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The Doodle Revolution: Unlock the Power to Think Differently
A fearless guide to awakening your mind using simple visual language. What do Einstein, Edison, Richard Feynman, Henry Ford, and JFK have in common? Like virtually all heavy-hitting thinkers, they looked beyond just words and numbers to get intellectual and creative insights. They actively applied a deceptively simple tool to think both smarter and the doodle. And so can the rest of us-zero artistic talent required. Visual thinking expert Sunni Brown has created The Doodle Revolution as a kick-starter guide for igniting and applying simple visual language to any challenge. The instinctive and universal act of doodling need only be unleashed in order to innovate, solve problems, and elevate cognitive performance instantly.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published September 12, 2013
146 people are currently reading
2586 people want to read
About the author
Sunni Brown
12 books31 followersSunni Brown was named one of the “100 Most Creative People in Business” and one of the “10 Most Creative People on Twitter” by Fast Company. She is founder of a creative consultancy, an international speaker, the co-author of Gamestorming, and the leader of a global campaign for visual literacy called The Doodle Revolution. Her TED Talk on doodling has drawn more than a million views on TED.com. She lives in Keep Austin Weird, Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
June 24, 2014
I really enjoyed this book.
It makes a simple claim: visual thinking is under-appreciated; it's a powerful learning and communication tool that should be employed more. It walks you through your initial anxiety to try it, then shows you specific ways in which you can apply it and finally it explains how it is applicable to teams and/or the workplace.
If you're half as passionate as me about taking notes, you should give this book a try.
I have two main takeaways.
First, I should use more visual/graphic elements in my note-taking. This is consistent with the ideas in the Mind-Mapping book, although not as specific as the ones there. I should not be afraid to share those notes, even if they look ugly – they are not an object of art, but means of communication.
Second, meetings can benefit a lot from having a game-like structure. This is very consistent with the ideas in Agile Retrospectives. Having activities like brainstorming, dot-voting, roadmaps and so on brings structure that makes things more effective and more efficient. The alternative, having everybody talk in free form for hours, can get very tedious and headache inducing.
On the down side, the book is a bit too chatty (although I like that) and doesn't have enough advice on how you can improve the "artistic" aspect of your doodles if you want to.
It makes a simple claim: visual thinking is under-appreciated; it's a powerful learning and communication tool that should be employed more. It walks you through your initial anxiety to try it, then shows you specific ways in which you can apply it and finally it explains how it is applicable to teams and/or the workplace.
If you're half as passionate as me about taking notes, you should give this book a try.
I have two main takeaways.
First, I should use more visual/graphic elements in my note-taking. This is consistent with the ideas in the Mind-Mapping book, although not as specific as the ones there. I should not be afraid to share those notes, even if they look ugly – they are not an object of art, but means of communication.
Second, meetings can benefit a lot from having a game-like structure. This is very consistent with the ideas in Agile Retrospectives. Having activities like brainstorming, dot-voting, roadmaps and so on brings structure that makes things more effective and more efficient. The alternative, having everybody talk in free form for hours, can get very tedious and headache inducing.
On the down side, the book is a bit too chatty (although I like that) and doesn't have enough advice on how you can improve the "artistic" aspect of your doodles if you want to.
March 26, 2015
It is the Great book!!! It's very resourcefulness and inspirational and there are a lot of good examples, exercises and explanation for readers. And the best one is a pray of beginners (at p.46) - Forgive me, Father, for I know not how to draw - it helps me every day for my practice in the doodling. Thanks Sunni Brown for that book!
February 17, 2014
******* This is a First Reads, Thank You Goodreads *******
The way we think sometimes can lose sight of what we hold creatively - this book, filled with insight, breakdown, and plenty of exercises challenges that.
When looking at a problem and seeing only the same solution, what if you took it creatively, unlocking the potential within yourself, your brain, within your doodles - this book helps you re train your thinking, your problem solving, your techniques. I felt myself challenged at times but knew that if I pushed through I would gain a very important lesson for my "toolbox" that I could carry not just into a professional life, but my personal life. I think that is what makes this book so great, the challenge, the lessons, the fact that it asks the reader to step out and re train the brain and then the skills are there, lessons learned in a fun way.
The way we think sometimes can lose sight of what we hold creatively - this book, filled with insight, breakdown, and plenty of exercises challenges that.
