My name is Beka and I’m a live illustrator or ‘scribe‘ based in the North of England (West Yorkshire).
What is live illustration?
Live illustration or live drawing has many names including: taking visual minutes, scribing, sketch note taking (sketchnoting / sketchnotes) and graphic recording. It is a way to capture discussions, conversations and ideas using drawings rather than words. Live illustration happens in real time, across the course of an event.
What can live illustration do for you?
- It offers clear communication, translating complex information into easier to understand visuals (by capturing the headlines)
- It offers increased engagement via a dynamic. added element, keeping audiences focussed and interested for longer
- It makes the discussions had more memorable and easier to digest, tapping directly into one of the four main learning styles (visual, auditory, reading and writing and kinesthetic – sometimes known as VARK), using visual stimulation to effectively interpret complicated information. Most of us are visual learners – with a visual prompt, we retain up to 55% more information
- It creates a shared record – a visual summary of the discussion that opens access to a wider range of people, during and after the event
Examples of my work
Book a live illustration session
You can call me on 07947 578181 (please leave a message) or email me at beka.haytch@gmail.com if you’d like to book a graphic recording, or if you’d like to request a further, more detailed conversation, please fill in the form.
I’m happy to help.
How live illustration works
All of my clients receive:
- a short, pre-event consultation (usually a 30 minute conversation by phone or Zoom) to discuss potential themes for the drawings produced, along with preferred colour schemes (I can scribe to match any branding / logo requirements)
- half or full days of live illustration throughout your event (either in person or via a live stream)
- one full day of finishing touches in order to complete and digitise all the artwork produced
- digitised versions of the completed artwork(s)
(individual images AND a composite image if more than one image has been produced) - the physical artwork(s) couriered to clients at a location of their choosing (UK only)
- licence to use the artwork in any documentation or any outlet online
What do people say about me?
“It was a real pleasure having Beka with us here at NAE to scribe our Transform conference. She was able to intuitively capture the core elements from some hefty conversations around transforming diverse leadership, curatorial practice and governance and present them back in a visually accessible but poignant way. Beka is reliable, personable, and professional and I hope to work with her again.”
Emma Gower, Head of Compliance and Partnerships, New Art Exchange
“Beka has created a beautiful work of art for us! She captured the content of our event perfectly, whilst meeting our very short timescale and with colours of choice. Also, as a person, she is friendly and smiley (we could tell, even behind the mask!), communicates well and is very organised – asking all the right questions ahead of the day. A real pleasure to work with!”
Nicola Marklew, Communications Officer, JU:MP and Active Bradford
“When looking for artists who could create visuals to bring our materials to life, our whole team was smitten by Beka’s style. We were confident that her intricate yet accessible designs could convey the complex nuances of our work in a clear, engaging, and compelling way. Feedback from students and staff has consistently been enthusiastically positive; her piece on our transformative education framework has, no pun intended, really transformed our resources on this topic.”
Dr Caitlin Kight, Manager, Academic Development and Enhancement, University of Exeter
“Beka provided amazing live illustration for our event at the University of York. She captured the essence of all of our discussion in fantastically beautiful illustrations. Everyone at the event agreed having Beka live illustrating along with us was a fantastic addition to the day! Beka was professional, friendly and a pleasure to deal with. We would 100% recommend Beka for any event!”
Dr Nina Willment, Research Associate – XR Stories, University of York
Who have I worked for?
I have created live illustration and visual minutes for: Bradford NHS Trust, Bradford University, Exeter University, Sheffield University, York University, NAE (New Art Exchange), Preston Council, Kirklees Council, Rotherham Council, Notwestminster, Bradford Healthwatch, Calderdale Libraries, Yorkshire Youth and Music, Active Bradford, various clients at Cognitive Media, one of the UK’s major banks and many more.
Other information
I am happy to attend your workshop in person or online. I have up to date public liability insurance, full driving licence and a current DBS certificate (I use the update service).
How much is it?
| Half a day or less | A full day | A whole conference |
|---|---|---|
| Free 30 minute call | Free 30 minute call | Free 30 minute call |
| Up to 3 hours of live scribing | Up to 8 hours of live scribing | Two or more days of live scribing |
| Live artwork, either digital or physical, in person or online | Live artwork, either digital or physical, in person or online | Live artwork, either digital or physical, in person or online |
| The physical artwork and / or a print quality PDF and a JPG of the art (individual and composite images where appropriate) | The physical artwork and / or a print quality PDF and a JPG of the art (individual and composite images where appropriate) | The physical artwork and / or a print quality PDF and a JPG of the art (individual and composite images where appropriate) |
| Licence to use the image(s) e.g. on your social media feeds, in funding applications, to enhance reports, etc | Licence to use the image(s) e.g. on your social media feeds, in funding applications, to enhance reports, etc | Licence to use the image(s) e.g. on your social media feeds, in funding applications, to enhance reports, etc |
| From £900 plus travel, accommodation and materials | From £1500 plus travel, accommodation and materials | From £ 2000 plus travel, accommodation and materials |
How can I book you (again)?
You can call me on 07947 578181 (please leave a message) or email me at beka.haytch@gmail.com if you’d like to book a graphic recording, or if you’d like to discuss anything in more detail – I’m happy to help.
Where can you create live illustration?
Anywhere! And on (almost) any surface.
Here is a short video of my scribe for Healthy Minds in Halifax:
In the summer of 2022, I received a commission to scribe on the windows at Sowerby Bridge Library, to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee. Here are the results, produced live over the course of 4 days:
Live Illustration 