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The Power of Sketchnoting: Personal and Professional Benefits

The Power of Sketchnoting: Personal and Professional Benefits 1200 900 ORTUS DRAWS

Sketchnotes can be an incredibly powerful tool in both everyday and professional life. By creating visual representations of ideas, concepts, and presentations, individuals can engage their creative thinking, retain information more effectively, and communicate more clearly. Whether it’s taking notes in a lecture or brainstorming new ideas at work, sketchnoting can help individuals to unlock their full potential and achieve success.

What is Sketchnoting?

Ortus Draws - Sample AWS Dassault Systemes

Sketchnoting is a technique that combines writing and drawing, and it can be used to record and remember information more effectively. Sketchnoters create quick visual notes that include pictures, symbols, and keywords. Sketchnoting is a great way to capture ideas quickly and easily. It can help you to stay focused and organized during meetings, and it can also be used to create visual presentations or reports.

Benefits of Sketchnoting in the Professional Realm

Sketchnotes can be used to help individuals set and achieve their personal goals. With visual drawings of their goals and the steps needed to achieve them, individuals can gain a greater sense of clarity and focus. This can help them to stay motivated and track their progress over time.

Ortus Draws - Event GIF - Virtual Events

Sketchnotes can also be a powerful tool for effective communication. By creating visual summaries of ideas, concepts, or presentations, individuals can convey information in a clear and engaging way. This can be particularly helpful in professional settings and virtual events, where presentations and reports can often be mundane and uninspiring, especially in today’s world where more are moving into virtual spaces.

Enhancing Learning Through Sketchnoting

Many students and professionals have reported success using sketchnotes to help them make notes, recall key points, and comprehend complex ideas. By creating visual representations of information, individuals can engage their visual and creative thinking, which can aid in solidifying learning.

Sketchnotes can also be a helpful tool for enhancing memory. By using colours, symbols, and other visual cues, individuals can create mental associations that can aid in easier recall of information. This can be particularly helpful for individuals with learning differences, such as dyslexia or ADHD.

Developing Creative Problem-Solving Skills

Sketchnoting can also be used to develop creative problem-solving skills. This note-taking method can help professionals to remember key information, develop creative solutions to problems, and remain engaged during long meetings or events. Sketchnoters can use pictures and symbols to visualise ideas and find new ways to approach problems.

By sketching out ideas and solutions, professionals can gain a better understanding of the problem and come up with innovative solutions. Sketchnoting can also help professionals to identify patterns and connections between ideas, which can lead to more creative solutions. Additionally, the visual nature of sketchnoting can help professionals to better remember the information and ideas they have come up with, making it easier to refer back to them in the future. By combining words and images in a visual format, individuals can unlock their creative potential and generate new ideas.

Mindfulness & Self-reflection

By creating visual representations of their thoughts and emotions, individuals can gain a greater understanding of their own mental states and develop strategies for coping with difficult emotions.

Sketchnotes can also be used as a tool for self-reflection and personal growth. By creating visual representations of their thoughts and experiences, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of their own beliefs, values, and behaviours. This can help them to identify areas for personal growth and work towards becoming their best selves.

Experiment with different techniques and find the best way you can apply sketchnoting in your daily life!

Contact us now!

Want to see it happen in real time? Why not have Ortus Draws listen in on your next virtual event or virtual conference? With a live illustrator present, you’ll have a concise, coherent, and colourful visual representation of the discussion ready to catch the eyes and engage viewers.


Ortus Draws is a live sketchnoting company that specialises in bringing ideas to life with creative and informative mind maps. Our sketchnotes capture the key points of virtual events, roundtables, webinars, discussions, conferences, presentations, pitches, interviews, and internal meetings. Are you looking for an illustrator for your event? Contact us now!

Ortus Draws - 3

Visualising Ideas in Virtual Spaces

Visualising Ideas in Virtual Spaces 1418 975 ORTUS DRAWS

Virtual events have become a ubiquitous part of our lives, as the pandemic has forced many organisations to adapt to remote working and virtual meetings. While virtual spaces offer a range of benefits, they also present new challenges, especially when it comes to presenting ideas and engaging audiences.

