Sketchnote Army Podcast
Sketchnote Army Podcast

Sketchnote Army Podcast

Mike Rohde

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Episodes

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Mike Rohde interviews sketchnoters about tools, techniques, and their approach to the practice and craft of sketchnoting.

Recent Episodes

All The Tips - Season 17
NOV 25, 2025
All The Tips - Season 17
In this final episode of The Sketchnote Army Podcast season 17, we’ve compiled the tips from nine great visual thinkers into a single All The Tips episode. We hope these tips inspire and encourage you on your visual thinking journey. Happy Holidays!Hear tips from: Dan Roam, Katya Balakina, Nishant Jain, Cara Holland, Ted Schachtman, Lindsay Wilson, and Andrew Park.Sponsored by The Reflective Travel Sketchnote Workshop VideoHave you ever wanted to create travel sketchnotes from an experience you’ve had, just using the photos and memories you’ve got? In the Reflective Travel Sketchnote Workshop Video, I’ll guide you through my process for creating travel sketchnotes and then help you reflect on your own photos and memories so that you can make travel sketchnotes of your own trips, too!This 2-hour recorded video includes a set of downloadable, printable sketching templates and a process to kickstart your own travel sketchnoting practice. All this for just $20.https://rohdesign.com/travelBuy me a coffee!If you enjoy this episode of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, you can buy me a coffee at https://sketchnotearmy.com/buymeacoffeeRunning OrderIntroDan RoamKatya BalakinaNishant JainCara HollandTed SchachtmanLindsay WilsonAndrew ParkOutroLinksDan's websiteKatya’s LinkedInNishant's Sneaky Art newsletterCara's SubstackTed’s LinkedInLindsay’s Ink Factory Studio WebsiteAndrew’s Hairy Hand ProductionsCreditsProducer: Alec Pulianas Shownotes and transcripts: Esther OdoroTheme music: Jon SchiedermayerSubscribe to the Sketchnote Army PodcastYou can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.Support the PodcastTo support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde’s bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off!
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53 MIN
All The Tips Season 16
JAN 2, 2025
All The Tips Season 16
In this final episode of The Sketchnote Army Podcast season 16, we’ve compiled the tips from nine great visual thinkers into a single episode. We hope these tips inspire and encourage you on your visual thinking journey. Happy New Year!Tips from: Emily Mills, Joran Oppelt, Kelvy Bird, Javier Navarro, Blanche Ellis, Peter Durand, James Durno, Diana Ayoub, and Justin Hamacher.Sponsored by ConceptsThe Concepts Sketchnote Workshop video — a unique, FREE, hands-on workshop video where I show you how I use the Concepts app to create sketchnotes on an iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil.In this one-hour, eighteen-minute video, I cover: The Infinite Canvas as a sketchnoting power feature How vectors give you complete control of brushes and sizing as you create sketchnotes and How vector elements let you size and repurpose your drawings for ultimate flexibility.The workshop video includes answers to common questions about Concepts.Watch the workshop video for FREE at:https://rohdesign.com/conceptsBe sure to download the Concepts app at concepts.app and follow along with me during the workshop!Buy me a coffee!If you enjoy this episode of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, you can buy me a coffee at https://sketchnotearmy.com/buymeacoffeeRunning OrderIntroEmily MillsJoran OppeltKelvy BirdJavier NavarroBlanche EllisPeter DurandJames DurnoDiana AyoubJustin HamacherOutroLinksAmazon affiliate links support the Sketchnote Army Podcast.Emily’s websiteJoran on LinkedInKelvy's websiteJavier's websiteBlanche's websitePeter’s websiteJames' websiteDiana on LinkedInJustin on LinkedIn1. Emily’s TipsKeep on experimenting.Try something outside your practice but still creative.Be careful when sketchnoting becomes work then find something else to supplement that joy factor.2. Joran’s TipsOwn the problem.Break down the big thing into smaller digestible pieces.Ask for help.3. Kelvy’s TipsExperiment and try new tools/approaches.Preserve a sense of mystery and beauty in your work.Prioritize self-care both physically and mentally.4. Javier’s Tips Don't be obsessed with perfect illustrations. Work around your strengths. Improve your craft one step at a time. Ask clients a lot of questions before the onset of a project. Prep a lot. Always remember that it is all about the audience. Train your mind to be visual 24 