SARAH SIMPSON

VISUAL NOTETAKING

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Visual Notetaking
1st edition
© 2018 Sarah Simpson & bookboon.com
ISBN 978-87-403-2430-3

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Contents

CONTENTS
1 Introduction 7

2 What is visual notetaking? 8

2.1 Dual coding 8

3 Why use visual notetaking? 10

3.1 What will you need? 11
3.2 ‘Traditional’ 11
3.3 Electronic 11
3.4 Pros and cons (traditional vs. electronic notes) 12

4 But I can’t draw! 13

4.1 Basic shapes 13
4.2 Pareiodolia 14
4.3 ‘It’s still a rabbit’! 15

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Contents

5 Drawing 16
5.1 Shapes 16
5.2 Arrows 17
5.3 Bullets 18
5.4 Banners 18
5.5 Separators 19
5.6 Frames 20
5.7 Speech 20

6 Colours 21

7 People 22
7.1 Faces & emotions 22
7.2 Individuals 23
7.3 Simple 23
7.4 More complex 25
7.5 Groups 26

8 Lettering & fonts 27

8.1 Types 27
8.2 Capitals - Serif & sans serif 27
8.3 Lower case - Serif and sans-serif 28
8.4 Hollow block 29
8.5 Block 30
8.6 3D & shading 30
8.7 Bubble 31
8.8 Handwriting - Capital and lower case 31
8.9 Combinations – letters and visuals 32

9 Patterns and ordering 35

9.1 Spokes - Regular and non-regular 35
9.2 Horizontal 35
9.3 Vertical 35
9.4 Columns 36
9.5 Cyclical 37
9.6 Winding path 37
9.7 Modular (grid) 37
9.8 Random 38
9.9 Venn 38
9.10 Flow chart 38
9.11 Hierarchical 39

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Contents

10 Visual dictionary 40
10.1 Individual ‘dictionary’ elements 40
10.2 Visual metaphors 43

11 Summary 48

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Introduction

1 INTRODUCTION
Welcome to this book on visual notetaking. Here I will guide you through what this is
and how to apply this method of recording discussions and observations to greatest effect.

The most important thing to say at this early stage is that YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE
ABLE TO DRAW!

I certainly can’t, but have developed my own style, methods and shortcuts, all of which
I will share with you and which will have you producing visually stunning, useful and
engaging ‘notes’ in no time.

“One picture is worth ten thousand words”

– Chinese proverb

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VISUAL NOTETAKING What is visual notetaking?

2 WHAT IS VISUAL NOTETAKING?

Visual note taking describes the real-time process of converting what you; see, think and
hear, into a series of images and words. You are using a holistic approach to process and
consider these in order to capture the main points and ‘big ideas’.

You can use both traditional pen and paper, or electronic approaches. My equipment
suggestions for each of these is discussed in section 3.2.

2.1 DUAL CODING

Dual coding theory (Allan Paivio, 1971), states that we have two cognitive subsystems. One
for representing and processing imagery and the other for language. Therefore, the process
of visual notetaking engages both of these subsystems, which makes it such an incredibly
powerful tool.

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VISUAL NOTETAKING What is visual notetaking?

Experiments conducted by Paivio, show the importance of imagery in cognitive operations.

For example, when people were asked to distinguish pairs of objects in terms of their
‘roundness’, response times for picture-picture combinations were fastest than picture-word
or word-word.

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Why use visual notetaking?

3 WHY USE VISUAL NOTETAKING?

Visual notetaking has many benefits, which include:

• Providing an overview, or summary of an interaction or event

• Organising your thoughts, impressions and information
• Whole brain engagement, which could improve your recall and memory
• Highlighting important relevant information
• Demonstrating connections, linkages and patterns; ‘big picture thinking’
• Communicating large amounts of information in a single image
• Imagery being more visual than words alone

Don’t forget humans have been using drawings to communicate for thousands of years. The
earliest known drawings were found in Spain and France, which date from 30,000 – 10,000 BC.

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Why use visual notetaking?

3.1 WHAT WILL YOU NEED?

3.2 ‘TRADITIONAL’
When I first started out, I used a spiral bound notebook (I found A5 to be best), a light
grey pencil and fine line gel pen. However, I soon added a grey chisel tip shading pen,
closely followed by a selection of coloured pens. You will no doubt find your own ‘toolkit’
that works for you, your environment and your style, but you can’t go wrong with these
to start with.

3.3 ELECTRONIC
A year or so into my visual notetaking journey I purchased a tablet and e-stylus and began
experimenting with apps and techniques. For me personally, this is now by far my preferred
way of recording visual notes, and this is discussed in greater detail below in the pros and cons.

