Visuals for a Better World
Visuals can support conversations about Indigenous cultural competency frameworks in health care. Recently, I worked at the Moving Forward conference, a unique gathering held by the Provincial Health Services Authority. I came away from this experience profoundly changed, as I always do when work takes me to a deep place. Graphic recording visuals brought a unique dimension … Read more Visuals for Indigenous cultural competency framework
Thinking about hosting an event where you want people to share their thoughts – and see the conversation emerge visually? As a graphic facilitator, my tip is to engage visually and start with a juicy question. One of my favorite resources is a book called The Art of Powerful Questions. This short yet comprehensive guide is written by … Read more Engage visually and start with a juicy question
*updated 2018 with a new version of the SDOH image * In October 2013, I had the privilege of graphically recording at the Gathering Wisdom VI conference, hosted by the First Nations Health Authority, First Nations Health Directors Association, and First Nations Health Council. Over 900 delegates, including Chiefs, Health Directors, and Provincial and Federal Partners … Read more Gathering Wisdom – visuals on social determinants
I noticed two useful things while graphic recording for some recent executive meetings. Shoulder checking during presentations It was a high-level meeting between senior executives that included dense information in a very tight timeline. The graphic recording tool was like shoulder checking while driving. A quick look was all that was needed. While he talked, the speaker … Read more Graphic recording for executives – the shoulder checking technique
This summer, I went to my first International Forum of Visual Practitioners (IFVP) conference in New York. I promised I would go outside my learning “comfort zone” if I was flying all the way to New York, so for me the best part was being mentored. While I was mingling and signing up for sessions, two … Read more Mentoring and Graphic Recording at IFVP conference
Earlier this year, members of the Communities That Care group brought the esteemed Dr. Martin Brokenleg for a workshop about the Circle of Courage. At his workshop, participants brainstormed lists of important activities happening in the Cariboo Chilcotin. But lists are only as powerful as how they are used, so the committee thought an image would be an … Read more Drawing for Healing- Truth and Reconciliation in Williams Lake
It’s the middle of an important meeting. Heads are bowed. But unfortunately, it’s in Blackberry prayer. An effective and gentle way to help a group refocus is the role of Synthesizers. Synthesizers are people who support the facilitator and summarize the main points and emerging themes for the group. They speak for 1 – 2 minutes … Read more Adding the role of Synthesizers helps groups focus
There’s a graphic facilitation/ graphic recording technique that lets me be in two places at once. It’s called template work. I wasn’t able to join the Surrey Welcoming Communities event in person, and we all wanted visuals to complement the facilitation at this cross- cultural, multi agency gathering. I proposed a custom, graphic recording template. … Read more Adding visuals with graphic recording templates
The Fraser Basin Council in Williams Lake hosted a forum on diversity, multiculturalism and anti-racism. I brought graphic recording to support their discussion and dialogue. This diversity forum covered a lot of ground. Participants talked about vocabulary and ‘words that hurt’. Iris from PeerNet BC facilitated great discussions about systems of power and privilege that … Read more Embracing Diversity – graphic recording and dialogue
At some point in writing a PhD, it’s safe to say you’re going to get writer’s block. Wouldn’t anyone? So when an old, trusted friend was stuck in his writing process, I asked him to experiment with me: could graphic facilitation could get his ideas from his head onto paper. I put up giant paper. He … Read more Using graphic facilitation for writer’s block
Graphic recording is a visualization process – I draw ‘live’ in front of groups. But I also find it’s a powerful tool for transforming written reports into visuals. It’s a completely different challenge. For example, a team has worked on a project for months. It’s the collective effort of many stakeholders. The report results are … Read more Use visuals to bring reports to life
This month I’m working with five organizations as a graphic recorder. More than ever, I’m convinced about how graphic recording excels at giving a fast, effective visual summary between events. Here are two examples of graphic recording as a powerful summary tool. In September I worked with a group of organizations in dialogue about about healthy … Read more Graphic recording and the power of visual summary
I’m often asked if it’s possible to integrate small group work and graphic recording during the session. It is possible – and in fact it’s very successful. I can work with facilitators ahead of time to integrate small group work, and sometimes it happens on the fly. One of my favorite parts of being graphic … Read more Graphic recording and small group work