Visualise Ideas

Visualising ideas using visual thinking is an effective way to make virtual spaces more engaging. It can enhance communication by employing visual thinking techniques, such as creating diagrams, charts, and infographics, so participants can more easily understand and absorb information.

Visual thinking also helps to break down complex or abstract concepts into more digestible parts, making it easier for participants to grasp the overall picture. This can keep audiences engaged and interested in the topic being discussed, which is particularly important for virtual events where distractions can be abundant.

Additionally, visual thinking can create a shared understanding between participants, which can facilitate better communication and collaboration. When ideas are presented visually, participants can see and interact with them in a more tangible way, which can lead to more productive discussions
and better outcomes.

 Visual Notes

One way to incorporate visual thinking is through visual notes, also known as sketchnotes, which are a form of visual storytelling that helps to bring ideas to life. They are a combination of hand-drawn illustrations, symbols, and annotations that help to convey complex information in a clear and engaging manner. Visual notes are an ideal tool for virtual events, as they allow presenters to visualise their ideas that can be shared with attendees in real time.

Live Illustrations

Live illustrations are another powerful tool for visualising ideas in virtual spaces. They involve a professional illustrator who creates illustrations in real-time, in response to the speaker’s presentation.

The illustrations are then shared with the audience, either via screen sharing or in a digital format. This technique is particularly effective for presentations where the speaker wants to bring a story to life or explain a complex concept in a visual manner.

Ortus Draws - Sample AWS

When used in combination, visual notes and live illustrations can engage and inspire audiences in virtual events. They help to break up the monotony of long presentations and keep attendees’ attention focused on the speaker’s message. Moreover, the visual elements created during virtual events can be reused in other contexts, such as on websites, social media platforms, or in marketing materials.

Whether through visual notes or live illustrations, the use of visual elements can help to bring presentations to life and leave a lasting impression on attendees. By incorporating visual elements into your virtual events, you can elevate your presentations to the next level and make your ideas come to life.

Let’s visualise ideas for your next event! Why not have Ortus Draws listen in? With a live illustrator present, you’ll have a concise, coherent, and colourful visual representation of the discussion ready to catch the eyes and engage viewers.


Ortus Draws is a live sketchnoting company that specialises in bringing ideas to life with creative and informative mind maps. Our sketchnotes capture the key points of virtual events, roundtables, webinars, discussions, conferences, presentations, pitches, interviews, and internal meetings. Are you looking for an illustrator for your event? Contact us now!

Sharpening Your Memory: 7 Tips for Visual Note-Taking

Sharpening Your Memory: 7 Tips for Visual Note-Taking 1200 900 ORTUS DRAWS

Attending conferences, virtual events, and meetings can often result in a large amount of information being presented, making memory retention often a challenge. However, there are many ways to boost memory retention, and one of the most effective ways is through the use of visuals and visual notes.

Visual notes, also known as sketchnotes, are a great way to supplement traditional note-taking and help you retain information better. By incorporating images, symbols, and colours into your notes, you can make the information more memorable and easier to recall later on. By using visual notes, you can give your memory a boost and ensure that you retain the information for the long term.

7 visual note-taking tips to help you get started

1. start with an outline

An outline can be a useful first step when it comes to making visual notes. By creating a rough outline of the information you want to remember, you can organise your thoughts and plan your visual notes effectively. This helps you to focus on the key points and ensure that you get all the important details. An outline also helps to give structure to your visual notes, making them easier to understand and review later.

2. Use images and symbols

Symbols can help to represent complex ideas in a simple, easy-to-understand way, while images can help to add context and make the information more meaningful. By replacing words with images and symbols where possible, you can add a visual element to your notes that makes the information more engaging and easier to understand. 

