Live Scribing & Graphic Recording in London — Capturing Conversations Since 1997
James Baylay
29 years of visual thinking
I’ve been scribing since 1997, when there were just a few scribes globally, and have helped develop this highly visual form of note taking and storytelling into how it’s practised today. I’ve scribed for pretty much every kind of organisation and am still passionate about listening carefully and crafting pictures that get to the heart of what people want to communicate. At every event I map out the most important information so my work acts as a useful summary of what was said. Within that I strive to create multiple stand alone illustrations that deliver messages quickly and clearly, with humour, empathy and imagination. These two aspects mean each scribe is a really effective communication tool - it can tell the whole story or be broken down into standout moments.
I’ve collaborated with:
“James has worked with NHS Fife on a number of complex assignments. He has a capacity to understand the content of conversations very quickly, on topics that he is not dealing with everyday. He can catch significant points of interest and difference and the related emotion and represent them with humour and intelligence. This then makes talking about difficult issues much easier.
We have used his talents to track the progress and decision making of groups, that have led to new policy and practice. His work has been invaluable.”
Scribing
I have created different categories for scribing to help illustrate different approaches but they are not self contained. Scribing is about being flexible and I mix and tailor these broad frameworks to tell each story as effectively as I can. They are also created both digitally, for virtual meetings, or with paper and pens.
One powerful image that tells the whole story
Rich Picture Scribe — I distil complex information, strategy or narrative into one detailed illustration that works as a standalone communication tool.
A visual summary of your event
The Live Event Scribe — I draw in real time as your conference, workshop or meeting unfolds, creating a large-scale visual record of the conversation.
Individual illustrations that each land a key message
The Cartoon Scribe — a collection of focused cartoons, each capturing one idea with clarity and humour. Great for breaking a big conversation down into shareable moments.
Live scribing for virtual or hybrid events
Digital Scribing — everything I do in the room, delivered remotely. I draw digitally and can share my screen live or produce visuals for immediate distribution after your online event.
Recent work
Scribing made at a recent conference for Jisc exploring the potential of AI. Drawn by hand on a 3 metre wall and digitised post event. See photo below of work in progress. Click to enlarge.
Photo of James Baylay drawing live at a conference for Jisc.
Excerpt of live scribing executed on paper and subsequently digitised for sharing post-event.
Rich Picture based on a scribing from an event for the National Lottery Community Fund. Made immediately post event to share content as a one page summary. Click to enlarge.
Poster describing state of ADHD Diagnosis in UK based on the work of Professor Susan Young. See Animation section to view the animated version. Click on image to download A2 copy.
A piece of cartoon scribing drawn at event digitally.
A piece of cartoon scribing drawn at event on paper and subsequently coloured digitally.
A multiple slide deck redrawn as a highly graphical one page summary. This kind of synthesis makes dense slide decks accessible, engaging and memorable.
Rich picture made to encapsulate history and issues surrounding an architecture project - the proposed development of King’s Road Church.
Live scribing for Youth Symposiums with UCL and University of Oxford exploring the ideas of Empire, Migration and Belonging. Each scribe made at separate events on paper then digitised. Please click for enlargements.
Live cartoon scribing made with pen on paper at the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s Survivor Summit. An example of capturing people’s experiences with illustration.
Live scribing with digital additions and colour.
Digitally drawn cartoon made to illustrate conversation during an online event.
Two-day virtual event for the Thalidomide Trust — this scribe was shared with participants as a post-event summary.