When looking at a problem and seeing only the same solution, what if you took it creatively, unlocking the potential within yourself, your brain, within your doodles - this book helps you re train your thinking, your problem solving, your techniques. I felt myself challenged at times but knew that if I pushed through I would gain a very important lesson for my "toolbox" that I could carry not just into a professional life, but my personal life. I think that is what makes this book so great, the challenge, the lessons, the fact that it asks the reader to step out and re train the brain and then the skills are there, lessons learned in a fun way.
January 6, 2016
i read until the first quarter of the book. it was all fine, until the irony struck me. why this book is so thick, when it preach about doodling to simplify points?
April 1, 2020
While I'm researching for a class on visual thinking, I came across this book on doodling. Not quite the same as visual thinking, it is also about the intent and practice that add to visual thinking.
Before there was visual thinking there was thinking with hands--or doodling. It's a well-written and well-illustrated book, with lots of enthusiasm and encouragement. And that's important. We have a huge fear of drawing, of "getting it wrong," of, essentially, not being perfect illustrators. This is not a book about illustration. This is about doodling--that random line and wandering curve that keeps your thoughts focused while you are listening to something. And it works. A good research book.
Before there was visual thinking there was thinking with hands--or doodling. It's a well-written and well-illustrated book, with lots of enthusiasm and encouragement. And that's important. We have a huge fear of drawing, of "getting it wrong," of, essentially, not being perfect illustrators. This is not a book about illustration. This is about doodling--that random line and wandering curve that keeps your thoughts focused while you are listening to something. And it works. A good research book.
December 14, 2018
This was a refreshing take on building creativity and visual literacy. It's about doodling not 'drawing' but the general idea of this book and the exercises are helpful for getting you out of your own head when it comes to putting images on paper. The first half was very good and the second half of the book is more for anyone in a setting where they're needing to make notes and do group work. Recommend for anyone who wants to feel more confident about doodling and simple drawing.
September 11, 2018
So much information on visual note taking and mind mapping. I love it. I appreciated that it's easy to read the book out of order according to your needs/wants. Good for building confidence and ideas for how to take notes in a more visually meaningful way. Would also return to if I needed to lead a collaborative project as it has a plethora of methods to capture collaborative thinking. Love it.
September 4, 2016
If you are already a doodler or drawer, or just aren't intimidated by creative thinking, this book is not for you. Now, if you haven't picked up a pencil since you were 6 years old, you might find some value here. But, I would still recommend that you supplement your "doodling vocabulary" with some basic clip-art or how-to-doodle books.
This is a basic class to get the most visually clueless to re-discover their pre-existing visual language. Or, more importantly what situations you can use your newly re-discovered visual language.
I'm a born doodler. I don't need to be convinced to doodle... What I want is to know how to use my doodles more effectively. I borrowed this book to get tips on incorporating more visual elements into my university notes. Not to get a lecture (that I also give on a frequent basis) that everyone can doodle. In a way "preaching to the choir", but also I disagreed with almost ALL of her arguments. That makes for an aggravating read.
I guess this book wasn't for me. I did end up skimming most of it. Text-wise was a bit too casual for my liking. For example, am I supposed to understand the phrase,"crazy-ass importance"? What does that even mean? Why should my ass' temperament determine the value of something?
In comparison, the text used in the info graphics (really just flow charts) was incredibly dry. Wouldn't you have thought it would be the reverse. Use the casual text with pictures and the complex text without?
If you never draw. Believe you can't draw. And work in a business that holds frequent team brainstorming sessions, this might be for you. The rest of us would be wise to look elsewhere.
This is a basic class to get the most visually clueless to re-discover their pre-existing visual language. Or, more importantly what situations you can use your newly re-discovered visual language.
I'm a born doodler. I don't need to be convinced to doodle... What I want is to know how to use my doodles more effectively. I borrowed this book to get tips on incorporating more visual elements into my university notes. Not to get a lecture (that I also give on a frequent basis) that everyone can doodle. In a way "preaching to the choir", but also I disagreed with almost ALL of her arguments. That makes for an aggravating read.
I guess this book wasn't for me. I did end up skimming most of it. Text-wise was a bit too casual for my liking. For example, am I supposed to understand the phrase,"crazy-ass importance"? What does that even mean? Why should my ass' temperament determine the value of something?
In comparison, the text used in the info graphics (really just flow charts) was incredibly dry. Wouldn't you have thought it would be the reverse. Use the casual text with pictures and the complex text without?
