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Hey everyone, it’s Mike Rohde, and I’m here with another All The Tips episode, this one wrapping up Season 1 of the Sketchnote Podcast. One of the most popular episodes is “All The Tips.” I think hearing tips from all the guests in one single episode with a little inspirational music is a great way to wrap up the season. It’s always one of my favorite episodes to put together because I know how well it’s received by all of you listening or watching. Danny Gregory Embrace constraints and personal projects. Constraints challenge your mind and spark problem-solving. Limit yourself to drawing only food on your next trip, or use only two colored pencils. Create a daily list of ten ideas, such as dishes you could cook with radishes or dead people you’d like to have dinner with. Do this for a year, and you’ll have 3,650 ideas (maybe five of them are great). Combine constraints with personal projects to create a sense of obligation and purpose that keeps you motivated. Break through plateaus with a beginner’s mind. After a year of drawing, you’ll hit a plateau where your improvement stalls. To overcome this, try new subjects, tools, or styles, breaking your routine. Danny’s weekly YouTube stream, Draw With Me, encourages this by drawing 40 different items in an hour, upside down, with your non-dominant hand, or watercolor. Redefine practice: drawing exercises like eggs, grids, cubes, and shading charts are just tools, not fun activities. Think of practice as professionals do… something you simply do and apply. To improve at drawing noses, fill a sketchbook with varied portraits of interesting noses. Keep it engaging and relevant to what you care about. Sarah Greer Learn to navigate the shitties. The creative process is a roller coaster. Every project (whether it takes a day or a year) will have a low point. The shitties are real, but they’re also just part of the process. Go for a walk, step away, hang in there. It’s always darkest before the dawn. Knowing that the low is coming means you won’t be surprised when it arrives, and you’ll know it will pass. Challenge yourself often. Growth comes from discomfort. Sarah’s example: picking up an iPad for the first time and going straight into a live client meeting with it a week later. Or diving into Mental Canvas with no experience. Whatever tool or skill you’re curious about, dive in. Don’t wait until you feel ready because you won’t. Just go. Find inspiration outside your daily practice. Go to museums, plays, musicals, and shows. Get fresh eyes on the world. Even crawling around on the floor with a grandchild and seeing things from a different height can shift your perspective. Inspiration rarely comes from staring at the same thing every day. Adrian Peryer Set the environment up right. If you want to do more and do it better, create the conditions for flow. Figure out what space, setup, or ritual gets you and others into a productive, creative state. Don’t leave your environment to chance — design it intentionally. Find your wise mind every day. Try to be balanced, level, and check your ego at the door. For Adrian, that path led to yoga (inspired by Sarah), and it’s been the single best way to start each day in the right mode. Your path may be different, but finding something that centers you before creative work matters. Remember that emotions are a wave. It never goes according to plan. Under pressure, when things don’t go the way you expected, pause. Remember that emotions — frustration, disappointment, overwhelm — are a wave. They will pass. It will get better. Give it time before reacting. David Armano Use AI to get unstuck, but push it. AI is sycophantic by default and will tell you what you want to hear. But if you know yourself well enough, you can push it to give you genuinely useful counsel. David has found it a surprisingly good substitute for a human career coach when used selectively and with self-awareness. The key is knowing what you want from it before you ask. Protect your ability to be intentional. Step away from screens regularly. Consider going analog: David switched from an iPad to a Remarkable tablet that feels like paper and found it helped him be more deliberate and focused. Our biggest nemesis these days is technology and distractions that erode our ability to be intentional with our time. Watch out for brain fry (the opposite of flow state) that comes from multitasking across too many AI tools at once. Make yourself memorable in person. Find ways to be experiential, distinctive, and ownable. Remote work and podcasting are great, but when there’s an opportunity to show up in person, take it. Face-to-face connection is more valuable than ever. Find your thing — wear the unusual sport coat, bring personality, and do something that makes people remember the experience of being with you. Andrew Tan Draw directly with a pen. Skip the pencil rough and go straight to pen. A diary comic or a sketchnote is spontaneous. You don’t pre-plan a diary; you just let it flow. A pen prevents overthinking and over-editing. Whatever mistakes appear, cancel them or leave them. The imperfections look more charming and more honest, and drawing directly builds your confidence in ways that penciling first never will. Add black to create contrast and focus. A common problem in illustration is too many mid-tones and not enough contrast. Find the most important area in what you’re drawing and make it darker, almost solid black. A hat, a pair of eyes, or a shadow area. When everything is outlined in gray, the viewer’s brain has to work harder to figure out where to look. A little black makes the focal point clear. Give yourself permission to be imperfect. Beating yourself up over small mistakes slows everything down. Give yourself little permissions as you draw; if it’s a bit distorted or a bit off, just leave it. Andrew found that accepting imperfection helped him draw better over time. And sometimes the wonky line or the slightly off proportion is what makes a drawing look human, warm, and alive. Tabitha Walker There is no right or wrong way to do this work. Everyone processes information and puts it on the page in their own unique way. The way you sketchnote won’t look like anyone else’s, and that’s not a problem; it’s the point. Don’t get caught up in whether you’re doing it correctly. Just start. Practice to find your unique style and let it evolve. Your style will change over time, and that’s okay. The way Tabitha’s work looks now is different from how it looked five or ten years ago. Sketchnoting and graphic recording are living practices. Keep doing the work, and trust that your voice will continue to develop. Don’t try to look like someone else. It’s tempting to look at the best in the field and think your work has to match theirs. It doesn’t. Whether you work in black and white, full color, all caps, or cursive… that’s your style. Own it. When your work has its own identity, people will recognize it as yours. That recognition is one of the most valuable things you can build. Atom Brum Let go of the filter. Just get it out. When you’re sketchnoting a live talk or lecture, overthinking headers and lettering means you miss what’s being said. The purpose of a sketchnote is visual communication and recall, not a finished piece of art. Let it flow. Accept what comes out. The act of doing it is already the benefit. Make it easy for yourself with the right materials. Are you prepared? Do you have paper on hand? Do you have pens that feel satisfying to write with? The materials matter more than people realize. Adam’s go-tos: the Marvy Le Pen for a uniquely satisfying writing feel, and Micron 01, 03, and 08. Keep your toolkit simple and portable, and make sure it’s always with you. Georgina Dean Struggle first, then ask AI. Don’t go to AI for the answer before you’ve genuinely tried to work it out yourself. The struggle is where learning and memory happen. Georgina spent three hours fighting with a printer before finally asking for help, and she’ll never forget that experience. Creative friction is valuable. Give yourself a real shot before turning to a tool for the answer. Use AI to analyze, not just to answer. Once you’ve done the work, AI can be a useful coach, helping you understand what went wrong, what you could do differently, and how to improve the process next time. It doesn’t have to be just a shortcut to the answer. Used reflectively, it becomes more like a mentor than a search engine. When stuck on a visual, ask AI for words, not images. If you can’t visualize a concept, request text suggestions, such as metaphors or descriptions, instead of images. Your imagination, based on words, yields personalized results. Also, upload a finished sketchnote for feedback, but note that files uploaded to non-enterprise OpenAI may be used for training, so protect your work. Zsofi Lang Follow your passion. Sophie posted science comics on Instagram out of love, which led to a deal with a publisher. The journey from personal hobby to career isn’t direct but begins with consistent effort and sharing. Try new things and pursue what excites you. Subscribe to the Sketchnote PodcastYou can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source. Support the PodcastTo support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde's bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off! Sketchnote Lab is Mike Rohde’s space designed to bridge the gap between sketchnote theory and practice. You don’t need to be an artist to think visually. Join Mike and learn to use sketchnotes to clarify your thinking, solve problems, and move forward. Learn more about Sketchnote Lab. Mike is the author of The Sketc

In this episode, I welcome back Zsofi Lang, a Brussels-based illustrator and graphic recorder who shares how a personal passion project, drawing science comics for her daughter during COVID, unexpectedly led to a six-part children's book deal with UK publisher Flying Eye Books. We dig into what made her sketchnote-influenced style attractive to a publisher, why self-disqualification holds so many visual thinkers back, and how following your curiosity can open doors you didn't know existed. Running Order Introduction to Zsofi Lang and her return to the podcast What Zsofi does: live illustration, graphic recording, and a new shift into children's books The origin of her science comics series on Instagram during COVID Discovering publisher Flying Eye Books through Adam Ming's Substack How reaching out to a publisher led to a six-part book deal The reframing: from "How to Explain Science to a Five Year Old" to "How to Explain Anything to Grown-ups" Writing and illustrating for seven to ten year olds Why a sketchnote style was exactly what the publisher wanted The danger of self-disqualification and discounting your own work Passion as the key ingredient: doing 20 comics before ever pitching Kevin Kelly's quote on becoming the most improbable person you can be AI, authenticity, and leaning into your unique perspective Privilege, accessibility, and finding ways to express creative passions The practical process: working with subject consultants, visualizing facts, and adding personality Experimenting with personal projects and reviving buried work The Milwaukee party at South by Southwest: a story about doing things without permission Collaborative murals: team building through paint-by-numbers style projects Where to find Zsofi Resources & Links Zsofi Lang on Substack How to Explain Book ZL Drawings (graphic recording and illustration) Flying Eye Books Adam Ming on Substack [Need Correct URL] Kevin Kelly Sponsored by The Reflective Travel Workshop Video Have you ever wanted to create travel sketchnotes from an experience you've had, just using the photos and memories you've got? In the Reflective Travel Workshop Video Replay, I'll guide you through my process for creating travel sketchnotes and then help you reflect on your own photos and memories so that you can make travel sketchnotes of your own trips, too! This 2-hour recorded video includes a set of downloadable, printable sketching templates and a process to kickstart your own travel sketchnoting practice. All this for just $20. Get the Reflective Travel Workshop Video Subscribe to the Sketchnote PodcastYou can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source. Support the PodcastTo support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde's bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off! Sketchnote Lab is Mike Rohde’s space designed to bridge the gap between sketchnote theory and practice. You don’t need to be an artist to think visually. Join Mike and learn to use sketchnotes to clarify your thinking, solve problems, and move forward. Learn more about Sketchnote Lab. Mike is the author of The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook, bestselling books that teach regular people how to start sketchnoting and build a regular sketchnoting practice. He founded the Sketchnote Army and hosts the Sketchnote Podcast, where he interviews visual thinkers to understand what makes them tick. Mike teaches recorded, live, and in-person workshops to accelerate your sketchnoting practice and provides personalized coaching for your specific visual-thinking challenges. He is the illustrator of bestselling books like REWORK, REMOTE, The $100 Startup, Honest SEO, The Culture Playbook, and The Future Begins with Z. Become a Supporting or Founding Lab Partner to support Mike’s work. Some links in Sketchnote Lab posts are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and resources I use and believe in. ©2026 Mike Rohde, Sketchnote Lab

This episode with Georgina Dean explores how visual thinking, digital balance, and project-based learning can transform education and personal growth. Georgina’s insights highlight the importance of tactile exploration, the balance between analog and digital, and the power of visual tools to enhance memory and engagement, especially in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. Running Order Welcome and Georgina’s background in education and sketchnoting How COVID-19 triggered Georgina’s journey into visual thinking The science of memory, metacognition, and multimodal learning strategies Pedagogy explained: How we learn and teach across ages The impact of drawing and annotation on information retention and recall Balancing digital tools with analog experiences for children’s development The return to tactile activities and the influence on human connection The importance of balance between technology and humanity in a digital age The cultural shift from analog to digital and back to equilibrium How companies and parents can support responsible tech use and understanding The era of creativity and innovation — exploring new learning playgrounds The role of visual thinking in teacher training and classroom engagement Real-world applications: sketchnoting in classrooms during lockdown and beyond The importance of in-person teacher workshops and community building Creative projects with students: from anime to storytelling and visual summaries Project-based learning as a tool for real-world skills and critical thinking Scaffolding and differentiation through project work and digital tools Learning from struggle: the importance of perseverance and exploration Using AI tools for feedback, brainstorming, and visualizing ideas Integrating reading, writing, drawing, and tech in a cohesive practice The power of community events like Sketchnote Camp to inspire and connect Final thoughts: transforming education with visual thinking and purpose-driven technology Resources & Links Wonder with Georgina — Substack Georgina’s Website Georgina on Instagram Georgina on LinkedIn Adobe Fresco Sponsored by The Reflective Travel Workshop Video Have you ever wanted to create travel sketchnotes from a trip, using only photos and memories you already have? In this 2-hour recorded video replay, I walk you through my process for creating travel sketchnotes, then guide you through your own photos and memories so you can do the same for your trips. You'll also get a set of downloadable, printable sketching templates to help you get started. The full video replay and templates are just $20. https://rohdesign.com/travel Subscribe to the Sketchnote PodcastYou can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source. Support the PodcastTo support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde's bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off! Sketchnote Lab is Mike Rohde’s space designed to bridge the gap between sketchnote theory and practice. You don’t need to be an artist to think visually. Join Mike and learn to use sketchnotes to clarify your thinking, solve problems, and move forward. Learn more about Sketchnote Lab. Mike is the author of The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook, bestselling books that teach regular people how to start sketchnoting and build a regular sketchnoting practice. He founded the Sketchnote Army and hosts the Sketchnote Podcast, where he interviews visual thinkers to understand what makes them tick. Mike teaches recorded, live, and in-person workshops to accelerate your sketchnoting practice and provides personalized coaching for your specific visual-thinking challenges. He is the illustrator of bestselling books like REWORK, REMOTE, The $100 Startup, Honest SEO, The Culture Playbook, and The Future Begins with Z. Become a Supporting or Founding Lab Partner to support Mike’s work. Some links in Sketchnote Lab posts are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and resources I use and believe in. ©2026 Mike Rohde, Sketchnote Lab

In this episode, I talk with Atom Brum of Studio Heartfelt to talk about how he's built a deeply personal creative practice that blends hand-drawn illustration, needle felting, and AI tools, without losing the heart and intention that make his work uniquely his. We dig into his origin story, his workflow, why story always comes first, and what it means to stay a creative person through a period of real upheaval. Running Order Introduction to Atom Brum and his unique artistic approach How AI amplifies Atom's visual storytelling and character design The multifaceted nature of AI: helpful tool vs. distracting fad The importance of capturing emotion over technical perfection Stories that defy Hollywood conventions, rooted in authenticity Atom's visual and narrative style — simple moments, deep messages Finding inspiration through everyday observation and mindfulness The origin of the "green nose" signature and playful branding Atom's creative background and how it influences his process The importance of organic, unfiltered creation and embracing imperfections Practical tools: drawing on paper, digital platforms, and AI workflows Using AI platforms like Nano Banana for character stylization and scene building The challenges and opportunities of AI in creating complex scenes with many characters The limitations of current tools and the importance of human oversight Moving from digital characters to physical needle felt creations The impact and ethics of AI — control, control, control, and environmental considerations Tips for creatives: letting go of filters, preparing materials, and trusting the process The significance of humor, playfulness, and authenticity in artistic expression Atom's playful "green nose" as a symbol of fun and spontaneity Building resilience and a positive mindset amid rapid technological change Final thoughts and encouragement for fellow creatives Resources & Links Studio Heartfelt Atom on Substack Procreate Concepts App Flora AI Platform Sponsored by The Reflective Travel Workshop Video Have you ever wanted to create travel sketchnotes from a trip, using only