On many occasions I have worked alongside “graphic facilitators,” also called “visual recorders.” These terms refer to the person who often stands to the side in a workshop, quietly rendering the group discussions into a work of art, using markers and a big sheet of paper taped to the wall.
Often the drawing is composed only of basic shapes and figures – a sun over the horizon, a crowd of star-shaped people gathered in a circle – but even with a basic artistic vocabulary a graphic facilitator can create a deeply meaningful image for participants.
By capturing the energy and the organic nature of the conversation, they graphic facilitator’s mural provides an emotional reminder of the workshop long after it’s over. Often I’ve seen these murals included in the workshop summaries, and I’ve seen participants refer back to them years later as artifacts that helped them stay in touch with the inspiration they experienced during the workshop itself.
Here are some graphic facilitators I strongly recommend: