From ear-holes to eyeballs: How live event illustrators excel as active listeners at events

As your event takes off and ideas are flying fast, live event illustrators are tinkering away at weaving a web of stories and themes to tie it all together. Armed with an internet connection, a cracking pair of ears and an Apple Pencil, we’re the visual translators of your dreams! 

One of the things that sets us apart in this regard is active listening.

Why hire a live illustrator for events?

We live scribes don’t just hear words - we hear the rhythm of a conversation, we identify the thoughts, we suss out the tone and energy behind a subject, and have quite a powerful knack for digesting the complex and making it simple. It’s hard to explain, but it’s our superpower!

“We notice how information could be visualised as we hear or read it, the way others might notice clothing or haircuts.” ~ Katie Chappell, founder of Illustrated Live

‘Ear ear! Let’s ‘ear it for our EARS! 

(Ahem. Sorry. **straightens tie**)

There are a few things that we think make bloomin’ good active listening when it comes to remote live illustration:

• Client collaboration
  When you book in with us, you get an event info form where you can drop in any jargon, commonly used acronyms in your organisation and a glossary of definitions if you think we’ll need them. Having these things in our mind’s eye is a game-changer for silky smooth active listening on the big day, as it gives us a heads up on the content, and ensures our hearing is extra sharp!
  

• Skimming for patterns
  Whether or not we’re armed with that glossary, our brains are lightning fast at noticing themes, patterns and even where speakers place their emphasis. This helps us to better understand what the event content is aiming to achieve or make people feel, so we can then reflect this back to the audience with clarity in the visuals.
  

• Chunking information
  Visual storytelling is our thing, and one of the best ways to do this is to carefully consider how we lay the information out on the page. Gathering information into neat visual chunks is helpful for us as we listen and draw, as it simplifies complex topics into succinct sections that really sink in. Then, in turn, it’s easy peasy for you to digest when you browse the illustrations after the event!
  

• Pausing for context
  Live events and live illustration can whoosh by sooo quickly. Working at pace is one of our strengths, it’s true.
  But!
  There’s a lot to be said for going slowly as well and taking a moment to pause and check that what we have listened to has translated effectively. We’re always armed with a notepad or some post-its to jot down any important but not-quite-polished thoughts as we’re listening. Then when we get a moment, we can pause, reflect, check in with you if needed, then finesse the final piece so that it’s even more accurate.

Let’s face it  - we’re living in an age of endless distractions, where paying attention in the moment can sometimes be more challenging than it ought to be. Live event illustration reminds us of the power of presence. The work we do preserves the moment, but also enhances it and gives it life beyond the event. 

Visualising and Illustrating Complex Information… live!

It’s not just about drawing. It’s about listening, processing, and turning information into visuals which are specific to you. It’s also about helping information to land in your brain in a way that keeping it purely as words might not always allow for.

We listen carefully in the moment so that by the time you have your illustrations in hand, you truly hear the message of your event loud and clear.

If you want to invite us to do this for you at your next event, give us a nudge! We’d love to help!

(now booking for May onwards)

x Illustrated Live

P.s. if you’d like to see more examples of our work, click here: