Let's Sketchnote!

Presented by Binaebi Akah, Charlene McBride, and Veronica Erb at MidwestUX 2012 in Columbus, Ohio on May 31.

Before we begin a design, we must listen—to stakeholders, clients, coworkers, and most of all, our users. Listening and successfully recording what we’ve heard directly effects whether we ultimately succeed with our design.

Sketchnotes use a visual language that expands on traditional note taking. Because of the time it takes to enhance notes with arrows and stick figures and fancy lettering, we encourage ourselves to practice the art of listening. As an active sketchnoter, you will better understand, remember, and communicate the information you consume.

The sketchnotes themselves are more than a happy byproduct—they can communicate ideas, record user experience research, and enhance our visual language.

Participants in this studio workshop will learn sketchnoting techniques and take time to experiment with sketchnoting components. As we practice together, we will share what we’ve learned in both small and full group discussions and exercises. At the end of the session, we will practice with a sketchnoting dry run.

What you’ll learn:

- Basic elements and practices of sketchnoting (typography, lines, people, color)
- How to hear important points of the discussion or event you are recording
- How to shape your sketchnote to enhance its message
- How sketchnoting can help your UX practice
- How to practice and develop your innate ability to draw

All beginners and active sketchnoters are welcome to attend. Whether you’re starting from scratch (“I can’t even draw a straight line”) or you’re comfortable with sketchnoting components (“I love drawing, but haven’t figured out how to put it in notes”), this studio workshop will provide you with dedicated practice time and a group of folks to exchange questions and ideas.

We are here to help you adopt a method that will improve the way you understand concepts and solve problems.

Come begin the journey to find your sketchnote style!

Transcript

1. #sketchmwux Let’s Sketchnote! Binaebi Akah, Veronica Erb, and Charlene McBride Midwest UX 2012
2. #sketchmwux 5 min Hello!
3. #sketchmwux Binaebi @siriomi
4. #sketchmwux Veronica @verbistheword
5. #sketchmwux Charlene @ursonate
6. #sketchmwux Three Acts • Act 1: Let’s Start • (10 minute break) • Act 2: Let’s Break It Down • (10 minute break) • Act 3: Let’s Practice
7. #sketchmwux Act 1: Let’s Start
8. #sketchmwux 5 min Make your Name Card
9. #sketchmwux 5 min What are Sketchnotes?
10. murdocke on Flickr
11. siriomi on Flickr
12. jessabean on Flickr
13. erinmchardy on Flickr
14. ursonate on Flickr
15. choconancy on Flickr
16. rohdesign on Flickr
17. dastillman on Flickr
18. overlobe on Flickr
19. verbistheword on Flickr
20. mattbalara on Flickr
21. murdocke on Flickr
22. ursonate on Flickr
23. bk on Flickr
24. brettlider on Flickr
25. @axbom on Twitter
26. ninmah on Flickr
27. rohdesign on Flickr
28. erinmchardy on Flickr
29. erinmchardy on Flickr
30. siriomi on Flickr
31. verbistheword on Flickr
32. stuffmyhandthinks.tumblr.com
33. #sketchmwux 15 min Let’s Try It! Joshua Foer: Step Outside Your Comfort Zone and Study Yourself Failing
34. #sketchmwux Coming up in Act 2 • Listening: How do you decide which things to capture? • Drawing: How do you capture those things? • Organizing: How do you arrange those things into a coherent whole?
35. #sketchmwux Break! 10 minutes
36. #sketchmwux Act II: Let’s Break it Down
37. #sketchmwux 15 min each Listening with Binaebi Drawing with Charlene Organizing with Veronica
38. #sketchmwux Coming up in Act 3 • Debrief: Lessons from listening, drawing, organizing. • Let’s Sketchnote! • In UX: How else can we use these skills? •What Sticks? Closing thoughts.
39. #sketchmwux Break! 10 minutes
40. #sketchmwux Act 3: Let’s Practice
41. #sketchmwux 5 min What are you going to try this time?
42. #sketchmwux 30 min Time to Sketchnote! Manuel Lima: The Power of Networks (El Poder de las Redes)
43. #sketchmwux 5 min In your UX Practice...
44. silvers on Flickr
45. bk on Flickr
46. intelleto on Flickr
47. intelleto on Flickr
48. via Charlene
49. via Charlene
50. via Charlene
51. via Charlene
52. via Charlene
53. via Charlene
54. #sketchmwux 5 min What Sticks?
55. #sketchmwux Resources • The Graphic Facilitator’s Guide, by Brandy Agerbeck • The Camera: IPEVO Point 2 View • Search for sketchnotes on Flickr • And check out the very active #sketchnotes hashtag on Twitter
56. #sketchmwux Thanks everyone! — Charlene, Veronica, and Binaebi #sketchnotes