sometimes clients hire me for a day or two to be onsite and work in real-time with them to visualize their work, draw models, create graphics.
Contact me with your specific needs and we can discuss it.
I've worked with graphic recorders before, how are you different?
Good question. I've got three key differentiators: style, synthesis and professionalism.
Style
I've got a very specific style, set apart from my colleagues. Happily, I've got a epic portfolio page so you can see clearly what my style is.
My background is fine arts (drawing and printmaking) with a brain that thinks in maps and systems. Starting as an artist, I already came into this work with my bold, bright style with strong lines.
Synthesis
My brain is hardwired to synthesize information, making connections, find patterns. If you're looking for 100% capture, without individual points being connected and integrated, I'm not your gal. If you value the synthesis and respond to my style, please contact me.
Click on this image for a PDF that illustrates these differentiators using the Wizard of Oz as content:
Professionalism
With over 20 years as a graphic facilitator, I bring a huge toolbox of experience with me. I am happy to discuss the best use of visual, spatial and kinesthetic tools to meet your objections. I have black belt listening skills and Olympic level adaptability. I keep cool, calm and responsive with changes.
Great! I want to work with you. What's next?
Super. First, drop me an email letting me know your event's dates. We can talk cost and can confirm that my skills will enrich you event and my availability.
If you want to see a super image with all logisitics and contracting in detail, you can click here.
In short -
I write a confirmation of engagement contract for the event. Within that agreement is a 50% deposit, due upon receipt with the contract.
Once I receive your deposit and signed contract; I am committed to your project. I am not booked until that point.
Once the contract is squared away we can talk more about the details of the event. With my level of experience, I'm very adaptable. I like to talk to the facilitator or the person leading the meeting, and run through the agenda. Ideally, this is short (maybe half hour) context setting conversation, covering the meeting objectives.
No need to send me loads of presentations or documents. I don't want or need a lot of detail beforehand. If I know the objectives and the basic agenda, I can adapt on the fly.
I understand that agendas need to adapt too, so we'll usually check in during the event.
At the end of the event, I hand you the original drawings and the digital images.
Afterwards, I'll bill you for the remaining 50% of my time and the expenses. The terms of the second, final invoice are net 30 days.