What Is Sketchnoting?

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When it comes to journaling, there are many techniques you can use – ranging from the more traditional methods, to the more creative and abstract ones. 

The options really are limitless, but whatever way you choose to express yourself, it is still an important and great way to improve mental health, make sense of thoughts, and make memories for yourself. 

One popular method is sketchnoting, but what exactly is it, and what does it entail? 

What Exactly Is Sketchnoting? 

Sketchnoting is a method of informal journaling, wherein the person uses pictures, diagrams, elaborate words, and all manner of other creative approaches to taking notes, writing down their thoughts and feelings, or making plans for themselves. 

This is a much less formal and less traditional method of journaling, and allows the individual to express themselves in whichever way they see fit – utilizing the creative process, and the satisfaction therein to find peace and calm. 

When Was It Invented? 

While the basic principles of sketchnoting have been around for thousands of years in one form or another, the process was first introduced in professional forums in 2006, when author Michael Rohde created the sketchnote method. 

After years of finding traditional note taking stressful, Rohde created this method – which quickly became popular within various industries due to the fact that it made information easier to remember, ideas to be more accurately understood, and group understanding to be facilitated more easily. 

What Is Sketchnoting For? 

There are many ways that sketchnoting is used in the modern world – ranging from personal to professional settings. 

Journaling

As mentioned above, the first use for sketchnoting is the journaling process.

This can allow people to communicate complicated feelings or emotions, or otherwise express themselves in a way that seems natural, organic, and unpressured. 

This might also play a role in CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and conventional talk therapies, where a patient might be asked to express themselves pictorially or in less conventional means. 

Meetings

Sketchnoting might also be used in business meetings between colleagues, or when pitching ideas to new clients. 

This could be used to express a specific font type, show off a rough sketch of a new idea, or otherwise communicate information in a way that is concise, effective, and memorable. 

This is also commonly used in presentations – both at work and at school – where colleagues might communicate certain ideas in accessible ways to their peers.

This can be a good way of making information digestible and memorable. 

It could also be used at various conferences to transfer information to people in an easy and accessible way.

This is because, as mentioned, it is a more organic way of experimenting with ideas, and is much easier to remember than sentences of information.

Sporting Events

Sketchnoting might also be used as a means of communicating a game plan to a team during a sporting event. 

A pictorial display is much easier to take on board, and remember, and will mean that all of the team are able to understand what needs to be done, and what is expected of them. 

What Are The Benefits Of Sketchnoting? 

As you might imagine, there are also many benefits to sketchnoting that make it such a popular method used in numerous industries. 

Memorable

As mentioned above, sketchnoting is useful as it makes information easier to remember.

Our brains are more naturally designed to remember images than words – and the more unusual the image is, the easier it is for us to remember an associated image. 

This is why it has taken off so well in classrooms and workplaces, where people need to understand things quickly and efficiently as a group. 

Creative

Many people also enjoy the creative process, which is often more freeing and entertaining for the brain than traditional note taking. 

This is because it stimulates the parts of our brain that handle creativity – giving us a sense of satisfaction that we don’t otherwise get from copying words onto a page. 

Unrestricted

The process is also unrestricted, meaning that there are very little rules and regulations surrounding what you can and cannot do. 

This not only makes the learning process free and easier – due to the fact that there is less pressure – but it also means that those with different ways of thinking and seeing the world can portray their thoughts in a manner that isn’t consigned to traditional intelligence, penmanship, or communicative abilities. 

This makes it suitable for people of all abilities, and with all disabilities – making it great for schools where children might suffer from learning disabilities like dyslexia. 

This process also makes learning more accessible and democratic for all involved, and takes away some of the intellectual elitism that has long been associated with the education system. 

Final Thoughts

And there we have it, everything you need to know about sketchnoting, and what exactly it is used for.  

It is certainly true that, in the modern world, there are numerous ways for us to express our thoughts and feelings on  paper – with sketchnoting being one of the most freeing and creative methods out there. 

So if you are looking for new ways to journal, detail your thoughts, or make plans, then why not try sketchnoting? Something tells me you won’t be disappointed!

Frequently Asked Questions

Now that we know a little more about sketchnoting, and what it is used for, it is now time for us to answer some frequently asked questions that you might be interested in.