Doodling is usually portrayed as a mindless, unproductive way to pass time, but this is not the case anymore. Visual Communication has become increasingly important as a result of the constant flow of information we encounter from day to day. To really hone in on certain concepts,ideas, facts, and figures, we seek simplicity, not complexity. A business telling you what they can do for you means nothing, while a business showing you what they can do for makes an impact.

In a panel organized by Sunni Brown, a local Austin doodle enthusiast, the topic of discussion is visual communication and the power of sketching out ideas. The ability to send a message in a concise, effective way is an art, but this panel emphasizes the fact that you don’t have to be an artist to master it. Brown and her team of other visual communication specialists will teach attendees the tools to start thinking visually.

At a TEDx event held at University of Texas in Austin, Sunni Brown explains that “visualization is a broad field,” but she focuses on “graphic recording, which is a subset of the field.” The abundance of information and messages available to us create a need for visual note taking to better understand complex concepts. Brown says that visuals are important for four reasons:

• High levels of comprehension
• Increased retention
• Increased creativity
• “Ninja-level” listening skills

This video explains how high tech companies in Silicon Valley are going “low tech,” and using sticky notes, index cards, and whiteboards to engage their employees and promote creativity at the workplace. This is a process known as “gamestorming,” which is the title of a book written by Sunni Brown, Dave Gray, James Macanufo.