Picture this: you’re in a meeting, and one of the speakers is describing a complex process that you need to memorize. Instinctively, you start sketching. A few keywords here, bullet points there, maybe some squares, circles, and arrows to map out the flow. Before you know it, you’ve created a visual snapshot of the information — and it’s so much easier to remember, right?
That's the fun of visual note-taking. Whether you're in a workshop, class, or daily meeting, visual methods help you get your thoughts in order and make it easier to remember what you’ve learned. And the good news is: You don’t need to be a doodle artist to pull it off.
In this guide, we'll explore the advantages of this technique, share tips and tricks for getting started, and introduce you to some of the best visual note-taking strategies. Let's jump right in.
What is visual note-taking?
Visual note-taking is a technique that blends text and visuals — such as drawings, symbols, and diagrams — to capture information in a way that’s engaging and memorable. Unlike traditional note-taking, which usually follows a linear text format, this technique encourages you to sketch out ideas and make connections visually.
Here are the key components of visual note-taking:
- Text: Grab those keywords, phrases, and short sentences to capture the main ideas without all the fluff
- Sketches and doodles: Throw in some simple drawings, symbols, or icons that bring concepts to life and give your notes a bit of flair
- Diagrams and flowcharts: Use visuals to show how things are connected, whether it’s relationships, processes, or hierarchies — it makes complex information easier to digest
- Color: Spice up your notes with different colors to highlight key points, categorize information, or make your ideas visually appealing
- Arrows and lines: Add arrows and lines to connect ideas, showing how they relate, flow, or follow a sequence
Visual note-taking examples and methods
You've been mixing written notes and doodles since school — but you were probably more about fighting off boredom than actually sticking to a method. Using visual note-taking methods helps keep your content organized, making it way more effective than just scribbling down random notes.
The best method depends on your learning style, your preferences, and the tasks or projects you’re tackling. Take a look at these three popular visual note-taking examples:
1. Mind maps
Mind mapping is like creating a visual roadmap for your thoughts. You start with a central idea in the middle of a page and then branch out with related concepts, keywords, or images. Each branch represents a subtopic that connects back to the main idea, kind of like a tree with its roots and branches.
Whether you’re brainstorming, planning a project, or studying for a test, mind mapping helps you see the big picture while also diving into the details. It's an easy method for visual mapping and note-taking, especially when you use online whiteboarding to create and share your ideas with others.
Related: The best mind mapping tools as of 2024
2. Venn diagrams
A Venn diagram is a visual way to show how different groups or sets relate to each other. Picture a couple of overlapping circles — each one stands for a specific set. The areas where the circles overlap highlight the similarities or common traits, while the parts that don’t overlap show what makes each set unique.
You can use a Venn diagram template to:
- Compare project outcomes to identify best practices and lessons learned
- Clarify team roles by highlighting areas of collaboration and individual responsibilities
- Assess product features of competing items to pinpoint unique selling points and shared functionalities
- Resolve conflicts by visualizing common ground and differing perspectives
3. Concept maps
A concept map is a visual method of note-taking used to represent relationships between different concepts or ideas. It's similar to a mind map but often focuses more on showing how different concepts are connected and related to each other.
While other methods may be better for quick note-taking during meetings or brainstorming sessions, you can use a concept map to:
- Plan educational lessons by outlining learning objectives, materials, and activities using an online concept map maker
- Improve processes and workflows by identifying bottlenecks that slow down operational tasks
- Conduct a SWOT analysis by mapping out strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in a visual format for strategic planning
- Create an Agile project plan for software development that outlines tasks, deadlines, and dependencies among team members
Related: How to master Agile anywhere, anytime
Top 3 benefits of visual note-taking
Not sure about picking a method yet? Take a look at the top three benefits of visual note-taking and see how much it can help you get done with less hassle.
- Enhanced understanding of the content: Ever felt like you've read a page but can't remember a thing? That's where visuals come in. When you combine words with images, diagrams, or symbols, you're creating a mental map that's easier for your brain to navigate. It helps you connect the dots and make sense of the information.
- Increased productivity: Who says note-taking has to be a drag? With visual note-taking apps, the process becomes a lot more fun and efficient. You can use templates, collaborate with your team using simple drawings, and add visual elements to quickly capture and organize information.
- Improved creativity and engagement: Visual note-taking is a fantastic way to spark creativity in the workplace. It lets team members express their ideas visually, making brainstorming sessions more lively and engaging. Who doesn't love one of those selfie sketches to break the ice in monotonous meetings?
Related: Explore 12 tips for building stakeholder engagement
Best practices for visual note-taking to stay organized and productive
As a visual note-taker, you need some tips to prevent your sketches from looking like a toddler's art project. To keep annotations organized without wasting time, explore these best practices for visual note-taking:
1. Digitize your notes
Even if you're a fan of pen and paper, you know that sometimes speakers rush through presentations or meetings turn into casual conversations, and it's easy to lose track of important details. By digitalizing your notes, you speed up your sketching process with:
- Visual elements: Quickly add images, links, or videos to make your notes more engaging and informative
- Access from any device: Review your notes whenever and wherever you need
- Integrations with other tools: Connect your notes with calendars and video conferencing software to keep everything in one place
The adoption of visual collaboration tools is growing with the rapid shift to digital and the rising use of AI to transform creativity. According to forecast by Research Nester, the visual collaboration software market size is expected to reach $152.3 billion by the end of 2036. So, take advantage of platforms that combine mobile app access, integrations, and features to streamline the note-taking process.
2. Sketch first, refine later
One common mistake when taking visual notes is thinking that the first sketch should be ready to share. The truth is that it often looks a bit messy — and this is perfectly normal. Just let your ideas flow onto the page without worrying about perfection.
Once you've captured the key concepts, start organizing them into a more structured format. Think of it like a brainstorming session on a whiteboard. You might begin with a simple mind map template and then transform it into a detailed flowchart or diagram.
Choose your tool and put this visual note-taking strategy into practice:
- Meeting notes template: Great for quickly jotting down main ideas and action items during discussions
- Flowchart creator: Ideal for visually mapping out processes or decision-making pathways
- Diagram maker: Good choice for creating visual representations of concepts, relationships, or hierarchies
3. Make your note-taking process collaborative
According to Mural’s 2024 Teamwork Research Report, 71% of knowledge workers believe meetings are not the best way to collaborate and align on work. Is the issue with meetings, how they're being run, or perhaps a bit of both? When you take notes collaboratively with your team, you're fostering open communication and collective problem-solving, which can help team members connect and be more creative.
Get started with:
- Collaborative note-taking template: Before workshops or training sessions, use an interactive space to kick off the conversation about the topic of the day
- Project collaboration software: Share a whiteboard to collaborate on project deliverables and make sure everyone is aligned on the goals for the day
Simplify complex ideas with the best visual note-taking app
Ready to create your visual notes? With Mural, you get an easy-to-use visual work platform for creating and organizing your ideas visually, making it simple to collaborate with your team and bring your thoughts to life in real time.
With Mural, you can say goodbye to those boring, messy notes. Encourage your team's creativity, productivity, and understanding with a variety of tools:
- Online sticky notes: Easily add drag-and-drop, colored note pads to quickly organize ideas in meetings, training sessions, and workshops
- Mind mapping software: For brainstorming or organizing ideas, start sketching and visualizing your thoughts in a clear, structured way
- Library of templates: Save time and simplify note-taking in collaborative projects or virtual events — focusing on the content instead of worrying about the format
- Integrations: Integrate your murals with platforms like Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Asana, and more
Join Mural for free and kickstart your creativity with the top visual note-taking strategies.
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