photos and memories you already have? In this 2-hour recorded video replay, I walk you through my process for creating travel sketchnotes, then guide you through your own photos and memories so you can do the same for your trips. You'll also get a set of downloadable, printable sketching templates to help you get started. The full video replay and templates are just $20. https://rohdesign.com/travel Subscribe to the Sketchnote PodcastYou can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source. Support the PodcastTo support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde's bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off! Sketchnote Lab is Mike Rohde’s space designed to bridge the gap between sketchnote theory and practice. You don’t need to be an artist to think visually. Join Mike and learn to use sketchnotes to clarify your thinking, solve problems, and move forward. Learn more about Sketchnote Lab. Mike is the author of The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook, bestselling books that teach regular people how to start sketchnoting and build a regular sketchnoting practice. He founded the Sketchnote Army and hosts the Sketchnote Podcast, where he interviews visual thinkers to understand what makes them tick. Mike teaches recorded, live, and in-person workshops to accelerate your sketchnoting practice and provides personalized coaching for your specific visual-thinking challenges. He is the illustrator of bestselling books like REWORK, REMOTE, The $100 Startup, Honest SEO, The Culture Playbook, and The Future Begins with Z. Become a Supporting or Founding Lab Partner to support Mike’s work. Some links in Sketchnote Lab posts are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and resources I use and believe in. ©2026 Mike Rohde, Sketchnote Lab

I sit down with Tabitha Walker a professional graphic recorder, instructional designer, and travel artist based in the Washington DC area. We talk about how her background as an analyst shaped her approach to visual work, the toolkit she's developed, and why her travel journal from Mongolia became the spark for Sketch Journeys. We dig into developing a personal style, staying impartial in the room, and why there's no single right way to do this work. Running Order Introduction to the podcast style and guest Who is Tabitha Walker, and her background How travel journaling sparked her visual work The story behind her Mongolia trip and visual travel log Early artistic influences and formative childhood experiences Transition from analysis to graphic recording Challenges of large-scale drawing and building confidence The meditative state during recording sessions Developing a personal style and learning from others The role of randomness and serendipity in career paths Impartiality and filter skills in graphic recording Handling logistical challenges with tools and venue surfaces Building adaptable workflows and preparing for mobile recording Managing equipment and logistical planning, including vetting venues Exploring digital tools like iPad and Procreate for remote work Techniques for digital versus analog recording Creating effective readouts and summaries post-event Innovating with digital presentations and paid add-ons Practical advice for visual thinkers: practice, style, authenticity Three tips for aspiring visual thinkers Connecting with Tabitha and her online presence Closing remarks and appreciation Resources & Links Sketched Journeys — Substack Sketched Journeys — Business Website Procreate Neuland Markers Faber-Castell 9000 Pencils Pentel Slicci 0.25 Uni-ball Signo DX 0.38 Watercolor Pencils — Faber-Castell White Acrylic Markers Subscribe to the Sketchnote PodcastYou can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source. Support the PodcastTo support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde's bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off! Sketchnote Lab is Mike Rohde’s space designed to bridge the gap between sketchnote theory and practice. You don’t need to be an artist to think visually. Join Mike and learn to use sketchnotes to clarify your thinking, solve problems, and move forward. Learn more about Sketchnote Lab. Mike is the author of The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook, bestselling books that teach regular people how to start sketchnoting and build a regular sketchnoting practice. He founded the Sketchnote Army and hosts the Sketchnote Podcast, where he interviews visual thinkers to understand what makes them tick. Mike teaches recorded, live, and in-person workshops to accelerate your sketchnoting practice and provides personalized coaching for your specific visual-thinking challenges. He is the illustrator of bestselling books like REWORK, REMOTE, The $100 Startup, Honest SEO, The Culture Playbook, and The Future Begins with Z. Become a Supporting or Founding Lab Partner to support Mike’s work. Some links in Sketchnote Lab posts are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and resources I use and believe in. ©2026 Mike Rohde, Sketchnote Lab

In this episode, I sit down with Andrew Tan, a freelance illustrator, art teacher, and creator of Drewscape, to discuss his journey from daydreaming about being a business major to becoming an independent illustrator in Singapore. We dig into how his years as an advertising art director shaped his approach to working with clients, his love of vintage fountain pens, the push-and-pull between analog and digital tools, and what he’s learned about confidence, contrast, and giving yourself permission to be imperfect. Running Order Introduction and Andrew's journey from YouTube rabbit holes to professional illustration The significance of sketching as a reflection tool and its flexibility How culture and background influence Andrew's artistic path in Singapore and America Transitioning from art direction to independent freelancing How Andrew's art direction experience shapes his illustration work Insights into Andrew's tools: vintage fountain pens, monoprints, and more The impact of storyboarding and speed training in Andrew's skillset Effects of the pandemic on Andrew's professional projects and his COVID Chronicle series Cultural perspectives on comics and visual storytelling in Asia and Singapore Changing perceptions of comics from kids' entertainment to sophisticated storytelling mediums Favorite tools: iPad Pro, Procreate, and challenges with digital vs. traditional mediums Embracing imperfections and the psychology of confident drawing Techniques for sketching and illustration workflow, combining paper and iPad Practical tips for visual thinkers in a creative rut: spontaneity, contrast, and permission Connecting with Andrew: YouTube, website, and ongoing courses Resources & Links Drewscape — YouTube Drewscape — Website and Blog Andrew's Skillshare Courses Procreate Adobe Illustrator Greg Minuskin Vintage Fountain Pens Monoprint Techniques — Overview Sponsored by The Reflective Travel Workshop Video Have you ever wanted to create travel sketchnotes from a trip, using only photos and memories you already have? In this 2-hour recorded video replay, I walk you through my process for creating travel sketchnotes, then guide you through your own photos and memories so you can do the same for your trips. You'll also get a set of downloadable, printable sketching templates to help you get started. The full video replay and templates are just $20. https://rohdesign.com/travel Subscribe to the Sketchnote PodcastYou can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source. Support the PodcastTo support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde's bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off! Sketchnote Lab is Mike Rohde’s space designed to bridge the gap between sketchnote theory and practice. You don’t need to be an artist to think visually. Join Mike and learn to use sketchnotes to clarify your thinking, solve problems, and move forward. Learn more about Sketchnote Lab. Mike is the author of The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook, bestselling books that teach regular people how to start sketchnoting and build a regular sketchnoting practice. He founded the Sketchnote Army and hosts the Sketchnote Podcast, where he interviews visual thinkers to understand what makes them tick. Mike teaches recorded, live, and in-person workshops to accelerate your sketchnoting practice and provides personalized coaching for your specific visual-thinking challenges. He is the illustrator of bestselling books like REWORK, REMOTE, The $100 Startup, Honest SEO, The Culture Playbook, and The Future Begins with Z. Become a Supporting or Founding Lab Partner to support Mike’s work. Some links in Sketchnote Lab posts are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and resources I use and believe in. ©2026 Mike Rohde, Sketchnote Lab

