Last updated: September 2026 | A guide to sketchnotes, visual note-taking, diagrams, doodles, creative notes, meeting notes, and Dingbats* notebooks
Some ideas are easier to understand when you can see them.
A list can help.
A paragraph can explain.
A bullet point can organize.
But sometimes, the thought needs a box, arrow, symbol, sketch, map, timeline, or diagram before it becomes clear.
That is where sketchnotes come in. Sketchnotes are visual notes that combine words, drawings, symbols, arrows, layouts, and simple structure to make information easier to understand and remember. They are not about being good at art. They are about turning ideas into something visible.
A sketchnote can be messy.
It can be simple.
It can be made during a meeting, lecture, brainstorm, book, podcast, workshop, trip, or planning session.
It can include stick figures, icons, boxes, banners, arrows, mind maps, timelines, diagrams, and small sketches.
The goal is not to make a beautiful page. The goal is to make a useful one.
At Dingbats*, we believe notebooks should support the way people actually think. Sometimes that means writing full sentences. Sometimes it means making lists. Sometimes it means sketching, circling, connecting, mapping, and creating a page that makes sense visually before it makes sense in words.
The Wildlife Collection gives everyday visual notes a personal place. The Earth Collection supports structured layouts, indexes, trackers, and planning pages. The Pro Collection, with 160gsm mixed media paper, gives sketchnotes room for markers, brush pens, diagrams, calligraphy, sketches, and visual thinking.
Sketchnotes are not drawings beside notes. They are notes that think visually.
Quick Overview: What Are Sketchnotes?
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Words | Key ideas, quotes, phrases, labels, and short explanations |
| Sketches | Simple drawings that represent people, objects, places, or concepts |
| Symbols | Icons, stars, arrows, question marks, clocks, flags, and markers |
| Structure | Boxes, sections, headings, timelines, lists, and maps |
| Connections | Arrows, lines, branches, and groupings that show relationships |
| Emphasis | Bigger words, borders, circles, underlines, and contrast |
| Memory cues | Visual marks that help you find and remember information later |
| Personality | A note-taking style that feels more personal and alive |
Sketchnotes help turn information into a page you can understand at a glance.
What Are Sketchnotes?
Sketchnotes are notes that use both words and visuals. They are sometimes called visual notes, graphic notes, sketch notes, or visual note-taking. The idea is simple: instead of writing everything in plain lines of text, you use the page as a thinking space. A sketchnote might include:
- short phrases
- simple icons
- arrows
- boxes
- diagrams
- headings
- sketches
- timelines
- maps
- symbols
- lists
- labels
- speech bubbles
- decorative dividers
- visual hierarchy
The page becomes more than a transcript. It becomes a map of the idea.
Sketchnotes Can Be Used For
| Situation | How Sketchnotes Help |
|---|---|
| Meetings | Capture decisions, action points, people, and ideas visually |
| Lectures | Turn information into sections, diagrams, and memory cues |
| Books | Record quotes, themes, characters, and key takeaways |
| Podcasts | Capture ideas while listening |
| Brainstorms | Show connections between ideas |
| Projects | Map timelines, steps, feedback, and next actions |
| Travel | Sketch routes, places, memories, and observations |
| Creative work | Develop visual ideas, moodboards, and references |
Sketchnotes are useful because they let the page work the way the mind often works: with words, images, patterns, and connections all at once.
Sketchnotes Are Not About Being Good at Drawing
This is the most important thing to understand. You do not need to be an artist to make sketchnotes. A sketchnote is not judged by how realistic the drawings are. A stick figure can represent a person. A square can represent a building. A circle can represent a topic. A clock can represent time. A lightbulb can represent an idea. The purpose is communication, not perfection.
Simple Visuals That Count as Sketchnotes
| Visual | What It Can Represent |
|---|---|
| Stick figure | Person, speaker, customer, team member |
| Lightbulb | Idea |
| Clock | Time, deadline, schedule |
| Arrow | Direction, connection, next step |
| Box | Category, section, group |
| Star | Important point |
| Question mark | Open question |
| Flag | Follow-up |
| Speech bubble | Quote or conversation |
| Mountain | Goal, challenge, journey |
| Leaf | Nature, growth, sustainability |
| Book | Reading, learning, research |
Sketchnoting is not about drawing beautifully. It is about making ideas easier to see.
