I Just Can’t Wait: Eight Great Ideas to Celebrate!

Hey mate, ConverSketch is 8! Building my business as a graphic recorder has felt like fate, and I want to state a few of the most influential ideas I’ve been reflecting on as of late.

Okay, okay, I’ll quit with the rhyming…for now. Here are eight of my top insights over eight years in business that can be applied to creative work, or living in a fulfilling way no matter what you do.

1.       Follow what feels right: Do what feels right to you, not because everyone says that's what you should do.  And listen to that intuition (this is a biggie for me)!

2.       Say Yes: To new opportunities to learn, co-create, and feel a little uncomfortable. Those moments are often the most memorable or lead to bigger shifts. For me, this has meant investing in professional development toward digital graphic recording, marketing, video editing, and deepening my scribing practice. It’s also okay and very important to say No to some things.

3.       Focus on what you want: I love the saying “Energy flows where attention goes”. Focus your energy on what you want to accomplish, develop, or nurture, and watch how those ripples of energy come back to you!

4.       Have fun! Need I say more?

5.       It’s okay to do “nothing”: More and more I’m seeing research on how important it is to walk, stare, let your mind wander, doodle, and do “nothing”. This unscripted time is sometimes challenging for me to wrap my head around, but taking time away from a project often leads to breakthroughs or a different, more creative approach.

6.       Also working at it every day: No matter what your “it” is, build time to practice something you want to improve or cultivate. Marie Forleo calls it “hugging the slog”, and Hugh McLeod says “Creativity is not a talent, creativity is a drive.”

7.       Authenticity shines: We all know the Comparison Game is deadly, however I’ve found surrounding myself with a Brain Trust of colleague-friends I can ask for advice or look to for inspiration has been a game-changer! I’ve also practiced knowing my value…and over-delivering!

8.       Find Your Passion: Figuring out what you’re most excited about can help set you apart from other people who offer similar services. I am LOVING building creative partnerships with my clients where we can learn, reflect, iterate, and improve how visuals support processes and outcomes before, during, and after events.

BONUS: The more you give, the more you get: Be generous, over-deliver, and share. Blue oceans are more fun than red ones.

If you’ve been here a while, some of these might seem familiar. There are beautiful patterns in life and having the privilege of being in business for a longer period means some of those patterns are beginning to reveal themselves. If you want to dig into the archives, here are links to…

7th Anniversary

6th Anniversary

5th Anniversary

4th Anniversary

Once again, thank you from my heart and soul for your support, great senses of humor, brilliant minds, collaboration and what you're each doing to make the world a better place. Woo-diggity!

Cheers,

Where in the World is ConverSketch? Here’s what I have on my plate while turning eight:

New Video Release! The Drawing Connections series for the National Park Service is back! This time, let’s take a trip down to Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve in the bayous of Louisiana to get a taste of the culture, landscapes, and proud history of the area!

Dallas, Texas: With a corporate leadership group redefining their future and roadmap! I can’t share the full drawings with you, so here’s a closeup of a little friend on the journey.

The San Juan Mountains: We just got back from a couple nights in the backcountry with great friends, some powder snow, and lots of laughs. Here’s to wild places, wild friends, and keeping a little balance (literally and figuratively, when you’re on a splitboard!).

Sustainability Research 2.0: How They’re Using Graphics After Workshops. Here’s what Future Earth did with visuals and photos from our systems thinking workshops last year focusing on the future of sustainability science and research!

A Finished Watercolor Commission! Now that it’s with its new owner, I can share this watercolor painting I’ve been working on over the past few months. Redwood Magic | 16x20 inches

Rooted in Green Practices: ConverSketch’s Sustainability Philosophy

Since I was a child, natural places have always been a core piece of who I am and what I value. It’s only natural (heh) that sustainability and environmentally-conscious decisions have permeated ConverSketch since it’s business childhood. Since the business was born while I was finishing my master’s degree in environmental communication focusing on climate change, I love that many of my clients are in the sustainability and natural resource field, with work that makes the world a better place.

So, I figured its high time I shared a few of the ways that I embody my value of sustainability in the work as a graphic recorder and facilitator. Workshops can be resource-intensive, and I’ve made some intentional choices about materials, medium, and travel to align with my values.

• Carbon Offsets: Each trip is calculated through Native Energy, a carbon offset company that’s approved of by the Sierra Club.