If you never draw. Believe you can't draw. And work in a business that holds frequent team brainstorming sessions, this might be for you. The rest of us would be wise to look elsewhere.
August 6, 2018
This is a really detailed book about Infodoodling, aka Sketchnoting.
If you check the date on my reading of this book, you'll see it took me 3 months to finish. That could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your perspective:
Why it could be a good thing: This book has so much content! Wow, the author packed this book full of ideas and tips and techniques and background and sidebars. And all the exercises! Man, so much stuff. It is 239 pages including notes, in really...really...small type.
Why it could be a bad thing: man, this book was kind of daunting to ever try and finish. Really it was just about impossible for me to read the entire thing. To be honest, it's probably most appropriate as a textbook for a semester-long class in college. Alternatively, I suggest setting up yourself with a 6-month learning plan to read a section, then do all the exercises, then go to the next one.
Side gripe: Do authors of hardback books really need to include blank pages for the reader to doodle in? Who would do that? It would totally ruin the book. Brown isn't alone in this: the Sketchnote Handbook and others fall prey to this temptation. My suggestion: for the exercises, just instruct the reader to grab some scratch paper or a sketching pad to have beside the book.
If you check the date on my reading of this book, you'll see it took me 3 months to finish. That could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your perspective:
Why it could be a good thing: This book has so much content! Wow, the author packed this book full of ideas and tips and techniques and background and sidebars. And all the exercises! Man, so much stuff. It is 239 pages including notes, in really...really...small type.
Why it could be a bad thing: man, this book was kind of daunting to ever try and finish. Really it was just about impossible for me to read the entire thing. To be honest, it's probably most appropriate as a textbook for a semester-long class in college. Alternatively, I suggest setting up yourself with a 6-month learning plan to read a section, then do all the exercises, then go to the next one.
Side gripe: Do authors of hardback books really need to include blank pages for the reader to doodle in? Who would do that? It would totally ruin the book. Brown isn't alone in this: the Sketchnote Handbook and others fall prey to this temptation. My suggestion: for the exercises, just instruct the reader to grab some scratch paper or a sketching pad to have beside the book.
May 10, 2020
I picked this as I am a keen, but useless doodler, and I thought it would be a fun read.
It is, but it is also much more than that and contains a highly creative approach to learning, recording and storing information. And it turns out I am not such a useless doodler - I just hadn't thought of my creative images as resonant points from meetings.
Lots of practical exercises contained in its pages (as you might expect), along with a progress measure to assess your development.
Eye-opening and really innovative thinking.
An easy and highly enjoyable read (and a new way of looking at things).
Great stuff.
It is, but it is also much more than that and contains a highly creative approach to learning, recording and storing information. And it turns out I am not such a useless doodler - I just hadn't thought of my creative images as resonant points from meetings.
Lots of practical exercises contained in its pages (as you might expect), along with a progress measure to assess your development.
Eye-opening and really innovative thinking.
An easy and highly enjoyable read (and a new way of looking at things).
Great stuff.
July 21, 2014
A bit heavy on the text, but there's some good information and tools in there. I skimmed through some parts in the beginning and skipped most of it, because I didn't find the writing style to be engaging or interesting so I just read the parts that seemed interesting. (Her main points are in a bigger red which is nice.) I wish the content was more doodle based than text based; it would've made more sense that way too.
March 15, 2014
I wanted to like this book, because I agree with the premise that visual literacy is lacking and also very important. Ultimately though, it was not for me. I actually felt like I was being 'talked to' and condescended, not inspired to pick up a pencil. I compared it with another doodle book, Craft-a-Doodle which I am buying and which had a much more fun vibe.
June 23, 2015
Blog review upcoming.
March 23, 2017
I like drawing on white boards. As an introvert, I often delay making comments during meetings. Sometimes I doodle in my note taking (which I've started to do more on paper, moving AWAY from Evernote, or OneNote or other online phone-based or laptop-based tools; more on this another day). This book has emboldened me to take my not-ready-for-prime-time doodles and put them up in public (or at least on white boards in committee meetings).
What I do like about meetings is hearing viewpoints, especially those well-thought-out points. I like noodling on them, considering alternatives, categorizing parallel conversations, and problem-solving in my head as the meeting progresses. I'm not one to jump in with both feet and steer things, as I like watching things evolve.
Sometimes meetings have a good leader, or a good participant, who will actively steer the conversation toward a concrete and productive resolution, and I am happy to keep quiet, and if it is a team-member, I give them kudos for a well-run and productive meeting.