Why Visual Note-Taking Works
Visual note-taking works because information is not always linear. A normal page of notes often moves from top to bottom. That can be useful, but some ideas have relationships that are easier to show visually.
A cause leads to an effect.
A task belongs to a project.
A quote connects to a theme.
A decision creates a next step.
A person owns a responsibility.
A timeline has phases.
A process has movement.
A problem has parts.
Sketchnotes let those relationships appear on the page.
What Visual Notes Make Easier
| Visual Tool | What It Helps Show |
|---|---|
| Arrows | Movement, flow, connection |
| Boxes | Categories and groups |
| Timelines | Sequence and progress |
| Mind maps | Related ideas |
| Icons | Fast recognition |
| Diagrams | Structure and systems |
| Sketches | Objects, scenes, examples |
| Banners | Main ideas and headings |
| Speech bubbles | Quotes, dialogue, voice |
A visual note can show what a paragraph might take much longer to explain.
The Difference Between Doodling and Sketchnoting
Doodling and sketchnoting overlap, but they are not exactly the same. Doodling is often spontaneous and informal. It may happen while listening, waiting, or thinking. It does not always have a clear purpose. Sketchnoting is more intentional. It uses visual marks to capture and organize information. A doodle can become part of a sketchnote when it helps explain, remember, or connect an idea.
Doodling vs Sketchnoting
| Doodling | Sketchnoting |
|---|---|
| Often spontaneous | More intentional |
| Can be random | Usually connected to information |
| May happen in margins | Can shape the whole page |
| Does not need structure | Uses layout and hierarchy |
| Can reflect mood or focus | Helps explain ideas |
| May become useful later | Designed to be useful later |
A doodle says, “My hand is thinking.” A sketchnote says, “Let me make this idea visible.”
The Difference Between Sketchnotes and Regular Notes
Regular notes often focus on writing information down. Sketchnotes focus on making information understandable. That does not mean regular notes are bad. Sometimes plain notes are exactly what you need. But sketchnotes can be especially helpful when information is complex, connected, visual, or easy to forget.
Regular Notes vs Sketchnotes
| Regular Notes | Sketchnotes |
|---|---|
| Mostly words | Words and visuals |
| Often linear | Can be mapped, grouped, or layered |
| Captures information | Captures meaning and relationships |
| May be dense | Easier to scan visually |
| Good for detail | Good for structure and memory cues |
| Can feel repetitive | Feels more active and personal |
The best notebook can hold both. Some pages need sentences. Some pages need arrows.
The Basic Building Blocks of Sketchnotes
Sketchnotes are built from simple elements. You can learn a few basic shapes and use them again and again.
Sketchnote Building Blocks
| Building Block | Use It For |
|---|---|
| Lines | Dividers, paths, movement |
| Boxes | Sections, categories, key ideas |
| Circles | Main topics, emphasis, groups |
| Arrows | Connections, sequence, cause and effect |
| Banners | Titles and headings |
| Icons | Quick visual labels |
| Stick figures | People and roles |
| Speech bubbles | Quotes and dialogue |
| Timelines | Steps, phases, history |
| Mind maps | Expanding ideas from a center point |
Once you know the building blocks, sketchnoting becomes less intimidating. You are not drawing from scratch every time. You are using a visual alphabet.
Start With a Visual Vocabulary
A visual vocabulary is a small set of icons and symbols you use often. It helps you sketchnote faster because you do not have to invent a new drawing every time.
Simple Visual Vocabulary
| Idea | Simple Icon |
|---|---|
| Idea | Lightbulb |
| Question | Question mark |
| Time | Clock |
| Deadline | Calendar |
| Person | Stick figure |
| Team | Group of figures |
| Goal | Flag or mountain |
| Problem | Warning triangle |
| Money | Coin or dollar sign |
| Growth | Leaf or upward arrow |
| Writing | Pen |
| Reading | Book |
| Message | Envelope |
| Location | Pin |
| Action | Checkbox |
Your icons can be extremely simple. The point is recognition, not realism.
