Developed by Sketch Group, IdeaSketch™ is an interactive visual engagement activity that invites participants to share their thoughts, experiences, and perspectives in a creative, visual way.
Using our signature combination of words and pictures, our team of illustrators capture people’s responses to a key question — live, in real time — creating a dynamic visual wall of ideas that grows throughout the day. It’s part art installation, part conversation starter — and 100% about connection.
How IdeaSketch™ Works
While graphic recording captures the flow of presentations, speeches, or discussions in real time to create a visual summary, IdeaSketch™ focuses on capturing participants’ individual ideas and perspectives in an interactive, creative way. When you bring people together — whether for a conference, summit, or team workshop — something powerful happens: ideas start to flow. But capturing those ideas, surfacing shared themes, and helping participants feel heard can be a challenge.
We start with a powerful prompt, often one that ties to your event theme or strategic question — for example:
“If you had a magic wand, what would you change about the way we work together?”
Participants respond by writing or drawing their answers on cards. Our illustrators then transform these ideas into engaging sketches that get displayed on a large board or digital screen for everyone to see. Over the course of the event, this visual collection becomes a living snapshot of collective insight — a piece of visual storytelling that reflects the voices of your audience.
The Benefits of IdeaSketch™
- 1. Encourages Participation
Not everyone is comfortable speaking up in a group setting. IdeaSketch™ provides an inclusive and approachable way for everyone to contribute, regardless of personality or background. - 2. Builds Connection
Seeing ideas come to life visually helps participants notice patterns, share laughs, and find common ground — fostering a stronger sense of community. - 3. Captures Insights
The end result isn’t just artwork — it’s a record of what people are thinking and feeling. Many clients use the visual output as a tool for post-event reflection or strategic planning. - 4. Adds a Creative Spark
Let’s face it — conferences can feel heavy on PowerPoint slides and light on interaction. IdeaSketch™ brings colour, creativity, and curiosity into the room, leaving a memorable impression on attendees.
How Organisations Have Used IdeaSketch™
At the launch of the Every Bit Counts event, IdeaSketch™ was used to capture how participants felt events could be reimagined in a sustainable way. Over the day, the wall filled with optimistic global ambitions and whimsical indulgences — a beautiful visual testament to collective impact.
At various AISSA Conferences, IdeaSketch™ invited school leaders to imagine the future of education and governance within their framework. Responses ranged from whimsical to deeply insightful, sparking hallway conversations and helping event organisers see what themes resonated most strongly.
How You Can Use IdeaSketch™ at Your Next Event
IdeaSketch™ can be tailored to suit any context:
- Conferences or summits: to capture delegates’ voices on a key issue.
- Workshops or strategy sessions: to spark reflection or gather feedback.
- Community engagement events: to help people share ideas in an open, creative format.
Our team can run IdeaSketch™ in person and you’ll receive a high-quality digital version of the completed artwork to share after the event — perfect for social media, reports, or internal communications.
When you pair graphic recording and IdeaSketch™ at the same event, you get the best of both worlds: a real-time visual summary of presentations and discussions, alongside a rich, interactive collection of participants’ individual ideas — amplifying engagement, insight, and connection.
If you’d like to explore how IdeaSketch™ — on its own or paired with graphic recording — could bring your next event to life, we’d love to have a chat and share some ideas.