Scribe Spotlight: Joel

Joel is one of Ludic Creatives' longest serving visual scribes.

From scribing to painting, Joel's skill set is diverse and his ability to simplify complex business content into fun and vibrant visuals is second to none.

Joel studied at Falmouth College of Arts and has since collaborated with several large clients, from KPMG and EY to Cadbury and the BBC.

We took a few moments to sit down with Joel and ask him some questions...

A Q&A with Joel

How did you get into scribing?

I quit my job as a youth worker and moved to London around 2005, with the aim of finding something more creative (I'd studied fine art painting at university). I was applying to any arts job that I could find and I spotted an advert that said something like "can you listen and draw at the same time?" I had no idea if I could, but sent in my portfolio and a couple of weeks later I did my first live scribe and never looked back!

What is your favorite thing about scribing?

If I compare scribing to regular studio work, then studio Illustration is like acting in a movie, but scribing is like acting on stage. I love the immediacy; work is started and finished during the event. You get feedback from the audience straight away. That human interaction is great and something I really miss if I spend too long long in my studio.

On the other hand that audience is also the most terrifying thing about scribing.

What's the most interesting scribing job you've been apart of?

The large-scale events always stand out, scribing for hundreds of lawyers on a cruise ship off the coast of Spain in choppy weather or drawing a knowledge wall at the Excel at an event attended by more than 200,000 people.

But the ones I like the most are probably the smaller ones, working with a theatre group for adults with learning difficulties, or working with the National Deaf Children's Society or brainstorming with the Red Cross.

What's your favorite piece of scribing work you've produced?

My favorite tends to be the pieces where I've worked hand in hand with the event facilitator to create something a bit more considered. I've done a lot of work with the School of Education at the University of Hertfordshire, the work we create together is always a bit more structured and interesting.

When you're not scribing, what are you working on?

I'm a keen sketchbook keeper, so I'm always doodling. I've also started and so far failed to finish a children's book/comic, which I try and work on when free time and motivation collide!