World Sketchnote Day, celebrated every January 11, secured its spot on the holiday calendar in 2016. Derived from the English terms “sketch” and “notes,” sketchnotes have garnered a significant following. Many enthusiasts create diverse formats—ranging from traditional sketchnotes to delightful sketchipes, travel sketches, and even illustrated to-do and shopping lists. Engaging in sketchnoting serves two primary purposes: enhancing memory retention and uplifting one’s mood with charming visuals. The technique relies on effective listening and distilling information to visually capture the essentials.
History of World Sketchnote Day
While history traces early human writing to Mesopotamia around 3400-3300 B.C., the desire for creative note-taking methods has always existed. Brainstorming is one way people have historically generated ideas, using sketches and words to explore new concepts. Sketchnoting takes this further, allowing individuals to record information in a memorable and intriguing manner. The term “sketchnoting” first appeared in early 2007 when designer Michael Rohde experimented with a novel approach during a design conference. Armed with only a small notebook, he began synthesizing key ideas into drawings and lettering, thus giving birth to sketchnoting. People quickly adopted this fascinating art form, which utilizes the Visual Alphabet—a set of shapes and symbols to construct various sketches—much like letters form words. By rotating, distorting, and combining basic shapes like dots, circles, and lines, individuals create a personalized visual language tied to their meanings.
World Sketchnote Day Milestones
- 2009: The Sketchnote Army, a global network of creative visual thinkers, comes into being.
- 2011: Mike Rohde publishes “The Sketchnote Handbook,” an illustrative guide to note-taking.
- 2016: World Sketchnote Day is inaugurated to honor how sketchnotes enrich our lives.
- 2018: Educators Carrie Baughcum and Monica Spillman launch “Pass the Sketchnote,” a collaborative doodling initiative that gains traction on social media.
Sketchnoting vs. Drawing
Sketchnotes are hand-drawn records combining visuals and text, while drawings are purely illustrative.
Sketchnotes in Education Scotland
Scottish educators use sketchnotes to document inspection findings after school visits because they provide clarity and ease of reading.
Popularity of Sketchnoting
This creative technique is particularly favored at tech conferences.
Celebrating National Sketchnote Day
- Discover Your Potential: If you’ve ever doodled during a call or meeting, you’re primed for sketchnoting. Read up on it, brainstorm ideas, and dive into sketchnoting.
- Engage Online: Connect with other creatives on social media, sharing your sketches and ideas.
- Inspire Others: Once skilled, teach others—perhaps at a local study group—offering them a powerful memory aid.
Five Facts About World Sketchnote Day
- Adaptable to Everyone: No need to be an artist; simple sketches can be tailored to your needs.
- Every Thought Illustrable: With practice, illustrations and symbols can capture all your ideas.
- Idea Outlet: When words fall short, sketchnotes provide a creative outlet.
- A Unique Note-taking Technique: Combining text, shapes, and symbols, sketchnotes make memorable notes.
- Based on Associations: By linking symbols and images to words, sketchnotes engage multiple senses, enhancing recall.
Why We Love World Sketchnote Day
- Unconventional: Sketchnotes are fun, personalized, and feel like a secret code between note-takers.
- Stress-reducing: Tailored to individual needs, sketchnotes minimize worries about lost notes.
- Multi-sensory Engagement: By involving various elements, sketchnotes make learning more enjoyable, aiding retention.
For more on sketchnotes, visit Find No More.
What is the date of World Sketchnote Day every year?
Year of Event | Day | Day of the week | Take place |
World Sketchnote Day 2024 | Day 11 Month 2 Year 2024 | Sunday | Còn 0 days left |
World Sketchnote Day 2025 | Day 11 Month 2 Year 2025 | Tuesday | Còn 0 days left |
World Sketchnote Day 2026 | Day 11 Month 2 Year 2026 | Wednesday | Còn 270 days left |
World Sketchnote Day 2027 | Day 11 Month 2 Year 2027 | Thursday | Còn 635 days left |
World Sketchnote Day 2028 | Day 11 Month 2 Year 2028 | Friday | Còn 1000 days left |
World Sketchnote Day 2029 | Day 11 Month 2 Year 2029 | Sunday | Còn 1366 days left |
World Sketchnote Day 2030 | Day 11 Month 2 Year 2030 | Monday | Còn 1731 days left |
World Sketchnote Day 2031 | Day 11 Month 2 Year 2031 | Tuesday | Còn 2096 days left |