Sometimes, we get together and the wheels threaten to come off the bus. People are arguing, stating points of view repeatedly, or adding new topics when existing discussions aren't even clear yet, and soon we have 4 or 5 buckets of discussion and we're talking past each other. I used to hate these meetings, which sometimes ended up with "seems like we need another meeting to resolve this." In recent years I've learned that I can step in, and make a summary statement, when I feel like most of the viewpoints have at least been initially aired. Then my favorite part begins.
"So, it seems like we have 4 buckets to discuss. First, the timeline for this change, second, that not all participants are in agreement, third that the software isn't really ready to handle 2 special conditions, and fourth that the proposed mobile version just does not work at present. Are there any other buckets I have not considered so far?" This usually shuts everyone up, while they consider that SOMEONE has been listening and not just yammering. I enjoy this. Then I play air-traffic control: "OK, so lets start with bucket 1 and defer the others for a moment. Can we agree that the timeline should have a kickoff on March 12? That part seems straightforward. OK?" And then parse the discussion down into buckets and walk through them one at a time. This works reasonably well.
Well, having read this DOODLE book, I find that we can kick this up a level. I do enjoy a good doodle when brainstorming at home, but this book is empowering, and breaks down doodling into component ideas. Practice shapes! Here are some ideas for organizing frameworks with convenient sketch-equivalents! How to draw a simple expressive face! how to draw a human and not be (too) embarrassed about it! How to represent lots of ideas visually! How to group and link ideas so that everyone can follow (or add their own ideas)!
So, now, I've taken to standing up during the middle of meetings and heading to the white board while others talk. I don't LIVE-SKETCH like I've seen YouTube videos do of important discussions, but I can sure draw and crudely illustrate my buckets. I've found that people start gesturing at the board during the rest of the meeting, that some get up and make additional helpful marks, and we can come up with better ideas with a shared vision. Only a few weeks into this change, and I can say it has made my work life better. Maybe even helped the organization.
CMIO's take: learn to Doodle. Use it. Enjoy it. Join the revolution. Clarity needs all the friends it can get.
What I do like about meetings is hearing viewpoints, especially those well-thought-out points. I like noodling on them, considering alternatives, categorizing parallel conversations, and problem-solving in my head as the meeting progresses. I'm not one to jump in with both feet and steer things, as I like watching things evolve.
Sometimes meetings have a good leader, or a good participant, who will actively steer the conversation toward a concrete and productive resolution, and I am happy to keep quiet, and if it is a team-member, I give them kudos for a well-run and productive meeting.
Sometimes, we get together and the wheels threaten to come off the bus. People are arguing, stating points of view repeatedly, or adding new topics when existing discussions aren't even clear yet, and soon we have 4 or 5 buckets of discussion and we're talking past each other. I used to hate these meetings, which sometimes ended up with "seems like we need another meeting to resolve this." In recent years I've learned that I can step in, and make a summary statement, when I feel like most of the viewpoints have at least been initially aired. Then my favorite part begins.
"So, it seems like we have 4 buckets to discuss. First, the timeline for this change, second, that not all participants are in agreement, third that the software isn't really ready to handle 2 special conditions, and fourth that the proposed mobile version just does not work at present. Are there any other buckets I have not considered so far?" This usually shuts everyone up, while they consider that SOMEONE has been listening and not just yammering. I enjoy this. Then I play air-traffic control: "OK, so lets start with bucket 1 and defer the others for a moment. Can we agree that the timeline should have a kickoff on March 12? That part seems straightforward. OK?" And then parse the discussion down into buckets and walk through them one at a time. This works reasonably well.
Well, having read this DOODLE book, I find that we can kick this up a level. I do enjoy a good doodle when brainstorming at home, but this book is empowering, and breaks down doodling into component ideas. Practice shapes! Here are some ideas for organizing frameworks with convenient sketch-equivalents! How to draw a simple expressive face! how to draw a human and not be (too) embarrassed about it! How to represent lots of ideas visually! How to group and link ideas so that everyone can follow (or add their own ideas)!
So, now, I've taken to standing up during the middle of meetings and heading to the white board while others talk. I don't LIVE-SKETCH like I've seen YouTube videos do of important discussions, but I can sure draw and crudely illustrate my buckets. I've found that people start gesturing at the board during the rest of the meeting, that some get up and make additional helpful marks, and we can come up with better ideas with a shared vision. Only a few weeks into this change, and I can say it has made my work life better. Maybe even helped the organization.