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Why use visual notetaking?

I use an iPad 12.9” pro with apple pencil and the free paper by 53 app. Prior to this I used
adobe sketch. If you intend to go down the e-route, explore the huge range of free apps
available (I have never felt the need for paid versions) and see which one works best for you.

3.4 PROS AND CONS (TRADITIONAL VS. ELECTRONIC NOTES)

As I said above I have used both traditional and e-methods of visual note capture and
therefore thought it may be useful to summarise my thoughts and findings for you. This
is not to say however, that you will have the same experiences as me.

Traditional paper based method e-method

Limited equipment needed and therefore

Requires a; tablet, pen and apps
smaller financial outlay

Pens run out Tablet and pencil require charging

Mistakes need to be rubbed out (if using pencil) Electronic erasure, or un-doing is quick

Images can be photographed, uploaded and Electronic sharing is quick and integrated with
shared many other apps

Can be difficult to use in low lighting conditions. Tablets have their own in-built lighting. Great
Some people use a small battery book reading for low lighting e.g. conferences, but you need
light, that clips onto your sketch book to be mindful of disturbing others

Traditional methods can be scaled up. For

example, you can use flip chart paper, or even You can ‘zoom in’ on a given area(s), when
wall paper lining paper to capture images for greater detail is required
all to see

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VISUAL NOTETAKING But I can’t draw!

4 BUT I CAN’T DRAW!

Visual notetaking IS NOT ABOUT HOW WELL YOU CAN DRAW, it’s about capturing;
ideas, connections, conversations and concepts. I cannot draw, but, over time I have developed
my own style and ‘visual dictionary’. That is not to say that I don’t still get nervous when
I know people are watching me though!

YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE ABLE TO DRAW!

4.1 BASIC SHAPES

Everything you will need to draw in order to take visual notes comes from 5 basic shapes:

• Square
• Triangle
• Circle
• Line
• Dot

If you can draw these, even badly, you are (more than) half way there!

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VISUAL NOTETAKING But I can’t draw!

4.2 PAREIODOLIA
Although you may not have heard of pareiodolia, you will almost certainly have experienced it.

It is described as “the tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful image in a random

or ambiguous visual pattern”.

Examples of this would include the Rorschach inkblot test, or seeing faces in everyday items.

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VISUAL NOTETAKING But I can’t draw!

4.3 ‘IT’S STILL A RABBIT’!

To illustrate this further, the 3 images below are all very different, but all represent and are
identifiable as, a rabbit.

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Drawing

5 DRAWING
Ok, so let’s start looking at all the elements you will need in order to take great visual notes.

5.1 SHAPES
We have already seen (in chapter 4.1) that everything you will need to draw when taking
visual notes, is made up of these 5 shapes; square, triangle, circle, line and dot.

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Drawing

5.2 ARROWS
Simple lines or block arrows.

More complex shaped, shaded or coloured arrows can convey a message without words

Converging /

Coming together

Down Up

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Drawing

5.3 BULLETS

5.4 BANNERS
My top tip here is to write your word(s) first and then draw your banner box around it.

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Drawing

If you use electronic methods of notes capture, you can experiment with ‘colour wash’
features, to create different style banners.

5.5 SEPARATORS
These can be used to distinguish between various parts of your notes. For example, different
speakers, topics or discussions.

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Drawing

5.6 FRAMES
Adding separators together gives you frames and more distinct areas to your map.

5.7 SPEECH
Examples of basic speech bubbles are shown below.

3D shading
creates depth

With the addition of other shapes and / or colour you can start to tell a more visual story.

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Colours

6 COLOURS
Colours can convey multiple messages and meanings, without the need for additional words.
These are the colours and associated meanings that I use.

Please note, if you are going to share your visual notes, you may wish to stick to colours
with a more universal, rather than personal meaning.

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VISUAL NOTETAKING People

7 PEOPLE
One of the things people fear drawing the most is people. In this chapter I will show you
how easy this is and how there are options that allow you to find your own style.

7.1 FACES & EMOTIONS

You will note that in the 11 faces below I have not drawn any noses. These do not add
to how emotions are conveyed, and as such can be left out. Eyebrows and mouths, on the
other hand, are crucial!

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VISUAL NOTETAKING People

7.2 INDIVIDUALS
What happens when you need to look at the whole body? Below you will see methods for
drawing simple and more complex people.

