The Graphic Facilitator’s Guide: How to use your listening, thinking and drawing skills to make meaning

As a newcomer in the Graphic Facilitator and Visual Thinking Business, in this book Brandy held my hand through the process of becoming a specialist in this area. I loved the way how topics were outlined. Language is clear. Ideas are concise. The way that Brandy explains everything is very comprehensive (of course in her unique graphic style). As many times as you need it, you can go back to the chapters and execises in order to reinforce the lesson. Brandy doesn't hold anything back. She talks about from the basic skills you need to develop up to giving tips about running your business. Maybe in other works, you'll find authors selling the idea that you'll find everything you need in their book to become the specialist in certain area and when you finish it, you could finish like "what else?? I want more", but in Brandy's work is not the case. It's really smart the way how the book it's developed because you guide the process by yourself and at the end of the day the message is the more you practice, the more you'll be prepared and ready to show your talent. Also the book proposes an interesting and fun way to share your learning process, but I'm not revealing any spoilers, do your research!!

This is a great book on how to translate words into graphics in real time. I liked her suggestions and she is generous with passing along trade secrets. I use this technique in group therapy with young people and it has been very helpful. I also use it when working with students with developmental disabilities -- having the visuals to go along with the words is great for them and lets the ideas and messages sink in long after the spoken words are gone. I can just point to the graphic to illustrate an idea rather than explaining the concept all over again. Almost everyone is a visual learner and almost everyone benefits from having spoken ideas translated into images. Although the author seems to work mostly in corporate settings and meetings -- the ideas are very applicable for teaching in schools, counseling, therapy and probably many other settings as well.

Pros- Lots of great tips for facilitating graphical meetings- Each section is indexed with a twitter tag so futher discussions can take place on the Internet- Section on Synthesis is explained very well and I feel is one of the best parts of the book.Cons- No e-book format, this book screams for ebook for the search feature alone- Some sections come off heavy handed. The section "It's not about you" seems to assume graphic facilitation of meetings will always be conducted by a neutral party, but it might be lead by a manager or executive who has input and is facilitating a meeting.- The section on templates is lite and could use some kickstarters to help novices and some benchmarks to shoot for.- The amount of content while good, can feel a bit like drinking from the firehose for someone who might be new to art.Note: I edited the review after getting my copy of the book back and adjusted the rating. 5 stars when there is a ebook. :)

Brandy's book is a must-have for any graphic facilitator's library -- new and seasoned professionals alike. I wish this book had come out when I was first finding my way into this work, but it's also a valuable resource for experienced graphic facilitators/recorders. There are so few books that clearly articulate the processes behind graphic facilitation.Brandy breaks down graphic facilitation into understandable components-- from the different types of speakers you might encounter, to the principles behind listening, to "quick-like-a-bunny" drawing skills and so much more. The biggest impact for me was both the section on the shape of a conversation and the most efficient ways to map, as well as the hands-on exercise of graphic recording a short paragraph and then analyzing the different levels of synthesis. It's such fantastic way to pin-point the exact processes that shape graphic facilitation/recording and how each of us bring a unique perspective & talent to this work.

I am a professional facilitator who has noticed that when you capture a group's story as they are telling it, and desplay it in front of them in a way that emerges as they speak - it provides a much stronger 'memory' of the conversation than say meeting minutes, or power points. It also helps to highlight particular points.But I dont consider myself a good artist and I never understood how graphic recorder's managed/organised the space of the board in front of them.Brandy's book provides practical tips to help anyone draw and understand how to organise the display of the conversation. Its not a book you pick up and read once. You read and practice - read and practice.... I know this book will be an ongoing reference for me for quite some time as I try out the suggestions and ideas offered.A practical, well organised fountain of wisdom for those who are willing to experiment and learn!

I've looked at a lot of different books on visual thinking and facilitation and this is the BEST of the crop. Brandy walks through the basics and encourages you to draw along. It works. There's not a lot of text to read, you just get going and start building the basics of your own visual library. I'm recommending this to all of my customers and teammates, because it's *that good*! I'm currently reading her most recent book "The Idea Shapers" and it's on its way to being another indispensable resource

contains good nuggets

This book gives you an excellent grounding to start your graphic facilitation practice. I still refer to it.

El libro llegó antes de lo esperado está en perfecto estado, apenas ha sido usado.El contenido tiene un enfoque práctico y es una guía para los facilitadores visuales, la autora da una paso a paso de cómo lograr impactar con tus presentaciones con la técnica de Visual Thinking.

I enjoyed reading this book very much and also learned a lot!For everyone who seeks a hands-on, straightforward, modern and very useful instruction for graphic facilitation/recording I can definitely recommend this book. The Chapters and drawings were just what I needed to try my first Facilitation.I think this book is short enough to be a quick read and to bring along on your first facilitations, but still detailed enough to teach you structure and meaning of the graphic facilitation process. I loved it.

Great book

Questo libro è arrivato puntualissimo e in condizioni ottime! Una buona guida per imparare a organizzare meglio le proprie idee e i propri pensieri utilizzando schemi grafici.