8 Top Tips for Boosting Event Engagement with Creativity in 2024: The Power of Live Event Illustration
In the events world, whether you’re organising a conference, seminar, or workshop, I know that you’re always on the lookout for innovative shiny new ways to engage, surprise and delight your event attendees.
Of course, I’m biased (founder of a live event illustration company, LOL) but hear me out - I’ve seen firsthand the impact that visuals have on events. And I really do believe that live event illustration is one of the most powerful tools when it comes to planning brilliant events that people keep talking about long after the event’s over.
I’ve gone full nerd mode and even supported some of my facts in this blog with scientific studies and reports on how visuals can enhance engagement, retention, and overall event experience. Phwoar.
A live event illustration all about celebrating neurodiversity capturing the essence of the event and engaging the audience
Making your events more creative
As human beings, we are inherently visual creatures. Research has consistently shown that visual content is processed MUCH faster and retained longer in the human brain compared to text alone.
I keep reading different statistics on this, but last time I checked, visuals are processed by the brain 20,000 times faster than reading words.
Note: I’ve also seen image-processing speed referred to as being 60,000 times faster than reading text. WHO KNOWS. All you need to know is that pictures go into our brains very quickly. Ok? Ok.)
Live event illustration turns complicated stuff into drawings in real time. By providing a visual narrative of the event content, attendees are a LOT more engaged and much more likely to understand and remember your important key messages.
A study published in the NCBI found that incorporating visuals into presentations “significantly improved audience understanding and information retention”. Nice. Live event illustrators and graphic recorders play a pivotal role in translating the spoken word content into graphics that go straight into your brain, effectively boosting engagement levels among attendees.
A dynamic live event illustration for Pyn that tells the story of mapping the customer journey and creates a memorable experience for your attendees
Feeling seen & heard - your event attendees matter (so show them!)
One of the major advantages of live event illustration is its ability to get people actively involved. Unlike static presentations or slideshows, live illustration invites attendees to actively engage with the content while it’s being drawn live. As the illustrator draws the discussions, insights, and ideas, participants feel a sense of involvement. “OMG. I asked that question in the Q&A session, and now my words are on the illustration. That’s so cool.”
We all know that getting involved vs. being talked at = higher levels of engagement and knowledge retention compared to passive learning experiences. Live event illustration can turn your event into an opportunity for your attendees to contribute, collaborate, and co-create the final product.
Stimulating creativity and innovation at events
Creativity fuels innovation, and live event illustration is a catalyst for both. By visually documenting ideas and concepts in real-time, our team of illustrators stimulate creative thinking among attendees. The visual representation of diverse perspectives and viewpoints encourages participants to think outside the box. Brace yourself for incredible new ideas and solutions, sparked by the illustrations.
It’s proven: we’ve been hired by innovation companies to illustrate their research, *just* to help their team of scientists come up with new innovative solutions to problems.
Seeing something familiar drawn out in a new way is a key part of the creative process. Live event illustrators not only capture the essence of discussions but also inspire attendees to explore new possibilities and approaches.
A professional live event illustration created digitally, enhanced the overall experience and encouraged active participation from attendees at an event by Pyn.
Conclusion: some top tips for boosting engagement at your next event (even if you don’t hire a live illustrator)
Use more visuals! If you’re sharing slides, consider swapping words for pictures. Your attendees’ tired brains will thank you.
Make the most of eye-catching colours and fonts to grab attention.
Keep your information concise and organised.
Incorporate icons and illustrations to enhance understanding.
Consider gamification to boost event engagement: Eg. Interactive quizzes relating to the event content, plus leaderboards and prizes to reward active participation.
Surprise them! Include guest appearances by industry experts or celebrities.
Include interactive demonstrations or workshops.
End the event on a high with secret giveaways or exclusive offers
Surprises, when attention spans might be…somewhat lacking (we’ve all felt the post-lunch slump), can add an element of anticipation and excitement, making your event memorable and leaving attendees wanting more.
A live event illustration from a Think Forward event about employment for young people with learning disabilities &/or autism keeping the audience engaged
It’d be silly of me to write this entire blog post without, of course, the recommendation that hiring a professional live event illustrator will boost your event engagement.
It’d be great to hear from you and see whether live illustration could work for your event.
x Katie