CMIO's take: learn to Doodle. Use it. Enjoy it. Join the revolution. Clarity needs all the friends it can get.
May 22, 2017
The Doodle Revolution: Unlock the Power to Think Differently by Sunni Brown
Sunni Brown dedicated her book The Doodle Revolution: Unlock the Power to Think Differently to those who gave her “courage, creativity, and compassion.” What a fitting tribute to a prankster, a thinker, a teacher, a voice, a martial artist, and a visionary! Since the world is filled with images, brands, and icons, visual language is appreciated by today’s learners. In an effort to dispel negative rumors about doodling, Brown makes the case for not only allowing drawing but also encouraging scribbling. For those who regarded doodling as wasteful or distracting, this book provides the significant impact visual language has on the ability to “identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate, and compute” various formats of print materials.
If you cannot draw, have never successfully completed an art course, or are not considered creative, you will learn how drawing can relax, inform, help retain information, and provide pictorial elements. Doodling can transform your thought process, increase comprehension, and help you maintain focus.
Defying stereotypes suggesting doodling is a “mindless” activity is one of book’s goals. Known as a changemaker, Brown’s guide immerses learning through “multiple modes.” Since infographics provide a wealth of details in a concise bundle, an “infodoodler” is encouraged to package illustrations in a memorable fashion.
The book’s format contains a clear and simple layout with black and red lettering in easy to read fonts. Pictures, drawings, examples, and flowcharts are pellucid. Individual and group games, activities, and assessments for personal or professional use enhance projects with mindmaps, flowcharts, and other visual explanations.
Customer service examples to avoid alienating people are brought to life with a process map, rather than an archaic lecture or convoluted directions. Group infodoodling can transform the manner in which people work, because it involves “curation, visual structures, and problem-solving techniques.” Dispelling myths and supplying examples prove these innovative and creative techniques magnify the perks of doodling. An empathy map focuses on the customer and supports social, emotional, and character development.
In a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) world, avoid only lateral thinking and expand your horizons with these best doodling practices. Doodling can spark conversation, ignite thought, stimulate innovation, and inspire visual storytelling. Assumption checks and continuums guide the reader who wishes to clarify preferences or understand a level of confidence. Feedback checking is more interactive than a checklist.
Whether you are or are not a scholar, inventor, designer, artist, educator, student, entrepreneur, financier, or comic book collector, you will find at least one section of this book valuable. Sunni Brown states, “Doodling is thinking in disguise!” If you wish to “survive and thrive” in the near future, consider applying one of these techniques in your personal or professional world. Alvin Toffler is revered for his vision, “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”
Carmaine Ternes
May 2017
Sunni Brown dedicated her book The Doodle Revolution: Unlock the Power to Think Differently to those who gave her “courage, creativity, and compassion.” What a fitting tribute to a prankster, a thinker, a teacher, a voice, a martial artist, and a visionary! Since the world is filled with images, brands, and icons, visual language is appreciated by today’s learners. In an effort to dispel negative rumors about doodling, Brown makes the case for not only allowing drawing but also encouraging scribbling. For those who regarded doodling as wasteful or distracting, this book provides the significant impact visual language has on the ability to “identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate, and compute” various formats of print materials.
If you cannot draw, have never successfully completed an art course, or are not considered creative, you will learn how drawing can relax, inform, help retain information, and provide pictorial elements. Doodling can transform your thought process, increase comprehension, and help you maintain focus.
Defying stereotypes suggesting doodling is a “mindless” activity is one of book’s goals. Known as a changemaker, Brown’s guide immerses learning through “multiple modes.” Since infographics provide a wealth of details in a concise bundle, an “infodoodler” is encouraged to package illustrations in a memorable fashion.
The book’s format contains a clear and simple layout with black and red lettering in easy to read fonts. Pictures, drawings, examples, and flowcharts are pellucid. Individual and group games, activities, and assessments for personal or professional use enhance projects with mindmaps, flowcharts, and other visual explanations.
Customer service examples to avoid alienating people are brought to life with a process map, rather than an archaic lecture or convoluted directions. Group infodoodling can transform the manner in which people work, because it involves “curation, visual structures, and problem-solving techniques.” Dispelling myths and supplying examples prove these innovative and creative techniques magnify the perks of doodling. An empathy map focuses on the customer and supports social, emotional, and character development.
