Visuals To Go

Sheri Kennedy • Aug 02, 2024

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES. Vol. 5 No. 16

August 2, 2024

We're traveling this week! Deb and I are fortunate to be broadening our skills, toolkits and networks at the Global Summit hosted by the amazing and highly recommended International Forum of Visual Practitioners (IFVP). While attempting to pack light for the trip, I had to make some tough decisions, especially when it came to visual notetaking toys.

Inspiration struck when I learned that a national eatery has opened its second To Go establishment in the country about a mile from my house. Why not make myself a “Visual Thinking on the Go” kit?

I love cafe sketching when I can find the time. I bring my sketchbook and drawing tools or digital tablet to do some stealth sketching of strangers while I enjoy a pot of tea or a cappuccino. I imagine what they might be writing or studying, or the content of conversations that I can see but not hear.

Cafe sketching, like visual notetaking, fuels my imagination and forces me to draw rapidly, without much fuss or correction. The tools for on the go sketching might be very similar to those for visual thinking. Here's my super simple list. Give it a go and let us know if you'd add or change anything!

Digital drawing of a notebook, black pen, blue and purple markers, latte in a mug with decorative swirl, and frosted cinnamon roll on a blue plate. Background is light purple.

On the Go Mini Visual Thinking Toolkit

A pencil
Your favorite black pen
2 markers - one light color and one medium color
Notebook, sketchbook or a few sheets of paper. If you like, try making a 1-sheet sketchbook. How to make a sketchbook from one sheet of paper (by StudyBytes)

Now that your kit is ready to go and you've made it to a café, library, cafeteria, town hall, food court, mall, gym or other location where you can observe the action from the sidelines, what should you do?

Here are a few suggestions to hyperboost your visual thinking, no caffeine required.

On the Go Visual Thinking practice

Develop and practice 3 to 5 new icons.
For more tips on icons check out the blog post From Photo to Icon and our FOUNDATIONS course.
Develop or practice using a new template.
Go on an icon or lettering style treasure hunt.