• Refillable Markers from Neuland mean I’ve had the same marker bodies since 2012 when ConverSketch began. You can even replace the tips to keep them fresh!

• Digital Graphic Recording: An option that means no paper products nor markers used – all drawings are captured via iPad and projected up on screens for participants to enjoy!

• Falconboard: Recyclable alternative to foam boards, these mean I can still provide “analog” graphic recording with markers and boards or responsibly-sourced paper.

• Reusable Wooden Stands (or Easels): To prop the boards up to be free-standing and easy to move.

• Everyday Lifestyle Choices: I always keep a set of reusable wooden utensils in my purse to avoid single-use plastic utensils, and when I can, I ride my bike to local meetings and events, as well as growing veggies in the summer and raising hens for fresh eggs. Boy, those birds are happy!

Want more tips on plastic-free living and good environmental news? Check out the wildly talented Sarah Uhl and sign up for her monthly newsletter for quality content!

Ready for some evergreen drawings to keep your ideas and planning sustainable long-term?

Once again, thank you from my heart and soul for your support, great senses of humor, brilliant minds, collaboration and what you're each doing to make the world a better place.

Cheers,

Where in the World is ConverSketch?

Fort Worth, Texas: At an eye care digital summit. We spent the week building relationships across a global team, clarifying goals, strategies, and how to differentiate in the market. Although I can’t share specific content, I was able to work in some sea life with extra-special vision.

Nail these 2020 Event Trends by Partnering with a Graphic Facilitator

Many of you amazing people know what it takes to put on an event, and I tip my hat to every single one of you!

When I read this list of trends for events in 2020 from top event planners, I couldn’t help but come back to how graphic facilitation fits and enhances almost every one!

For example, an Experience Wall where the graphic recorder is gathering stories and responses to key questions over the course of the event provides “Experiential, focused not only on traditional objectives such as education and networking, but also on making attendees part of the event and providing them with unique activities to participate in and share on social media.”

As a graphic facilitator partnering with my client to co-design processes for meetings, another trend matches: “Events will make greater use of non-traditional meeting formats, flexible seating arrangements and the innovative use of space, in order to provide more opportunities to connect and interact (not just “network”).”

One of my favorite things about making meetings visual is the deeper connections across seemingly different­­ people. This human hunger to find connection ripples through another trend that can be achieved through graphic recording -- “Greater diversity, building bridges between cultures and sparking new ideas.”

And of course, when leveraged to their full potential, graphics can provide “Value and content before, during, and after events”.

Are you making the most of your next event? Let’s brainstorm how to set yours above and beyond!

Once again, thank you from my heart and soul for your support, great senses of humor, brilliant minds, collaboration and what you're each doing to make the world a better place.

Cheers,

Where in the World is ConverSketch?

Washington, DC: With the National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE) annual conference. Over 600 professionals working on using science to promote sound policy decision-making gathered and I got to work digitally AND create a massive Experience Wall based on participants’ ideas, synthesizing while everyone was in breakout sessions.

A digital graphic recording of a panel on diversity and climate change from NCSE 2020

Warm Wishes from ConverSketch

Many of us are wrapping up loose ends (and presents!) this time of year in the states, getting ready for holidays. The same is happening here at ConverSketch – one major thing I’m working on is reflecting and planning for the new year.

However, that’s for my next newsletter, because I haven’t put the finishing touches on some custom tools to help you do some visualizing too. Can’t wait? Here’s what we did last year.

This week as things have started to wind down, (also partially thanks to a wicked cold, partially because of a deadline to get a commission painting done before the holidays) I’ve had some time to pick up my paints again.

And I remembered how much joy it brings me to play with water and pigment, and create my interpretation of the dazzling beauty of the natural world.

So, this week here’s a little painting I did for a friend. And a little reminder to take a deep belly breath (go ahead, do it now), and take a moment for you to do something that brings you joy during the holidays. Because that joy will shine to everyone around you, and is a gift in itself!

Once again, thank you from my heart and soul for your support, great senses of humor, brilliant minds, collaboration and what you're each doing to make the world a better place.

Cheers,

Where in the World is ConverSketch?

New Jersey: With a new team as they co-created a shared mission, vision, and priorities for the next year. Although I can’t share content, here’s a snapshot of the visual agenda I created to set the tone for the day.

