So, You Want to be a Graphic Recorder?

by Christina L. Merkley, MA
http://makemark.com/   

A few times a month, I get a call or an email from  someone who is very interested in the Graphic  Recording/ Graphic Facilitation field;  usually someone who wants to  know how I got into the field and who is seeking any advice to help them do the same.      

This article is written as a response for those kinds of  inquiries. For people who are primarily interested in  being full-time, self-employed Graphic Recorders or  Facilitators.   I’ve taken the general questions that  people ask me and have written my responses.      

Obviously my answers are only one person’s point of view. So, I invite you to continue to ask  questions and gather data as you explore this unique work.   

Q. WHAT IS GRAPHIC RECORDING?  GRAPHIC FACILITATION?    

Before we can have an intelligent conversation about how to get into the field, we need to define  which part of the field you are most interested in getting into.      

Graphic Recording: Are you interested in a Graphic Recording role?  Graphic Recorders are scribes who listen,  synthesize and transcribe information that is generated in different kinds of group settings  (meetings, conferences, retreats, dialogue groups, circles, world café settings, etc).      

Graphic recorders may work on their own when they are providing straight recording services (like  creating summaries of the key points of speakers at a large conference), or they may pair up with  facilitators, consultants and other kinds of leaders to use their skills as part of a team providing  graphic facilitation services (mostly in strategic planning and visioning kinds of settings).    

Graphic Facilitation: The Graphic Facilitator role is more complex.  The Graphic Facilitator is responsible for providing  both recording services and facilitation services; weaving the two together at the same time.  They  may do both these roles themselves.  Or, they may pair with a Graphic Recorder, and between the  two (or more) of them, they provide Graphic Facilitation services for the client.      

Downloadentire article [PDF]   and read Christina's response to more questions:

• WHAT SKILLS ARE NEEDED? 
• WHAT ARE THE TYPICAL VENUES YOU WORK IN?
• WHAT IS THE INCOME LIKE? 
• WHAT KIND OF BACKGROUND DO YOU NEED?   
• HOW DID YOU GET INTO THIS WORK? 
• WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT THIS FIELD? 
• WHAT ARE THE DOWNSIDES?
• HOW DO YOU FIND WORK?   
• HOW DO YOU SUGGEST I BEGIN?