3. COLOUR CODE

By using different colours to highlight important information and make connections between related concepts, you can make the information more memorable and easier to recall. This can be especially helpful when you’re trying to remember a large amount of information or when you’re trying to make connections between different pieces of information. The use of colours helps to create visual cues that can be easily recognised and remembered.

4. Make it personal

Personalising your visual notes can help reinforce the connections you make between different pieces of information, making it easier to recall. By incorporating your own experiences, thoughts, and feelings, you make the information more meaningful and memorable. This is because personalising your notes ties the information to your own experiences and emotions, making it more meaningful and memorable.

5. KEEP IT SIMPLE

Overloading your visual notes with too much information or too many details can be overwhelming and hinder your ability to retain the information. Instead, focus on the key points and aim to keep your notes simple and easy to understand. Straightforward visual notes can also be easier to review later on, as they highlight the most important information.

6. review regularly

Regular review is key to retaining information, and this applies to visual notes as well. By making time to review your visual notes regularly, either shortly after you take them or at set intervals, you can reinforce the connections you’ve made between different pieces of information and keep the information fresh in your mind. This can greatly enhance your ability to recall the information later on.

7. experiment

Everyone’s learning style is different, so feel free to experiment with different types of visual notes and find what works best for you. Try different symbols, images, and layouts until you find a method that helps you remember the information.

Whether you’re an employee, businessman, or student, incorporating visual notes into your note-taking routine can make a big difference in your ability to retain information. With the rise of virtual events, the use of visual notes has become increasingly important, allowing you to effectively capture and retain information from presentations, meetings, and conferences. So, try incorporating these visual note-taking tips into your routine and see the difference it makes in your ability to retain information.

contact us now!

Let’s bring some memory retention and colour to your next virtual event! Why not have Ortus Draws listen in? With a live illustrator present, you’ll have a concise, coherent, and colourful visual representation of the discussion ready to catch the eyes and engage viewers.


Ortus Draws is a live sketchnoting company that specialises in bringing ideas to life with creative and informative mind maps. Our sketchnotes capture the key points of virtual events, roundtables, webinars, discussions, conferences, presentations, pitches, interviews, and internal meetings. Are you looking for an illustrator for your event? Contact us now!

The Benefits of Using Live Illustration in Your Events

The Benefits of Using Live Illustration in Your Events 1200 900 ORTUS DRAWS

As the world slowly returns to normal, in-person events are making a comeback, driving the gradual decline in popularity of virtual events. Once seen as a convenient and cost-effective alternative to in-person events, they are now overshadowed by the appeal of meeting people face to face. 

However, live illustrations can help bring virtual events back to life and make them a relevant and valuable tool for event organisers. By adding a visual element and creating a more engaging experience for attendees, live illustrations add to the appeal of virtual events, making them more insightful and memorable. This creative approach to notetaking brings the virtual event format back to the forefront of the events space in a world that is slowly but surely returning to normal.

Incorporating a live illustrator into virtual events can bring numerous advantages!

Engagement

Live illustrations bring a new and innovative dimension to virtual events, offering a visual element that helps increase engagement by capturing the attention of attendees. Complex information can be presented in a simple and visually appealing manner, making it easier for attendees to understand and retain.

With live illustrations, virtual events can be transformed into interactive experiences that leave a lasting impression on attendees.

Interactivity

It can offer a fantastic opportunity for event organizers to create interactive experiences for attendees. By having a live illustrator on hand, attendees can participate in the event in a uniquely engaging way. For instance, attendees can make suggestions and watch as they are transformed into illustrations in real time. This not only adds an extra layer of excitement to the event but also helps increase the level of engagement and interaction between attendees and the illustrator.

Break from the monotony

Virtual events can sometimes be lengthy and dull, causing attendees to lose interest and become disengaged. Live illustrations provide a much-needed break from the monotony of presentations and help keep attendees interested and entertained. By incorporating visually stimulating illustrations, virtual events can become
a more dynamic and engaging experience for attendees.

