What Are Visual Minutes and Why Use Them?

Visual minutes are a creative way to document meetings, workshops or discussions through live drawing. Instead of relying solely on traditional written notes, visual minutes capture the flow of ideas in a more expressive, engaging and human way.

They can be especially useful in settings where participation and understanding are key—such as in local authority consultations, stakeholder events, or charity-led co-design workshops.

As a visual scribe, I listen actively and draw what I hear in real time. This might include sketches, diagrams, quotes and metaphors that summarise the heart of the discussion. People are often surprised by how helpful it is to see their contributions reflected visually—it makes the session feel more dynamic, and helps different voices feel valued.

The final visual can be used as a legacy piece, in reports, funding bids, or just as a creative way to feed back to participants.

If your team is looking for a more inclusive and engaging way to document your next meeting, visual minutes might be just the thing. Get in touch at hello@illuscribe.co.uk.