In this episode, I sit down with David Armano to talk about how visual thinkers and creative professionals can navigate an increasingly AI-driven landscape. We dig into how to use AI tools effectively, develop a style that's distinctly your own, and stay memorable whether you're working remotely or in person. Running Order Introduction to AI and creativity in the digital age David’s background in design and experience with web and AI tools Evolution of design education before tech and navigating change How manual processes shaped early digital work and the push-up in quality with new tools Lessons from Photoshop’s early filters and digital experimentation Blending analog sketches with AI fine-tuning for authentic style Training AI to match your visual aesthetic and guidelines The importance of structure and boundaries in AI-generated design Building consistent visualizations and curating style through feedback Using AI to manage content and automate visualization in ongoing projects Combining human and AI efforts for scalable, reliable outcomes Identifying your niche to stand out and create memorable, in-person experiences The power of in-person presence, personality, and memorable engagement How to differentiate your work and avoid being commoditized Creating memorable sketch notes and in-room experiences that evoke “magic” Developing a unique style that stands up to AI mimicry Transitioning from designer to creative director—guiding AI as a tool Embracing the opportunity for anyone to leverage AI, even with simple sketches Tips for overcoming creative rut and the importance of reflection and intentionality Resources to follow David Armano and stay connected Final thoughts on innovation, community, and future opportunities Resources & Links: David by Design David's Homepage TBDaily — David’s curated and AI-generated daily update. Launch by NTT Data DALL-E 3 — for image generation with prompts David on LinkedIn Sponsored by The Reflective Travel Workshop Video Have you ever wanted to create travel sketchnotes from a trip, using only photos and memories you already have? In this 2-hour recorded video replay, I walk you through my process for creating travel sketchnotes, then guide you through your own photos and memories so you can do the same for your trips. You'll also get a set of downloadable, printable sketching templates to help you get started. The full video replay and templates are just $20. https://rohdesign.com/travel Subscribe to the Sketchnote PodcastYou can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source. Support the PodcastTo support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde's bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off! Sketchnote Lab is Mike Rohde’s space designed to bridge the gap between sketchnote theory and practice. You don’t need to be an artist to think visually. Join Mike and learn to use sketchnotes to clarify your thinking, solve problems, and move forward. Learn more about Sketchnote Lab. Mike is the author of The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook, bestselling books that teach regular people how to start sketchnoting and build a regular sketchnoting practice. He founded the Sketchnote Army and hosts the Sketchnote Podcast, where he interviews visual thinkers to understand what makes them tick. Mike teaches recorded, live, and in-person workshops to accelerate your sketchnoting practice and provides personalized coaching for your specific visual-thinking challenges. He is the illustrator of bestselling books like REWORK, REMOTE, The $100 Startup, Honest SEO, The Culture Playbook, and The Future Begins with Z. Become a Supporting or Founding Lab Partner to support Mike’s work. Some links in Sketchnote Lab posts are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and resources I use and believe in. ©2026 Mike Rohde, Sketchnote Lab

In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Greer and Adrian Peryer, co-founders of Shared Vision Toolkit, to talk about how they've spent decades transforming ordinary meetings into immersive, co-creative experiences. We dig into their Design-Centric Facilitation™ approach, the magic of a well-designed room, why 80% of the work happens before anyone walks through the door, and how visual thinking helps build genuine alignment inside organizations. Running Order Introduction to transforming meetings into immersive, collaborative experiences The role of environment: whiteboards, lighting, and space design The extensive preparation process: months of research and iteration Using questions and frameworks to guide co-creative sessions The magic of walking into a thoughtfully designed room The impact of immersive environments on productivity and engagement Redesigning weekly meetings to maintain freshness and effectiveness Icebreakers and humor: building trust and vulnerability The power of visual listening and capture techniques Navigating virtual environments and building shared spaces online Case studies: product feedback sessions, strategic off-sites, and re-purposing physical spaces The origin story: from initial practices inside HP to scaling across tech giants The importance of leadership sponsorship and organizational culture Capability transfer: training clients to sustain practices Making tools affordable and accessible for broader impact Practical tips for listeners: navigating creative challenges, challenging oneself, and seeking inspiration outside work Setting up environments to sustain flow and energy The journey of scaling practices, including the transition from corporate parent to independence Embracing chaos and turning moments of disruption into opportunities Resources & Links Shared Vision Toolkit Shared Vision Toolkit on LinkedIn Shared Vision Toolkit on YouTube Sarah Greer on LinkedIn Adrian Peryer on LinkedIn Ron Westrum's Culture Framework Mental Canvas Sponsored by The Reflective Travel Workshop Video Have you ever wanted to create travel sketchnotes from a trip, using only photos and memories you already have? In this 2-hour recorded video replay, I walk you through my process for creating travel sketchnotes, then guide you through your own photos and memories so you can do the same for your trips. You'll also get a set of downloadable, printable sketching templates to help you get started. The full video replay and templates are just $20. https://rohdesign.com/travel Subscribe to the Sketchnote PodcastYou can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source. Support the PodcastTo support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde's bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off! Sketchnote Lab is Mike Rohde’s space designed to bridge the gap between sketchnote theory and practice. You don’t need to be an artist to think visually. Join Mike and learn to use sketchnotes to clarify your thinking, solve problems, and move forward. Learn more about Sketchnote Lab. Mike is the author of The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook, bestselling books that teach regular people how to start sketchnoting and build a regular sketchnoting practice. He founded the Sketchnote Army and hosts the Sketchnote Podcast, where he interviews visual thinkers to understand what makes them tick. Mike teaches recorded, live, and in-person workshops to accelerate your sketchnoting practice and provides personalized coaching for your specific visual-thinking challenges. He is the illustrator of bestselling books like REWORK, REMOTE, The $100 Startup, Honest SEO, The Culture Playbook, and The Future Begins with Z. Become a Supporting or Founding Lab Partner to support Mike’s work. Some links in Sketchnote Lab posts are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and resources I use and believe in. ©2026 Mike Rohde, Sketchnote Lab

In this episode, I sit down with Danny Gregory, artist, author, and co-founder of Sketchbook Skool, to talk about how a personal tragedy late in his advertising career became the catalyst for a whole new creative life. We dig into his philosophy of art with a lowercase ‘a’, why constraints and personal projects are the best way to push through plateaus, and how travel journaling can deepen your experience of place while building your artistic voice. Running Order Introducing Danny Gregory and his approach to accessible art Danny’s shift from advertising to personal drawing practice The life-changing event that inspired Danny’s artistic journey The therapeutic role of drawing and storytelling in life challenges Recognizing style and personality in beginner artists Developing Sketchbook School and its mission to democratize art The concept of travel journaling and capturing memories in sketchbooks Using constraints and personal projects to foster growth How travel influences perception and the importance of experiencing place Travel storytelling and how sketching enhances the experience Overcoming plateaus: beginner’s mind and trying new things Rethinking practice: applying skills through projects and constraints The value of frequency, variety, and embracing life’s unpredictability in drawing Final thoughts: making art accessible and inclusive for all Resources & Links Sketchbook Skool- Danny’s online creativity and drawing school Paris in a Day - A live workshop with Danny on Saturday, May 16th! Save 15% with coupon code SKETCHNOTE Sketchbook Skool (Danny’s YouTube Channel) I Drew Across America - See Danny’s sketchbook unfold as he and his wife drove across America. Danny Gregory’s Weekly Essays Book: The Illustrated Life — by Danny Gregory Book: The Creative License — by Danny Gregory Book: Art Before Breakfast — by Danny Gregory Sponsored by The Reflective Travel Workshop Have you ever wanted to create travel sketchnotes from an experience you’ve had, just using the photos and memories you’ve got? In the Reflective Travel Workshop, I’ll guide you through my process for creating travel sketchnotes and then help you reflect on your own photos and memories so that you can make travel sketchnotes of your own trips, too! This 2-hour recorded video includes a set of downloadable, printable sketching templates and a process to kickstart your own travel sketchnoting practice. All this for just $20. Buy the Workshop for $20 Subscribe to the Sketchnote PodcastYou can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source. Support the PodcastTo support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde's bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off! Sketchnote Lab is Mike Rohde’s space designed to bridge the gap between sketchnote theory and practice. You don’t need to be an artist to think visually. Join Mike and learn to use sketchnotes to clarify your thinking, solve problems, and move forward. Learn more about Sketchnote Lab. Mike is the author of The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook, bestselling books that teach regular people how to start sketchnoting and build a regular sketchnoting practice. He founded the Sketchnote Army and hosts the Sketchnote Podcast, where he interviews visual thinkers to understand what makes them tick. Mike teaches recorded, live, and in-person workshops to accelerate your sketchnoting practice and provides personalized coaching for your specific visual-thinking challenges. He is the illustrator of bestselling books like REWORK, REMOTE, The $100 Startup, Honest SEO, The Culture Playbook, and The Future Begins with Z. Become a Supporting or Founding Lab Partner to support Mike’s work. Some links in Sketchnote Lab posts are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and resources I use and believe in. ©2026 Mike Rohde, Sketchnote Lab

