Online Live Illustration for NIHR Global Health Conference
In May 2025, I had the pleasure of providing live illustration services for the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) during their two-day online event, Empowering Early-Career Researchers: Navigating Careers in Global Health.
Remote live illustration by Esther Springett
This fully virtual conference brought together early-career researchers from across the globe for two days of insight, learning and connection. The programme included:
Funder talks sharing funding opportunities and application advice
Researcher stories offering real-life career journeys and inspiration
Interactive sessions on grant writing and team-building
Dedicated time for networking across disciplines and geographies
As a live illustrator for online events, I visually captured the discussions in real time using my iPad Pro. Delegates saw the drawings take shape as the event progressed, helping them retain key messages through a blend of imagery and text.
Esther Springett sharing her live illustration via Zoom
How does live illustrating an online event work?
NIHR used the Zoom webinar platform, and I live streamed my digital sketchpad AKA my iPad Pro directly via screen share. The conference host integrated this into the event by spotlighting my screen at key moments: during plenary sessions, transitions and breaks. I also replayed timelapse videos of the illustrations being created, giving attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the process and offering an engaging visual recap of the sessions.
The result was a series of visual minutes and graphic summaries of the content that served as both a live engagement tool and a post-event resource.
“Thank you for your work on the event! The visual minutes look great. I hope to recommend you for other NIHR events in the future!”
- Vicky Hayles, Communications Manager - Global Health | NIHR
Whether you’re hosting a virtual conference, webinar or internal team event, incorporating a remote live illustrator can turn complex ideas into memorable visuals, boosting engagement and extending the life of your content.