Use Layout to Make Notes Easier to Read
Sketchnotes depend on layout. Layout is how the page is arranged. It shows the reader where to look first, what matters most, and how ideas relate to each other. A good layout can make even simple notes feel clearer.
Sketchnote Layout Ideas
| Layout | Best For |
|---|---|
| Header + sections | Meetings, lectures, workshops |
| Mind map | Brainstorms, ideas, themes |
| Timeline | History, project phases, travel, process |
| Grid | Comparisons, categories, steps |
| Flowchart | Decisions, systems, workflows |
| Path | Journey, progress, story |
| Two-column layout | Pros and cons, before and after |
| Center idea layout | One main concept with branches |
You do not need to plan the whole page perfectly. Start with one main idea and let the structure grow around it.
Use Hierarchy So the Important Ideas Stand Out
Hierarchy means making some parts of the page more important than others. Without hierarchy, a page can become visually noisy. Everything looks equal, so nothing stands out. In sketchnotes, hierarchy can be created with size, placement, spacing, borders, symbols, and lettering.
Ways to Create Hierarchy
| Method | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Bigger title | Shows the main topic |
| Boxed idea | Highlights importance |
| Star symbol | Marks key points |
| Arrows | Shows direction or connection |
| Spacing | Gives important ideas room |
| Underlining | Adds emphasis |
| Banners | Separates sections |
| Numbering | Shows sequence |
A sketchnote should help your eye understand the page quickly. The most important ideas should not be hidden.
Use Arrows to Show Relationships
Arrows are one of the most useful sketchnote tools. They show movement.
This leads to that.
This idea connects to that one.
This step comes next.
This problem creates this result.
This choice changes the direction.
This quote supports this theme.
Different Ways to Use Arrows
| Arrow Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Sequence | Step 1 → Step 2 → Step 3 |
| Cause and effect | Problem → Result |
| Connection | Quote → Theme |
| Direction | Start → Finish |
| Priority | Idea → Next action |
| Comparison | Option A ↔ Option B |
| Loop | Habit → Result → Review |
Arrows are simple, but they make a page feel alive. They show that ideas are not just sitting separately. They are moving.
Use Boxes to Organize Information
Boxes are another simple tool that can transform a page. A box says, “This belongs together.” Use boxes for categories, definitions, decisions, examples, quotes, and action items.
Box Ideas for Sketchnotes
| Box Type | Use It For |
|---|---|
| Main idea box | The key takeaway |
| Action box | Tasks or next steps |
| Question box | Open questions |
| Quote box | Important wording |
| Example box | Specific case or detail |
| Warning box | Risk or problem |
| Summary box | Final takeaway |
Boxes are especially useful when your notes are messy. They create order without needing the whole page to be perfect.
Use Simple Lettering for Headings
Lettering can make sketchnotes more readable. You do not need decorative calligraphy. Simple changes are enough. Try making headings larger, writing them in all caps, adding a banner, underlining them, or placing them inside a box.
Easy Heading Styles
| Style | Use |
|---|---|
| ALL CAPS | Strong simple heading |
| Boxed title | Clear section marker |
| Banner title | Main page title |
| Underlined word | Subheading |
| Shadow lettering | Emphasis |
| Bubble letters | Playful title |
| Tall letters | Vertical space filler |
Headings help future-you find information quickly. A sketchnote is not only made for the moment you write it. It is made for the moment you return to it.
Sketchnotes for Meetings
Meetings are ideal for sketchnotes because they involve people, decisions, questions, timelines, and action items. Instead of writing everything word for word, try capturing the structure of the meeting visually.
Meeting Sketchnote Template
| Section | What to Capture |
|---|---|
| Topic | What the meeting is about |
| People | Who was involved |
| Decisions | What was agreed |
| Questions | What is still unclear |
| Actions | What needs to happen next |
| Owner | Who is responsible |
| Deadline | When it is due |
| Follow-up | What needs checking later |
Use icons to make the page faster to scan:
- star for important
- question mark for open questions
- checkbox for tasks
- clock for deadlines
- person icon for responsibility
- arrow for next step
Sketchnotes for Brainstorming
Brainstorming does not always work well in straight lines.
Ideas branch.
They overlap.
They repeat.
