The Top 10 mistakes I've made as a Sketchnoter!

As a seasoned sketchnoter, I've made a TON of mistakes on my sketchnoting journey! Here are some of the biggest mistakes I definitely made...

😱 Fear of "Not Being Artistic" : This is the BIGGEST one! People think they need to be Picasso to sketchnote. Nope! It's about capturing ideas, not creating masterpieces. Embrace the imperfect! (I'm still working on this one!)

📐Overthinking the "Perfect" Layout : Getting too hung up on perfect boxes and lines can stifle the flow. Let your ideas guide the composition. It's okay if things are a bit wonky!

📖➡️🖼️Too Much Text, Not Enough Visuals: Sketchnoting is about visual thinking. Walls of text defeat the purpose. Prioritise icons, simple drawings, and keywords. Less is often more! 🔑

🌬️Ignoring White Space: Cramming everything onto the page makes it look cluttered and overwhelming. White space gives your brain room to breathe and makes key elements pop. Give those ideas some space to breathe!

🌈➡️🎨 Using Too Many Colours (GUILTY AS CHARGED!): While colour is great, using too many can be distracting. Stick to a limited palette (2-3 colours plus black) for a more cohesive and effective sketchnote. Simplicity is key!

🏋️‍♂️ Not Practicing Regularly: Like any skill, sketchnoting takes practice. Don't get discouraged if your first attempts aren't perfect. The more you do it, the better you'll get!

🐑 Copying Instead of Synthesising: Simply transcribing notes visually isn't true sketchnoting. Focus on understanding the core concepts and expressing them in your own way. Make it your own! 🧠

✍️🚫 Using Inappropriate Tools: Using a pen that bleeds through the paper or markers that are too thick can be frustrating. Invest in some basic, good-quality tools that you enjoy using. It makes a difference!

🤔 Forgetting the Purpose (What's the Key Takeaway?) : Before you start, ask yourself: What's the main message I want to capture? This will help you prioritise information and create a more focused sketchnote.

🎉Not Having Fun!: Sketchnoting should be enjoyable! If you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong. Embrace the process, experiment, and let your creativity flow! 😄

So, there you have it - most of the sketchnoting mistakes I made (and sometimes still do make!) How many are you guilty of?! Happy sketchnoting!