hours.5. Blanche’s TipsTry different ways into the same activity.Keep experimenting to find your style.Keep a Sketchbook with you always.Only show the kind of work you want to do.Don't underestimate the background of being an entrepreneur as an artist.Appreciate the part that you do well.Drawing on public transport.6. Peter’s TipsCreate custom color palettes for each client/event.Manage self-negative talk and nerves through preparations and rituals.Approach your work as a gift to share rather than something to be self-conscious about.Being positive and supportive of each other's work.Look for inspiration from artists and eras that are not closely adjacent.7. James’ TipsSlow down to speed up.Abandon the idea of perfection. Practice, but practice makes proficient, not perfect.Learning the rules, principles, and elements of what makes a good art.Listening to understand.A drawing is not just what we intend it to be but also how it's understood. Make sure that we get it right in terms of what we pack into a drawing.8. Diana’s TipsJust doodle. Just let yourself go with the pen.Keep a sketchbook on you all the time.Talk to people. Find a community, a group of people who inspire and motivate you to think outside the box.Join the Think Visual Meet-up.9. Justin’s TipsDraw where you aren't conventionally permitted to do so. Push your boundaries of drawing. Have the easiest materials possible that you will use.Try to have you and your tools as close to each other as possible to develop that relationship and open those channels of expression and communication with yourself.CreditsProducer: Alec Pulianas Shownotes and transcripts: Esther OdoroTheme music: Jon SchiedermayerSubscribe to the Sketchnote Army PodcastYou can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source.Support the PodcastTo support the creation, production, and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde’s bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off!
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46 MIN
All The Tips - S15/E10
MAY 7, 2024
All The Tips - S15/E10
In this final episode of The Sketchnote Army Podcast season 15, we have compiled the tips from nine great visual thinkers into a single episode. We hope these tips will inspire and encourage you on your visual thinking journey.Sponsored by ConceptsThis episode of the Sketchnote Army Podcast is brought to you by Concepts, a perfect tool for sketchnoting, available on iOS, Windows, and Android.Concepts' vector-based drawing feature gives you the power to adjust your drawings — any time you like. You can nudge the curve of a line, swap out one brush for another, or change stroke thickness and color at any stage of your drawing — saving hours and hours of rework.Vectors provide clean, crisp, high-resolution output for your sketchnotes at any size you need — large or small. Never worry about fuzzy sketchnotes again.Concepts is a powerful, flexible tool that’s ideal for sketchnoting.SEARCH “Concepts” in your favorite app store to give it a try.Running OrderIntroMaggie AppletonAlejo PorrasAlina GutierrezPierpaolo BarresiClaire OhlenshlagerJimi HolstebroDeb AokiAlan ChenJulian Raul KücklichOutroLinksMaggie's WebsiteAlejo's WebsiteAlina's WebsiteYobi Scribes WebsiteClaire on InstagramJimi's Website for ArtDeb's WebsiteSh8peshifters websiteJulian's Website1. Maggie Appleton’s TipsExplore GIFs.Play with Midjourney or DALL E.Explore interactive essays or long-term visual essays.2. Alejo Porras’ TipsShow up consistently, be present, and care about what you do.Be kind to yourself.Be curious about people to learn how to make them feel appreciated and loved.3. Alina Gutierrez’s TipsPush yourself to try something new so it doesn't become boring.The more people are engaged with creating the visuals, the more impact it has on them.Give yourself grace if you are starting. Don't compare yourself with those who started way before you did.Give yourself realistic goals.Listen to a TED Talk or a podcast to try taking live notes. Challenge yourself to add new icons as you progress. Look for something you're not an expert in and take visual notes of that. Leave your comfort zone and get exposed to different tools. Find inspiration from other artist's work.Do the first line, even if it means signing your piece before you get started.4. Pierpaolo Barresi’s TipsHave fun.Do what you know.Give thanks.5. Claire Ohlenshlager’s TipsPractice because with practice, you develop your way of visual thinking. White spaces don't matter. It's not really about the tools, so don't go around buying a whole set. First, try it out before you invest in lots of tools that you are not going to use. Words will help you find the icons and the pictures. Metaphors will help sometimes.6. Jimi Holstebro’s TipsDon't limit yourself to gadgets.Just do it.Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse.It's not about being good at drawing. It's about conveying ideas.7. Deb Aoki’s TipsThink of drawing as a form of alphabet and writing system versus an artistic system.You don't need to learn how to draw everything in the world. Just the stuff in your world.Be visual with fun, low-stakes things.8. Alan Chen’s TipsAim for your creative minimum.Practice on paper more than on digital if you can.Try to link your habits.9. Julian Raul Kücklich’s TipsWork with shapes, mix them up, and find new ways of combining them.Shift from noun to verb. If you find it hard to draw something, it's often easier to draw a verb that goes with it.Always carry a pen and some thread. If you need to draw a large circle, that's the easiest way to make that happen.CreditsProducer: Alec PulianasShownotes and transcripts: Esther OdoroTheme music: Jon SchiedermayerSubscribe to the Sketchnote Army PodcastYou can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source.Support the PodcastTo support the creation, production and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde’s bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off!
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55 MIN
Season 14: All The Tips - S14/E10
JAN 2, 2024
Season 14: All The Tips - S14/E10
In this final episode of the Sketchnote Army Podcast season 14, we’ve gathered all the tips from 9 fantastic visual thinkers to inspire you!Sponsored by ConceptsThis episode of the Sketchnote Army Podcast is brought to you by Concepts, a perfect tool for sketchnoting, available on iOS, Windows, and Android.Concepts' vector-based drawing feature gives you the power to adjust your drawings — any time you like. You can nudge the curve of a line, swap out one brush for another, or change stroke thickness and color at any stage of your drawing — saving hours and hours of rework.Vectors provide clean, crisp, high-resolution output for your sketchnotes at any size you need — large or small. Never worry about fuzzy sketchnotes again.Concepts is a powerful, flexible tool that’s ideal for sketchnoting.SEARCH “Concepts” in your favorite app store to give it a try.Running OrderIntroDr. Bryan VartabedianIngrid LillJono HeyElizabeth ChesneyLuke KelvingtonLena PehrsRev Andy GrayAshton RodenheiserGary KopervasOutroLinksDr. Vartabedian’s 33 Charts NewsletterIngrid Lill’s WebsiteJono Hey’s Sketchplanations WebsiteElizabeth Chesney’s WebsiteLuke Kelvington on LinkedInLena Pehrs’ WebsiteRev Andy Gray’s WebsiteAshton Rodenhesier’s WebsiteGary Kopervas’ Website1. Dr. Bryan Vartabedian’s TipsBe Intentional.Look for a role model.Keep it simple, keep it clean.2. Ingrid Lill’s TipsMessage first. Use your drawing to communicate.Keep it simple.Experiment. Use your art on your everyday use.3. Jono Hey’s TipsThe first draft is always perfect.Keep it simple.Keep going.4. Elizabeth Chesney’s TipsThere is no standard.Create playbooks or scrapbooks of your work.Get away from your desk. Take a break.5. Luke Kelvington’s TipsPractice and take courses.Use tools to perfect your work.Share your projects.It's okay to wait to be inspired.6. Lena Pehrs’ TipsExplore metaphors by taking creative or poetry classes.Get good structure in your drawing.Try and change format.Have some fun.Play with children. Draw with them.7. Rev Andy Gray’s TipsPractice using long-form, business-based YouTube videos.Network with other people.Photograph your work and link to it.Practice the "Something about" technique.8. Ashton Rodenheiser’s TipsHowever you need to create it, do it.Cliches are okay.Don't get into the comparing mode.When you are intimidated, you can instead flip it and turn it into inspiration.Have clean nice letters.9. Gary Kopervas’ TipsDo something and share it.If you want to learn something, draw it because you have to process the information to understand it.Share your work with people who inspire you, you never know where all that interaction might lead.Get on someone else's radar.CreditsProducer: Alec PulianasShownotes and transcripts: Esther OdoroTheme music: Jon SchiedermayerSubscribe to the Sketchnote Army PodcastYou can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube or your favorite podcast listening source.Support the PodcastTo support the creation, production and hosting of the Sketchnote Army Podcast, buy one of Mike Rohde’s bestselling books. Use code ROHDE40 at Peachpit.com for 40% off!
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54 MIN