In a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) world, avoid only lateral thinking and expand your horizons with these best doodling practices. Doodling can spark conversation, ignite thought, stimulate innovation, and inspire visual storytelling. Assumption checks and continuums guide the reader who wishes to clarify preferences or understand a level of confidence. Feedback checking is more interactive than a checklist.
Whether you are or are not a scholar, inventor, designer, artist, educator, student, entrepreneur, financier, or comic book collector, you will find at least one section of this book valuable. Sunni Brown states, “Doodling is thinking in disguise!” If you wish to “survive and thrive” in the near future, consider applying one of these techniques in your personal or professional world. Alvin Toffler is revered for his vision, “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”
Carmaine Ternes
May 2017
Read
September 22, 2021I came across this book on a friend's bookshelf and picked it up hoping it might help me wrap my mind around how to make better infographics. I am currently working with an organization as part of the communications team and one particular task I work on is social media graphics. Thankfully I have someone who can do the actual design while I just do the content, but I think having a better sense of how to organize and strip down content and show it visually might help me streamline the process for my graphic designer.
So, does this book succeed in that regard? Sort of. There's definitely worthwhile advice and ways of thinking about content here. But a lot of it is couched in this language and energy I can only characterize as "technobabble" even though that's not quite the right word. There's so much "we're going to revolutionize the world" and "let's disrupt" and "you're going to think differently after this" here. It's not untrue, but it reeks of start up culture and corporate culture. Brown's main goal is to get you to have better meetings by using these doodle notes. Again, not a bad goal since most meeting (my own included) are abysmal. But I think most of that messaging doesn't actually challenge any status quo and it won't shake up the world. I do think if she focused more on how to create good content no matter the context (instead of spending a third of the book on how to do it live during a meeting for other people) there would have been a lot more broad applicability of the book.
That being said, there is good stuff here. She talks about how visuals can help enhance understanding, boost interest, and help get your point across. She talks about how to distill content down to its core so you can focus on the message. And she assures you at every step that you can doodle no matter your opinion on your drawing ability. She also gives you space to try things out, make mistakes, and forge ahead despite the mistakes. It's probably not a book I will return to much if ever, but I think it did help me think about visually representing content more and balancing that with words and text.
Also, I was really turned off when she said "why ice cream makes your ass fat" in the context of an infographic she could but isn't going to make. While in theory this doesn't detract from the message of the book and she's not full on pushing fatphobia, I have an extremely low tolerance for encountering any wording around this. She could have chosen just about anything else to suggest making an infographic for and her editor could have suggested something else too, but they ran with this. Basically, she didn't have to say those words but she still chose to and I always side eye people when they say that kind of thing and can't let it go.
So, does this book succeed in that regard? Sort of. There's definitely worthwhile advice and ways of thinking about content here. But a lot of it is couched in this language and energy I can only characterize as "technobabble" even though that's not quite the right word. There's so much "we're going to revolutionize the world" and "let's disrupt" and "you're going to think differently after this" here. It's not untrue, but it reeks of start up culture and corporate culture. Brown's main goal is to get you to have better meetings by using these doodle notes. Again, not a bad goal since most meeting (my own included) are abysmal. But I think most of that messaging doesn't actually challenge any status quo and it won't shake up the world. I do think if she focused more on how to create good content no matter the context (instead of spending a third of the book on how to do it live during a meeting for other people) there would have been a lot more broad applicability of the book.
That being said, there is good stuff here. She talks about how visuals can help enhance understanding, boost interest, and help get your point across. She talks about how to distill content down to its core so you can focus on the message. And she assures you at every step that you can doodle no matter your opinion on your drawing ability. She also gives you space to try things out, make mistakes, and forge ahead despite the mistakes. It's probably not a book I will return to much if ever, but I think it did help me think about visually representing content more and balancing that with words and text.
Also, I was really turned off when she said "why ice cream makes your ass fat" in the context of an infographic she could but isn't going to make. While in theory this doesn't detract from the message of the book and she's not full on pushing fatphobia, I have an extremely low tolerance for encountering any wording around this. She could have chosen just about anything else to suggest making an infographic for and her editor could have suggested something else too, but they ran with this. Basically, she didn't have to say those words but she still chose to and I always side eye people when they say that kind of thing and can't let it go.