Las Vegas: With a group of data center industry leaders examining trends and sharing ideas. Again, I can’t share most content, but I can share this engaging presentation on social media.

In the Studio: Working on an illustration with the CIO at University of Pittsburgh to share his strategic vision with the rest of the Pitt community!

Where is YOUR Team’s Energy Going? One Way to Clarify for Sure.

Have you ever thought about something, then a few days or weeks later, that little thought has popped up in your life as a reality?

It’s such a treat to experience “energy flows where attention goes” -- in my personal life, and with groups using the graphics I create with them.

The visuals serve as focal points for groups to make connections or build shared agreement, illuminate a previously murky story, and reflect on their experiences together. They can also become “professional vision boards” for the organization to keep what’s most important front-of-mind among the complex systems they’re working in, for the coming weeks, months, even years.

It’s delightful to notice when thoughts seem to bring things to life, and for me it’s important to take time to appreciate them. Paying attention and offering gratitude is one of my favorite ways to stay centered, especially in the crazy times (cough, holidaze anyone? Click that link for some strategies to take it on with style and grace).

This week, as folks across the US take time to practice gratitude, I’d like to say I’m SO appreciative for you, my readers! Even if we haven’t met in person, you matter to me and I put my energy into these missives because you’re worth it! So, here’s a favorite from a few Novembers past – let’s draw turkeys!

Looking for ways to focus your team’s attention on what matters most?

Once again, thank you from my heart and soul for your partnership, great senses of humor, brilliant minds, collaboration and what you're each doing to make the world a better place.

Cheers,

Where in the World is ConverSketch?

I’m on vacation this week! Thanks in advance for slower than usual response times. Here’s what’s been happening in November:

Denver, Colorado: For the second annual Water in the West Symposium. Professionals across the food, environment, and municipal landscape discussed solutions to the challenges around water in the high desert.

Scottsdale, Arizona: With an executive leadership team. While I can’t share what I captured, here’s a digital welcome illustration I created for the first morning.

Denver, Colorado (again): To graphic record a visioning and relationship-building workshop for the Housing Innovation Alliance Live Round Table. The Alliance brought stakeholders together and designed a conversation-based day to ideate around the concept of creating Attainable Housing for All.

Albuquerque, New Mexico: When the office is the children’s science museum, you know it’s going to be a great day. Explora Museum brought me in to capture hands-on presentations about how to integrate STEAM (science, technology, engineering, ARTS, and math) into early childhood education!

The CSU Powerhouse: Graphic facilitating for leaders in Colorado’s hydrogen energy development. The group shared the state of the science and explored Colorado’s potential to lead the path toward massive decarbonization by using hydrogen.

In the Studio: Working on several studio illustration projects. Here’s a snapshot of a digital illustration for the team at IPBES to bring the words and details of their capacity-building strategy to life!

“…An artist says a hard thing in a simple way.”

I recently came upon this quote from the colorful writer Charles Bukowski: “An intellectual says a simple thing in a hard way. An artist says a hard thing in a simple way.”

I like this quote because it embodies its own message. It encapsulates an immense amount of complexity in two deceptively simple sentences.

And, if we’re doing our job well as graphic recorders, we can walk this edge of clarifying complexity without over simplifying. Through intentional mark making, considering the right questions, and deep listening, we help distill your hard work navigating the unknown future into what simply makes sense.

Once again, thank you from my heart and soul for your support, great senses of humor, brilliant minds, collaboration and what you're each doing to make the world a better place.

Cheers,

Where in the World is ConverSketch?

Wenatchee, Washington: Working with the US Forest Service sharing research and experience on the ground to better plan for risk mitigation for wildfires that cross management boundaries.

Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Nation, South Dakota: Listening to stories and helping tribal leaders develop a shared vision and priorities for more effective grant-writing to improve their community.

Columbus, Ohio: Back with this awesome team for the second annual Cybersecurity Days capturing best practices, campus innovations, and life hacks for more security online. Here’s my capture of Jerod Brennan’s excellent talk on protecting our digital identities.

West of Fort Collins: Elk hunting for a few days. Unfortunately, we didn’t get one this year, but it never ceases to fill me with gratitude and awe for these animals and wild places. I appreciate that my clients understand when I disconnect, and thank you all for your patience with slower-than-usual response times over the past two weeks between hunting and graphic recording work!

