In the latest thinkerlabs podcast that went online yesterday Joe and I talk about our creative process, how we catalogue ideas and make connections between them.
Generally I use a big whiteboard in my office but lately I have been going old school and using a notebook again. There is something cool about the tactile sensation of pencil on paper. I like to represent my ideas visually so mind maps work better for me than lists. There are always lots of ideas swirling in my head and I like t be able to visually see how they connect.
Here’s an image from a page in the notebook I take with me everywhere.
Click the image for higher resolution
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That reminds me,
I’ve used a Palm to keep track of my whole life for the past few years and just at the beginning of 2007 I bought an agenda for my desk and have abandoned my palm. It’s so weird to use paper and pencil again. It feels wholesome somehow. And Desi can refer to it too… It’s nice.
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its obvious that you hate trees sir.
and are encouraging others to do the same…
who cares if they cut down the electron forest?
jae, do you use electron toilet paper?
If I could go back and bring one thing from home it would be my big sketchbook, when I was trying to skinny down my stuff to take to Africa I hastily left it behind, bringing along a much smaller version instead. When it comes to sketchbooks I’ve learned big is better: more room to grow your ideas.
Not only is there something about a pencil and paper, but also about a tactile record that you can go back to draw on, paste pictures, erase, be re-inspired by over and over again. A place to keep all your ideas together, to be reminded about your process, and the need to work things out. To pick up great ideas that didn’t work for you in the past, but are the potential key to your current problem.
Plus you can take it with you to a coffee shop. Try and do that with a whiteboard.
boyd, I’m not sure if that’s a subtle comment on the value of my writing
Jayme,
I love your big sketch book but it’s just too big. I could never carry that thing around with me everywhere.
BTW sorry to hear about your foot.