Draw Something Every Day!

Deborah DeLue • Aug 20, 2021

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking


The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES.  Vol. 2 No. 17  August 20, 2021

Applied Visual Thinking logo with purple road and orange burst

I'm a huge fan of Jessica Hagy's Indexed blog, where she publishes a simple visual thinking chart every weekday while the coffee brews. Her work is what great visual thinking is all about. Her simple charts pack a ton of meaning into a simple drawing that's fast and easy to create, understand, and share with others.

 

Here at AVT, we believe creating a daily drawing habit is a great way to... 

AVT Visual Thinking Superhero

Build Your Visual Thinking Superpower!

The more you draw, the easier it becomes. Likewise, the more extensive your visual vocabulary, the greater your visual thinking superpowers will become. You don't need any artistic talent, fancy art supplies, or expensive tech. A simple pen or pencil and a sheet of paper, post-it notes, or index card will do nicely. Best of all, you don't need a lot of time either; committing to just 5 minutes a day will do wonders for your visual vocabulary.


AVT Garden Planning Template

Are you ready to become a great visual thinker?  Download a free copy of our favorite type of journaling page (inspired by composition notebooks from school, they're great for visual thinking and improving your handwriting!), grab something to draw with, and dive in!


Download Your Free Journal Page HERE!

Draw something every day!


Here's a list of 50 ideas to get you started drawing every day:

  • Draw a new icon once a week and practice drawing it every day for a week. 
  • Find a favorite quote and turn it into a simple chart. This is my favorite quote from bestselling author 
    Seth Godin
     
  • Create a new icon mashup every day for a week 
  • Draw a timeline for the plot of the book you're writing or are planning to write 
  • Practice drawing simple containers, connectors, and borders
  • Create a timeline for the plot to your favorite book, play, or movie 
  • Write out a definition for the word of the day using size and color to show the importance and add meaning then add a quick sketch. The classic Cesar Salad generally attributed to restaurateur
    Caesar Cardini is the ultimate example of creating something great using what's on hand.
  • Create a mind map outlining the major components of your next big project, vacation, book, course, or presentation Draw a simplified version of your favorite animals
  • Create a diagram showing your top skills
  • Draw an icon of your favorite foods
  • Create a visual hierarchy to rank your favorite
    vacation spots
  • Create a timeline of your work history
  • Draw a visual packing list or your next vacation
  • Create a visual to-do list


  • Draw an icon of the same idea a different way everyday for a week using your favorite app - start simple and work your way up to more elaborate This one was drawn on an iPad using the 
    Paper by WeTransfer app
  • Create a drawing of your breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks (use as few lines as possible) 
  • Create a Venn diagram showing the 3 best things that happened today 
  • Draw a timeline of your day every day for a week or month; heck, why not all year! 
  • Draw icons for everything on your grocery list
  • Draw 5 things on your desk, in your purse, or in your
    junk drawer
  • Draw a love note to your honey
  • Create a chart for the agenda of your next meeting
  • Draw a map of your daily commute
  • Draw a flow chart of your morning routine
  • Draw out the steps to your favorite recipe
  • Diagram the user interface of your favorite app
  • Draw the view from your window
  • Diagram the features of your most and least favorite
    tech devices and show why
  • Create a chart of your monthly budget
  • Create a contour line drawing of your favorite plants
  • Create a map of your garden
  • Diagram your family's emergency evacuation plan
  • Create a bubble chart showing your levels of education and training
  • Create a mind map of your 5-year plan
  • Create a map of your neighborhood
  • Create a flowchart showing the life cycle of a chicken


  • Create a chart showing you're most to least favorite modes of transportation
  • Create a map of all the places you've lived and where you'd like to live in the future
  • Create a diagram of your family tree
  • Create a diagram showing the parts of a skateboard, scooter, or bicycle
  • Create a map of your home, office, or favorite hang-out
  • Create a mind map for the syllabus of the last course you took
  • Create a flowchart showing how to make coffee, tea, or toast
  • Create a timeline for completing your next project
  • Create an org chart for your business or organization
  • Draw 5 simple characters from history, your favorite book, or
    favorite movie
  • Create a flowchart showing how to make a paper airplane or paper doll
  • Diagram the steps to your favorite dance
  • Draw out the communication flow in your organization




Want to learn more about creating simple visual charts, maps and diagrams, using size, color and hierarchy to add meaning and developing your own icons to build your visual vocabulary?


Our AVT's FOUNDATIONS course is designed to give you the foundational tools to become a great visual thinker.

AVT for Innovation course

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