Live Graphic Recording
Live scribing, or in-person graphic recording, is the traditional format where a visual scribe is physically present at your event—usually working on a large canvas or board, often positioned where the audience can watch the visuals unfold in real time.
The immediacy and visibility of this approach makes it incredibly engaging. Seeing the visual summary take shape live on stage or at the side of the room helps audiences connect with the content, stay focused, and feel more involved. It also adds a dynamic, creative energy to the space—ideal for conferences, workshops, exhibitions, or team offsites.
Tools used include markers, large-format paper, and sometimes digital tablets for projected visuals. The physical presence of the scribe allows for spontaneous interactions and contributes to the atmosphere of the event itself.
Pros: High engagement, real-time visual impact, audience interaction
Considerations: Travel and setup logistics, physical space required, less suited to fully virtual environments
Remote Visual Scribing
In remote visual scribing, the scribe listens to the session via video call or livestream and captures the content in real time—typically using a digital drawing tablet. The visuals can be streamed back to the audience via screen share or shared afterwards as polished files.
This format is ideal for virtual events, webinars, hybrid workshops, or sessions where the scribe doesn’t need to be in the room to have an impact. It allows for flexibility across time zones, geographies, and event sizes.
Remote scribing is especially useful when events are hosted on platforms like Zoom, Teams, or Hopin. The visual can be displayed at intervals during the session or as a closing reflection.
Pros: No travel required, flexible for virtual/hybrid formats, quick delivery of digital files
Considerations: Less physical presence, requires strong AV setup and coordination
Digital Scribing Services (Post-Event Capture)
Digital capture refers to visual scribing that happens after an event, based on recordings, transcripts, or briefing notes. While it’s not done live, it’s still a powerful way to turn key messages into compelling visual summaries.
This format works well when you want to create visual content from pre-recorded sessions, strategy documents, or internal comms pieces. It’s also ideal for clients who want clean, brand-aligned visuals with time for review and refinement.
Digital scribing services often allow for deeper illustration, layout design, and multiple review rounds—resulting in highly polished visuals that can be used across channels.
Pros: High-quality visuals, full creative control, no live coordination needed
Considerations: Not real-time, lacks live engagement aspect, turnaround time depends on brief
Each of these formats—live, remote, and digital—offers its own strengths depending on the context and goals of your event. Many clients even combine them, using live scribing during an event and commissioning refined digital versions afterwards for broader sharing.
Explore Ludic Creatives' Visual Scribing Studio to learn more, and click here to book a scribe.
