Monday Mashups: Visual Note-Taking at Events

For us, it wasn't until college that it was acceptable to take notes on a laptop in class. Now, even middle school students are utilizing iPads and tablets to transform lessons into visual representations, preparing them for the technologically advanced world we live in. More and more planners are finding this useful at large events in the form of visual note-taking. Visual note-taking, also known as graphic recording, is a process of representing ideas with drawings. Not only does it create a colorful, eye-catching way to capture content from a meeting or event, it can also help your attendees better process and retain complex information. And there are many ways to incorporate these graphics into your event that go beyond the standard whiteboard on an easel.

Here’s a look at how some planners are using visual note-taking before, during, and after their events:

As a Mural

At the Chicago Theological Seminary’s 2016 conference, Ink Factory created a 7- by 20-foot mural illustrating content from sessions. Eye-catching to all passerbys.

As a Keepsake

For a party to commemorate Chicago Trading Company’s 20th birthday, Revel Global Events hired Ink Factory to create a custom 5- by 10-foot light box covered with lightweight acrylic. During the event, artists drew images on the light box to represent key moments in the company’s history. After the event, guests received small Plexiglas versions of the artwork as a gift.

As a Stacked Display

In the atrium and trade show hall at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland, Kingman Ink created display towers from the boards of visual notes taken during Content Marketing World sessions. Attendees could take photos on the displays to reference later.

As Promo Items

After an event, visual notes can be turned into promotional items, such as this mug, set of notecards, mousepad, and more from ImageThink.

As Wall Art

Following its 2015 conference titled Selma at 50: Still Marching, the Chicago Theological Seminary transformed graphic recordings created by Ink Factory into wall art for its office.

Remember more than just words with these visual takeaways! Find what works best for your next event and devour the details of note-taking with these creative ideas.