The Biggest Mistake I See Conference Planners Make and How You Can Avoid It

How many times have you signed up for a conference and been psyched for the opportunity to network with other people in your field, thought leaders, and share ideas on the future together…Only to find yourself slipping out early because your brain is full and you don’t want to sit through another panel presentation?

As a graphic recorder, I get to attend events across sectors, from federal agencies to corporate events and everything in between. And working with the event planning team ahead of time, I know how much work goes into pulling off an event of any size, and how deeply those event planners care about the success of the meeting.

And YET…I still see this mistake over and over again. Even if the planning conversations seek to avoid it.

What’s the biggest missed opportunity I see?

Not planning enough time for people to actually CONNECT with one another face-to-face and have the time to WORK on solving a problem together.

Let’s think about it. If you’re hosting an event, you’ve spent heaps of money on doing it right. You’ve brought important, smart people together into the same room…think of what the time of every individual in the room is worth taking a day away from other work to be there!

So, how can you make the most of their time? How can you work to move the field or think of a new solution or build deeper relationships with this group?

It’s tempting to stick with the status quo of panel after panel of people sharing top ideas. And there’s certainly a time and a place for that. I challenge you to think outside the box, and schedule in more time than you think you might want for interactive processes that will leave your participants feeling heard, energized, enthusiastic about their contributions, and creatively fueled by the end!

Ready to work with a graphic facilitator to create a process your participants won’t forget?

Once again, thank you from my heart and soul for your support, great senses of humor, brilliant minds, collaboration and what you're each doing to make the world a better place.


Cheers,

Where in the World is ConverSketch?

Fort Worth, Texas

With an eyecare corporation building relationships and co-creating a strategic path forward. So, what is strategy you ask? These pups can tell you!

Loveland, Colorado

Sharing tips and trick for visual communication with teachers at Bill Reed Middle School!

The Art of Reimagining the Report Out

Workshops with breakouts mean unending report outs, right? Maybe not!

Here are three tips I learned this summer at IFVP from Anthony Weeks on ways to ensure stellar report-backs that can be visually captured for useful synthesis and follow-up:

-          ONE Big Idea: Each group can ONLY share one big idea (it’s okay to share the same thing as another group)

-          Once Upon A Time: Ask each group to create a story arc of their idea to engage the audience

-          The Pitch: Each group gets a short time – one minute or less -- to persuade the rest of the group their ideas are best. Bonus: Offer prizes!

Over the report back? Here are a few other ways to approach visual capture of group work:

-          Visual templates for every group to work through and share, or post for a gallery walk.

-          Experience Walls: Pre-built walls with visuals and key questions that participants can interact with on breaks or built into the agenda.

-          Ask the graphic recorder to focus on creating one illustration summarizing the full day.

If you’re not reporting back but want everyone to hear the main story of what’s evolving, it’s important to still build in time or a strategy for the entire group to hear what others are speaking about. You can invite your graphic recorder to walk the entire group through a quick summary of what they captured.

Once again, thank you from my heart and soul for your support, great senses of humor, brilliant minds, collaboration and what you're each doing to make the world a better place.

Cheers,

Where in the World is ConverSketch?

Middlebury, Vermont: With the Institute for Ecological Civilization partnering with citizens in Vermont to support them as they co-created a vision across urban and rural communities in the state.

Chautauqua at Boulder, Colorado: As a participant/recorder with a group of leaders in the systems thinking sharing tools, building relationships, and deepening a network of practitioners working for social good from carbon neutrality to housing to equity and justice.

In the Studio: Filming the latest Drawing Connections video for the National Park Service, and a video for a team of cross-boundary wildfire and social scientists at the Rocky Mountain Research Station!

What’s Best for Your Event – A Graphic Summary or Chart for Every Session?

Often graphic recorders come prepared to capture every session in detail. However, sometimes we can be of greater service to the group by producing a single summary illustration of the high-level content of the entire day.

How do you decide which is the best approach for you? Here are a few ideas based on how I’ve partnered with clients to create the best outcomes for their specific needs.

Capturing in more detail is helpful when:

-          It’s important to capture many different perspectives and viewpoints to show all voices are heard and/or begin drafting a map of the landscape the group is working in.

