What is Graphic Recording?

Graphic recording (also referred to as visual recording, reflective graphics, graphic listening) is the art of capturing stories, ideas and expressions through imagery and words in large format. Key messages come alive with color, images and words. There are several ways in which graphic recordings can take form, primarily those captured in the moment (also known as live graphic recording) or following a session (completed in a studio). At ViClarity Inc. we offer both of these options.

Checkout the International Forum of Visual Practitioners (IFVP) for more information.

Benefits of graphic recording

Graphic recordings increase engagement and memory-retention for the participants.

Graphic recording can be used to keep agreement top-of-mind with understanding achieved at your event.

Graphic recordings are a wonderful tool to display after an event to keep subject matter fresh.

The visual telling of an event story or journey promotes validation among participants.

Graphic recordings allow a place for participants to offer their comments and know their voices were heard.

Graphic recordings can be used at subsequent sessions.

Graphic recordings are a visual artifact which tell a compelling story.

Graphic recording can be used as a participant digital souvenir.

Client love…

Joleyne provided a beautiful, thoughtful, and comprehensive graphic recording of our event. She skillfully synthesized information from keynote speakers, breakout sessions and workshops to create a summary of our conference that we will use for years to come. She was wonderful to work with, combining collaboration, professionalism, and kindness. We are hopeful that we will be able to engage her to record future events!

Jill Shillabeer

Leading Change Call to Action Coordinator, Alberta Council of Women's Shelters

The key to the development of a successful Youth Mental Health Hub is to get youth engaged at each stage. A key milestone in that development for us was holding a community consultation event where youth could go through structured activities to draw out their vision for a youth hub.

We knew that capturing the key insights from the activities of the day in a way that resonated with the participants would be key during and after the event so we reached out to ViClarity to create a graphic recording of the day’s discussions.

Joleyne set up her big blank banner in the space where the event was held and started drawing out the graphic recording as soon as everything kicked off. It was powerful for the youth to see their thoughts and suggestions reflected on the ever-evolving banner.

At the end of the day we had a visual summary of the important insights shared which provides us with a tool to hang on the wall in our meeting room to remind the participants of their comments and provide a jumping-off point for additional conversations and planning. Thank you, Joleyne, for bringing your talents to this important work.

Mark Dixon

Steering Committee Chair, St. Albert Youth Mental Health Hub Initiative

Our organization had the privilege of having Joleyne Mayers-Jaekel of ViClarity Inc. recording our Summit event.
Prior to our event, Joleyne did a lot of preliminary work to become familiar with our organization and branding, and the specifics of the event we were hosting.
Joleyne’s setup in the venue was an engaging experience for our team and participants as they could see and add to the realtime recording of the piece.
The real-time recording allowed the graphic recording to be an accurate and authentic reflection of the day and all of the unique individuals who attended.
The Women of Paramedicine Leadership Summit was a single-day event that explored leadership, diversity, and inclusion within paramedicine. The fact that Joleyne is also a paramedic was added value to this particular event and demonstrated a unique career pathway for those in the profession.
The graphic recording will be shared with a descriptive narrative piece that was created as a result of our workshop sessions and the participants as a platform for change and growth within the profession.
Our team is very happy with the work done by ViClarity Inc. and we look forward to working with Joleyne again in the future.
Melissa Ade

Executive Director, Paramedic Pay It Forward

Working with Joleyne was an absolute pleasure.  To watch her bring our Youth Hub Community Mapping Day to life was magical.  From our very first conversation, Joleyne was focused on truly understanding the purpose and goal of the day, ensuring she fully included the perspective of the diverse group of participants in the room.  She captured everything beautifully and accurately, and we’re looking forward to preserving it as a piece of art for our youth hub and sharing it with the community.

Paula Galenzoski

Project Manager, Integrated Youth Hub - Canadian Mental Health

I worked with Joleyne during an Open Space Technology session I facilitated as part of the completion of my Master of Arts, and my experience was excellent. This was the first time working with a Graphic Recorder and Joleyne has set the standard pretty high for future work! Not only did she help to guide me through the process, she maintained a professional and supportive role throughout.

What made this experience unique was that we used videoconferencing to connect virtually during the session. My group was located in Manitoba and Joleyne remained in Alberta. She and I met a few times prior to and following the session and she worked her magic virtually, in real-time during. Though separated by an entire province, our experience was as if she was right in the room with us.

Even though the session is long finished, the beautiful work/art that Joleyne left us with will keep our conversations, ideas and next steps top of mind.

Megan Foster

Regional Sport Development Officer, Sport Manitoba

I’ve twice had the pleasure of working with Joleyne on World Café’s.  Joleyne has on both occasions provided us with beautiful and powerful imagery that accurately captures in graphic form the spirit and passion of the conversations we had.  More importantly for me personally though, Joleyne was an important resource who gently guided me toward running a better world café with better questions, a better atmosphere and deeper conversations.

Michael Sondermann

Associate Registrar, SAIT

Joleyne is an experienced professional who ensured that she had the tools and space needed to create a strong visual record of an important conference featuring 28 different speakers. We consider her graphic recording to be a legacy piece that will be of use to participants, those interested in the learnings from the event, and funders.
Our plans for the recording include showing it at PD and annual conferences held by the organizers, particularly the Book Publishers  Association of Alberta (fall) and the Writers Guild of Alberta (spring). We will laminate the original paper copy so that it will travel well. The scan will be housed in ERA (Education and Research Archive) here at the U of Alberta for posterity. A reduced version of the scan will be available from The Writing Stick website.
Cathie Crooks

Associate Director / Manager Planning & Operations, University of Alberta

Joleyne was fantastic to work with. She really captured the culture and spirit of our team through intensive research and having one-on-one conversations. She was even open to requests to customize the piece, which was vital to the success of our offsite. We really appreciate all of her hard work!

Jessica Herzog

Internal Hub Advisor, Public Affairs Branch, Alberta Energy Regulator

Joleyne brings a multitude of skills to her craft. In addition to creating clever graphics, she mines the room for insights, elevates the most important ideas and encourages engagement throughout her process. She is a delight to work with and prepares impeccably in advance.

Linda K. Williams

Brand You Project

I had ViClarity Inc. do a custom recognition piece for a well-respected colleague reflecting their contribution to the organization they were moving on from. I easily arranged a face to face meeting which took into account my busy schedule. The meeting was expertly conducted.  Joleyne was able to pull ideas from our conversation and turn them in to meaningful visuals.  She included everything from our conversation; I felt heard. The best testimonial would come from the surprise on the face (and in the heart) of the individual who received this totally unique depiction of their time in the organization. It was an emotional moment for everyone in the room. I tell business colleagues about this unique approach to capturing the true feelings of an important business meeting. Given the opportunity I will use ViClarity Inc. again.

Ian McEwan

EMT-PCouncil President, Alberta College of Paramedics