How do you collaborate with others using sketchnotes in a team project?

1 Choose a common format

Before you start sketching, agree on a common format with your team members. This could include the size, orientation, and layout of your paper or digital canvas, the tools and colors you will use, and the symbols and icons you will adopt. Having a common format will make it easier to compare and combine your sketchnotes later, as well as to create a consistent visual language.

2 Use sketchnotes for brainstorming

Sketchnotes can help you unleash your creativity and generate more and diverse ideas for your project. You can use sketchnotes to visualize the problem, the goals, the users, the context, and the possible solutions. You can also use sketchnotes to map out the connections, patterns, and gaps in your information. Sketchnotes can help you overcome mental blocks, explore different perspectives, and spark new insights.

3 Share and discuss your sketchnotes

Sketchnotes are not only for yourself, but also for others. You can share and discuss your sketchnotes with your team members to get feedback, input, and support. You can use sketchnotes to explain your thinking process, to show your evidence and reasoning, and to invite questions and comments. You can also use sketchnotes to listen and learn from others, to understand their views and experiences, and to build rapport and trust.

4 Combine and refine your sketchnotes

Sketchnotes can help you collaborate and co-create with your team members. You can combine and refine your sketchnotes to synthesize and organize your ideas, to identify and prioritize the most promising ones, and to plan and execute your actions. You can use sketchnotes to create a shared vision, to align your goals and expectations, and to track your progress and results.

5 Review and evaluate your sketchnotes

Sketchnotes can help you reflect and improve on your project. You can review and evaluate your sketchnotes to assess your performance, to measure your impact, and to learn from your successes and failures. You can use sketchnotes to document your journey, to celebrate your achievements, and to identify your strengths and weaknesses. You can also use sketchnotes to share your story, to showcase your work, and to inspire others.

6 Keep practicing your sketchnotes

Sketchnotes are not a one-time activity, but a skill that you can develop and enhance over time. You can keep practicing your sketchnotes to sharpen your creativity skills, to expand your visual vocabulary, and to increase your confidence and fluency. You can also keep learning from other sketchnoters, to discover new techniques, tips, and styles, and to join a community of creative thinkers.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?