They collide.
They become something else.
Sketchnotes help because they allow ideas to move around the page.
Brainstorming Sketchnote Methods
| Method | How to Use It |
|---|---|
| Mind map | Put one idea in the center and branch outward |
| Idea grid | Divide the page into categories |
| Path layout | Show an idea developing step by step |
| Cluster map | Group related ideas together |
| Bad ideas box | Lower pressure and generate freely |
| Question map | Start with questions instead of answers |
| Visual moodboard | Combine words, sketches, and symbols |
The Dingbats* Pro Collection is especially useful for brainstorming because visual ideas need space. Its 160gsm mixed media paper supports sketches, markers, brush pens, diagrams, calligraphy, and visual exploration. A brainstorm does not need to be neat. It needs room to become clear.
Sketchnotes for Reading
Sketchnotes can make reading more active. Instead of only copying quotes, you can capture themes, characters, arguments, questions, and your own reactions visually.
Reading Sketchnote Ideas
| Page Element | What to Capture |
|---|---|
| Book title | Main heading |
| Key quote | Boxed or highlighted |
| Main themes | Icons or branches |
| Characters | Small figures or name bubbles |
| Timeline | Plot or argument sequence |
| Questions | What you are still thinking about |
| Personal response | What the book made you feel or consider |
| Favorite idea | Starred takeaway |
A Dingbats* Reading Journal or notebook can help you keep these reflections in one place. Reading sketchnotes are useful because they do not only record what the book said. They record what you noticed.
Sketchnotes for Planning
Planning becomes easier when you can see the shape of a project. A project is rarely just a list. It has phases, dependencies, people, questions, deadlines, and decisions. Sketchnotes help turn a plan into a visual map.
Planning Sketchnote Template
| Section | What to Add |
|---|---|
| Goal | What are you trying to achieve? |
| Steps | What needs to happen? |
| Timeline | When will each phase happen? |
| People | Who is involved? |
| Risks | What could block progress? |
| Resources | What do you need? |
| Decisions | What needs to be chosen? |
| Next action | What happens first? |
Use a path, timeline, or flowchart to make the project feel less abstract. Planning visually helps you see the route before you begin.
Sketchnotes for Creative Research
Creative research is full of references, ideas, images, phrases, colors, and small details that do not always fit neatly into a paragraph. Sketchnotes are ideal for this. They let you combine notes, sketches, mood words, symbols, swatches, arrows, and observations on one page.
Creative Research Sketchnote Ideas
| Element | What to Include |
|---|---|
| Reference | Image, object, phrase, place, or source |
| What I noticed | The useful detail |
| Mood | Words, colors, textures, atmosphere |
| Sketch | Quick visual interpretation |
| Possible use | Where it could fit later |
| Related ideas | Connections to projects or themes |
| What to avoid | What does not fit the direction |
The Dingbats* Pro Collection works especially well for creative research sketchnotes because heavier paper gives you more freedom with visual tools. Creative research often begins as scattered inspiration. Sketchnotes help it become a direction.
Sketchnotes for Travel
Travel is full of visual information.
Routes.
Places.
Meals.
Tickets.
Maps.
Landmarks.
Street signs.
Weather.
Views.
Small details you think you will remember, but may not.
Sketchnotes help capture the feeling of a trip in a way that is different from photos.
Travel Sketchnote Ideas
| Page Element | What to Add |
|---|---|
| Mini map | Route, walk, neighborhood, train journey |
| Food sketch | Meal, cafe, local dish |
| Weather icon | Mood of the day |
| Ticket box | Space for tickets or receipts |
| Place names | Streets, museums, cities, hotels |
| Favorite moment | One small memory |
| Quote | Something someone said |
| Object sketch | Souvenir, sign, flower, building detail |
The Dingbats* Wildlife Collection is a natural fit for travel sketchnotes because its animal-inspired covers and everyday flexibility make it feel personal, observant, and ready to move with you. A travel sketchnote does not need to capture everything. It only needs to capture what made the day specific.
Sketchnotes for Personal Reflection
Reflection does not always have to be written in paragraphs. Sometimes feelings make more sense as maps, symbols, lists, diagrams, or shapes. A visual reflection page can help you understand a week, month, season, goal, or decision differently.
