Live Illustration, Why Youth Workers & Young People love it!

Last week, and indeed the last few months, my live illustration has brought me into lots of different Youth Work spaces. I’ve learnt that Youth Workers aren’t afraid to embrace new ideas, and are always looking for new ways to engage with young people - this is why they love Graphic Recording! 

Youth Centres are some of my favorite venues to work in. They are so welcoming, super colourful and have endless supplies of black currant dilute. Graphic Recording fits into this space  perfectly because: 

Youth Workers genuinely care about what Young People are saying, visual notes are written proof that they’re listening. By having me in the room drawing what people are saying, the people in the room have clear evidence that they are being heard, and that what they say matters.

Live Illustration is super engaging for young people, especially in a world where they are bombarded by screens. A huge piece of paper full of fun illustrations is a real curve ball in this tik-tok era. Live Illustrations encourages young people to slow down and gives them time to consider the conversation. Think of it as a visual break from the constant stream of 10-second videos and sound bites that fill their days.

Each time I live-scribe for a group of teenagers, the feedback is the same:

‘’Those drawings are deadly!’’, ‘’You’re handwriting is so neat’’ ‘’omg is this your job?’’

Live illustration genuinely impresses teenagers, which I know is no easy feat! It grabs their attention and even better, it holds it.
It gives them a rest from the constant stimulus that is social media and lets them slow down and take pause.

Live Illustration has worked well in Focus Groups, Community of Practice Events and Group Interviews where Teens & Young People have been present.

Finglas Youth Centre, Ballymun Youth Resource Centre, Dublin ETBI & Youth Work Ireland have all trusted me to draw within a Youth Work context. If you work with Young People and want to include Live Illustration at your next gathering get a quote here.