-          Part of the event will be knowledge downloads, and part of the event will be tapping the wisdom of the room to address a challenge or problem. Having the information presented posted around as charts helps participants build on and remember what was shared as they develop solutions and next steps.

-          There are juicy keynotes or panels you want to capture and post as a gallery during and after the event to maintain momentum and inspire action with the group.

-          Groups will be taking ideas from plenary and developing them further in breakouts and need details to work with.

One chart for one hour of content from a panel — this was one of many graphics created over the day.

A summary graphic can be more useful if:

-          You’ve got concurrent sessions and only one graphic recorder. I often work with clients to design processes for staff or participants to capture key ideas and help me integrate them into the summary.

-          There is small group work without reporting back every time.

-          You want a slightly more polished piece to share during and after the event in reports, etc.

-          The content is sensitive but capturing the overall process and high-level ideas is valuable for participants. Sensing and holding the energy in the room is important for the process. I become part of the container for the group to move through their path, and the graphic summary can also hold that energy.

An example of a two day summary of back-to-back presentations for Houston Methodist Neuroregeneration Summit.

There are many ways to leverage a graphic recorder to best support your group. I love working with my clients leading up to the event to make sure the graphics are tailored to your needs and help move you toward your goals.

And sometimes, this is a “yes, and” situation – it’s important to capture content from each session, then after the event, I’ll work with clients to co-create a visual summary of the key messages to share moving forward.

Have an event coming up? Let’s connect and brainstorm the best ways to leverage visuals for lasting impact and engagement!

Once again, thank you from my heart and soul for your support, great senses of humor, brilliant minds, collaboration and what you're each doing to make the world a better place.

Cheers,

Where in the World is ConverSketch?

Denver, CO: For the closing session of Regis University’s Orientation Forum. New students reflected on a day experiencing different parts of the Denver community, and shared what kind of community THEY wanted to create together over the next year…and beyond!

Washington, DC: With the Democracy Fund to begin creating a systems map of our country’s democracy. It was complex, challenging, thought-provoking, and the hearts and minds of the people in the room are extraordinary! And another example of a summary of content from the entire day.

Newest Watercolor Video is…Heat Illness: Fun for everyone, right? Here’s a video from the National Park Service on how to safely prepare for fun outdoors even in the heat of the summer.

Tales from New Jersey Part 2: What I Decided to Step Into and How It Went

Have you ever shared something that seemed like second nature to you, but when you shared it, people were delighted and learned something new?

Last month I got to surround myself and learn from others in my professional field at the International Forum of Visual Practitioners (IFVP) conference. Here’s part two of my reflections from the event on where the field is headed and where I’m showing up.

For the first time, I presented a breakout workshop during the conference. At IFVP, I’ve always seen myself as a newbie, even though I’ve been a graphic recorder and facilitator for more than 8 years. I love teaching and facilitating, and I thought it was about time I offered something from my perspective back to my community. The topic? Email marketing that feels authentic AND builds your business.

Stepping into my expertise felt GREAT. People had a blast and applied what they learned. I may have flossed (the dance move, not the dental hygiene…At least not during my workshop). Sharing things that seemed obvious to me were revelations for my audience, and it was a treat to get to share more of my quirks and winning humor with my captive audience ;).

So I encourage you to consider: How might you stepping into ownership of your knowledge? How are you giving back to your community? Whether it’s volunteering or simply offering smiles to strangers, you can have an impact far greater than you know!

Want your meetings to have a greater impact? Let’s talk about how visuals can elevate engagement, understanding, and action at your event!

Once again, thank you from my heart and soul for your support, great senses of humor, brilliant minds, collaboration and what you're each doing to make the world a better place.

Cheers,

Where in the World is ConverSketch?

CU Boulder: Teaching a short-course on basics of visual communication and graphic recording for the Master of the Environment summer program. These students got it right away and immediately jumped in with two feet to re-design infographics on agriculture in Boulder County.

Albuquerque, New Mexico: Back with the New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force to support a Summit on Maternity and Infant Care for professionals across the state. A favorite session and graphic recording chart was on Mindfulness Meditation as a tool for self care. Namaste!

Aspen, Colorado: For the 10th annual Tech Policy Institute Aspen Forum! I learned about and scribed everything from “tech-lash” to cryptocurrency regulation to AI and machine learning and the role policy plays