What is sketch-noting?

Sketchnoting, also commonly referred to as visual notetaking, is the creative and graphic process through which an individual can record their thoughts with the use of illustrations, symbols, structures, and texts (1). 

Why bother?

If you ever got in-trouble for doodling in the classroom (first of all, shame on the teacher, it should be encouraged!) then sketch noting is something you should certainly try. 

Imagine yourself in a meeting at work. Your boss trying to explain how you are going to tackle the next quarter, while your trying to stay awake by doodling circles on your page. Or perhaps you are that one notetaker writing down everything word-for-word. Neither are truly effective when it comes to a deeper understanding as to what is being said. Sketchnoting taps into that right side of your brain that is creative, strives to be thinking and wants to work with your hands to make something. That left side wants to bring logic, reasoning and comprehension as to what is going on. When you can bring the two together, you are unlocking the full power of your brain. 

Sketchnoting isn't about being the world's greatest illustrator, lets make that clear. If you check the #sketchnoting hashtag on instagram, there are a lot of people who are pretty amazing but don't let that be your focus. You want to start by actively listening to what is being said. With the left side of your brain, separate the fluff in the conversation from the true core meaning of what is being said. Once you've got that wonderful nugget of information, pass it over to the right side of the brain to play with some visuals. 

Listen, Think, Draw. These 3 steps will help you distill information. Word for word note-taking takes up way too much time. But if you let yourself listen first, take what you need from the words, you will have the time do quickly doodle out concepts. Scribbles work, just get that pen moving. 

Perhaps the boss says "We need to increase our sales by 15% this month, and we need to do that together as a team. We need to support each other in order to reach our main goals." Here's an example of what a sketch note of that could look like:

X

You could have written that all out instead of draw, but you put a human emotion on a goal. This visual may stick in your brain after every sale you complete. Your recall of that meeting with your boss pouring the passion into the sale may feed your motivation. You never know what the power sketch noting can have until you realize it yourself.

So I highly recommend you give it a try on your next meeting, or doodling while watching a documentary in the evening.

What could I sketch-note?

• Documentaries

• Articles

• Conversations

• Keynote Speakers

• Recipes

• Travel logs

• Complex concepts

• Goals you want to reach (a journey)

If you ever have a question about sketch-noting or would like to learn more, please email me at laurahanek@swoopmedia.ca

(1) Erb, Veronica. "How to Start Sketchnoting". Bulletin of the American Society for Information Science & Technology. 39: 22–23 – via Academic Search Complete.