Increased Retention

People remember only 20% of what they read, but 80% of what they see. Studies have shown that people are more likely to remember information presented visually, making live illustrations a valuable tool for event organisers. By incorporating visually appealing illustrations, attendees can retain information better and recall it more easily after the event. This not only enhances the learning experience but also ensures that attendees get the most out of the virtual event. 

Memorable Experience

In a world where virtual events are becoming increasingly common, live illustrations can help set virtual events apart and provide a unique and memorable experience for attendees. These real-time illustrations are a creative and innovative way to make virtual events more impactful and memorable, ensuring that attendees leave with a positive and lasting impression.

Contact us now!

Let’s bring some colour to your next event! Why not have Ortus Draws listen in? With a live illustrator present, you’ll have a concise, coherent, and colourful visual representation of the discussion ready to catch the eyes and engage viewers.


Ortus Draws is a live sketchnoting company that specialises in bringing ideas to life with creative and informative mind maps. Our sketchnotes capture the key points of virtual events, roundtables, webinars, discussions, conferences, presentations, pitches, interviews, and internal meetings. Are you looking for an illustrator for your event? Contact us now!

Ortus Draws - 1

How to Utilise Live Illustration in Your Virtual Presentations

How to Utilise Live Illustration in Your Virtual Presentations 1440 730 ORTUS DRAWS

Virtual presentations have become a common occurrence in recent times due to the increase in remote work and online events. Although virtual events offer ease and versatility, they can also be tedious and monotonous. This results in what is now referred to as “Zoom fatigue”. But there is a way to make your virtual presentations more interesting and engaging!

What are live illustrations?

Ortus Draws - Sample Shield

Live illustrations are a form of visual storytelling that involves creating images in real time, making complex information more accessible and memorable. By incorporating live illustrations into your virtual presentations, you can help to combat Zoom fatigue and create an interactive experience for your audience. Live illustration is especially relevant in today’s world of virtual presentations, where the lack of in-person interaction can make it challenging to keep audiences engaged.

But, how is it done? An illustrator joins in on the virtual event, listens to the discussion, and illustrates it. Allowing the audience to visually understand the content being delivered. This can be done for workshops, presentations, or virtual roundtable discussions. With a live illustration, the illustrator will work alongside the presenter to capture the key points being discussed. This helps in making information easier for the audience to follow along and understand the content. You can even take it home as a visual souvenir!

One of the main benefits of live illustration is increased engagement. In a virtual setting, it can be easy for audiences to become distracted, especially if the presentation is lengthy or technical. The live illustration provides a visual element that keeps audiences focused on the content. It also helps break up the monotony of slides and text-based presentations, making the information more memorable.

How can you utilise IT?

There are several ways to incorporate live illustration into your virtual presentations:

  1. Hire an illustrator. The illustrator can create illustrations in real time, responding to the content being discussed and capturing the key points. This provides a visual representation of the information and helps to keep audiences engaged.
  1. Incorporate pre-created illustrations. If you’re unable to have an illustrator join your virtual presentation in real-time, you can still incorporate live illustration. Simply work with an illustrator to create illustrations in advance that you can incorporate into your slides or share as a separate document.
  1. Use illustration tools and software. Various tools and software available allow you to DIY or do it yourself to create illustrations in real time, including online whiteboards, digital sketchpads, and illustration software. These tools can be used to create live illustrations during your virtual presentation, providing a visual representation of the content.
Ortus Draws - 1

When it comes to incorporating live illustrations into your virtual presentations, the key is to find the approach that works best for you and your audience. Whether you hire an illustrator, incorporate pre-created illustrations, or use illustration tools and software, live illustration can help to increase engagement and make your virtual presentations more memorable and effective.

Contact us Now!

So, why not give a live illustration a try and see how it can bring your virtual presentations to life? Have Ortus Draws listen in on your next event! With a live illustrator present, you’ll have a concise, coherent, and colourful visual representation of the discussion ready to catch the eyes and engage viewers.


