What is Visual Thinking and Sketchnoting (VTS)?
Visual Thinking and Sketchnoting, often abbreviated as VTS, is a creative process that involves the use of visual elements to facilitate problem-solving, understanding, and communication.
It’s a method that combines visual elements like diagrams, sketches, symbols, and text to represent information in a way that enhances comprehension and retention.
Sketchnoting, a component of VTS, is the practice of creating personal visual notes as an alternative to traditional text-based note-taking. It’s not about creating an artistic masterpiece but about visually capturing your thoughts, ideas, or the information you’re learning in a way that makes sense to you.
Why Use Visual Thinking and Sketchnoting (VTS)?
The use of VTS has several benefits.
Firstly, it caters to visual learners who understand information better when it’s presented visually.
Secondly, it helps in improving memory retention as our brains are generally better at remembering images than text.
Thirdly, VTS can simplify complex information making it easier to understand.
Lastly, it encourages active engagement with the material being learned or discussed which promotes deeper understanding.
How to Do VTS?
Doing VTS involves a few simple steps:
1. Listen/Read: Absorb the information you want to visualize.
2. Process: Understand the information and break it down into key points.
3. Visualize: Think about how you can represent these key points visually.
4. Draw: Start sketching your visuals on paper or digitally.
5. Review: Look over your visuals to ensure they accurately represent the information.
Remember that VTS is not about creating perfect art but about understanding and communicating ideas effectively.
How to Use VTS for Business?
In business settings, VTS can be used in various ways:
1. Problem Solving: Complex problems can be broken down and visualized to facilitate understanding and solution generation.
2. Presentations: Instead of traditional slide decks, use VTS to make your presentations more engaging and memorable.
3. Brainstorming: Visualize ideas during brainstorming sessions to stimulate creative thinking.
4. Project Planning: Use VTS to map out project timelines, tasks, and responsibilities.
How to Use VTS for Storytelling?
VTS can be a powerful tool for storytelling. By visually representing the narrative, characters, and key events in a story, you can make it more engaging and memorable for your audience.
This can be particularly useful in fields like marketing, education, or any context where storytelling is important.
How to Use VTS for Notetaking?
VTS can revolutionize the way you take notes.
Instead of linear text-based notes, you can create visual notes that capture the main ideas, relationships between concepts, and key details in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand format.
Getting Started with VTS
To get started with VTS, all you need is a pen and paper or a digital drawing tool if you prefer.
Start by practicing with simple information like a short article or a brief lecture. With time and practice, you’ll develop your own style and become more comfortable with using VTS.
The ONE Thing to REMEMBER
Now, if there’s ONE THING to REMEMBER about visual sketching and notetaking, it’s this:
It’s not about creating perfect drawings or sketches. It’s about understanding and remembering information better.
Don’t worry if you’re not an artist or if your sketches don’t look perfect. The goal is not to create a masterpiece but to create a visual representation of your thoughts and ideas that helps you understand and remember them better.
Conclusion
Visual Thinking and Sketchnoting is a powerful tool that can enhance understanding, improve memory retention, simplify complex information, and make learning or communication more engaging. Whether you’re a student, professional, business owner or educator, incorporating VTS into your routine can yield significant benefits. So why not give it a try? You might just discover a new way of thinking and communicating that works perfectly for you.
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