March 16, 2023
Det var en bra bok, fick mig att tänka på hur jag skriver och ritar hemma. Till exempel att jag och barnet tar oss tid att rita tillsammans och på tunnelbanan. Visa att jag värdesätter ritandet också.
Väldigt amerikansk bok, de viktiga personerna som återkommande tas upp är amerikanska presidenter och ett av de få foton som tas upp är en bild av en buss med "turistfart" på sidan, det var tydligen jättekonstigt. Jupp, på engelska är det speed och på norska fart och fart på engelska blir något jättejättekul. Där kände jag mig inte som målgruppen för boken direkt. Är man inte är bekant med begreppet false friends inom språk så känns det väl väldigt konstigt gissar jag.
(Skall erkännas att jag just har läst en romantisk sci-fi serie där de gör en stor sak av att alla konstiga aliens har så svårt att uttala de mänskliga tjejerna namn på korrekt sätt, alla är amerikaner. Mitt skandinaviska namn blir förvrängt så fort jag sätter en fot utanför hemlandet här på vårt lilla klot så det känns inte fullt lika exotiskt. Efter en hel radda böcker på samma tema är jag innerligt trött på hur "konstigt" det är när något inte blir exakt rätt på amerikansk engelska.)
Väldigt amerikansk bok, de viktiga personerna som återkommande tas upp är amerikanska presidenter och ett av de få foton som tas upp är en bild av en buss med "turistfart" på sidan, det var tydligen jättekonstigt. Jupp, på engelska är det speed och på norska fart och fart på engelska blir något jättejättekul. Där kände jag mig inte som målgruppen för boken direkt. Är man inte är bekant med begreppet false friends inom språk så känns det väl väldigt konstigt gissar jag.
(Skall erkännas att jag just har läst en romantisk sci-fi serie där de gör en stor sak av att alla konstiga aliens har så svårt att uttala de mänskliga tjejerna namn på korrekt sätt, alla är amerikaner. Mitt skandinaviska namn blir förvrängt så fort jag sätter en fot utanför hemlandet här på vårt lilla klot så det känns inte fullt lika exotiskt. Efter en hel radda böcker på samma tema är jag innerligt trött på hur "konstigt" det är när något inte blir exakt rätt på amerikansk engelska.)
November 19, 2025
I saw this book years ago and thought it sounded interesting. I've never been a doodler but I was interested in thinking differently and perhaps in engaging the more creative side of my brain. So this seemed like an interesting book and wondered how this would revolutionize doodling.
Brown goes over all aspects of doodling or sketchnoting. What it does to your brain, its uses, how you can doodle to help your learning, etc. There are also exercises and examples that the reader can try for themselves.
It was okay. Overall it felt a bit too wordy to be about doodling and less the visuals that might be more beneficial or to the point? I do not know if it really adds much beyond putting into words what maybe you've practiced in school or at work but not the why or how behind it.
If you're a creative type or are interested in the concept of sketchnoting, this might be a great book. If you're really just about doodling for fun but don't see it more as a way of taking notes or learning or processing information, this might be too much.
Bought as a bargain book and that was best for me.
Brown goes over all aspects of doodling or sketchnoting. What it does to your brain, its uses, how you can doodle to help your learning, etc. There are also exercises and examples that the reader can try for themselves.
It was okay. Overall it felt a bit too wordy to be about doodling and less the visuals that might be more beneficial or to the point? I do not know if it really adds much beyond putting into words what maybe you've practiced in school or at work but not the why or how behind it.
If you're a creative type or are interested in the concept of sketchnoting, this might be a great book. If you're really just about doodling for fun but don't see it more as a way of taking notes or learning or processing information, this might be too much.
Bought as a bargain book and that was best for me.
October 14, 2018
I've had this book for ages and am just now getting around to marking it as 'read'. It's wonderful. I highly recommend it not only to those of you in the business world, but to any creatives - especially those of you who, like me, have a dominant left brain. It has improved my ability to gently pry open the door to my right brain by expanding the amount of doodling and images I include in my mind mapping, bullet journaling, and brain dumps. People, this really works. I have a sketch pad and felt tip markers left over from my kids' school days. When I get stuck on something, I get out the pad and markers and go to work free associating ideas symbolically. This is a judgement-free zone, bc believe you me, I am a horrendous artist. But something about including the symbols frees up my mind to wander in new directions. I started by copying drawings, which the author recommends. Now I'm able to do some rudimentary sketches on my own as well. It's extraordinarily useful.
