Graphic facilitation evolved back in the early ‘70’s from the influences and approaches taken from design engineers and architects whilst problem solving and mapping out their assignments. The principles have evolved and become a popular way for a collective expression of meaning and symbolically showing that meaning in graphic form on large visual displays or posters. Feedback from participants to us at The TLC partnership suggests that the process reveals people’s thoughts or physicalises their imagination graphically.
We are hard-wired to be visual. Fancy a quick experiment? Close your eyes thinking of the words “A bottle of water”.
Our guess is a visual image would have popped into your mind. You’d probably even recall the particular brand of said bottle of water! 75% of the neurons in our brain are processing information visually. As children we are able to draw before we speak. As adults we obtain over 80 per cent of our information visually and graphic facilitation enables us to see what we and everyone else has said and maybe not all heard. Key benefits of this powerful data creation and capture methodology:
- Energy and enthusiasm grows as people see their contribution has been captured and by definition is seen as valuable; thus encouraging more involvement and participation
- The display is owned by the group; seen as a valuable tool to document on their behalf the process decisions and outcomes
- Meaning, patterns and themes are visually articulated and connected so that people are able to apply themselves to idea generation rather than evaluating existing ideas making sense of how other contributions connect
- Conversations and stories are captured and their meaning shaped and made visible
There are several approaches involved in graphic facilitation each with their own scope:
- Information Design: involves the design and integration of very complex information into a visual layout, usually in the form of artistic plan layouts and posters. Many designers work use graphic facilitation and CAD programming during the initial design stages to develop mutual ideas with their customers.
- Graphic Process Consulting: enables people to frame and shape their views, ideas and opinions. An approach often used very successfully within a strategy formulation process and within large conference settings, for example, can incorporate a range of media.
- Graphic Facilitation: combines facilitation skills and graphic recording simultaneously.
- Graphic Recording: transcribes people’s contributions in a meeting, at a workshop or in a conference, using large display graphics and words.
Ask how we have supported other companies with our graphic facilitation skills and how we can particularly support you in your organisation.
Contact us by filling out the Quick Enquiry Box; or by using any of our other contact details shown at the very bottom of this page. Thank You. We look forward to hearing from you.
View our Graphic Facilitation gallery here
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