Here’s something people often say to me when they see me sketch-note during a meeting or at a conference: “Oh wow, that’s cool, but I could never spend time on that.”
On the face of it, sketch-notes might seem like an elaborate way to take notes, or something only for people who love to draw. But as a product designer, sketch-notes are more than notes—they’re a tool for understanding relationships, capturing the essence of what I observe, and reflecting on insights. Here’s why I use them:
Seeing Connections, Instantly and Succinctly
My notes rarely start as sketch-notes, but as soon as I connect two thoughts with an arrow, they transform. That single line visually ties related ideas together, showing connections traditional notes often miss. Quick annotations help me capture complex relationships at a glance, and even messy, they’re a great reference for organizing my thoughts.
Capturing Character and Emotion
Sketching lets me go beyond facts to capture the character and emotion of the people and activities I observe. This emotional layer is often what makes observations meaningful in design. During Config '24, I sketched the keynote by Karla Mickens Cole and Nashilu Mouen. These notes bring back the session’s emotion and key points, reminding me of what resonated.
I took these notes during Config '24 during The Browser Company's keynote delivered by Karla Mickens Cole and Nashilu Mouen. I had some time and space to call out my favorite points and key quotes. This sketch-note is a joy to revisit and instantly reminds me of how I felt during their emotional and touching case study.
A Low-Profile Way to Observe
In settings where a camera might distract participants or interrupt the flow, sketching offers a subtle alternative. For example, if people are working through a new task, giving a speech, or participating in a workshop, sketching allows me to capture key moments without interrupting or making people self-conscious.
During a design workshop, I recorded a participant’s reflective moment without breaking their privacy. I've drawn the room's setup, with the activity board, laptop and participant.
4. A Space for Reflection
Finally, sketch-noting is inherently reflective. Unlike plain notes, which sometimes just document facts, sketch-notes are a response to what I see, highlighting what resonates and feels essential. This approach makes each note-taking session an active part of my design and learning process, sparking insights that inspire my next steps. This sketch-note was done during a fireside chat with Andrea Mangini during one of my graduate classes, Leadership in Design, taught by Leah Pincsak. It helped me retain my main take-aways on design leadership.
For me, sketch-notes are more than records—they deepen my understanding and inspire my work. Curious to try sketch-noting in your own design process? I’d love to chat!