Scribing for the Health Digital Platforms conference at the School of Business, University of Sussex and Brighton
Growing up I used to be told off by my teachers for doodling in my exercise books instead of writing. Today it is my job: I am a professional sketchnoter, or scribe. I document events, conferences, concerts, meetings, presentations and pitches with live drawings, either by hand or digitally.
What was once denigrated and considered as childish is now being recognised as a powerful communication tool. Better yet, it is trendy. The biggest corporations are now using scribes to record their meetings, conferences and seminars with live drawings. Fashion brands commission them to animate their shows and retail events. Beyond the trend, the scribing input gives various events organisers a unique way to engage and collaborate with their audience as well as giving them a powerful visual memory of their event that highlight key thoughts and ideas.
What make a good scribe aren’t necessarily their drawing skills, but rather their ability to listen and synthesise visually, their wit, humour and empathy being essential assets. When scribing I draw spontaneously, taking inspiration directly from what is being said or done, thus offering an enhanced live experience to participants. The visuals created during the event can be projected or posted on social media channels as they are produced, but also finessed afterwards to create communication materials.
I have always been a scribe. At school it was the only way for me to focus and to process what I was being told, which makes the fact that I was being told off about it a bit ironic. Now I am wondering… if the stigma is progressively being removed from doodling, could we teach this skill at school? Some people, a lot of us actually, learn better with images and through them feel more connected to what we live. Can scribing promote equality and diversity during the process of learning? These are just some food for thoughts, but one thing is clear: doodling is definitely the way forward.