Sketchnotes: A Guide to Visual Note-

Taking

Sketchnotes: A Guide to Visual Note-Taking

August 22, 2016 - Posted by Elaine to Guides, Gel Pens, Tutorials, Paper, Markers and
Felt Tip Pens

If youre a visual learner with a passion for pens and paper, the sketchnote method is
perfect for you. Sketchnoting combines traditional handwritten notes with drawings,
symbols, and other creative elements. The result is an engaging map of ideas with clear
visual cues.

With sketchnotes, you can:

Use visual cues to boost memory retention

Keep your brain active and engaged with variety and stimulation
Develop ideas more comprehensively by creating connections between points
Make your notes more compact and easier to review at a glance
The term "Sketchnote" was first coined by designer and author Mike Rohde. Mike has
written two books on sketchnotes and leads an active community of enthusiasts called
the Sketchnote Army.

In this guide, we introduce basic techniques, recommend some supplies to get you
started, and interview Mike Rohde himself about the history of sketchnotes.

The Sketchnote Process

Step 1: Listening and Experiencing

Listen closely for key points.

Be alert! If you are attending a meeting or conference, take note of lists, famous
quotations, or items that the speaker repeats. If you are using sketchnotes to record
personal experiences like travels, observe sensory details like sight, smell, or sound.
Step 2: Processing
Process content and only record important material.
Dont write down everything-- instead of taking verbatim notes, process the content and
only write the most important material. It is better to fully take in one major point,
rather than frantically scribble many lesser ones. During this step, think of yourself as a
thought curator.
Step 3: Writing
Write quickly and keep your letters consistent.
Start writing. Your handwriting should be fast, but legible. Use abbreviations when
necessary, and keep your letter size consistent so the emphasis points can stand out.
Remember that sketchnotes do not have to follow a linear order, so you can use any part
of the page. When relevant, add your own responses or thoughts on the topic.
Step 4: Visualizing
Add visual elements like boxes, arrows, and images.
You dont have to be good at art to add visualizations to your sketchnotes. During down
time or pauses in the presentation, add shapes, lines, and symbols to the most important
sections. This act of revisiting uses visual cues to help cement the concepts in your
mind. Then, use shading to add depth.
Elements of Sketchnoting
Text
Start with your normal everyday handwriting.
The most basic element of sketchnoting is your standard everyday handwriting. Your
penmanship does not have to be perfectly tidy-- after all, you will be writing quickly. It
should, however, be legible and consistent.

Suggestion: Use your regular handwriting for specific details or items in a list.

Emphasis Text
Use emphasis text to make a heading stand out.
Emphasis text is meant to stand out on the page, and is often used for headings, titles,
and important takeaways. Add emphasis by embellishing your letters or using a
different writing style. Some examples include bold text, all caps, or bubble letters.

Suggestion: Use bold, block print for headings.

Basic Shapes
Basic shapes are an easy way to add visuals.
Everyone can draw basic shapes like circles, triangles, and squares. Use these as
alternatives to plain black bullet points, or to mark items of the same category. You can
also combine basic shapes into figures like cubes and venn diagrams.

Suggestion: Draw a rectangle around all dates and times.

Containers
Containers collect thoughts or items together.
Containers are used to collect a group of thoughts or items together, or to emphasize
one primary point. Some examples of containers include boxes, speech bubbles, thought
clouds, and banners.

Suggestion: Draw a thought cloud around future goals.

Connectors
Connectors link related ideas to one another.
Connectors are used to connect one idea to another. Arrows, paths, lines, double lines,
and dotted lines can be used to link related concepts. You can also use connectors to
illustrate chronological items like timelines or cycles.

Suggestion: Draw an arrow to illustrate cause and effect.

Icons and Symbols

Use icons to represent ideas or objects.
Simple icons and symbols are an easy way to add visuals to your sketchnotes. Some
examples are a stick figure, book, gear, and cloud. As you advance your sketchnote
skills, build a repertoire of common symbols like buildings, modes of transportation,
and more.

Suggestion: Draw an envelope to represent email.

Sketches and Illustrations

Illustrations can capture stories or metaphors.
If you want to further stretch your artistic muscles, add detailed drawings to your pages.
A picture is worth a thousand words, and illustrations can vividly capture analogies and
metaphors.

Suggestion: Draw a mini comic to depict the events of a story.

Sketchnote Supplies

Sketchnotes can be created using whatever materials you have on hand. You never
know when inspiration will strike, so its perfectly fine to use a free hotel pen and a
cocktail napkin to capture that brilliant idea. However, having a designated set of
sketchnote supplies will keep your notes organized and visually consistent. Quality
materials will also look more professional in a business setting, and make your
sketchnoting experience more enjoyable.

Notebook

A blank, plain paper notebook is best. Avoid ruled notebooks because the lines are too
rigid and may get in the way of your sketches. Graph and dot grid notebooks are good
alternatives if you prefer your sketchnotes to be nicely aligned, but be aware that the
grid may limit your creativity.

Top Notebook Recommendation: Maruman Mnemosyne Inspiration Notebook

Maruman Mnemosyne Inspiration Notebook

The minimal Maruman Mnemosyne Inspiration Notebook lives up to its name-- its
silky-smooth blank pages will inspire you to write and sketch freely. Durable ring
binding allows the notebook to lay flat on your lap or desk, and each page has a subtle
Title/No. section to keep your sketchnotes organized. If you opt for the graph version,
the gridded lines are light and subtle.

Also Consider: Leuchtturm Softcover Pocket Notebooks, Rhodia Dot or Rhodia Blank
Pads

Black Ink Pens

Because you will be jotting down notes at a fast pace, choose black ink pens that can
write quickly without skips or stalls. Avoid pens and markers that may smear or bleed
through to the next page.

Top Drawing Pen Recommendation: Sakura Pigma Micron Pens

Sakura Pigma Micron Pens

Beloved by artist and designers worldwide, the Sakura Pigma Micron is a reliable
marker pen with crisp, bleed-free lines. It comes in many tip sizes, from tiny 0.2 mm to
bold 0.5 mm. The ink is archival, which means your sketchnotes will be well-preserved
for years to come. For more information, check out our Guide to Drawing Pens.

Also Consider: Uni Pin Pens, Ohto Graphic Liner Drawing Pens

Top Gel Pen Recommendation: Pentel EnerGel Euro Needle-Point Gel Pen
Pentel EnerGel Euro Needle-Point Gel Pen

The Pentel EnerGel is known for its incredibly fast-drying ink, which makes it great for
lefties and fast-paced writers. It is the ideal pen of sketchnote inventor Mike Rohde,
author of The Sketchnote Handbook. To learn more about these reliable pens, read our
Guide to the Pentel EnerGel or check out our Guide to Fine Tip Gel Pens for other
alternatives.

Also Consider: Uni-ball Signo RT UM-138 Gel Pens, Zebra Sarasa Dry Gel Pens

Emphasis Pen

To add depth and dimension to your sketchnotes, you will need a marker pen that can
quickly add emphasis to important points. Most commonly, the emphasis pen is a gray
marker that can add shading to letters and sketches. It can also be a highlighter or accent
color, such as blue or orange, but avoid using too many colors in one sketchnote.

Top Emphasis Pen Recommendation: Kuretake Fudebiyori Brush Pen - Gray

Kuretake Fudebiyori Brush Pen - Gray

With its versatile brush tip, the Kuretake Fudebiyori allows you to quickly add shadows
or accents to your sketchnotes. Use the very tip of the brush to fill in small spaces, and
use the side of the brush tip to cover larger areas. The light gray color is unobtrusive
and easy on the eyes, while still providing an eye-catching visual effect.

Also Consider: Faber-Castell Pitt B Brushes, Zebra Mildliner Highlighters

Carrying Case

If you are traveling on a business trip or running across campus to your next class,
youll need to keep your sketchnote essentials together in a compact, organized way.
Using a carrying case ensures that your supplies will be ready whenever you are.

Top Carrying Case Recommendation: Lihit Lab Teffa Bag in Bag

Lihit Lab Teffa Bag in Bag

The Teffa Bag-in-Bag is a durable organizer that will easily hold your entire sketchnote
kit. One large compartment is for notebooks, and smaller exterior pockets are for pens
and markers. It can also hold small accessories like earbuds or a USB drive.

Also Consider: Cubix Round Zip Pen Case, Sun-Star Digistyle Carrying Bag

What to Sketchnote

The sketchnote method can be used in many creative ways. Weve collected some
potential sketchnoting scenarios below.

Conferences and Conventions

Capture key ideas at conferences and conventions
Sketchnoting first gained traction at large design conferences, and it continues to be a
great method of note-taking during these busy, action-packed sessions. Even if you
dont regularly attend conferences, practice by sketchnoting podcasts or TED Talks.

Products Used: Staedtler Pigment Liner Marker Pen, Uni-ball Signo RT UM-138 Gel
Pen, Faber-Castell PITT Artist Pen B Brush, Maruman Mnemosyne N183A Inspiration
Notebook

Work Meetings
Use sketchnotes to develop a big-picture view at meetings.
Instead of taking ordinary notes at the next work meeting, encourage your team to try
sketchnoting. Because sketchnotes dont follow a strict linear order, they offer a big
picture view that can facilitate discussions and brainstorming. Additionally, sketchnotes
from multiple viewpoints will reveal a greater variety of opinions and insights.

Products Used: Pentel EnerGel Euro Needle-Point Gel Pen, Kuretake Fudebiyori Brush
Pen, Tombow Kei Coat Double-Sided Highlighter, Kyokuto F.O.B COOP W Ring
Notebook

School Notes
Draw timelines and icons in your school notes.
Whether you are learning history, science, or math, sketchnoting is an effective way to
map out complicated dates and formulas. Use connectors to mark important dates in
history, or symbols to illustrate the steps of a microbiology cycle.

Products Used: Zebra Sarasa Dry Gel Pen, Sakura Pigma Micron Pen, Faber-Castell
PITT Artist Pen B Brush, Maruman Mnemosyne N182A Inspiration Notebook

Personal Diary
Record day-to-day memories with drawings and bullet points.
If writing entire paragraphs in a diary is not your style, switch it up by trying a visual
diary instead. Combine journaling with drawing to create an at-a-glance view of the
days events, including your outfit, current mood, and meal plans.

Products Used: Uni Style Fit Slim Gel Pen, Zebra Mildliner Double-Sided Highlighter,
Hobonichi Techo Planner

Travel Log
Document your travels and plan your itinerary with sketchnotes.
Sketchnoting can be a fun, creative way to document your travels and highlight favorite
memories. You can also plan your itinerary sketchnote-style: use connectors to mark
flights and train rides, or draw a container around a list of must-see landmarks.

Products Used: Pilot Hi-Tec-C Gel Pen with Grip, Kuretake Fudebiyori Brush Pen,
Tombow ABT Dual Brush Pen, Traveler's Notebook Starter Kit

Sporting Events
Keep track of your favorite sports team's victories.
Whether youre a die-hard Warriors fan or obsessed with the Seahawks, keep track of
your favorite sports team throughout the season by sketchnoting their winning matches
and best plays. You can also use sketchnotes to build your ultimate fantasy sports team.
Score!

Products Used: Pentel EnerGel X Needle-Point Retractable Gel Pen, Kuretake

Fudebiyori Brush Pen, Leuchtturm1917 Softcover Pocket Notebook

Books, TV Shows, and Movies

Sketchnote a list of characters as you read.
Are you a bookworm, TV critic, or movie buff? Sketchnoting can be a fun way to
record episodes, plot twists, and favorite characters. For example, use sketchnotes to
decipher the increasingly complicated Game of Thrones family tree.

Products Used: Uni Pin Pen, Faber-Castell PITT Artist Pen B Brush, Rhodia DotPad
Notepad No. 16

Interview with Sketchnote Creator Mike Rohde

Mike Rohde is a Milwaukee-based designer, author, and innovator who pioneered the
sketchnote method. We asked him a few questions about the history of sketchnotes, his
favorite tools, and some tips for beginners!

You can read more about Mike's sketchnote story over at his official website. You can
also see curated sketchnotes from all over the world at Sketchnote Army.

How did you first start sketchnoting?

Mike Rohde, creator of the sketchnote method
I started sketchnoting about 9 years ago. At that point, I hated note-taking, even though
I was really good at it. I tried to capture every detail of the meetings and events I
attended by using large, lined notebooks and writing with a pencil (so I could fix
mistakes).

The problem was, this type of court reporter note-taking was stressful, because I felt I
was always missing something. It was clear I needed to change, so my solution was to
fashion some constraints for myself and my note-taking.

As a designer, I always work within constraints, and thats what makes for the most fun
and most interesting of solutions. It was the same for my notes. I chose to switch from a
large, lined book and a pencil, to a pocket-sized book and a pen.
Mike's personal sketchnotes
I literally could not take the detailed notes I was creating, and the pen forced me to be
deliberate about what I was going to capture. This led me to analyzing talks live on the
spot, and incorporating drawings and lettering to make my notes more interesting than
lines of gray text.

I had so much fun within these constraints, I kept using the new technique, and here we
are 7 years later with 2 books, a vibrant community and most importantly lots of
other people using sketchnotes to break out of their note-taking ruts.

Did you coin the term "Sketchnote"? If so, how did this come about?
Travel sketchnotes from Amsterdam.
I did coin the word. As I was exploring on this new note-taking approach which
included images and words as partners to capture ideas, It seemed natural to describe
that combination as a sketchnote. I used sketchnote to describe what I was doing, and
the name stuck.