November 30, 2019
I'm ashamed to say this took me years to finish since I purchased this book years ago (April 26th was the day I decided to start re-reading it). The Doodle Revolution introduced me to infodoodling and the benefits of visualizing information, especially within the workplace and when solving difficult problems. I'm not sure when I'd have the opportunity to apply Sunni Brown's techniques and strategies since I work remotely, but if there'd ever be a chance to apply any of the infodoodle games and group activities, I'd jump at the chance with the book as my reference.
May 16, 2018
Great book that provides a handful of useful techniques for note-taking, infography creation and meeting moderation. It contains not only theory, but practical exercises. It has given me a new light on the power of visual language and it has sparked in me the need to use it at a personal level, professional level and even on my classes as a teacher. This is a book that will add real value to your daily life.
January 26, 2022
I thought that the first third was an unnecessary throat-clearing exercise of Sunni Brown trying to convince the reader that doodling was worthwhile. The middle I found at least marginally useful, as this was the section that described how to create what she calls “infodoodles”. The last third was irrelevant to me since I work alone and it described how to manage infodoodle-driven group exercises and meetings.
June 4, 2022
I don't normally cry and laugh out loud when reading the first few pages of a non-fiction book, but I did with this one.
Sunni Brown has written an extraordinary and potentially life-changing book about doodling as a key part of visual literacy.
She starts by negating the bad press that doodling so unfairly gets, and then explains how doodling - especially infodoodling - can unlock learning and creativity.
If you're a knowledge worker you need this book.
Sunni Brown has written an extraordinary and potentially life-changing book about doodling as a key part of visual literacy.
She starts by negating the bad press that doodling so unfairly gets, and then explains how doodling - especially infodoodling - can unlock learning and creativity.
If you're a knowledge worker you need this book.
October 22, 2016
Had a first quick read at this great book. During my Sustainable Strategy seminar, I was supposed to draw a map of the socio-economic system I was tackling for my assignment. As a very bad drawer, I was very kindly recommended this book by my Strategy teacher.
I loved it. I borrowed it from the local library but will buy it and use it during Christmas break to actually learn how to doodle my ideas and become more of a visual learner and thinker. A possibly life changing opus.
I loved it. I borrowed it from the local library but will buy it and use it during Christmas break to actually learn how to doodle my ideas and become more of a visual learner and thinker. A possibly life changing opus.
October 12, 2017
I thought the book had a lot of really dynamite ideas, but I think the author is operating from a false presumption of the reader's reluctance to believe her. I didn't need nearly as much convincing as there is at the beginning of this book. Really interesting stuff here for people who work with ideas and want to lead productive meetings.
January 28, 2017
A fun guide to the benefits of doodling while you work, and how this helps you to think through problems, issues and keep you on track. The book includes practical examples for individuals and teams. Could be a useful tool for those responsible for staff training days.
May 24, 2017
2.5
Not entirely good. I've read most of it but found it taking too long to just explain a single point. I guess some of the points were even intuitive that they don't need paragraphs of explanation. It was filled with useless words that were unnecessary.
Not entirely good. I've read most of it but found it taking too long to just explain a single point. I guess some of the points were even intuitive that they don't need paragraphs of explanation. It was filled with useless words that were unnecessary.
August 10, 2017
The good does a great job of selling you the infodoodle idea, teaching you how to doodle and teaching you different visual thinking techniques. I started trying it and meetings are more fun, people are more engaged, and I am upping my game. I wish I could draw a review...
May 1, 2018
Brown probably teaches a great seminar. She doesn't write such a great book. I think she just took her seminar outline and turned it into a book. A book and a seminar are different and should be approached differently.
June 1, 2019
The cover of this book grabbed my attention. The bright yellow and child-like doodled items made me assume that the book would be consistent with that theme. That was not so much the case. This book is written for students in post-secondary education and adults with office jobs. 'Infordoodling' is the term that the author has created to represent literacy in visual language, and the entire book devoted to gaining fluency in this.
Overall, the book contained pieces of several valuable skills and ideas that could greatly enhance traditional problem solving, note-taking and group brainstorming etc. The delivery was a bit drawn-out and the text very information dense and technical sounding, which made it challenging to get through.
Overall, the book contained pieces of several valuable skills and ideas that could greatly enhance traditional problem solving, note-taking and group brainstorming etc. The delivery was a bit drawn-out and the text very information dense and technical sounding, which made it challenging to get through.
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