Graphic Recording for Award Ceremonies

Graphic Recording or Visual Note-taking is a great addition to awards nights! Yanno that lovely introduction that awardees are given before going up on stage? Well they’re like little golden nuggets to me when I’m drawing! Why?

Well they’re usually very succinct, evocative and heartwarming. If it wasn’t for the short drawing time, it would be like working on easy mode. Instead of needing to breakdown a 20min speech into its main points, at award ceremonies, I’m gifted the main point on a shiny platter.

HOWEVER, I have to draw that intro  really quickly before the next award is called. Sounds tricky? Well it is, but I also have some tricks up my sleeve to make sure your awards night goes smoothly and is drawn beautifully. 

The Cherry Orchard Community Awards Night, Visual Notes by Leah O Donoghue

Trick Number 1:

Share the list of Awards & Who’s winning them to me before the event - it's very important that these are sent in the order at which they will be handed out, so I can do some pre-event prep. The more detail the better at this point!

Trick Number 2:

Now that I have the super secret list of winners (Don’t worry I’ll keep it safe), I am able to do some pre-event prep! Usually I’ll write each of the names out on some pieces of paper and have them ready to add to the Graphic Recording. I prepare them by adding double sided sticky tape to the back. Then, I stack them in order ready for the big night!

Trick Number 3:

Subtlety is key for this one, the audience must be fooled into thinking you are also hearing the name of the awardee for the first time. I stick the name on my board as everyone is clapping for the previous winner. Then, when the next winner is introduced, I have time to draw exactly why they’re winning the award

Friends of Breastfeeding, Awards 2025 - Visual Notes by Leah O Donoghue

Graphic Recording / Visual Note-taking / Live Illustration is the perfect tool for capturing the important parts of your award ceremony. Award nights are all about celebrating the people that make your community or organisation special. Seeing their amazing attributes drawn live is a great way of making them feel (even more) appreciated.

I have used the above tricks for the FOBF Awards Gala and The Cherry Orchard Community Awards Night. Both times the audience was really captivated by the outcome. Visual Notes provided them with an opportunity to reflect on each of the award winners and why they deserved recognition. 

If you have an awards night, gala or ceremony planned why not include Visual Note-Taking? Get a Quote Here.