In today’s digital world, digital graphic recording, capturing contents on tablets, projecting their visuals onto large screens for audiences to follow is becoming more popular. Some clients start to request this service more and more. While the convenience of tablet-based recording is clear, traditional paper-based graphic recording offers distinct advantages that are often overlooked. Here's why paper-based graphic recording still holds a unique, valuable place in live events and workshops.
One of the most aspects of paper-based graphic recording, of course, is its tangible. When the recorder is working on large panels or sheets of paper, the audience can watch the entire process unfold in real-time. This immediate connection between the graphic recorder, the audience, and the content being captured fosters a sense of shared experience that is difficult to replicate on a digital screen. We have clients who created large scale panels for us, graphic recorders, to draw on, in front of the audience during their training sessions. They want their key messages and participants' memories to be reinforced.
Large, paper-based graphic recordings have an undeniable impact. Filling the walls with visuals creates a sense of importance and immersion that digital projections often lack. Even when tablet drawings are projected, they can feel distant and less significant as they look like slide presentations, compared to the bold presence of paper recordings covering a room.
Participants can walk up to paper graphic records, interact with them, and see details up close. This interaction is a powerful way to reinforce engagement and connection to the content being recorded.
Participants are often drawn to the paper visuals, pointing out key elements, discussing specific drawings, or simply appreciating the artistry up close. This encourages a more dynamic and collaborative atmosphere. Paper-based recording encourages audience interaction in ways that digital recording can’t.
Tablet-based recordings, on the other hand, tend to keep the audience passive, limiting engagement to what’s shown on the screen. Each participant will just pay attention to their own mobile phones, rather than looking up and reflecting on the content with others. Paper-based graphic recording invites exploration and participation, enhancing the overall event experience.
A common reason clients prefer digital graphic recording is that they provide immediate digital output. But in reality, converting paper-based recordings into a digital format is quick and easy. A high-quality photo can be just as effective for sharing and distributing after the event. In some projects, as requested by clients, we re-draw the whole things in digital format for more neatness and corrections.
The true value of graphic recording lies in the live experience it creates for the audience—not just the final output. Paper-based recordings, which can easily be digitized later, still deliver the full experience without sacrificing the convenience of digital sharing.
Paper-based graphic recording carries a certain authenticity that resonates with audiences. The imperfections, textures, and hand-drawn feel of paper work bring a human touch that digital tools sometimes lack. The slight irregularities in the lines, the depth of the marker strokes, and the organic nature of the artwork make the experience feel more real and immediate.
Tablet-based recording often produces more polished, precise results, but this can sometimes create a sense of detachment. Paper-based visuals feel like live art, created in real-time, and that authenticity leaves a lasting impression.
Technology can sometimes get in the way. With tablet-based recording, there is risk encountering technical issues—such as glitches, software freezes, or projector malfunctions—that can disrupt the event flow. Paper-based recording, on the other hand, is free from these distractions. It's just a graphic recorder, the markers, and the ideas flowing directly onto the page.
This simplicity allows for a smoother experience and keeps the audience focused on the conversation and visuals rather than worrying about technical issues.
While tablets and digital projectors have their advantages, paper-based graphic recording continues to offer unique benefits that digital tools simply can’t replicate.
At our company, we work with both paper-based and tablet-based tools, depending on your event’s needs. But we believe it’s important not to overlook the timeless benefits of paper-based graphic recording. Sometimes, the most powerful moments happen when people converse. Whether you’re seeking a digital output or a more immersive experience, we deliver the best of both worlds.
