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Writer's pictureJulia Bakay

Big Picture Graphic Recording

Your purpose for having Graphic Recording


In order to pick the right Graphic Recording style and approach, we first need to ask ourselves - what is our goal with Graphic Recording? Is it to capture and connect the key ideas in detail, or to create an engaging and high-level summary? Knowing what you'd like to use the Visual Notes for will help us find the best approach to capture it.


What is Big Picture Graphic Recording?


If you search for Graphic Recording, you're likely to see jampacked visual maps of details equivalent to a Where's Waldo illustration. These images dominating the field had perhaps led us to believe that a successful Graphic Recording is related to how much content you manage to capture. Although it's undoubtedly an accomplishment to capture and connect all key ideas one hears, I've realized over the years that some events would be better off with high-level, big-picture Visual Notes.


When it comes to Graphic Recording, sometimes less is more!

What I call 'Big Picture Graphic Recording' is the art of keeping the note-taking at a high level and focusing on composing the content into one appealing masterpiece. This approach is more about storytelling, while allowing for a greater level of systems thinking and artistry.

Beautiful Big Picture Graphic Recording

The benefits of Graphic Recording in great detail A quick detour to explain the opposite of 'Big Picture Graphic Recording'


Visual note-taking is often about capturing as many key ideas as possible

  • organizing and connecting them in order of importance

  • with the added aim of not missing anything essential


Graphic Recording in great detail

Each note tends to be accompanied by a tiny illustration, and there are many great reasons for doing this!


  • most of us are visual learners, so the illustrations will help us remember each point

  • it's important for the visual balance to have an anchoring illustration for each thought

  • by visualizing them, we can find creative ways to connect those ideas


The benefits of keeping Graphic Recording at a high level


Graphic Recording at a High Level

Content-wise this one is a more minimalist approach to Visual Note-taking. This means I only include the most important layer of information. I'm not looking to capture as many key ideas as possible, and I'm not insisting on creating tiny illustrations to accompany each idea.


More Mental & Canvas Space left

As a result, I have more time, energy and canvas space to indulge in other important aspects of Visual Storytelling, such as overarching visual metaphors, captivating illustrations, interconnectedness, composition, visual balance, quality, and harmony.


I get to be creative with the big picture, hence the name. I can step back to look for the key ideas and how they interact.


Graphic Recording the big picture

Engaging & Captivating Visual Notes for all!

Using your vivid brand colours and seasoned with epic illustrations, these high level visual recordings are an attractive piece to anyone - inside or outside your organization and industry! So if your goal is to engage people with your work, such as on social media, this would be the best way to go.


Beautiful Graphic Recording - big picture

Read on to learn more about Graphic Recording, and get in touch when you're ready to get started!



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