Reflection Sketchnote Ideas
| Layout | Use It For |
|---|---|
| Mood map | How different areas of life feel |
| Timeline | What changed over the month |
| Before and after | How your thinking shifted |
| Wheel | Work, health, creativity, relationships, rest |
| Path | Journey through a project or season |
| Weather icons | Emotional atmosphere |
| Object map | Things that defined the month |
A reflection sketchnote can be more approachable than a long journal entry. It lets you notice without needing to explain everything perfectly.
How to Make a Simple Sketchnote Page
Start small. You do not need a full illustrated spread. You only need a few visual decisions.
Simple Sketchnote Method
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1. Choose a topic | Meeting, book, project, idea, trip, or question |
| 2. Write a title | Make the page easy to identify |
| 3. Add three sections | Break the page into simple areas |
| 4. Use icons | Mark ideas, questions, tasks, and quotes |
| 5. Add arrows | Show relationships |
| 6. Box key ideas | Make the important parts stand out |
| 7. Leave space | Give yourself room to add later |
| 8. Review | Circle what still matters |
A simple sketchnote is still a sketchnote. The page only needs to make the idea clearer.
A Beginner Sketchnote Template
Use this layout when you do not know where to start.
Beginner Sketchnote Page
| Section | What to Add |
|---|---|
| Title | Topic of the page |
| Main idea | One sentence summary |
| Key points | Three to five important notes |
| Visual | One icon, sketch, or diagram |
| Question | What is still unclear? |
| Action | What should happen next? |
| Memory cue | Symbol, color, or mark to help you find this page later |
This template works for meetings, books, podcasts, lectures, planning, and project notes. It keeps the page simple while still making it visual.
A Sketchnote Symbol Key
A symbol key makes sketchnotes faster. Instead of deciding what every mark means each time, create a small set of symbols you use repeatedly.
Sketchnote Symbol Key
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ★ | Important |
| ? | Question |
| ! | Surprising |
| → | Connection or next step |
| □ | Task |
| ✓ | Done |
| 💡 | Idea |
| ⏳ | Later |
| ⚑ | Follow-up |
| ○ | Theme |
| ✦ | Favorite |
| ↺ | Review |
Your symbol key can live at the front of your notebook. Over time, your pages become easier to scan because the same marks keep meaning the same things.
A Sketchnote Layout Library
A layout library is a page of simple structures you can reuse. When you do not know how to arrange a page, choose one layout and begin.
Layout Library
| Layout | Best For |
|---|---|
| Mind map | Ideas and associations |
| Timeline | History, progress, project phases |
| Grid | Comparisons and categories |
| Flowchart | Processes and decisions |
| Path | Journeys, goals, development |
| Two columns | Before and after, pros and cons |
| Center circle | One main idea with supporting points |
| Boxes | Meeting notes, summaries, key sections |
A layout library reduces the pressure of the blank page. You do not need to invent a structure every time.
Common Sketchnoting Mistakes
Sketchnotes should make information clearer. They become less useful when the visual style takes over the purpose of the notes.
Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Better Approach |
|---|---|
| Trying to make it perfect | Make it useful first |
| Drawing too much | Use simple icons and symbols |
| Writing every word | Capture key ideas |
| No hierarchy | Make important points stand out |
| Too many colors | Keep the page readable |
| No labels | Label sketches so they make sense later |
| Crowding the page | Leave space |
| Never reviewing | Return to useful pages |
The best sketchnotes are not always the most beautiful. They are the ones that help you understand the idea later.
Which Dingbats* Notebook Is Best for Sketchnotes?
The best notebook depends on how visual your notes are.
Some sketchnotes are mostly words with small symbols.
Some are structured layouts with boxes and arrows.
Some are full visual pages with sketches, markers, and moodboards.
Dingbats* Sketchnote Guide
- Wildlife Collection: Everyday sketchnotes, travel notes, reading reactions, personal visual pages
- Earth Collection: Structured sketchnotes, planning layouts, meeting notes, indexes, trackers
- Pro Collection: Visual notes, diagrams, sketches, moodboards, brush pens, markers, light washes
The Wildlife Collection: For Everyday Visual Notes
Use it for simple icons, travel pages, reading notes, meeting doodles, personal reflections, and observation pages.