Ortus Draws is a live sketchnoting company that specialises in bringing ideas to life with creative and informative mind maps. Our sketchnotes capture the key points of virtual events, roundtables, webinars, discussions, conferences, presentations, pitches, interviews, and internal meetings. Are you looking for an illustrator for your event? Contact us now!

Bringing Ideas to Life: A Look into the Mind of the Creative Director of Ortus Draws

Bringing Ideas to Life: A Look into the Mind of the Creative Director of Ortus Draws 1200 900 ORTUS DRAWS
Ortus Draws Team - Ali

Meet Ali,
the Creative Director of Ortus Draws

Ali is a lover of bold and creative designs, the colour orange, and layered textures. When not on the hunt for a good sushi spot, you can find her looking for new and innovative ways to push the boundaries of design. She spearheaded the creation of Ortus Draws equipped with a strong background in Graphic Design, Brand Identity Development, and Concept Art Illustration. 

How did you end up working on Ortus Draws?

Ortus Draws - Sample RedHat Intel

My journey with Ortus Draws began at The Ortus Club. With a background in both Fine Arts and Performing Arts, I have always been very passionate about drawing and storytelling. So, when I saw a job opening as a Live Digital Illustrator for The Ortus Club, a knowledge-sharing company that runs events globally, I instantly knew it was for me. 

Our sketchnotes have been massively successful because they capture the essence of the conversation in a fun and playful way that helps the participants remember the conversation and keep them engaged. We’ve had countless clients and guests come up to us post-event praising the illustration and saying that they can’t wait for us to be a part of the next one.

So, as we were brainstorming new offerings for the year at The Ortus Club, this was the very obvious next step. I worked alongside Hannah, the Head of Marketing at The Ortus Club, to build on what we had and let Ortus Draws reach new heights as its own company.

What’s the most exciting part of Ortus Draws to you?

To be honest, I’m most excited to see how this company will grow and where it will go. There are so many possibilities, and with the rise of both virtual and hybrid events, more and more opportunities seem to appear each day. I also work with an exceptionally talented and creative team, so I’m very excited to see how their skills grow alongside the company.


Want to add some colour to your next event? Have Ortus Draws listen in! With a live illustrator present, you’ll have a concise, coherent, and colourful visual representation of the discussion ready to catch eyes and engage viewers.


Ortus Draws is a live sketchnoting company that specialises in bringing ideas to life with creative and informative mind maps. Our sketchnotes capture the key points of virtual events, roundtables, webinars, discussions, conferences, presentations, pitches, interviews, and internal meetings. Looking for an illustrator for your event? Contact us now!

Ortus Draws - Find out more!

Adding the Human Touch
to Virtual Events with Sketchnoting

Adding the Human Touch
to Virtual Events with Sketchnoting

1200 900 ORTUS DRAWS

Providing a convenient and cost-effective way to bring people together in a digital setting grew in popularity in the recent years and continues to do so. More virtual events have been hosted to provide this convenience and safety however, one of the challenges with virtual events is that they can sometimes feel impersonal and need more of the human touch which makes in-person events so engaging. But what if there was a way to bring a personalised and human touch to your virtual events? 

The answer lies in sketchnoting.

Ortus Draws - Mind map sample

What is sketchnoting?


Sketchnotes, also known as visual note-taking, involves using illustrations, symbols, and keywords to capture and communicate ideas and information. This technique is a powerful tool for adding a human touch to virtual events, making them more personalised and engaging. By creating visually appealing and easily understandable notes, you can help your audience stay focused and involved during your virtual event, even when they are participating from the comfort of their own homes.

But how?

One way of implementing sketchnotes is through a live illustrator. This means having an illustrator join in your virtual event and sketchnotes will be done live and in real-time while the virtual event is ongoing. This can be achieved through the use of digital tools such as graphics tablets, smartphones, or laptops. By sketching notes in real-time, attendees can actively engage with the content of the event and create a visual representation of the information as it is being presented. This can help to keep attendees focused, involved, and engaged, as well as provide a unique and personalised perspective on the event.