In this episode, I sit down with Federica Tabone and Claudio Nichele, two of the key organizers behind the upcoming Verona International Sketchnote Camp, to talk about how this pioneering event brings together the ISC and EVP communities for the first time. We dig into the innovative Full Bar Camp Plus format, what makes Verona the perfect backdrop, and why this gathering is designed around active participation, collective learning, and community connection. Running Order Introduction and overview of the Verona Sketchnote Camp The story behind organizing the Verona event The collaboration between ISC and EVP communities The Full Bar Camp Plus format explained The interactive, participant-led sessions and collective harvesting Cultural highlights of Verona: history, food, and city experiences Event logistics: tickets, prices, and optional dinners What is a Bar Camp? Explanation and twists for Verona The concept of collective learning and post-event harvesting The beauty and culture of Verona as the event backdrop Food, networking, and the Italian experience Ticket options, early bird pricing, and optional activities Practical information: dinner and lunch costs The community spirit and opportunities for meaningful connections Closing remarks: excitement for the event and community gratitude Resources & Links International Sketchnote Camp Tickets for ISC26IT European Visual Practitioners Federica Tabone on LinkedIn Claudio Nichele on LinkedIn What is a BarCamp? Sponsored by The Reflective Travel Workshop Video Have you ever wanted to create travel sketchnotes from a trip, using only photos and memories you already have? In this 2-hour recorded video replay, I walk you through my process for creating travel sketchnotes, then guide you through your own photos and memories so you can do the same for your trips. You'll also get a set of downloadable, printable sketching templates to help you get started. The full video replay and templates are just $20. https://rohdesign.com/travel Subscribe to the Sketchnote PodcastYou can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source. Support the PodcastTo support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde's bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off! Sketchnote Lab is Mike Rohde’s space designed to bridge the gap between sketchnote theory and practice. You don’t need to be an artist to think visually. Join Mike and learn to use sketchnotes to clarify your thinking, solve problems, and move forward. Learn more about Sketchnote Lab. Mike is the author of The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook, bestselling books that teach regular people how to start sketchnoting and build a regular sketchnoting practice. He founded the Sketchnote Army and hosts the Sketchnote Podcast, where he interviews visual thinkers to understand what makes them tick. Mike teaches recorded, live, and in-person workshops to accelerate your sketchnoting practice and provides personalized coaching for your specific visual-thinking challenges. He is the illustrator of bestselling books like REWORK, REMOTE, The $100 Startup, Honest SEO, The Culture Playbook, and The Future Begins with Z. Become a Supporting or Founding Lab Partner to support Mike’s work. Some links in Sketchnote Lab posts are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and resources I use and believe in. ©2026 Mike Rohde, Sketchnote Lab

In this episode, I share what's changing with the podcast and what's staying the same. I talk through the reasons behind the rebrand from Sketchnote Army Podcast to the Sketchnote Podcast, the move to sketchnotelab.com as the new home base, and what you can expect from upcoming seasons. Running Order The podcast's transition from Sketchnote Army to Sketchnote Podcast and the reasoning behind the rebrand The move to sketchnotelab.com as the new home for content and resources Continuation of interviews with influential visual thinkers and their stories How existing episodes remain accessible at sketchnotearmy.com The focus on expanding content and bringing fresh guests in upcoming seasons How to stay connected and access archived episodes Resources & Links Sketchnote Army Podcast Sketchnote Podcast on YouTube Sketchnote Lab The Sketchnote Handbook The Sketchnote Workbook Sponsored by The Reflective Travel Workshop Video Have you ever wanted to create travel sketchnotes from an experience you've had, just using the photos and memories you've got? In the Reflective Travel Workshop Video Replay, I'll guide you through my process for creating travel sketchnotes and then help you reflect on your own photos and memories so that you can make travel sketchnotes of your own trips, too! This 2-hour recorded video includes a set of downloadable, printable sketching templates and a process to kickstart your own travel sketchnoting practice. All this for just $20. Buy the Reflective Travel Workshop Subscribe to the Sketchnote PodcastYou can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source. Support the PodcastTo support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde's bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off! Sketchnote Lab is Mike Rohde’s space designed to bridge the gap between sketchnote theory and practice. You don’t need to be an artist to think visually. Join Mike and learn to use sketchnotes to clarify your thinking, solve problems, and move forward. Learn more about Sketchnote Lab. Mike is the author of The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook, bestselling books that teach regular people how to start sketchnoting and build a regular sketchnoting practice. He founded the Sketchnote Army and hosts the Sketchnote Podcast, where he interviews visual thinkers to understand what makes them tick. Mike teaches recorded, live, and in-person workshops to accelerate your sketchnoting practice and provides personalized coaching for your specific visual-thinking challenges. He is the illustrator of bestselling books like REWORK, REMOTE, The $100 Startup, Honest SEO, The Culture Playbook, and The Future Begins with Z. Become a Supporting or Founding Lab Partner to support Mike’s work. Some links in Sketchnote Lab posts are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and resources I use and believe in. ©2026 Mike Rohde, Sketchnote Lab

In this final episode of The Sketchnote Army Podcast season 17, we’ve compiled the tips from nine great visual thinkers into a single All The Tips episode. We hope these tips inspire and encourage you on your visual thinking journey. Happy Holidays! Hear tips from: Dan Roam, Katya Balakina, Nishant Jain, Cara Holland, Ted Schachtman, Lindsay Wilson, and Andrew Park. Sponsored by The Reflective Travel Sketchnote Workshop VideoHave you ever wanted to create travel sketchnotes from an experience you’ve had, just using the photos and memories you’ve got? In the Reflective Travel Sketchnote Workshop Video, I’ll guide you through my process for creating travel sketchnotes and then help you reflect on your own photos and memories so that you can make travel sketchnotes of your own trips, too! This 2-hour recorded video includes a set of downloadable, printable sketching templates and a process to kickstart your own travel sketchnoting practice. All this for just $20. https://rohdesign.com/travel Buy me a coffee!If you enjoy this episode of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, you can buy me a coffee at https://sketchnotearmy.com/buymeacoffee Running OrderIntroDan RoamKatya BalakinaNishant JainCara HollandTed SchachtmanLindsay WilsonAndrew ParkOutroLinksDan's websiteKatya’s LinkedInNishant's Sneaky Art newsletterCara's SubstackTed’s LinkedInLindsay’s Ink Factory Studio WebsiteAndrew’s Hairy Hand ProductionsCreditsProducer: Alec Pulianas Shownotes and transcripts: Esther OdoroTheme music: Jon SchiedermayerSubscribe to the Sketchnote Army PodcastYou can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app. Support the PodcastTo support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde’s bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off! Subscribe to the Sketchnote PodcastYou can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source. Support the PodcastTo support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde's bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off! Sketchnote Lab is Mike Rohde’s space designed to bridge the gap between sketchnote theory and practice. You don’t need to be an artist to think visually. Join Mike and learn to use sketchnotes to clarify your thinking, solve problems, and move forward. Learn more about Sketchnote Lab. Mike is the author of The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook, bestselling books that teach regular people how to start sketchnoting and build a regular sketchnoting practice. He founded the Sketchnote Army and hosts the Sketchnote Podcast, where he interviews visual thinkers to understand what makes them tick. Mike teaches recorded, live, and in-person workshops to accelerate your sketchnoting practice and provides personalized coaching for your specific visual-thinking challenges. He is the illustrator of bestselling books like REWORK, REMOTE, The $100 Startup, Honest SEO, The Culture Playbook, and The Future Begins with Z. Become a Supporting or Founding Lab Partner to support Mike’s work. Some links in Sketchnote Lab posts are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and resources I use and believe in. ©2026 Mike Rohde, Sketchnote Lab

