Graphic Recorder Helps Bring Innovation to Life at ACT

Stephanie Crowley

Stephanie Crowley helped ACT “walk the talk” at the annual meeting.

She brought the event’s theme, fostering a culture of innovation, to life through real-time graphic representations. Crowley, founder and director of Chrysalis Studios, a California-based graphic recording firm, created largescale murals that captured content, conversation, strategy, and brainstorming ideas as the meeting was in progress. Graphic recording involves listening to conversation while simultaneously creating a visual summary of the live content.

Crowley’s work was recently featured in a Harvard Business Review article titled “Bored of PowerPoint? Try This Instead.” Her nine years in the graphic recording field have taken her throughout North America, Europe, China, Turkey, Africa, Southeast Asia, Israel, and the Middle East. She works with a wide range of clients, including Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.

Here, Crowley talks about her work and her experience at ACT.

How did you get into the field of graphic recording?

It was purely by accident. I was working in marketing for a telecommunications company and was unhappy, so I quit. At the time, I was into rock climbing, and the Ford Motor Company hired me for a marketing campaign that involved putting on demonstration climbing shows. I then worked with a company that offered a challenge course to help build employees’ teamwork skills. The company held a strategy planning session and brought in consultants, including a graphic recorder. As I watched the graphic recorder at work, I became fascinated and decided that’s what I wanted to do. Because there is no formal training or certification program for graphic recording, I bought books on drawing and taught myself.

Stephanie Crowley uses chalk, markers, and 4-foot by 8-foot mural paper to create her graphic recordings.

How does your creative process work?

Content is always first. I listen to the speakers’ remarks and participants’ comments and distill the key points, big themes, and main messages. I then create metaphors or illustrations to highlight the content. Sometimes the speakers give me a visual, but usually the first image that pops into my mind is the best one, because it’s instinctual and, therefore, on target.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

The fast pace is challenging and requires me to be innovative on the spot. I like seeing participants’ faces light up as they view the completed murals and recall specific points that spark additional conversations or ideas. I also enjoy hearing people say, “There’s my comment, and it’s part of the permanent meeting record.” It’s very personally rewarding to know that I’m helping people be heard.

What were your impressions of ACT?

I was surprised to learn that ACT encompasses so much more than a college entrance exam. I become a personal ambassador for many of my clients because their work is so interesting. Now that I know more about ACT, I will be educating people about the company.

How will your work help ACT move forward?

One of the key messages of the annual meeting was “shut up and build something.” With the graphic recordings, participants were living that message. Sure, they did a lot of talking, but collectively they also were creating a living document of actions ACT can take as it continues to foster a culture of innovation.

Graphic recorder Stephanie Crowley works on a mural for ACT. Here, she begins with a blank canvas and progresses to a complete panel over the course of a session. Crowley digitizes the final murals, so organizations can share them electronically.