Graphic recording is the practice of capturing spoken content in illustration and words, in real time. It’s a specialty service that requires deep listening, quick processing, keen drawing skills, and spelling acumen!

Yen draws in digital form using an iPad and Apple Pencil. Her style is a balance of text and image, big ideas with personal touches of energy drawn from the group. It’s an invaluable tool for conferences; staff meetings; strategic planning; student voice; civic, government, municipal gatherings; and executive meetings.

If you’re envisioning scripted and specific content, graphic recording is not the best option. Consider a commissioned illustration, instead.

What is graphic recording?

Why have a graphic recorder?

Graphic recording conjures memories, incites action, and holds people accountable. The illustrations entertain and solidify teaching and sharing. Used by itself or complemented with translators, interpreters, and/or closed captioning, it is a deeply engaging and accessible tool for all types of learners. To serve those that are blind/visually-impaired, a text transcript with description of the content is provided with all graphic recordings within 24 hours of the event closing. Yen’s goal is to enhance each session by imparting an impactful piece of hand drawn collateral—half art, half artifact.

Yen specializes in human-centered topics including but not limited to:

• Education
• Food access
• Social and racial justice
• Research, technology, and innovation
• Mental health, maternal and birthing justice, and medicine
• Strategic planning, operations, and futuring
• Environmental justice, sustainability, and climate action
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging efforts
• BIPOC leadership and fellowship circles

Some content will not be captured. This includes:
• Sections that are shorter than 30 minutes
• Openings/closings that do not include concrete information
• Acknowledgments, welcomes, anecdotes, logistics
• Instructions for an activity or transitional time

• An initial 30-minute discovery meeting discusses who your attendees are, how the graphic recording will serve your organization, the structure of the event to identify how many recordings will be needed, what key components should be captured, technology needs, and branding. You will decide if the graphic recording will be shown in real time or saved for a reveal at the end of event.

• A proposal with quote and samples will be shared
• Once the proposal is approved, an agreement will be signed to lock in the date
• Yen will arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start time to set up; 20 minutes earlier for virtual engagements
• Graphic recordings will be captured and uploaded on site (assuming stable Wifi)
• Transcripts of the content will be delivered by the end of day
• The files are yours to share, use, and promote — as much as you’d like!

what is the process?

what is included in the package?

PRICING

Yen’s packages are centered around expertise and abundance. In addition to her illustration capabilities, she has an understanding of communications and marketing needs. Below are a list of products included with her services. Please note, every project may be customized to meet your needs. Just ask.

• 30-minute consultation to learn about audience, application of graphic recordings, goals for messaging, branding, color palette, #hashtags, technical set-up, location/floorplan
• Templates created in advance (may include title, date, logo)
• Technical check-in with your point person or A/V team
• Day of recording services with live streaming, at your request
• Dropbox access for 60 days
• Still images in PDF and jpg, medium resolution for presenting in digital 4K and printing on letter sized paper
• Full usage to use your proprietary images and files indefinitely
• “Light” edits like a word change, an omission or quick add within 2 business days (additional edits and redrawing incurs hourly fees)
• Written transcript post-event (for visually-impaired and blind participants using read aloud software, post-event)
• A presentation of content is an effective way to review content and takes no more than 5 minutes for a full day event

* Videos and images are not edited. Referrals for editors, videographers. and voice actors can be made—just ask!

Every engagement receives a custom proposal with scope of services and quote based on amount of travel and duration of engagement. Here are samples of where pricing for graphic recording starts.

IN PERSON (SE MICHIGAN)
Hourly packages start at $1,800
Half day (4 hours) $2,800
Full day (8 hours) $3,800

• Within the Michigan counties of Washtenaw, Oakland, Wayne, Livingston, Monroe, Macomb, Lenawee, Jackson and Ingham
• Pricing includes mileage, travel time, and/or overnight accommodations

IN PERSON (NATIONAL)
Half (4 hours) start at $3,800
Full day (8 hours) start at $5,000

• Pricing includes airfare, overnight accommodations, travel time, and incidentals

2027 pricing will increase slightly.
Any projects booked by December 31, 2026 will be quoted at this year’s pricing (even if it occurs next year!)

VIRTUAL (ZOOM)
Packages start at $1,500

Enhance your virtual gathering with graphic recording services:

• Shared on screen at intervals -or-
• Unveiled at the end of session/event
• Quick description typed in Zoom chat for attendees

Multi-day graphic recording engagements (virtual and in-person) receive 15% off second day and each day forth