In this episode, Andrew Park shares how he crafts connected narratives across space and time using a range of tools. As the creator of the RSA Animate whiteboard animation series, Andrew shares how he’s used visuals to enhance learning in business and education. Sponsored by The Reflective Travel Sketchnote Workshop VideoHave you ever wanted to create travel sketchnotes from an experience you’ve had, just using the photos and memories you’ve got? In the Reflective Travel Sketchnote Workshop Video, I’ll guide you through my process for creating travel sketchnotes and then help you reflect on your own photos and memories so that you can make travel sketchnotes of your own trips, too! This 2-hour recorded video includes a set of downloadable, printable sketching templates and a process to kickstart your own travel sketchnoting practice. All this for just $20. https://rohdesign.com/travel Running OrderIntroWelcomeWho is Andrew Park?Origin StoryAndrew's current workSponsor: ConceptsTipsToolsWhere to find AndrewOutroLinksAmazon affiliate links support the Sketchnote Army Podcast. Hairy Hand ProductionsThe Visual Flaneur PodcastAndrew on InstagramAndrew on YouTubeToolsAmazon affiliate links support the Sketchnote Army Podcast. Whiteboard paint Red and black Office marker pens Staples Whiteboard Moleskine sketchbook Leuchtturm sketchbook Photoshop Wacom Cintiq tabletsTipsUse thinking visual German to go through ideas or solve problems.In a visual way, don't procrastinate, just draw, create.Don't be too precious with stuff. Find what works for you.CreditsProducer: Alec Pulianas Shownotes and transcripts: Esther OdoroTheme music: Jon SchiedermayerSubscribe to the Sketchnote Army PodcastYou can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source. Support the PodcastTo support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde’s bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off! Episode TranscriptMike Rohde: Hey everyone, it's Mike and I'm here with Andrew Park. Andrew, welcome to the show. Thanks for coming. Andrew Park: Thanks for having me on. It's a real pleasure. MR: We were chatting probably longer than I should have chatted with Andrew before the recording 'cause I'm a huge fan. So I'm excited to have you on. I think there's lots of fans who probably are in this podcast or watching the video that—and we were talking about that a little bit. The idea of when you do something that's notable, often you're blind to the impact on other people. I know that I am. I occasionally get these emails in, like, "Your book changed my life." Like, oh, really? It was just a book to me. So welcome to the show. And I guess we'll just start off, tell us a little bit about what you do for your day job. I guess I know you as the RSA animate illustrator or animator. AP: Yep. MR: Or both, I guess. Obviously, you do more than that, so I'd love to hear what you do. AP: Yeah, it's misnomer. Actually. I'm not a very good animator. I know the principles of animation, but I have a really talented team that actually bring my drawings to life. If I was gonna say anything, I probably would class myself as a cartoonist. Cartoonist illustrator. But then I'm a visual thinker as well. I know how to sort of join up concepts and, you know, build maps of things. A joined-up thinking cartoon is possibly, it's a bit of a mouthful, but that's kind. So in my day jobs, obviously, the RSA films were quite successful and it enabled me to build a company around the methodology. So in about 2008, we developed the methodology, the process. It weirdly hadn't existed before. There were a couple of little smatterings of it out in the world. I think they did, I think a UPS commercial used a whiteboard and had a guy drawing on it as a commercial, I think, early on. MR: Yeah, I remember that. AP: But the genesis of it was graphic recording or scribing. That's where I learned how to put my pictures together. And then literally had a camera over my shoulder. I think that hadn't been done before, surprisingly. And I think one of the innovations of that, and it wasn't me that came up with it, was actually RSA themselves. They sent me a video of someone taking notes in a journal for the New York Library, and they'd sped the hand up. It was really interesting actually. I thought that's the missing component, because I was trying to literally draw these things live, fast which wasn't really working. I had the missing thing in my brain that why can't I draw a hundred miles an hour? And I literally couldn't work out, oh, you can speed it up. It's video. You know? MR: Yeah. AP: So once I saw that, it all sort of fell into place. There's an author called Steven Johnson. Do you know him? Where Good Ideas Come From? MR: I need to find that book now. AP: It's really good. And he talks about ideas don't come as eureka moments. They often come as slow hunches. You know, they build, they bubble up and things percolate. And I think in terms of the RSA anime, that's kind of what happened. I've been working, scribing, capturing conversations live, graphic facilitation, graphic recording. And then when you then put a video component in that and think, well, how do I make that work? The hand from the New York video, New Library video was the, the kind of thing as a catalyst that made me think, here's how it could work. And then if you notice from the early RSA animates, they're really ropey, really rough, really handmade, if you like. And then as we've gone through, they've become more refined and more, you know, you just start thinking, oh, how, what can I do with these things? How can I— MR: Process, yeah. AP: So my day job now, is trying to talk about this stuff, extend it in the community. You know, people were interested in how visual thinking can help them. I work with companies and work with businesses to tell the stories. On the back of the RSA films clients came to us and said, "Hey, we want one of those. This seems like a really good way of telling our story." So yeah, over the last, ooh, 20 years now, building a company. I'm really proud of the team I've got. I've got some really fantastic visual thinkers and illustrators, animators that have taken it in their own direction. You know it's not just—I practice it in my way, but then the company has lots of different flavors of how that— MR: That's nice. AP: -kind of permeates the role. So, yeah, I'm really proud of those guys. There's some fantastic visual thinkers in Cognitive. MR: That kind of gives your clients a menu in a sense, right? So you can show them different styles. Is that something that they think about? AP: Yeah, I mean, there's a stylistic overlay that can go across the films, but if we're gonna talk about the methodology of whiteboard animation, it has the same DNA at its foundation which is showing information in space so that you can see the relationships between things. MR: Yes. Yeah. AP: Taking people on a narrative or a journey. There's lots of zooming in and zooming out. MR: Keeping the focus, holding the focus. Yeah. AP: Keeping the focus. I mean when we do plan stuff out, we are often—you know, you build the big map and you show a client the end state, it's really overwhelming for them. And then you say, don't worry, it's not gonna do that. We're gonna take you right into the beginning. And things draw and they build up in time. So what we have to do in the way that we work, is to have that end-state in mind when we build stuff. I suppose with Sketchnoting, you know, you are building it in time live, right? MR: Yes. Yeah. Typically, yeah. AP: Yeah, that's what you do. Whereas we would probably plan it to end up with that end-state, and almost then erase all that, and then go back to the beginning and— MR: Work backwards. Yeah. AP: -work backwards. Yeah. So that's how it kind of works. MR: I was mentioning when we first chatted before we recorded that the first thing I thought when I saw the RSA—I don't know which one I saw first. Probably Dan Pink, the first thing I thought was, wow, there was a lot of preparation that went into making this video that I don't know people necessarily realize has been going on. Because as an old print designer, like a graphic designer who did print production, everything I designed, I had to find a way to make that print on paper. And I learned the hard way when things didn't work. And I changed my process based on it. And I knew once I saw that, like, wow, okay, somebody did some serious planning, and exactly what you said, they kind of reverse engineered from state backwards. Okay, which, here's how it looks when it's finished. How do we piece this together in a logical way that holds focus and brings people through to the end? That was pretty immediately apparent. And I thought it was just like, wow, this is really cool. And I couldn't stop watching them. So as is true for a lot of people, right, it was a huge—I don't know, came outta nowhere, I guess, for a lot of people. And suddenly there's this cool thing and you can't get enough of it, which I guess is, was good for you, I suppose. AP: Oh, it was great. But like you say, you know, you sometimes don't know 'cause you can't see the wood for the trees. You are involved in it, you're working in it closely, and it's rare that you put your head above the parapet. I mean, obviously I knew early on the RSA when we put a first couple out, they said, these are really popular. They're more popular than the talking head videos. And we were like, oh, great, cool. Then we should make some more then. And then we continued. It was very much organic, let's make the next one and then the next one, you know. And then we started to—I think it was like the Dan Pink or the Ken Robinson RSA animates that just went bang. And millions of people watched those, which was