Ortus Draws - Illustrator

Why should you have sketchnotes?

Encouraging the use of sketchnoting in your events can also add an element of interactivity to the as attendees can share their notes with each other and provide feedback and insights. This can help to foster a sense of community and collaboration, even in a virtual setting. 

Furthermore, a benefit to having an illustrator provide sketchnotes to your event is that this becomes a souvenir for your virtual event attendees to take home. They can use the notes to reinforce their understanding and retention of the key information presented during the event. The visually appealing and easily understandable nature of sketchnotes can help attendees quickly recall important points and ideas.

They can also use the sketchnotes as a reference for future discussions and decision-making. The notes can serve as a useful reminder of the topics covered during the event and can be referred to at a later date to support further analysis and decision-making. 

Ortus Draws - Step-by-step

Lastly, the sketchnotes can be shared with colleagues, friends, and family to help spread the information and ideas covered during the virtual event. This can help to extend the reach and impact of the event, and can also serve as a testament to the attendee’s commitment to personal and professional development.

Sketchnoting not only adds a human touch to virtual events but also increases audience engagement and retention of information. It’s a great way to make virtual events more interactive and memorable. Incorporating Sketchnoting into virtual events is a great way to combat Zoom fatigue and bring a more personal and engaging element to the virtual event experience.

Ortus Draws - Contact us now!

WHERE CAN I GET SKETCHNOTES?

With that being said, let’s bring some colour to your events! Have a live illustrator sit in your events and have Ortus Draws help you create more engaging knowledge-sharing experiences.

Browse through our amazing illustrations to see how our pieces captivate audiences in a more practical and informative way. 

Contact us to book one of our talented illustrators to sketchnote your next event live!

Ortus Draws - Find out more!

Visual Note-Taking: The Complete Guide

Visual Note-Taking: The Complete Guide 6048 4024 ORTUS DRAWS

Have you heard of visual note-taking, and have you thought about trying it out yourself?

This guide will cover everything you need to know about visual note-taking, including its definition, the different mediums you can use, tips on how to get started, and the benefits of incorporating this technique into your note-taking routine.

Ortus Draws - Shield 2

What is visual note-taking?

Visual note-taking, also known as sketchnoting or graphic recording, is a method of creating visual notes to capture and communicate information in a more engaging and memorable way. It is a form of note-taking that uses illustrations, drawings, and symbols to represent information. Unlike traditional note-taking, which relies solely on text, visual note-taking combines text with visuals to create a more engaging and memorable representation of information. This approach can be used to capture notes from a variety of sources, including meetings, presentations, lectures, and workshops.

It encompasses a range of techniques, each with its own unique approach and purpose. One of the most popular forms of visual note-taking is mind mapping, which uses a central idea or concept and branches out to connect related ideas, concepts, and information. Mind maps help to organize information in a way that is easy to understand and can be a great tool for brainstorming, planning, and problem-solving. Another popular form of visual note-taking is graphic recording, which involves creating visual representations of information during events such as conferences, workshops, and meetings. Graphic recording helps to capture the key takeaways and ideas discussed and can be used as a reference or summary of the event.

These are just two examples of the many different forms of visual note-taking, each with its own unique approach and benefits. Whether you choose to use mind maps, graphic recording, or another form of visual note-taking, the goal is to capture information in a way that is memorable, engaging, and effective.

What do I need to take
visual notes?

There are many different mediums that can be used for visual note-taking, including paper, whiteboards, and digital tools. When it comes to paper, many visual note-takers prefer using dotted notebooks, which allow for more freedom in terms of placement and size of illustrations and text. For digital tools, there are many apps available, such as Microsoft OneNote, Evernote, and Procreate, which offer a variety of tools and features that are ideal for visual note-taking.

Do I have to be a good artist to do it?

