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VisualizeIT: Learn To Sketch & Sketch To Learn

VisualizeIT: Learn To Sketch & Sketch To Learn

Abstract:
Creativity enhances communication and builds meaningful connections that will help us consume, retain, and recall, information better. This is the core premise and message behind “VisualizeIT” – a talk that is meant to motivate you to think about visual storytelling in tech contexts, not just to make complex technology concepts feel more familiar, but to enhance the learning journey for the 65% of us who are visual learners.

In this talk, we’ll look at my visual storytelling journey from two perspectives: “learn to sketch” focused on a simple toolkit to get you started on visual note-taking, and “sketch to learn” focused on examples of how the toolkit can be used to improve our written and spoken communications, while also combining fun with functionality.

Video:
https://youtu.be/bKKWThZdg1g?t=4357

Presented at Boston GoLang: https://www.meetup.com/bostongo/events/276777963/

Nitya Narasimhan, PhD

March 30, 2021
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Transcript

  1. Nitya Narasimhan | @nitya
    https://cloud-skills.dev | @sketchthedocs

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  2. @nitya | @sketchthedocs

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  3. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    Using a Visual
    Vocabulary
    To Communicate
    Complex Ideas
    To Assist With
    Understanding,
    Retention, and
    Recall
    @nitya | @sketchthedocs

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  4. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    We all process information differently
    2 out of 3
    humans learn visually
    Our brains absorb spatial
    & visual information faster,
    detecting patterns,
    making connections
    improving retention
    From: "How to Spot Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic Learning Executives..", Inc Online
    @nitya | @sketchthedocs

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  5. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    From: "How Sketcnoting Can Help with Zoom Fatigue - Student Agency and Building Relationships',
    Inc Online
    @nitya | @sketchthedocs

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  6. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    To Journaling
    evolved to a way of
    capturing key memories
    From Self-Care
    drawing helped me cope with
    anxiety and stress
    To Tech Storytelling
    visualizing technology to grow
    awareness, understanding & recall
    @nitya | @sketchthedocs

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  7. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    Visual Storytelling
    apply your skills to other
    areas (public speaking),
    learn from community
    Sketchnoting 101
    jumpstart your journey
    by building your visual
    toolkit for note-taking
    Visual Messaging
    visualizing key takeaways
    for attention and recall
    Personal Branding
    visualizing people's stories
    for better engagement

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  8. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    Rapid
    Note-taking
    Visual Capture
    of Ideas
    Information
    Summarization
    & Synthesis
    @nitya | @sketchthedocs

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  9. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    Rapid
    Note-taking
    Visual Capture
    of Ideas
    Information
    Summarization
    & Synthesis
    Explain
    Metaphorically
    (analogies)
    Connect
    Emotionally
    (anthropomorphism)
    Visualize
    Consistently
    (vocabularies)
    @nitya | @sketchthedocs

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  10. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    @nitya | @sketchthedocs

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  11. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    Rediscover the
    joy of doodling
    making visual marks
    will help you think and
    increases your focus
    Without lifting your pen,
    doodle a line over and around,
    crisscrossing in many places.
    Color or pattern enclosed areas.
    How did that feel?
    @nitya | @sketchthedocs

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  12. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    FONTS
    QUOTES
    PEOPLE
    ICONS
    CONTAINERS
    LAYOUTS
    DIRECTION
    COLORS
    Typography & Imagery
    Colors & Composition
    @nitya | @sketchthedocs

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  13. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    Font types for visual interest
    Font sizes for hierarchy
    Fast for capture, Slow for clarity
    FONTS
    QUOTES
    PEOPLE
    ICONS
    CONTAINERS
    LAYOUTS
    DIRECTION
    COLORS
    @nitya | @sketchthedocs

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  14. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    Listen with intent for takeaways
    Look for repetitions
    Select for emotional resonance
    FONTS
    QUOTES
    PEOPLE
    ICONS
    CONTAINERS
    LAYOUTS
    DIRECTION
    COLORS
    @nitya | @sketchthedocs