In this episode, Lindsay Wilson reflects on her evolution as an artist… from sketching playful portraits at 7 to the defining moments when constructive feedback reshaped her career path. She discusses her role at Ink Factory, hints at upcoming projects, and offers thoughtful perspectives on the intersection of AI and visual art. Sponsored by The Reflective Travel Sketchnote Workshop VideoHave you ever wanted to create travel sketchnotes from an experience you’ve had, just using the photos and memories you’ve got? In the Reflective Travel Sketchnote Workshop Video, I’ll guide you through my process for creating travel sketchnotes and then help you reflect on your own photos and memories so that you can make travel sketchnotes of your own trips, too! This 2-hour recorded video includes a set of downloadable, printable sketching templates and a process to kickstart your own travel sketchnoting practice. All this for just $20. https://rohdesign.com/travel Running OrderIntroWelcomeWho is Lindsay WilsonOrigin StoryLindsay's current workSponsor: ConceptsTipsToolsWhere to find LindsayOutroLinksAmazon affiliate links support the Sketchnote Army Podcast. Ink Factory Studio WebsiteInk Factory Studio on IntagramInk Factory Studio on LinkedInLindsay on LinkedInInk Factory Studio on TikTokInk Factory Studio on Facebook Ink Factory Studio Chicago OfficeToolsAmazon affiliate links support the Sketchnote Army Podcast. Spiral bound sketchbook Sketching pencil Correction tapeTipsFind a community that's right for you, whatever your practice, and lean into it. Find feedback that could help you or give a direction on something that you could improve or work on, or even practice.Look for avenues to practice, or within the community.Warming up and giving yourself time to get prepared in that space whether you are sitting, standing, on a long day, or on a short day.CreditsProducer: Alec Pulianas Shownotes and transcripts: Esther OdoroTheme music: Jon SchiedermayerSubscribe to the Sketchnote Army PodcastYou can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source. Support the PodcastTo support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde’s bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off! Episode TranscriptMike Rohde: Hey everybody, it's Mike, and I'm here with Lindsay Wilson. Lindsay, welcome to the show. Lindsay Wilson: Hello. I'm so excited to be here. Thank you for having me. MR: It's great to have you. I've been wanting to—the problem with having a show like this is the longer that I do the show, the more people I want to get on the show, and it's like impossible to get everybody all at once, so you just have to wait your turn, I guess. But [crosstalk 00:20]. LW: Understood. Amazing, amazing. Happy to be here. And as we talked about in the preamble, have been following all the great work that you have been doing across the globe. I know you're going to the UK soon. MR: Yeah. LW: And, you know, just excited to be here and get to share a little part of my story. MR: That's great. Well, let's go ahead and get that started. Tell us a little bit about who you are, what you do, and then jump right into your origin story. Everybody's used to it now. The listeners know the origin story's coming. LW: Okay. Jump right in. Excellent. Well, I am Lindsey Wilson. I am one of the co-founders of Ink Factory. Some of you may know me as my—before I got married, Lindsay Rofe, but I go by Lindsay Wilson in a professional capacity. And as I said, one of the co-founders of Ink Factory, a visual note-taking firm located here in Chicago. Just about an hour—what would we be south, southwest, or Southeast of you in Milwaukee? MR: Yeah. Yeah. LW: But my origin story, woo hoo. I have listened to some of your podcasts, and I was like, how far back do we go here? And I'll just start at the beginning. MR: Yeah. Cool. LW: I was lucky enough to have parents in the military, and I was born in Germany, Heidelberg, Germany. And I share that with someone else that you've interviewed, Brandy Agerbeck. We were both born in Heidelberg, but soon transitioned to grow up in Texas, believe it or not, even though I consider myself to be a mid-Westerner, through and through, I have lived in Chicago longer than I have in Texas. But I grew up in Fort Worth, Dallas-Fort Worth area. And you know humble beginnings, I would say. And I know lots of people talked about if they were creative at a young age, and I have to jump in and say, yes, I love to draw. I feel that I came from some talented people. My father, although never practiced art, is very, very talented, as was my grandfather. So I get it through those genetics. But I was also encouraged to, and I know that maybe other people's experiences growing up didn't have maybe that much encouragement, but I was good at it. I was encouraged to do it, and it felt like I just followed that path. I'm sure I wanted to be a veterinarian at some point, maybe an astronaut, but when it came time to decide a major, I did go to study art at university. And I think one thing, when I was thinking about this story and what might be helpful to share, I wanted to share two poignant crossroads that I had in my journey to where I am now, and I feel like without those two moments, my path would be completely different. And as someone who starts out at university, we think everything is possible. And I had big ideas about what I wanted to be and really honed in on graphic design. And so, I went to a special university, Texas Christian University, that had an amazing graphic design program that you actually had to test into. So I had to take a whole semester where I had to prove myself worthy for this program. And fell in love with it. Absolutely fell in love with graphic design, spending so much time understanding typography, studying it. We didn't get into the actual technicality as far as like the programs and the technology that was available in 1998. We did everything by hand, and I loved it. I ate it up. I loved the whole process of working with my hands and laying out things, and again, studying all the key elements of typography. I feel like that shows up sometimes in my work. So when I talk about this poignant moment, I was on a trajectory. I was, you know gonna graduate, thought, you know, I'd already done an internship, I'd done all the right things, but my professor came to me in my senior year saying, "Lindsay, I think we need to talk about some things." And I'm like, let's talk. What do we wanna talk about? Thinking about, it's my senior show, or stuff like that. And he said, "You know, I think you're struggling." And, you know, of course, you know, that took a more serious tone. And my professor really sat me down and said, "You know, what I'm seeing with you is that you, albeit you're doing what's being asked, where I feel that your execution isn't where the other students are. However, your storytelling and your ability to define the purpose and again, the story of everyone else's work and the critiques," he's like, "You land the message like the other students are not, but their execution is better." So we had this whole conversation, and he basically was telling me, "I don't wanna let you continue down this path because I don't think it would be fruitful for you." And of course, I'm looking at him, you know, wind knocked completely out of my sails and thinking, well, what am I supposed to do now? I'm an artist. I'm a graphic designer. This is what I've spent the last four years doing. And we had a hard conversation. And, you know, he said, "I think I actually need to walk you across the building to our speech communication department." And what? What? I don't even know what you're talking about. So the reason I bring that up is because this person thought enough of me to tell me the truth and to tell me that this wasn't where, you know, he saw a trajectory for me, and how about this? And, you know, I did what every senior college student was due. I cried for at least two days. And then I said, you know what? I'm gonna dig in. And I ended up with a degree in speech communication and a minor in graphic design because I had essentially finished the program. And that was a moment in my life that, again, I could have packed up. I could have, you know, done so many different things, or I could have—he gave me the option 1to go back and remediate some of the classes, and that did not feel right 'cause, you know, I felt that my passion had been kind of tampered, but that gave me so much insight into another muscle that I have. And that is, again, what I didn't even know was possible, and it is that storytelling. So I learned to have a voice. I learned to be able to really ask questions and understand some of those nuances and how humans communicate. And I think it primed me perfectly for what I do. Although we aren't there yet, 'cause I didn't even know I would get there. So we continue on. I've graduated, I made the decision that maybe I would go into advertising. And what felt right for me was Chicago. So I packed up, moved to Chicago, didn't have a job, but I had purpose, and I had gumption. And I showed up and thought, okay so this is fast forward 2003 you know, that I could just land in Chicago and find a job. Well, thankfully, somebody pointed me in a direction that was like, "Lindsay, if you don't find anything, this avenue might just be perfect for you." And I don't wanna be a broken record 'cause I know that you've talked to other people before, but I come from the MG Taylor model. So I landed as a knowledge worker with Cap Gemini Ernst & Young back in those days for people like Kelvy, Christopher Fuller, Brandy Agerbeck, Alphachimp, both Peter and Diane. These were all people that they were my mentors, some of them I never met. I only heard their names

