Use lettering to remember more!

Deborah DeLue • August 10, 2023

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES. Vol. 4 No. 15 August 11, 2023

In keeping with our Simple Summer series and the fast-approaching start of a new school year, this week, take 10 minutes to practice using lettering to make your study notes easy to digest, remember and share. No worries. You don't need to learn a new letter style, buy fancy tools or do anything complicated. Your normal neat handwriting and whatever tools you have on hand are perfect.

For this week's practice, you're going to employ the Glance - Scan - Read - Study method from our graphic recording and lettering artist friend Heather Martinez which goes like this.

GLANCE - make the title big and bold. Use a bold color like red, all capital letters in your normal handwriting, and a thicker marker if you have one. Alternatively, a double stroke of your pen will do the trick.

stick figure sharing Glance, Scan, Read, Study notes

SCAN - capture the main points using capital letters in your usual handwriting.

READ - jot down a few details in upper and lower case using your regular handwriting.

STUDY - call out an idea nugget or memorable quote using smaller text or a lighter color.

Easy peasy! And something you can do in 10 minutes or less.

Ready to give it a try? Grab something to write on and something to write with and put it into practice.

Step 1: Read a short article or watch a 5 to 10-minute video and jot down a few bullet points.

Step 2 : Translate your notes using the Glance - Scan - Read - Study method.

Glance - Make up a short title, 3 to 5 words max
Scan - Add the 2 or 3 main points, leaving some space for details between
Read - List at least 2 or 3 supporting details or information as bullet points under your main points.
Study - Add a callout that captures one key "takeaway" message or memorable idea.

Step 3: Share it! Take a picture and share your work on your favorite social media platform using the hashtag #appliedvizletteringhierarchy.

This is my example.