How Live Graphic Recording Transforms Keynotes, Panels & Breakout Sessions

The Power of Visual Thinking at Events

Sitting through another PowerPoint-heavy presentation and struggling to stay engaged as slide after slide of bullet points blur together… yeah we get it!

In our information-saturated lives, audiences remember just 10% of what they hear after three days.

But when you add visuals? Retention soars to 65%

This is why Fortune 500 companies, TED conferences, and leading industry summits are increasingly using live graphic recording (also called sketchnoting or visual harvesting) to:

Boost engagement by giving audiences something compelling to watch
Improve comprehension through visual metaphors and structures
Create shareable artifacts that extend the event’s impact
Facilitate better discussions by making abstract ideas concrete

Let’s explore how this works across three key event formats:

1. Keynotes That Actually Stick

The Problem With Traditional Presentations

Even the most dynamic speakers struggle with:

Audience attention spans that wane after 10 minutes
Important messages getting lost in delivery
No tangible takeaway beyond a slide deck

How Graphic Recording Helps

A skilled graphic recorder acts as a visual translator, creating a real-time storyboard that:

Highlights core themes with memorable imagery
Organizes complex information into clear frameworks
Creates a viral-ready visual summary for social sharing

2. Panel Discussions That Don’t Meander

Why Most Panels Fall Flat

Without visual support, panel discussions often suffer from:

Conversations that circle without resolution

Important points getting lost in the back-and-forth

No synthesis of different perspectives

The Graphic Recording Advantage

Our recorders act as visual moderators, creating maps that:

Show areas of agreement/disagreement through spatial organization
Connect disparate ideas with arrows and containers
Highlight key takeaways everyone can reference

3. Breakout Sessions With Real Outcomes

The Breakout Group Struggle

Most breakout sessions end with:

Ideas trapped on flip charts that no one photographs

No clear connection between different groups’ work

Participants unsure how their discussion fits the bigger picture

Visual Synthesis to the Rescue!

Graphic recorders transform breakouts by:

Capturing each group’s key points in a consistent visual style

Identifying patterns across all discussions

Creating a master visual for the report-back session

Before Your Event: Set the Foundation

Share Context Early: Provide speaker materials, session goals, and audience insights so your visual strategist can align with your narrative arc.

Clarify Strategic Priorities: Identify the key messages, themes, or outcomes you want to elevate through visual storytelling.

Discuss Complex Content: Highlight any dense, technical, or nuanced concepts that could benefit from simplified visual translation.

Schedule a Co-Creation Touchpoint: Build in a pre-session call to align on tone, style, and messaging—ensuring visuals support both the agenda and the audience.

During the Event: Engage and Align

Introduce the Visual Strategist Upfront: Briefly introduce ImageThink’s role at the beginning to invite attention to the visuals as a dynamic tool—not décor.

Use Visuals to Recap Key Moments: Build in 2–3-minute recaps throughout the agenda using the evolving boards as visual prompts.

Leverage Visuals as a Bridge Between Sessions: Use the boards to tie together themes and foster continuity across speakers or breakout groups.

Plan a Gallery Walk: Turn the visuals into an end-of-day gallery that encourages informal conversation, reflection, and alignment.
Designate a Debrief Moment: End sessions with a short guided discussion using the visuals to cement understanding and spark dialogue.

After the Event: Extend the Impact

Turn Visuals into a Strategic Recap: Share the final boards in your follow-up communications to reinforce key takeaways and support knowledge retention.

Integrate into Internal Presentations: Use sections of the visuals in leadership decks and strategy meetings to drive alignment and momentum.

Extend the Reach on Social Media: Share select frames or highlights on LinkedIn to showcase thought leadership and spark post-event conversation.
Use as a Launchpad for What’s Next: Treat the visuals as a foundation for planning next steps—whether that’s a roadmap session, workshop, or team alignment meeting.

Why This Matters More Than Ever

In our hybrid event world, graphic recording: