Visual Note-Taking Resource Guide: 50+ Awesome Resources to Create Visual Notes, Graphic Recordings & Sketchnotes
You’ve probably seen them around every time a creative conference ends: beautifully hand-drawn notes that summarize big ideas using simple visuals. If you’re anything like me, you’ve wondered how on Earth anyone can create such a detailed graphic during the few minutes that the speaker spilled knowledge into the world. As it turns out, this form of note taking only comes “naturally” to you after cultivating a strong visual library and some essential drawing skills. It’s a bit different from traditional note taking, so it may take a little time to get used to, but not to worry.
While most experts say that pretty much anyone can learn this technique, it will require some effort and preparation on your part. In this article, I’ll share 50 of the best visual note taking resource options that I’ve found in my own path to learn about visual note-taking, graphic recording and sketchnoting – which are all somewhat related.
What is visual note taking?
Visual notes are graphic outlines that help us record and learn new information. According to Mike Rohde, author of the multiple Sketchnotes books, sketchnotes are a form of visual note taking that aims to capture big ideas using a combination of text, images and other graphic elements.
What can it be used for?
Visual note taking can help you clarify, learn and share information for a wide variety of uses. These are some of the most popular applications for visual notes:
To document personal experiences and reflect on them later.
Creatives who engage in this practice collect their visual notes as a diary. They carry around and work on sketchbooks where thoughts and daily activities are recorded for later reflection. These handwritten notes can serve as valuable memorabilia later on in life. In the example below, illustrator Reg Silva recorded key lessons from her trip to Japan:
To summarize conference lessons.
Visual notes can be used to share with attendees after the event or for your personal learning process. This is vital for making connections, information retention, and helping conference attendees make the most of sessions. Many creatives champion the personal use of sketchnotes to summarize conference proceedings, while others have built an entire practice around something known as “Graphic Recording”. The Graphic Recording form of note taking implies “capturing everyone’s most salient points and making them stick,” as described by experts at ImageThink. When used in the classroom, this could promote student engagement. The following graphic by visual consultancy Think in Colour summarizes the main idea behind Graphic Recording:
Taking it one step further, Graphic Facilitation adds a nimble graphic artist that captures the main points being discussed in real time. Graphic facilitators are usually visible to the entire audience within a conference, and become an essential part of the dialog. They act as graphic organizers of a sort, and help organize information into digestible bits that are easier to retain.
Our very own Head of Design, Gerren Lamson, has created visual notes to collect the main lessons in some of the conferences that he has attended:
To create innovative marketing pieces like handwritten emails.
Sometimes that hand-drawn feel can break through the clutter of so many screens and perfectly kerned typefaces. Marketers and designers constantly use visual note taking resources to communicate messages. Think Clearly, for example, sends out a weekly handwritten email newsletter crafted by founder Mathias Jakobsen. These visual notes may be more memorable than your standard email newsletter, which means they could help recipients retain information better and have more of an impact.
To drive engagement in business meetings and coaching sessions.
As described above, graphic organizers can assist in the creation of an engaging visual recap in different kinds of events. Internal meetings are also great spaces where this form of visual note taking can add value. In the example below, Lane Change Consulting recorded the discussion that took place at The League of Innovative Schools’ Spring Meeting.
To build storyboards for all kinds of design projects.
Drawing skills are an incredibly useful asset for UX design, especially when you incorporate low-fidelity prototyping to your process. Being able to sketch clear storyboards quickly (and share them to obtain feedback) is a key timesaver when trying to design empathetic user experiences. It’s also vital when you need to share ideas with multiple people. Designer Kevin Thorn, from NuggetHead Studioz, created this sketchnote to defend the use of hand drawn storyboards early in the design process.
To explain an existing idea.
Sometimes visual notes are used outside of the live context of a meeting or conference, and aim to capture existing ideas instead. All you need is an interesting topic and a body of information/text that you can summarize. Designers over at In A Nutshell created this sketchnote of a book summary. This graphic helped provide more clarity and presented the information in a way that makes sense to a larger audience.
To brainstorm and mindmap freely.
Right brain thinkers might find an essential brainstorming tool in visual note-taking. If you count yourself among the visual learners, try letting your ideas flow on a blank piece of paper. Use as many symbols as you can and avoid relying on large chunks of text. If you need more guidance, use this infographic by Tobias Lunchbreath for Core77.com.
The Benefits of Visual Note-Taking
Now that you know the answer to “What are visual notes?” let’s take a look at the value behind this method.
The benefits of visual note-taking techniques are numerous, especially for people who consider themselves “visual learners” and tend to learn best through visual thinking. Here are just some of the unique advantages that elevate visual note-taking above traditional note-taking:
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Versatility: As you can see from the many examples listed above, visual note-taking is versatile. It’s useful in many situations. You can use it to explain an existing idea, connect ideas through visual language, build design storyboards, and so much more. The possibilities are almost endless in this form of visual communication.
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Accessibility: Visual note-taking can also make concepts, ideas, and information more accessible to a wider audience. People tend to be more receptive to notes with images and a visual representation of an idea, rather than a simple block of text. This is especially true when you’re trying to reach, inspire, or educate an audience who may not all speak the same language.
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Comprehension: Studies suggest that people tend to find it easier to draw links and establish understanding of ideas that are presented visually, in the form of visually appealing images, rather than pure text. Visual note-taking can therefore make complex ideas easier to comprehend, breaking down detailed topics into clear, concise visuals.
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Memory: Studies also suggest that many people are better at remembering things they’ve seen, rather than things they’ve heard. Visuals tend to stick in our minds much longer than the likes of lectures or big blocks of text. So, if you want to convey an idea that people (or yourself) will remember, it pays to be opt for the visual format.
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Emotional Links: Visual notes are also great for establishing emotional connections to content. When we see and study visuals, we tend to not only remember that information better, but also develop emotional attachments to it. Adding visuals to presentations and meetings can therefore massively help with getting people emotionally invested in what you have to say.
Examples of Visual Note-Taking Techniques
We’ve seen some of the many advantages that come from using visual note taking techniques. Now, let’s look at some examples of the kinds of methods and concepts that visual note takers like to work with:
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Mind Maps: The de facto visual note taking technique of choice for many visual note taking experts, mind mapping is a great way to capture and convey a range of thoughts and topics, all focused on a central idea or key concept. The main theme is placed in the middle, with arrows or branches leading to other related concepts and key points.
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Flowcharts: Flowcharts are great ways to visualize a process or procedure of some kind. They consist of a series of boxes or shapes, all linked together by arrows, showing the various steps or stages of a process. These visual notes are great for planning out something like product development or event preparation.
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Thinking Maps: Thinking maps come in many forms, like bubble maps, flow maps, tree maps, and other sorts of visual communication. They’re similar to mind maps, but usually have a more defined and rigid structure. They can be used for everything from ordering ideas to breaking a large concept down into its parts or comparing and contrasting two key concepts.
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Venn Diagrams: A visual note taker may also choose to use Venn diagrams, especially when comparing, contrasting, or trying to connect ideas. These diagrams involve two or more overlapping circles, representing different themes that may share some similarities.
Free Visual Note Taking Resource Examples for Beginners
Articles to Get Started
How-to Sketchnote: An Interview with Mike Rohde by Creative Market
Fundamentals of Visual Notetaking for SXSW Interactive 2010 by Sunni Brown
Developing Your Core Handwritten Font For Sketchnoting by Doug Neill at Verbal To Visual
7 Ways Doodling Will Change Your Life by Andrew Tate for Canva’s Design School
Pens for Sketchnoting at Sketchnote Army
Sketchnotes 101: The Basics of Visual Note-taking by Craighton Berman at Core77
What Are Sketch Notes? by Kevin Thorn at Nuggethead Studioz
Visual Notes: Essential Elements
Sketchnotes: Characters and Locations by Kevin Thron at Nuggethead Studioz
Sketchnoting 101: How To Create Awesome Visual Notes by Matthew Magain at UX Mastery
Hands-on Videos
CreativeLive: A Live Sketchnoting Session
This video is an excerpt from CreativeLive’s sketchnoting class.
The Sketchnote Podcast: Sketchnoting Concepts
How To Sketchnote Without Drawing (VTV Episode #8)
A Sketchnote Primer
Visual Recording on the iPad
Sketcho Frenzy: The Basics of Visual Note-taking
How to Take Great Notes
What Is Graphic Recording?
Presentations
Inspiring Assets
Fonts
Borders, Objects and Faces
Mockups To Showcase Your Sketchnotes
Books, Ebooks and Workbooks
The Doodle Revolution: Unlock the Power to Think Differently by Sunni Brown
The Sketchnote Workbook: Advanced techniques for taking visual notes you can use anywhere eBook by Mike Rohde
The Sketchnote Handbook: the illustrated guide to visual note taking by Mike Rohde
The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures by Dan Roam
The Graphic Facilitator’s Guide: How to use your listening, thinking and drawing skills to make meaning by Brandy Agerbeck
Visual Meetings: How Graphics, Sticky Notes and Idea Mapping Can Transform Group Productivity by David Sibbet
Mapping Inner Space: Learning and Teaching Visual Mapping by Nancy Margulies
Visual Leaders: New Tools for Visioning, Management, and Organization Change by David Sibbet
Places to Find More Inspiration
Sketchnotes on Flickr
Sketchnote by Rebeca Zuñiga
Sketchnote Army: A Showcase of Sketchnotes
Sketchnote by Melinda Walker
Sketchnotes by Eva-Lotta Lamm
Sketchnotes by ImageThink
I hope these resources are useful and inspire you to give visual note-taking a try. You don’t need to be an illustrator or specialized artist to come up with symbols and words that can tell a story. Next time you have a conference or meeting to attend, make it a goal to summarize learning with these new tools. We’d love to know if you’re already creating visual notes, graphic recordings or sketchnotes. Comment away!
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Welcome! I'm Ciera, I help passionate creatives, small businesses and bloggers attract their ideal customer through strategic branding and cohesive visuals like the marketing templates you see here!
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