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  15. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    Start with simple figures
    Then practice poses & faces
    Make a cheat sheet!
    FONTS
    QUOTES
    PEOPLE
    ICONS
    CONTAINERS
    LAYOUTS
    DIRECTION
    COLORS
    @nitya | @sketchthedocs

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  16. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    Just enough to be recognizable
    Focus on familiar + reusable
    Inspiration: Noun-Project!
    FONTS
    QUOTES
    PEOPLE
    ICONS
    CONTAINERS
    LAYOUTS
    DIRECTION
    COLORS
    @nitya | @sketchthedocs

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  17. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    Focus on composition + clarity
    Group ideas, create boundaries
    Cultivate whimsy
    FONTS
    QUOTES
    PEOPLE
    ICONS
    CONTAINERS
    LAYOUTS
    DIRECTION
    COLORS
    Credit: Getting Started With Sketchnoting | Michele Ide-Smith
    @nitya | @sketchthedocs

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  18. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    Think about how the information
    is being shared – and consumed
    ex: book, webpage, workflow, tabular
    FONTS
    QUOTES
    PEOPLE
    ICONS
    CONTAINERS
    LAYOUTS
    DIRECTION
    COLORS
    @nitya | @sketchthedocs

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  19. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    Help users navigate visually
    Use familiar signals
    (arrows, maps, trails)
    FONTS
    QUOTES
    PEOPLE
    ICONS
    CONTAINERS
    LAYOUTS
    DIRECTION
    COLORS
    @nitya | @sketchthedocs

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  20. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    Create visual separation
    Create contextual connection
    Think about accessibility
    FONTS
    QUOTES
    PEOPLE
    ICONS
    CONTAINERS
    LAYOUTS
    DIRECTION
    COLORS
    @nitya | @sketchthedocs

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  21. @SketchTheDocs @nitya

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  22. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    https://twitter.com/arunulag/status/1335990361768902656
    @nitya | @sketchthedocs

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  23. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    https://twitter.com/nitya/status/1351765213796851712
    Share in near-real time
    Reinforce team messaging
    @nitya | @sketchthedocs

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  24. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    @nitya | @sketchthedocs

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  25. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    @nitya | @sketchthedocs
    https://aka.ms/visual-azure-cmu-elasticity

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  26. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    Summarize content in 8 cells
    (on a single page)
    Paper or Digital Templates
    (speed up execution)
    @nitya | @sketchthedocs

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  27. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    @nitya | @sketchthedocs

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  28. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    https://cloud-skills.dev
    https://dev.to/t/visualizeit
    Free, 6-part online workshop series
    (skill yourself up!)
    Repository of tech sketchnotes
    (contributions welcome!)
    @nitya | @sketchthedocs

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  29. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    On Creativity | Austin Kleon Letters, Maps, Processes
    Eva-Lotta Lamm
    Sketchnoting Ideas
    Denise Yu |
    Anthropomorphism
    Maggie Appleton
    Visual Metaphors
    Mike Rohde | #SketchnoteArmy
    @nitya | @sketchthedocs

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  30. @SketchTheDocs @nitya

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  31. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    • Capture – relevant content
    • Compose – information flow
    • Condense – messaging to fit
    • Clarity & Creativity – refactor
    • Communicate – to audience

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  32. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    https://aka.ms/visual/golang-learn
    Follow
    @sketchthedocs
    Or watch
    @LearnTV
    Thu @1:30pm ET

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  33. @SketchTheDocs @nitya
    SUMMARY
    • What = Communicate ideas
    • Why = To Learn, To Teach
    • Who = Anyone (no artistry)
    • How = Toolkits & Practice
    STORYTELLING
    • Convey ideas or information
    • Foster deeper connection
    • Motivate audience action
    • Empower their imagination!

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  34. Nitya Narasimhan | @nitya
    https://cloud-skills.dev | @sketchthedocs

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