Drawing Out the Big Picture
Graphic recording is the real-time visual capture of conversations, using hand-drawn images and key phrases to map out ideas as they emerge. It transforms meetings, workshops, and events into engaging visual summaries that help participants see connections, remember insights, and stay engaged.
Graphic Recording of Loretta Ross’s “Accidental Activist” Keynote at the 2025 Health Equity Summit, Burlington, Vermont
Graphic Recording
Graphic recording captures live conversations through images, keywords, and color—created in real time as discussions unfold. As participants speak, Mellisa listens for patterns, themes, and underlying insights, translating them into a large-scale, hand-drawn visual map.
These visuals do more than document a session. They make complex conversations easier to understand, support memory and recall, and keep participants engaged. The shared visual becomes a reference point throughout the event—reflecting group thinking back to the room and helping ideas carry forward beyond the conference.
Graphic Recording of Heather McGee’s Keynote at the Vermont Statewide Housing Conference, November 2024
Why Use Graphic Recording?
• Increases Engagement – People pay attention longer when they can watch their words come to life.
• Captures Collective Intelligence – Visual summaries show the full scope of group wisdom, not just bullet points.
• Supports All Learners – Great for visual, non-verbal, and neurodiverse thinkers.
• Creates Lasting Artifacts – Takeaways that can be shared in reports, slides, newsletters, and more.
• Builds Trust & Inclusion – Seeing your ideas represented visually affirms your voice matters.
Graphic Recording of four Storytellers during the Association for Experiential Education International Conference, 2025, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
Visual Participation & Data Collection
Great questions get asked in conferences, meetings, and community gatherings—and then the answers disappear.
Interactive, hand-drawn visuals invite people to respond throughout the experience, whether it’s a conference session, staff meeting, retreat, or town hall. Participants can add thoughts, reactions, and ideas in real time, in ways that feel accessible and low-pressure.
The result is genuine participation—not just from the loudest voices—and a visual record of collective thinking. You walk away with qualitative data you can actually use for reflection, reports, grants, decision-making, and future planning.
“I was able to grasp concepts and see patterns in our team meeting through the graphic recording that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise.”
Team Leader, Burlington, VT after an Iceberg Creatives with Mellisa session
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Graphic recording is the real-time visual capture of conversations using hand-drawn images, words, and symbols. It helps people see and remember what was said in meetings, workshops, or events.
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Unlike traditional note-taking, graphic recording is visual and dynamic—it captures tone, energy, and key insights in a format that’s engaging, memorable, and easy to revisit.
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Graphic recording works well for conferences, strategic planning sessions, retreats, public forums, panel discussions, and team meetings—anywhere ideas are being shared and collaboration is key.
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Currently, I only offer my services in person.
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You’ll receive a high-resolution digital file of the final visual, ready to use in reports, presentations, or social media.
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You keep it!
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Not at all. It’s great for small team meetings, workshops, or even one-on-one sessions. Visual notes can make any conversation more meaningful and easier to act on.
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Just the agenda, a space to set up (if in person), and a willingness to try something new. Any materials you can provide prior (slides, transcripts, etc) is extremely helpful in providing the best final graphic. I’ll take care of the rest, including all materials and setup.
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I’m happy to work within a range of budgets, and pricing depends on several factors—event structure, pre-meetings, travel, and any facilitation involved. As a general guide:
• Keynote graphic recording starts at $500 + travel & expenses
• Half-day events start at $800
• Full-day events start at $1,500Every project is unique, so let’s talk! Get in touch to discuss your event and what’s possible.
