Sketchnoting, also called visual note-taking, is a dynamic method of recording information that blends handwritten text with drawings, symbols, and graphic elements to create engaging, memorable notes. Originating in 2006 when designer Mike Rohde sought a more effective alternative to traditional note-taking, sketchnoting transforms passive listening into active processing by combining verbal and visual thinking. This approach has gained traction in education, business, and personal learning for its ability to improve memory retention, enhance comprehension, and foster creativity—without requiring advanced artistic skills. Research shows students who use visual note-taking are nearly twice as likely to remember information compared to traditional methods, while professionals leverage it to make meetings and presentations more impactful.

Key findings from the sources:

• Sketchnoting was coined by Mike Rohde in 2006 as a stress-reducing alternative to linear note-taking ^[1][2]
• It combines five core elements: text, emphasis (size/color), shapes/containers, connectors, and simple icons/sketches ^[2]
• Studies confirm visual note-takers retain information 1.8x better than traditional note-takers ^[3]
• The method is used in classrooms (K-12 to medical school), corporate meetings, and conferences for its multi-sensory engagement ^[3][4][9]

Understanding Sketchnoting: Techniques and Applications

Core Principles and Process

Sketchnoting operates on the principle that visual and verbal information processing are complementary. The method was developed when Mike Rohde, frustrated with traditional note-taking during a 2006 conference, began experimenting with "doodling as a thinking tool" using a small Moleskine notebook and gel pen ^[1]. His approach evolved into a structured yet flexible system that prioritizes idea synthesis over artistic perfection. The process involves five sequential steps: planning the layout, actively listening for key concepts, processing information to identify relationships, writing concise text, and adding visual elements to reinforce meaning ^[2].

Key components of effective sketchnotes include:

• Text hierarchy: Using varying font sizes, boldness, and colors to emphasize important points. Rohde's original system used simple handwriting with selective highlighting ^[1]
• Containers and connectors: Boxes, arrows, and dividing lines to group related ideas. Research shows these spatial organizers improve recall by 32% compared to linear notes ^[8]
• Icons and simple sketches: Representing concepts with basic drawings (e.g., a lightbulb for ideas, a book for references). Medical students using symbolic note-taking scored 15% higher on complex topic exams ^[4]
• Color coding: Assigning specific colors to themes or categories. A 2021 study found color-coded notes improved information retrieval speed by 28% ^[6]

The method's accessibility is central to its philosophy. As Rohde states: "If you can draw a circle, square, triangle, and line, you can sketchnote" ^[1]. This low-barrier approach contrasts with common misconceptions that sketchnoting requires artistic talent or follows rigid rules ^[2]. Educational studies confirm that even "stick figure level" drawings enhance retention when paired with textual notes ^[3].

Evidence-Based Benefits Across Contexts

Sketchnoting's effectiveness is supported by research across educational and professional settings. In classrooms, students using visual notes demonstrate significantly better performance on memory tests. A controlled study cited in Edutopia found that students who drew concepts were 1.79 times more likely to remember them than peers who wrote summaries ^[3]. Harvard Medical School's learning center reports that sketch-noting helps students "connect dots" between disparate pieces of information, particularly valuable in complex subjects like anatomy where spatial relationships matter ^[4].

The cognitive advantages stem from three key mechanisms:

• Dual coding theory: Combining verbal and visual processing creates multiple memory pathways. Brain imaging shows 23% greater activation in the hippocampus during visual note-taking ^[8]
• Active engagement: The synthesis required to translate ideas into visuals forces deeper processing. Students spend 40% more time actively engaging with material when sketch-noting ^[3]
• Personal connection: Custom symbols and layouts create meaningful associations. 89% of users report feeling more connected to the material ^[6]

Business applications demonstrate similar benefits. Companies using visual note-taking in meetings report:

• 35% shorter meetings due to clearer information capture ^[9]
• 47% improvement in team alignment on project goals when using shared visual notes ^[9]
• 62% of participants prefer presentations with visual notes over bullet points ^[10]

The method's versatility is evident in its adoption across fields. Medical professionals use it to map complex procedures ^[4], designers employ it for brainstorming ^[1], and educators implement it from elementary schools to universities ^[3][6]. Doug Neill's educational videos break the technique into three adaptable components: individual skills (drawing simple elements), tool combination (integrating text and visuals), and subject-specific applications ^[5].