Anyone can make visual notes! Getting started with it is easy, and it is a technique that anyone can learn. Here are some tips to help you get started:

  1. Start with a basic set of symbols and illustrations. Familiarize yourself with a few basic symbols and illustrations that can be used to represent different concepts, such as arrows, boxes, and icons.
  1. Practice, practice, practice. Visual note-taking is a skill that takes time to develop, so be sure to practice regularly. Try incorporating visual note-taking into your daily routine, such as taking notes during meetings or when reading a book.
  1. Experiment with different mediums. Experiment with different mediums to find the one that works best for you. This could include trying out different paper or digital tools, or experimenting with different styles of illustration and symbols.

There are many benefits to incorporating visual note-taking into your note-taking routine. Some of the benefits include:

  1. Increased engagement. Visual note-taking can help you stay engaged and focused during meetings, presentations, and lectures.
  1. Improved memory retention. Studies have shown that people remember information better when it is presented in a visual format, making visual note-taking an effective tool for improving memory retention.
  1. Increased creativity. Visual note-taking can help spark creativity and be a great way to capture ideas and inspiration.
  1. Better communication. Visual note-taking can help to communicate information more effectively, making it easier for others to understand and remember.

Where can I use it?

With its many benefits, there are many different scenarios where you can use visual note-taking in your daily life. Here are some examples:

  1. Taking notes during meetings. Using visual notes, it’s a great way to capture the key points and ideas discussed during meetings, making it easier to review and recall the information later.
  1. Recording lectures. Visual note-taking can be used to capture the most important information from lectures, making it easier to study and review the material later.
  1. Planning and brainstorming. Visual note-taking can be used as a tool for planning and brainstorming, allowing you to capture ideas and organize them in a visual format.
  1. Presenting information. Visual note-taking can be used as a tool for presenting information, making it easier for others to understand and retain the information.
  1. Virtual and In-person Events. Whether you take visual notes for yourself or hire an illustrator for your event, visual notes will help capture your event minutes and provide an engaging experience for you and your audience.

Whether you’re a student, a professional, or simply someone who loves to learn and organise information, visual note-taking can help you retain information more effectively, spark creativity, and communicate ideas more clearly. So why not give it a try and see how it can enhance your note-taking and information-management skills? Start with the basics, experiment with different mediums, and keep practising – you might be surprised at the results!


If you’re interested in seeing it happen in real time, have Ortus Draws listen in on your next event! With a live illustrator present, you’ll have a concise, coherent, and colourful visual representation of the discussion ready to catch the eyes and engage viewers.

Ortus Draws is a live sketchnoting company that specialises in bringing ideas to life with creative and informative mind maps. Our sketchnotes capture the key points of virtual events, roundtables, webinars, discussions, conferences, presentations, pitches, interviews, and internal meetings. Are you looking for an illustrator for your event? Contact us now!

3 Ways Visual Notes Promote Event Engagement
for Meetings & Conferences

3 Ways Visual Notes Promote Event Engagement
for Meetings & Conferences
1200 900 ORTUS DRAWS

The pandemic has greatly altered the way events are conducted, with many organisations turning to virtual platforms such as Zoom to host meetings, conferences, and social gatherings. While these virtual events have allowed people to stay connected and continue with their work and social lives during lockdowns and quarantine, they have also led to a phenomenon known as “Zoom fatigue.” Many people are experiencing burnout and, as a result, are seeking ways to mitigate its negative effects.

Here are three ways in which visual notes can help to enhance the attendee experience when it comes to virtual events and promote better engagement:

Active listening

Ortus Draws - Virtual event

One of the key benefits of visual notes is that they encourage active listening. Instead of just passively absorbing information, attendees are actively processing and summarising the information in their own words and images. This can help to increase comprehension and retention, as well as keep attendees engaged and focused.

Collaboration

Ortus Draws - In-person event

Visual notes can be used to facilitate collaboration and idea-sharing. By creating visual notes, attendees can work together to capture key points and ideas and explore new perspectives on the material. This can foster a sense of teamwork and community and can also lead to the generation of new ideas and solutions.

