TwoLine Studios Returns to SXSW—16 Years in the Making
I am beyond honored for TwoLine Studios to be the official graphic recorders of SXSW 2025—16 years after I first stepped up to the stage, shaking in my (super cute) green cowboy boots, graphic recording for Danah Boyd, and the benefits of gaming!
This year, you’ll find us in the same room, Ballroom D, capturing all the keynote sessions. If you are there, PLEASE come by, say hello, revisit a memory, or share a hug!
TwoLine Studios’s Founder— Heather Willems at SXSW 16 years ago.
From shaking in my boots to the Official Graphic Recorders of SXSW
Ballroom D was buzzing. The lights beamed down on an empty stage—just a podium, a few cozy chairs, and SXSW 2009 branding. I stood at the back of the room, my company name drawn in sharpie on the back of my white T-shirt, I took a deep breath, held the 4' x 8' foam board over my head, and weaved through a crowd of 5,000 to set up at the foot of the stage.
At the time, my business was brand new. I knew that graphic recording clarified complex ideas. I knew that seeing concepts visually helped shift perspectives. I knew that drawing up big ideas cemented them in people’s minds. But I didn’t yet have the words to explain why it mattered—I had to show them.
So I took the last $500 in my bank account, booked a flight from NYC to Austin, and gorilla-style made my way to the front of the stage. I pulled out my markers, wrote Danah Boyd’s name in bold letters across the top, and started listening.
45 minutes later, I was deep in the flow, when someone asked me to move—they wanted to photograph the visual summary. A crowd swarmed around the board, snapping photos with their iPhone 8s, posting on the newest social platform, Twitter**** (check the dates on what version of the phone was popular)
That was the moment I realized:
Attendees had an instant, one-page visual summary to help them remember what they just experienced.
Speakers received unique, creative content for the social sharing of their big ideas.
Hugh Forrest saw the value of creativity extending content beyond the mic being turned off.
A crowd takes photos at the graphic recording board promoting the event and the topics socially.
From That Moment to Now
Since then, with my first company and now TwoLine, we have visualized 500+ conversations at SXSW.
Our team scaled to 10 artists, capturing up to 80+ sessions at one conference!
Graphic Recording activated audiences, shared knowledge, and even earned a Cannes Lions Nomination in partnership with Ogilvy!
Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of leading multiple live workshops (including one during COVID!), meeting my publisher at Chronicle Books and co-authoring Draw Your Big Idea. I’ve built relationships that have lasted 15+ years, working with incredible partners like Microsoft, IBM, Google, HPE, SAP, ServiceNow, Now What, Constellation, and Prezi. Basically, I have to pinch myself in gratitude.
The True Impact of Graphic Recording
I now understand that the value of this work goes beyond memory retention and beautiful visual notes.
It builds connections.
It draws out understanding.
It generates excitement.
It creates engagement worth remembering.
And now, 16 years after those shaky steps, we are back TwoLine Studios is back—this time as the Official Graphic Recorders of SXSW 2025.
Find Us in Ballroom D!
We’ll be there for all keynote sessions. Stop by, say hello, revisit a memory, or share a hug.
Let’s make this year’s SXSW unforgettable—together.
At TwoLine Studios, we design immersive experiences, graphic facilitate and our founder, Heather Willems, coaches leaders to reflect on big ideas and put those ideas into action.