Live Event Illustration: Visual Notes for the International Workshop on Reliable and Sustainable Neuromorphic Hardware, University of York.
Earlier this summer, I was commissioned by the University of York as a live illustrator and graphic recorder for their esteemed international conference, the International Workshop on Reliable and Sustainable Neuromorphic Hardware.
Over three days, the conference explored everything from modelling tech hardware on how neurons communicate in the brain to edge hardware enabling cutting-edge sensor technology in wearable and medical tech.
The aim was to share the latest research and innovation in neuromorphic hardware - a field which, unlike Artificial Intelligence, focuses on sparse, less resource-exhaustive approaches to developing sustainable, high-impact technologies.
Live pen on paper illustration by Esther Spingett
Behind the Scenes: Live Illustration at the University of York
When Martin Trefzer, Professor of Bio-inspired Systems and Technologies, University of York got in touch, they were looking for a live event illustrator to visually capture a fast-paced, three-day academic conference. We explored whether a digital, screen-based approach or a large-scale graphic wall would be appropriate and settled on the 3 meter wall. Martin was driven by a hunger to see an artist’s pen at work in an increasingly AI-led and automated world. Refreshing! For him and his delegates, witnessing the human hand behind the visuals was essential.
Capturing Complexity, Clearly
So I was all in with my trusty pens, paper and a plan to ensure every one of the 25+ keynote presentations was captured in real time.
Of course, this was a world filled with highly technical, scientific language. But I love a challenge and I made sure to get eyes on abstracts ahead of each session, so I had a strong grasp of the key concepts before the speakers hit the stage. Not to mention a few brainy podcasts on my train journey up.
“Wait... do you work in bioscience?”
That’s a question I heard over and over across the three days.
It was flattering… but no, I’m not a bioscientist or a tech researcher. I’m a live illustrator and graphic facilitator who thrives on translating complex ideas from all sorts of sectors into visual stories. I often say I’m the world’s biggest generalist. I get to listen deeply, distill fast and draw meaning out of just about any subject matter.
Live iIllustration by Esther Springett
It’s ‘live’ illustration. Let’s keep it that way
All the drawings you see here were done live, on the spot, instantly finished, ready to share with delegates and easily reproduced. I’m not a fan of taking work back to my studio and messing with it afterward because it takes away that fresh, in-the-moment energy. Now digitised, the artwork proudly hangs in the University of York’s science department, inspiring new generations of scientists and tech whizzes.
So what did the client have to say about the work?
“You have brilliantly captured the content, flow, and spirit of the event. Thank you very much again for coming to York and creating such a colourful rendering of our workshop! It looks so lively and should hopefully elicit some interest and questions from colleagues and students! I will definitely budget for these kind of things on the next grant applications.”
3 metre pen on paper live illustration by Esther Springett for University of York
Want to see how I do it?
If you're curious about how I approach visual thinking and live event illustration, especially for content outside my own expertise - I share my tools, thinking and behind-the-scenes process regularly over on LinkedIn.
You can also subscribe to my newsletter ‘Drawn to Listen’ for insights, sketches and stories from the field.
And if you’re looking to maximise engagement, solidify understanding and push new territory at your next conference, meeting or event, you know where to find me if you want to create a lasting visual legacy.
