Graphic Facilitation Training: In-person 2027

In-person April 10-12, 2027 or June 12-14, 2027

Two in-person trainings for 2027! Are you in too many meetings wondering, “What’s happening? Is this the best use of our time?” Drawing Change can show you a better way, using graphic facilitation and graphic recording for meetings that matter. We’ve been teaching since 2017, and our training courses have 9 students.

What will I learn in this graphic facilitation training?

• Hone your listening and drawing skills to make meaning, increase collaboration, and solve problems
• Expand your leadership tool-box
• Develop your capacity to distill information
• Energize your creativity
• Have deep conversations about working wisely with visuals, organizational development, and power
• Curious about specific learning outcomes? Here’s a work-in-progress document

Ooh, what’s in the kit? 

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A post shared by Sam Bradd: Graphic Facilitation (@drawing_change)

Timing and Agenda

Choose either April 10-12, 2027 or June 12-14, 2027 for the in-person training.

Before Day 1: short evening social Friday night

Optional in person 90-min social the evening before the workshop and Drawing Change buys the appetizers for everyone at a nearby restaurant. I’m more introvert than extrovert but this social goes a long way to help people feel more comfortable with each other, and start our learning the next day.

Day 1: Saturday. Focus on Graphic Recording 9-4pm 

• Building your visual vocabulary (even if you think you “can’t draw”)
• Lettering five ways: bring your flip charts to the next level
• Layouts and how to structure the blank page
• Hands on-practice
• Overview of the field
• Resources for your success
• Lunch and snacks provided for the in-person course

Day 2: Sunday. Focus on Graphic Facilitation 9-4pm 

• Visual tools for facilitating meetings – when you’re drawing and talking
• Choosing the right tools / approaches
• Special topics (technology, ipads, etc)
• Conversations about power and responsibilities
• Lunch and snacks provided for the in-person course

Day 3: Monday. Putting it all together 9-2pm

• The Day 3 is an amazing leap from where we start on Day 1. We have a unique setup for a supportive environment – and a chance to integrate all of your learnings so far
• We will practice graphic recording in a slow paced way and provide support for each other
• Create action plans and next steps for your practice, work and action plan
• Lunch and snacks provided for the in-person course

Who should attend? You, of course! 

This workshop is for facilitators, educators, managers, and innovators – anyone who finds themselves working with groups (isn’t that everyone?). We’ve trained people from young adults to people making a career shift in retirement. You don’t need to be a super-sketcher to be able to communicate visually. If you’ve ever drawn two overlapping circles to explain something, you’re already using visual thinking. This workshop will enhance how you connect ideas, listen and create visual summaries for meetings and events. Our workshops generally attract people who want a unique approach to using visuals with a lens of diversity, inclusion, and equity, as well. Participants have come to in-person trainings from 6 countries – and all sorts of educational and professional backgrounds. 

What’s included? Supplies! 

• FULL KIT of professional graphic recording drawing supplies valued at over $200 (it used to be $100 and we just keep adding to it). I’m a Neuland® Ambassador and their tools make a huge difference – we’ll set you up with a generous kit of markers and supplies. You can bring an ipad / tablet if you like.
• NEW: 200-page Drawing Change resource book, plus other printed materials to support your visual practice right away.

Recap of what’s included:

• Low key social Friday night
• Workshop Saturday and Sunday 9am to 4pm, Monday 9-2pm
• Supportive coaching and facilitation throughout
• In person session includes snacks, beverages, lunch
• Custom training resources created by Drawing Change
• Two exclusive Neuland® Ambassador gifts
• and a new network of visual practitioners to support you after the course!

Meet the Trainer: Sam Bradd 

Hi! I’m Sam Bradd (he/him). I’m Italian and Scottish, and live on unceded Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh territories (Vancouver).  I’m a graphic facilitator, meeting facilitator, and the Principal of Drawing Change. I combine 25 years’ facilitation experience with visuals to help groups unlock their creativity and lead. Since 2010, I’ve taught hundreds of people how to do graphic recording and graphic facilitation. For the last four years, I’ve also taught an online cohort of Indigenous graphic recorders in partnership with CIER.

My formal education includes an MEd in Educational Studies (UBC) and I bring a strengths-based, intersectional, and anti-racism lens. As a graphic recorder, I’ve worked in 11 countries and edited two books. Ask me about my new side project, opening up a new wool mill in Saskatchewan called Tailwinds Fibre Mill with some great friends, too.

Pricing: 2027 Intro trainings

IN PERSON 2027 introduction to graphic facilitation course: $3000 (plus GST, and Eventbrite fees)

If you want to skip the Eventbrite fees, you can pay by e-transfer in Canada or US wire. Email us for details. Payment plans are available, we just ask that it be paid by the time the course starts.

Cancellation policy:

• You can cancel with full refund minus any processing fees up to 60 days before the course
• Cancellation 30-59 days before the course is a refund minus 20%, unless you transfer it to someone else; if you are in the online course, $200 for supplies is non-refundable because we mail supplies to you.
• Cancellation up to 29 days: no refund possible unless you transfer it to someone else.

What else? 

Choosing between the online training vs in person?

If you’re curious about whether to choose the online training instead, I’m say that both workshops create similar outcomes for peoples’ visual practices – it’s about where you feel comfortable most. People in the online course consistenly say it’s transformational too. I’ve graphic recorded and facilitated groups around the world – including facilitating a meeting of 950 people at a time on zoom (!), so our team has got a great handle on how to make online learning fun and engaging. Being on Zoom brings together people from more remote places, the in-person session means you get more chances to have casual conversations, and see a beautiful part of Vancouver. Both the online and in-person courses attract stellar people who value creating a learning environment for each other – people value making it fun, and a safer place to try new things. 

What’s the venue if I come in person?

We’ll be on Granville Island which is an artisan and foodie heaven, at a huge room in a non-profit. Natural light, ground level entrance, single stall washrooms, steps away from great art and easy transit. We’ve trained there since 2021 and it’s been appreciated by locals and also people out of town.

Join us! Can’t wait to meet you.