From Words to Visuals: My Journey with Sketchnoting

Since a young age, I’ve been an avid note-taker, capturing thoughts, poems, and ideas from books and life itself. I started with small cards, jotting down quotes and reflections, and over the past two decades, filled Moleskine pocket notebooks with everything from personal insights to meeting notes.

Three months ago, my approach to note-taking took a creative turn when I met the folks at Sh8peshifters . This practice combines words with simple visuals to capture ideas in a way that’s memorable, engaging, and effective. I was amazed at how sketchnoting enhanced my learning process, and I’m excited to share a few of the most compelling benefits, along with tips to help you get started.

Benefits of Sketchnoting

• Engagement and Focus Sketchnoting demands a unique kind of engagement. Translating spoken words or written text into visuals keeps your mind active and prevents zoning out during meetings, lectures, or brainstorming sessions. Unlike text notes, sketchnoting creates mental cues through symbols, icons, and connections between ideas.
• Encouraging Creative Thinking Instead of merely writing down a speaker’s words, you interpret them, and in doing so, engage in a more reflective, meaningful process. Sketchnoting is ideal for brainstorming and problem-solving, as it naturally pushes you to think outside the box and visually link ideas.
• Open-Ended Exploration One of my favorite aspects of sketchnoting is its open-endedness. Text notes often feel finite, like a closed chapter. But sketchnotes? They’re a canvas enabling addition of connections, insights, and layers. Sketchnoting invites you to revisit ideas, adding depth over time. By incorporating sketches, you open up new pathways for creative thinking.
• Great Ice Breakers Sketchnotes are excellent conversation starters. Their visual nature makes them approachable and engaging, encouraging curiosity. I’ve found them to be especially useful in social settings, as they help initiate discussions about ideas and topics in an inviting way.

Tips for Getting Started with Sketchnoting

• Start Simple: You don’t need to be an artist. Begin with basic symbols or icons—whatever feels intuitive. Sketchnoting isn’t about perfection; it’s about capturing the essence of ideas.
• Keep Your Tools Handy: I recommend always having your favorite pen or marker, and notebook nearby. I’ve transitioned from pocket notebooks to larger ones, which give me more room to express my ideas visually.
• Balance Visuals and Text: Sketchnoting is not just about drawing. Adding a few keywords or phrases alongside visuals can enhance clarity and context, making your sketchnotes both beautiful and informative.
• Trust Your Intuition: Even if faces feel tricky to draw, you can start by sketching distinctive items related to the speaker, like a hat or a company logo. The goal is to capture something meaningful, not detailed realism.

Bonus Tip: If you’re just starting with sketchnoting, consider joining a community of like-minded note-takers. There’s immense value in sharing tips, gaining inspiration, and staying motivated with others who find joy in this visual form of expression.

To those who’ve encouraged me on this journey ( Alan Chen Diana Ayoub Pradeep Gulur )—thank you! Sketchnoting has opened my mind to new ways of seeing, remembering, and sharing ideas.

I hope this article inspires you to pick up a pen and start sketching your way to a more engaging way of learning.