7.3 SIMPLE
The four main simple people shapes are; stick, petals, star and rectangle.

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VISUAL NOTETAKING People

This is a step-by-step guide of how to draw each. Have a go with all of them and find the
one you are most comfortable with.

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VISUAL NOTETAKING People

7.4 MORE COMPLEX

Bringing in; movement, hands, feet and personalities can add more interest as well as convey
emotion and add to your notes ‘story’

Movement lines shows

direction and help ‘animate’
your characters

How about adding a bit of personality!

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 VISUAL NOTETAKING People

7.5 GROUPS
A super quick way to draw a group of people is shown below.

360°
thinking .

360°
thinking . 360°
thinking .
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VISUAL NOTETAKING Lettering & fonts

8 LETTERING & FONTS

8.1 TYPES
Below you will see the 10 different types of font that I use. Fonts add interest and emphasis.

Serif font have small lines attached to the end of the letter strokes. Sans serif do not have
these lines and are ‘cleaner’ in appearance.

8.2 CAPITALS - SERIF & SANS SERIF

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Lettering & fonts

8.3 LOWER CASE - SERIF AND SANS-SERIF

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Lettering & fonts

8.4 HOLLOW BLOCK

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Lettering & fonts

8.5 BLOCK

8.6 3D & SHADING

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Lettering & fonts

8.7 BUBBLE

8.8 HANDWRITING - CAPITAL AND LOWER CASE

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Lettering & fonts

8.9 COMBINATIONS – LETTERS AND VISUALS

Combining letters with visuals can be particularly impactful.

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Lettering & fonts

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Lettering & fonts

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Patterns and ordering

9 PATTERNS AND ORDERING

As I have said throughout his book, you will find your own style of taking visual notes.
This includes how you will order these notes on the page. If you are anything like me this
ordering or pattern will be dependent upon the situation you find yourself in.

9.1 SPOKES - REGULAR AND NON-REGULAR

9.2 HORIZONTAL

9.3 VERTICAL

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Patterns and ordering

9.4 COLUMNS

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Patterns and ordering

9.5 CYCLICAL

9.6 WINDING PATH

9.7 MODULAR (GRID)

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Patterns and ordering

9.8 RANDOM

9.9 VENN

9.10 FLOW CHART

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Patterns and ordering

9.11 HIERARCHICAL

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Visual dictionary

10 VISUAL DICTIONARY
In addition to; arrows, bullets, banners, frames, speech, people fonts, patterns and ordering,
you will need to use other visuals to tell a story and convey information in a quick, logical
and visual way.

The best method is to start to build up your own ‘visual dictionary’. To this end I have
provided 25 common images that I use. These will give you a really good idea as to what
is possible and how you can start to create your own images, which are tailored to your
particular environment and situation.

10.1 INDIVIDUAL ‘DICTIONARY’ ELEMENTS

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Visual dictionary

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Visual dictionary

As seen in chapter 5.7, here is a reminder about speech bubbles.

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Visual dictionary

1 image 4-ways. All are representative of global / international, but with different levels
of complexity.

Remember, as with all your visual notes, colours and shading can be added later. The most
important thing is to capture the main ideas, points and concepts.

10.2 VISUAL METAPHORS

As well as the ordering and patterns we saw in chapter 9, there may be times when it is
appropriate to construct your visual note around one image, which acts as the main focus
onto which you can add your individual elements (pictures and font).

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Visual dictionary

10.2.1 A JOURNEY

10.2.2 ICEBERG

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Visual dictionary

10.2.3 MOUNTAINS X 2

10.2.4 STEPS

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Visual dictionary

10.2.5 TARGET

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Visual dictionary

10.2.6 JIGSAW

10.2.7 TREE

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VISUAL NOTETAKING Summary

11 SUMMARY
Visual note taking describes the process of converting what you see, think and hear, into
a series of images and words. The key is to capture the main points, ideas and concepts
into a holistic image.

The benefits of using this method are many and varied, but dual coding theory would
suggest that using both visual and note taking processes, lie at the heart of its impact. The
other benefits we saw included:

• Providing an overview, or summary of an interaction or event

• Organising your thoughts, impressions and information
• Whole brain engagement, which could improve your recall and memory
• Highlighting important relevant information
• Demonstrating connections, linkages and patterns; ‘big picture thinking’
• Communicating large amounts of information in a single image
• Imagery being more visual than words alone

The method that you use to capture your notes is down to personal preference, as there
are pros and cons of each. However, as I have stated many times, this is not about creating
works of art, but rather finding your own style and visual dictionary that works for you.

In conclusion, you have nothing to lose by giving it a go!

Happy visual notetaking!

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