In this episode, Ted Shachtman talks about his discovery of the Mental Atlas Method, an imaginative new approach designed to strengthen memory retention. He explains how the method works, why it’s different from traditional techniques, and even guides Mike Rohde through a live trial so listeners can experience the process in real time. Sponsored by The Reflective Travel Sketchnote Workshop VideoHave you ever wanted to create travel sketchnotes from an experience you’ve had, just using the photos and memories you’ve got? In the Reflective Travel Sketchnote Workshop Video, I’ll guide you through my process for creating travel sketchnotes and then help you reflect on your own photos and memories so that you can make travel sketchnotes of your own trips, too! This 2-hour recorded video includes a set of downloadable, printable sketching templates and a process to kickstart your own travel sketchnoting practice. All this for just $20. https://rohdesign.com/travel Running OrderIntroWelcomeWho is Ted Shachtman?Origin StoryTed's current workSponsor: ConceptsWhere to find Ted ShachtmanOutroLinksAmazon affiliate links support the Sketchnote Army Podcast. Ted on LinkedIn(https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-shachtman-70930b239/)The Mental Atlas Method(https://www.mentalatlasmethod.com/)CreditsProducer: Alec Pulianas Shownotes and transcripts: Esther OdoroTheme music: Jon SchiedermayerSubscribe to the Sketchnote Army PodcastYou can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source. Support the PodcastTo support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde’s bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off! Episode TranscriptMike Rohde: Hey everybody, it's Mike Rohde again. Got my friend Ted Shachtman here. Ted, how are you doing? Ted Shachtman: I'm good. How are you? MR: I'm good, man. It's good to have you. So, Ted is a very unique guest for the Sketchnote Army podcast in that he is someone who has discovered and has been developing this concept called the Atlas Method. Is that the right way to describe it? TS: It's the Mental Atlas Method, but yeah, typically we just call it the Atlas usually. MR: Yeah, yeah. After a while, you just sort of, the thing. You know, the thing we do. And so, I'm gonna have Ted talk about what he does in his origin story so he can say what it is. But I've experimented with this technique. And it's a way of improving or retaining memory, or I guess both those things. And I found it really fascinating. And I thought for visual thinkers to have expanded memory is always a good thing because in the work we do, where we're trying to take information, complex information, process it, make sense of it, and then put it on a board or on a screen or on a page, is really hard. And anything we can do to expand our capacity, our cache, our whatever it is that we're using to process this is a benefit for us. And then additionally, the way that we're going to do a little demo, it actually gives the capacity for you to not have to draw anything, if you wish to. I think that would be a fair way to frame it, think? TS: Yeah. MR: Okay, so with that, Ted, tell us who you are and what you do. TS: Sure. So as said, Schachtman. I am an educator and software engineer, and cognitive scientist. I went to Vanderbilt University for elementary education and cognitive studies. I've been a teacher for the past three years, and I'm also getting a master's in computer science. So the story with the Atlas was, in around November, and I asked myself this question, which was, how do I become the most general smart person? Like, almost like by the time I'm 50, how can I become just the best leader, CEO, researcher? And I kind of just embarked on this question and led me to a bunch of research, just kind of explored different paths, started visualizing things, talking while I was visualizing. And then the end result after about like eight months of constant work and research is the Atlas Method. MR: So that leads me to the next question, of course, is tell us a little bit about the Atlas Method and how you developed it, in with the framing of an origin story like a superhero. TS: Yeah, yeah. Okay. So, I personally have a really, really bad part of my brain that takes what I'm currently thinking and writes it to long-term memory. You know those games where everyone goes around in a circle and is like, okay, name your name and something you eat, like your favorite food. I'm terrible at that. I'm really bad at watching lectures. I have to watch a video six times. And I wanted to get rid of that because I've always been pretty creative. And I was always looking for some technique or something that would allow me to, I guess, learn faster. And so, the actual origin story is I started talking out loud and visualizing at the same time back in October or November. And I would be analyzing some lecture I watched. And I noticed that as I was visualizing the lecture and talking out loud, it would really start to make more sense, like doing both of those things at the same time. And just happenstance, I would take another lecture I watched and be like, man, I want to compare between these. I would switch from like visualizing one to visualizing the other, and it would just be awful. Like I'd have to like go like, urgh! Like going from one to the other. And one day, I just tried putting them in the same space, like visualizing one video here and the one video here, like right next to each other. And it felt so much easier. It felt like I was able to hold both in my mind at once. And this kept going. I would analyze around two at a time. And then one day I was like, all right, well, I want to get a third. I put a third one in there, and it worked. I stayed at three, and then I went to four. And then I remember I had about nine full videos, like nine full 20-minute lectures all in the same visual space, and it was somewhat different than it had been before. Like, I started noticing connections between all the videos that I didn't typically find. And it stayed at this point. I'd visualize where 9 or 10 at a time. But I always had this idea that was, surely, I can't keep going, right? Surely nine, like it's impossible. I was like, what am I doing? MR: Set boundaries. TS: And then I started reading a lot of research. I started reading a lot of research that essentially said when people switch visual contexts, they lose so much information, and when people are searching from the same context, they can hold so much. Like visualizing someone's hometown, for instance, they can hold that whole thing, but as soon as you go hometown and then like a college campus, they incur so much cost. It's almost like it's hard to think of when you do that cost. And so, the origin story, how this all started, is I was on a call with my friend Ben, and at this point, I've been telling him like, you know, my cognitive science ideas. You know, just techniques to try to improve this process, and he wasn't super into all of them. He would be like, "Okay, that's a fine one." And I told him the following idea. I said, it seems like if I actually stored everything in one big space, meaning not just nine videos, but every single video I watched, every concept I'd want to think about, in one big space, it seems like that should be more efficient, all the research points to that. And I was waiting for him to say, all right, sure, maybe, but, you know. But he didn't. He paused for about 10 seconds and said, "You know, Ted, that's not a bad idea." And I just kept going with it. So essentially, the journey is exploring the following question. What if you take your hometown, like Memory Palace, like a method of loci style, and you're building these huge interactive visuals and doing a voiceover on top of them, like describing what you see, the patterns you notice. And you just keep putting these huge visuals all around your hometown. And you don't stick with nine. You go higher and higher and higher. And so, I kept practicing this. And so, the real origin story, where I guess this technique became not just a way for me to remember things, but kind of the Atlas as it is today, is I was reasoning about one of the videos, and I noticed a pattern about one of them. And as soon as I noticed that pattern, my visual attention just zoomed, snapped over to another one. And it felt like automatic. It almost felt like if somebody says, say you're looking at a wall of food in the grocery store, and someone says, find the cheese, and your eyes just go to the cheese. Except this happened with a really complex pattern. And I was like, that was weird. And I added more videos to the Atlas, and it kept happening. And then I sat with a hypothesis. I did the following experiment. I visualized my bathroom and then said, find the sink. Found it, visual attention snapped there. You guys can try to follow along. I said, find the shower curtain. And that was fine. And then I visualized my hometown. Like my whole hometown, I said, okay, find the front door to my friend's house. Find the apples in the grocery store. And it snapped, just like that. And I thought to myself, it doesn't seem to be any different to my visual system, whether I'm searching among my bathroom or whether I'm searching among my entire hometown. And this snap that I would get between simple objects like the apple in the grocery store or the shower curtain felt exactly the same as the snaps I was getting between these incredibly complex videos and the patterns in these complex videos. And so, I really sat there and I said to myself, this seems preposterous, but the logic says that I should be able to scale this up. And as I scale this up, the snapping will work just as much, and I'll probably find a lot better patterns. And it turned out I was right. So it wasn't an easy