Have you ever read an article or attended a talk and wished there was a clearer, more memorable way to capture the key ideas? That’s where the sketchnote comes in—a simple but powerful visual thinking tool that can transform how you absorb and share information. Sketchnotes are more than doodles—they’re a way of thinking. By learning how to create sketchnotes, you’re not just capturing content—you’re making sense of it. And once you see the power of visual thinking, it’s hard to go back to plain text.
What Is a Sketchnote?
A sketchnote is a visual summary of content—like a podcast, keynote, article, or book—using a mix of handwritten words, drawings, icons, and structure. Unlike traditional note-taking, which is often linear and text-heavy, sketchnoting is dynamic, spatial, and visual. It helps you process what you hear or read in a way that’s both creative and memorable.
And the best part? You don’t have to be an artist to create one.
How Is a Sketchnote Different from Graphic Recording?
Although they share the same DNA, sketchnotes and graphic recordings are used differently:
| Sketchnote | Graphic Recording | |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Personal or small group | Public, live audience |
| Scale | Small – notebook, tablet, or A4 digital | Large – whiteboard, digital canvas, or poster paper |
| Timing | During or after the event | Always in real-time |
| Purpose | Note-taking, learning, sharing online | Capturing shared understanding in live settings |
| Creator | Anyone! Often individuals for their own use | Trained practitioners like our team at Sketch Group |
We specialise in graphic recording, where we visually capture group discussions, events, and keynotes in real time—either in person or digitally. It’s about listening deeply, synthesising on the fly, and creating large-scale visuals that engage everyone in the room.
Sketchnoting, on the other hand, is something anyone can learn. It’s a skill we teach through our Visual Thinking Training, helping individuals build confidence in drawing, note-taking, and turning complex ideas into clear visuals.
Why Learn to use Visual Summaries?
There’s science behind why sketchnotes are so effective. Visuals help our brains process and retain information better than text alone. In fact, research shows that incorporating visual aids can significantly enhance learning and memory source. By turning spoken ideas into engaging visuals, sketchnoting becomes a powerful tool for comprehension and recall.
Learning to sketchnote can boost your ability to:
- Focus and retain information
- Communicate ideas clearly
- Think visually in meetings, strategy sessions, or study
- Create engaging summaries of written or spoken content
It’s a particularly useful skill for consultants, educators, project leads, and lifelong learners who regularly deal with complex material.
Want to Learn to Sketchnote?
If you’d like to bring more clarity, creativity, and impact to your ideas, consider joining one of our Visual Thinking workshops. We’ll teach you the foundations of sketchnoting—how to draw simple icons, structure your ideas visually, and build confidence in using visuals to think and communicate.
Find out more about our Visual Thinking Training or contact us to tailor a session for your team