Bringing Ideas to Life: Live Illustration for Co-Production and Consultation Events

Co-production and consultation events are all about listening. Whether you’re engaging with community members, service users, staff, or stakeholders, it’s vital that every voice is heard and valued. That’s where live illustration for events can make a lasting difference.

Live illustration – also known as graphic recording services or visual note taking – transforms spoken contributions into compelling visuals in real time. As people share ideas, concerns or lived experience, the illustrator draws out key themes as they emerge. This means participants can see their voices reflected immediately – helping build trust and transparency.

Supporting inclusive and collaborative processes

For public and third sector organisations, co-production is about creating together – not just consulting. A visual record helps level the playing field. Participants who might not feel confident speaking up, or who are neurodiverse or multilingual, often connect more easily with imagery than dense reports or verbal discussion alone.

Illustration can bridge communication gaps. It validates contributions without paraphrasing or filtering, and encourages others to build on what’s been shared. Live visuals support accessibility and create a shared reference point, especially in complex or emotionally charged discussions.

Visual documentation that drives action

The benefit of visual note taking doesn’t stop at the event. The resulting images can be used in follow-up materials, evaluation reports, or presentations to senior leaders or funders. Compared to pages of minutes, visual notes are more engaging, easier to digest, and more likely to be remembered.

Illustrations can also be used in digital communications, social media, or display materials to feed back to communities or groups – showing how their input has shaped decisions. This builds a stronger feedback loop, improves accountability, and increases the chances of future engagement.

Commissioning illustration with purpose

If you’re running a co-production session or public consultation, consider bringing in a live illustrator. Illuscribe offers thoughtful, collaborative graphic recording services across the UK, with a strong understanding of community engagement work, especially in the North.

Whether you’re gathering views for a new service, shaping a funding strategy, or exploring experiences of marginalised groups, we can help create visuals that truly reflect what matters most to people.

Get in touch to book live illustration for your next event – email hello@illuscribe.co.uk