Back in July I was invited to the annual conference of the European Digital Media Observatory. The event was discussing disinformation in the current media environment, the role of online platforms, possible regulatory options and more. These are quite technical subjects and since the organisers wanted to make the event lively and creative, they decided to include live illustration.

Drawing live and showing live

In the main auditorium, there were two projectors on the two sides of the podium. The team decided that they would show the evolution of each drawing from start to finish on one of the large screens. During each session, the audience could see my iPad screen. What started as an empty white canvas slowly shifted into a a visualisation of the key points of the conversation, filling the entire screen. Since many in the audience (and many of us in general) are visual learners, this type of live illustration can help immensely to understand and retain what is being said. With the help of ongoing visual scribing, the content of any event can have a longer-lasting impact, and event after a full day of conference sessions, participants come away with anchoring visuals for each session.

How did live illustration contribute to a better attendee experience?

Live illustration has many benefits for event attendees, here are just a couple from the EDMO event:

1. Members of the audience could focus their attention by following the drawings

2. If they missed something important, they could check back to see what has been said

3. Whenever they needed a reminder of the big picture and the main ideas, it was right there in front of them

4. There was a tangible, creative visual translation to help drive home the main messages of the speakers

The added value of projecting live illustration

In the past, I shied away from projecting my drawing process at conferences. I thought it would be distracting, or that it would take away the attention from the speaker. But after seeing my work and how it was used at the EDMO conference, I have to say my views have completely changed. I love seeing the drawings being such an important part of the event, completely integrated into the experience. I think it is a bold creative statement from the part of EDMO, and I will advocate for this type of live illustration in the future.

If you are thinking about including live illustration (aka. graphic recording) at your next event, feel free to reach out.