The word "sketchnote" works well, because it combines the idea of both image and text
in a single word. When you say "sketchnote" you are describing what a sketchnote is
which I love!

What inspired you to write a book about sketchnotes?

People like my good friend Patrick Rhone kept asking for a guide to sketchnoting,
because nothing existed at the time. I'd been thinking about ways to capture my
experiences over the past 5 years, and a book had crossed my mind. However, I wasn't
certain where or how to start, so it went on the back burner for a while.

While visiting my friend Von Glitschka in Portland, Oregon, he convinced me I should

write a book on sketchnoting Over dinner. He emailed his editor, Nikki McDonald,
right after dinner, she loved the book Idea and the rest is history!
Mike has published two sketchnote books.
The two books I wrote, The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook, were
two of the hardest, yet most satisfying projects I've ever undertaken. They pushed me to
my limits, because I wrote, illustrated, managed sketchnote submissions, and did all of
the final print production on both books.

I'm so proud of how they've turned out and the impact they've had on the world,
especially with translations of the books into German, Russian, Czech, Chinese and
French.

What are your personal favorite sketchnote tools?

Favorite Pens and Pencils:

Pentel Energel 0.7 mm Gel Pens (black)

Papermate Flair Pens (black and other colors)
Uni-ball Air Rollerball pens (black)
Retro 51 Tornado 1.15 mm Mechanical Pencil
Black and Gray Brush Highlighters

Favorite Sketchbooks:

Baron Fig Confidant Sketchbook

Leuchtturm1917 A5 Sketchbook
Moleskine Large Sketchbook

Favorite Notebooks:
 Leuchtturm1917 A5 Dot Grid Notebook (my work log)
Hobonichi Techo Planner (my personal daily log)

What is your favorite item to sketchnote?

Sketchnotes from a trip to Washington, D.C.

I love sketchnoting experiences, especially travel experiences. I find the detail I can
recall later on by sketchnoting travel makes the effort to capture sketchnotes worth the
time.

Very often I wont sketchnote much on the spot, but I do occasionally. Mainly I take
notes and photos as the day unfolds, then spend time in my hotel reconstructing the
days events with writing and drawing using photos and notes for reference. I get to re-
live each day that way, which is enjoyable.

The benefit years later is a rich, visual record of a travel experience that I can jump back
into, or share with my kids, or grandkids some day.

How has sketchnoting improved your productivity and workflow?

Mike uses sketchnotes to plan and schedule events.
I am using sketchnotes at work to record my daily activities, to capture meeting notes
and help the developers on my software team work through ideas on the whiteboard.
Sketchnotes just seem to leak out!

Personally, I like to keep a logbook in a Hobonichi Techo to capture my daily activities

and often those take the form of sketchnotes. Having a visual record like that seems to
capture my days in a way only text doesnt, and makes review of the year more
interesting and impactful.

Do you think sketchnoting should be taught in schools?

I do think there is a place for them in schools, and I am seeing more and more teachers
bringing them in for just that reason which is very exciting. A few weeks ago I taught
24 engineering professors at Marquette University how to sketchnote, and they had a
blast. They were already talking about integrating sketchnotes into their curriculums
when the workshop was only half done!

I think its a valuable skill that can help many students capture attention and use the
natural skills for visualization to learn. To suppress that ability seems a shame, so I
definitely encourage sketchnoting in school settings.

What do you see for the future of sketchnoting?

Digital sketchnotes created with an Apple Pencil
I see more movement into education, and an expansion with new digital tools like the
iPad Pro and Apple Pencil.

Ive been experimenting with the iPad and find it very powerful, but personally it feels
more like an extension of my analog tools rather than a replacement. I love pens, pencils
and paper too much to abandon them!

Do you have any sketchnoting advice for beginners?

Travel sketchnotes from New York City
My two biggest pieces of advice for someone new to sketchnoting:

1. Give yourself lots of grace as you learn.

2. Practice, practice, practice!

Its challenging if you havent drawn for a while, and I know you are likely a harder
critic of your own work (I know I am). Give yourself a large dose of grace, because its
likely you wont feel that your work is perfect.

But remember that its about the processknow that you will improve! I think practice
is the way to improve. Keep working on your skills, and you will see it become more
natural over time. There is no replacement for practice. Ive found as I keep moving, I
improve slowly and surely, and you can too.

A Final Note

While the term Sketchnoting first emerged among attendees at design conferences, it
has since spread beyond the graphic design community to schools, professional settings,
and beyond. The next time you need to remember something, consider picking up your
favorite sketching supplies and trying the sketchnote method.