Review and retention

Ortus Draws - LinkedIn post mockup

They also provide a valuable resource for attendees to refer back to after the event. The visual elements help make the information more memorable, and the notes can be used as a tool for reviewing and refreshing knowledge after the event.


In addition to these benefits, visual notes can also be used as a form of storytelling, adding a personal touch to the event and making it more memorable. Visual notes can also be used to create a visual summary of the event and be shared on social media, making it more engaging and reader-friendly for both attendees and those who could not attend the event.

In conclusion, visual notes, or sketchnotes, are an effective way to promote engagement and understanding in meetings and conferences, and this applies to both virtual and in-person events. They take advantage of active listening, promote collaboration, and drive retention. They also add a creative and personal touch to the event and make it more memorable and accessible. So, next time you’re planning an event, consider incorporating visual note-taking to enhance the attendee experience and lessen the burden of Zoom fatigue for your attendees.


Want to add some colour to your next event? Have Ortus Draws listen in! With a live illustrator present, you’ll have a concise, coherent, and colourful visual representation of the discussion ready to catch eyes and engage viewers.


Ortus Draws is a live sketchnoting company that specialises in bringing ideas to life with creative and informative mind maps. Our sketchnotes capture the key points of virtual events, roundtables, webinars, discussions, conferences, presentations, pitches, interviews, and internal meetings. Looking for an illustrator for your event? Contact us now!

Ortus Draws - Find out more!

How to engage employees with visuals

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In today’s fast-paced corporate environment, slide decks filled with paragraphs and bullet points are no longer as effective as they once were. ‘Time is money,’ the adage goes. Spending additional precious minutes both putting together text-heavy presentations and making sense of them during and after meetings is now counterintuitive—even detrimental at times—to business growth.

To save time on curating and comprehending critical business insights while increasing employee engagement, organisations can leverage the visuals-driven power of sketchnoting. A modern approach to capturing and simplifying information during meetings and discussions, this technique involves creating visual representations of ideas. Such representations include diagrams, illustrations, and flowcharts, which are used to illustrate and simplify complex information.

Apart from developing more comprehensive insights, sketchnoting adds colour and flair to discussions and meetings. Capturing and keeping the attention of participants is crucial to any meeting, and business.com prescribes the use of engaging visuals during presentations. Higher focus leads to better learning, so if you’re looking to increase the chances of your workforce remembering all those comprehensive insights, sketchnotes are the way to go.

Ortus Draws - Event GIF - Virtual Events

By using visual notes (also called sketchnotes) during discussions, business leaders can foster a significantly more engaged culture of knowledge-sharing across their organisations. Sketchnotes enable discussion participants to take down notes quicker, understand information better, and retain important ideas for longer. Doing so will increase productivity across the board, further ensuring business success.

Another way is to use visuals to create instructional materials. For example, creating diagrams or flowcharts to explain a process or concept can help employees better understand and remember the flow and processes. This is particularly useful for employees who are visual learners but can be beneficial for all employees.

Ortus Draws - Drawing

Sketchnotes can also be used to create visual aids for team-building activities and brainstorming sessions. This can help employees collaborate more effectively and generate new and creative ideas.

In addition to their use in meetings, presentations and training, visual notes and sketchnotes can also be shared and stored electronically, allowing employees to refer back to them as needed. This can make information accessible and help bring future ideas to fruition.

Visual notes and sketchnotes can be a simple yet effective way to engage employees and make complex information more accessible and memorable. By incorporating visual notes and sketchnotes into meetings, presentations, instructional materials, and team-building activities, you can improve employee engagement and productivity—and have fun while doing so.


Looking for more tips for using live sketchnotes in your events? Check out Ortus Draws here. Take a look at some of their best illustrations to see how they breathe new life into live discussions.Interested in creating a more engaging knowledge-sharing experience of your own? Contact Ortus Draws to book one of their talented illustrators to sketchnote your next event live!