Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Curry.
Hi Brittany, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I discovered Graphic Recording and Facilitation through the work of advocacy and inclusion for people with developmental disabilities.
In 2012, at a workshop called the Toronto Summer Institute for Inclusion, I connected with a community of people who, for decades, had been using visual imagery in the process of imagining and planning bright futures for people moving out of institutions and looking to find real homes, real jobs, and real friends. 2014 was the first year I started doing graphics outside of the advocacy community and working with businesses and other community groups.
I started my LLC in 2015 on my 28th birthday, and in 2016 decided to move back home to Savannah to focus on my business full time. Highlights of the journey since then have been appearing on the Georgia Trend 40 Under 40 in 2017, The National Farm Machinery Show, The Keurig/Dr. Pepper merger, a 5-year anniversary show at the Sentient Bean, and currently having my work featured weekly covering the Serendipity with Inky Johnson podcast episodes.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The road has been smooth in the way that people have always been receptive to and excited about Graphic Recording. It’s fresh, unique, and does an incredible job of making content accessible, memorable, and inclusive of many voices and perspectives.
The hardest part has been managing the perception that what I do is Not about Art, but rather about communication and process. There is definitely “art” involved in what I’m doing–I’m using the skill of live drawing–and yes, I fully embrace the idea that I am an artist. But the focus of my work is on being able to use deep listening while synthesizing information with imagery in real time to capture the knowledge and insights being collectively generated by a group. I ask my clients to introduce me and my role as Graphic Recorder/Facilitator, Scribe, or silent listening partner–not artist.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I attend meetings, conferences, and events of all kinds and capture the main points and key takeaways by using large visual imagery and text.
Before the pandemic, this took place in person with large sheets of paper taped up to the wall in the back or the corner of the room. Strategic Planning? Church retreat? Panel discussion followed by a keynote speaker? People were flying me all over the country to document their meetings with my markers and flip chart paper.
After March 2020, I had no other choice but to learn how to graphically capture meetings on virtual platforms using my iPad Pro. I did not know how to use the technology that I had resisted for so long, but this was the only way forward. I learned how to use the design suite Procreate and other digital illustration apps as well as adjusted my work model and fee structure to meet the moment. In other words, if the meeting only lasts 45 minutes to an hour, does the same half-day (or full day depending on the project) rate still apply? Yes. Because of the new process and medium. Merging the skills of Graphic Recording and Graphic Design has resulted in a better product, but it can take more time to complete.
I specialize in Visioning. I provide a mirror back to people reflecting their own thoughts, ideas, and stories, and doing this enables groups to identify patterns that will help them move forward to achieving the goals and intentions they set.
I am probably most-known locally for my work with Emergent Savannah, Graphic recording the TEDx Savannah presentations 2017-2019, Savannah Human Traffick Jam, and my work with advocacy and inclusion for people with developmental disabilities in Georgia.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.inkybrittany.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/inkybrittany
- Facebook: facebook.com/inkybrittany
Image Credits
Samantha Sabera (@abstractsamm)
Brittany Curry
