World Sketchnote Day

World Sketchnote Day is observed on January 11 every year. This global event promotes the use of visual thinking and non-linear note-taking to improve personal and professional communication. It encourages individuals to combine text with simple drawings, icons, and structures to better process and remember information. By focusing on the expression of ideas rather than artistic perfection, the observance invites people of all skill levels to explore more creative ways of capturing their thoughts.

History of World Sketchnote Day

Mike Rohde and Mauro Toselli established World Sketchnote Day in 2016 to highlight the benefits of visual note-taking. Mike Rohde, who authored “The Sketchnote Handbook,” originally coined the term in 2007 to describe a specific method of using sketches and typography to document ideas during meetings and presentations. He wanted to provide a formal name for the intentional practice of “purposeful doodling” that helps many people stay engaged and focused.

The holiday is supported by the Sketchnote Army, an online community that showcases visual notes from contributors across the globe. This group helped transition sketchnoting from a perceived classroom distraction into a functional tool used by educators, designers, and business leaders. Today, the day serves as a yearly entry point for beginners who want to move away from rigid, text-heavy notes and toward a more spatial and memorable way of organizing data.

Why is World Sketchnote Day important?

Visual note-taking relies on dual coding theory, which suggests the brain processes verbal and visual information through two separate channels. When a person draws a concept while writing about it, they engage both channels simultaneously, leading to significantly higher levels of comprehension and recall. This method prevents the passive transcribing often seen in traditional notes, where words are recorded without being deeply analyzed by the brain.

This practice also makes information more accessible and easier to share with others. A single page of visual notes can summarize an entire hour-long lecture, allowing readers to grasp the core message at a glance. It encourages the use of metaphors and spatial layouts to show relationships between ideas that a simple list of text might miss. By making thinking visible, sketchnoting helps individuals and teams identify patterns and solve problems more effectively.

• Visual notes improve the long-term retention of information
• Simple icons act as a universal language for global teams
• The process requires high levels of active listening and synthesis
• Spatial layouts clarify the connections between complex ideas
• Hand-drawn notes provide a personalized record of learning

How to Observe World Sketchnote Day

To observe this day, pick up a marker and a blank sheet of paper to summarize a topic you find interesting. You do not need to be an artist to start; simply using arrows to connect ideas or boxes to frame key terms is enough to build a visual structure. Many participants choose to sketchnote a live stream, a podcast, or even their daily to-do list to practice translating verbal concepts into simple imagery.

Another way to join is by sharing your creations on social media platforms to connect with a community of other visual thinkers. This allows you to see different styles and techniques used by practitioners in various industries and countries. You can also host a small workshop to teach colleagues how to use basic shapes like circles and lines to create icons for their own work. Many people use this day to invest in a new sketchbook or a set of fine-liner pens to support their practice throughout the year.

• Sketch a summary of a podcast episode or a news story
• Buy a notebook specifically for practicing visual notes
• Post a photo of your hand-drawn notes on a social platform
• Learn five new icons to represent common business terms
• Try a different layout like a mind map or a vertical path

World Sketchnote Day Dates Table