Use Wildlife For
| Sketchnote Type | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Travel sketchnotes | Captures places, routes, food, tickets, and memories |
| Reading notes | Adds symbols, quotes, and visual reactions |
| Everyday observations | Gives small details a personal place |
| Personal reflections | Makes journal pages more visual |
| Meeting notes | Supports simple icons and action markers |
| Wildlife-inspired sketches | Animal covers naturally invite visual thinking |
Wildlife is ideal when sketchnoting is part of daily life. The pages can hold words, drawings, lists, and memories together.
The Earth Collection: For Structured Visual Thinking
The Dingbats* Earth Collection is ideal for sketchnotes that need structure.
If you like organized pages, indexes, planning systems, trackers, timelines, and clear sections, Earth gives visual notes a practical foundation.
Use Earth For
| Sketchnote Type | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Meeting sketchnotes | Organize decisions, questions, and actions |
| Project maps | Show phases, steps, and priorities |
| Habit trackers | Turn routines into visual systems |
| Monthly reviews | Capture time with symbols and layouts |
| Index pages | Make important sketchnotes easier to find |
| Planning pages | Combine lists, arrows, and timelines |
Earth works well when visual thinking needs order. It turns sketchnotes into a system you can return to.
The Pro Collection: For Full Visual Note-Taking
The Dingbats* Pro Collection is the strongest fit for sketchnotes that use more visual material.
With 160gsm mixed media paper, Pro supports sketches, diagrams, marker notes, brush pen titles, calligraphy, moodboards, light washes, and layered visual pages.
Use Pro For
| Sketchnote Type | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Full-page visual notes | Gives diagrams and sketches more space |
| Moodboards | Supports scraps, swatches, and visual references |
| Creative research | Combines notes, sketches, colors, and ideas |
| Diagram notes | Makes complex ideas easier to map |
| Brush pen headings | Adds clear visual hierarchy |
| Marker icons | Makes symbols stand out |
| Light washes | Adds background, mood, and emphasis |
Pro is for the sketchnote that wants room to grow. It gives visual thinking a larger page and stronger paper.
Sketchnote Prompts for Beginners
Use these prompts when you want to try sketchnoting but do not know what to capture.
Beginner Prompts
| Prompt | What to Draw or Write |
|---|---|
| One idea from today | Write it in the center and branch three related thoughts |
| A meeting summary | Draw boxes for decisions, questions, and actions |
| A book chapter | Capture one quote, one theme, and one question |
| A project map | Draw the steps from start to finish |
| A trip memory | Sketch one route, meal, place, and small detail |
| A podcast episode | Capture three key ideas and one takeaway |
| A problem | Draw the problem, causes, and possible solutions |
| A month review | Use icons for work, people, health, creativity, and memories |
The best way to learn sketchnoting is to make simple pages often. Skill comes from repetition, not perfection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are sketchnotes?
Sketchnotes are visual notes that combine words, simple drawings, symbols, arrows, boxes, diagrams, and layouts to make information easier to understand and remember.
Do I need to be good at drawing to make sketchnotes?
No. Sketchnotes do not require artistic skill. Simple icons, stick figures, arrows, boxes, and symbols are enough.
What is the difference between sketchnotes and doodles?
Doodles are often spontaneous and may be random. Sketchnotes are more intentional and are used to capture, organize, and explain information visually.
Are sketchnotes useful for meetings?
Yes. Sketchnotes can help capture meeting topics, decisions, questions, action items, deadlines, and responsibilities in a way that is easy to scan later.
Can sketchnotes help with studying or reading?
Yes. Sketchnotes can help organize themes, key points, quotes, questions, timelines, and summaries visually, which can make notes easier to revisit.
What should I include in a sketchnote?
Include a title, key ideas, simple icons, arrows, boxes, labels, questions, action items, and any small sketches that help explain the topic.
Which Dingbats* notebook is best for sketchnotes?
The Wildlife Collection works well for everyday visual notes, the Earth Collection is best for structured layouts and planning, and the Pro Collection is best for full visual pages, sketches, diagrams, markers, brush pens, and mixed media.
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