Your methodology, with the tracing paper, works well for every type of viewer - those who like the in-depth review and those with short attention spans (ahem) who can scrub through the timeline and still pick up the salient points (thanks to the use of the orange highlight) 😉👍🏻
Beautiful and useful idea. Everything that works visually follows hidden rules that create balance or guide our eyes in specific directions. Hearing your analysis and observations on how others achieve this is truly fascinating.
Thank you for the kind words, Dario. It’s interesting how much I learned by doing it as well. You would think I would see the things, but as I get the tracing paper out and draw even more things appear to me!
I’m excited to do it live this Saturday to see how it works with an audience. :-)
This is SOOOO cool!! I love both Mike and Alan’s work, so this article was basically Christmas for me! Thank you both so much for your huge contributions to our amazing and ever-evolving field! :)
It is a very very good video Mike. The quality is top and the lenght is right!
Here my feedback
Q: Would you like to see this become a YouTube video series?
A: Yes, definitely!
Q: Alternately, what a live version at a monthly Sketchnote Lab Live Zoom session? I’d deconstruct a sketchnote (or two) while you all watch and ask questions as I work. Could be fun!
A: generally I'd say yes to this too but I already know that, as usual, something would come up and prevent me to attend :-D
Q: What do you think of the intro sequence?
A: I like it. However, if this will become a series, a shorter one (about 7 secs) would be probably better for the viewer that has already spent 5 to 10 seconds on ads and just want to get to the juicy part.
Q: Do you like the instrumental background music while I’m working?
A: Totally personal opinion: not super excited about it. After a while I find it annoying. In a video like this I believe you need to give us the "full-Mike" experience so, I'd love to hear the sound of the marker on the paper and the crackling of the paper rather that a repetitive background.
One vote yes, for a series! I love this, not only for sketch, noting help, but how applicable it is to other things we do. Digital whiteboard, design for teams, presentations, etc. The applications are limitless! Love the design of the video, the background music, and the whole vibe. It is calming yet informative and energizing. Just awesome. Cannot wait to see more.
Thanks so much for the feedback, Lisa! I’ve already got a few ideas for how to approach this series from your and other readers feedback. This is great!
The video is great and idea of using tracing paper as a teaching/learning tools is so good! I liked how you identified the individual visual elements and explained how they work together. Also was interested in your pointing out the the storytelling choices the artist made; i.e., chronological left to right in rows, showing a foreground and background action for each year, creating a central anchor. The video length was just right: it didn't feel rushed, and it didn't feel long. I'd definitely be interested in a series.
Thank you, Frances! I'm glad this works. I think it could be cool to record these while presenting to a live audience on Zoom, then edit that video for the YouTube version to double up the impact!
Vote yes for a series! 🙌🏼
Thanks, Meg Jane! I'm already cooking up my list of work to deconstruct. Did you feel the 15-minute length is about right? Shorter? Longer?
Your methodology, with the tracing paper, works well for every type of viewer - those who like the in-depth review and those with short attention spans (ahem) who can scrub through the timeline and still pick up the salient points (thanks to the use of the orange highlight) 😉👍🏻
Good deal. I have thought about maybe chaptering these, I'll ponder that idea.
Love this, Mike!!
Thanks, Matt! How do you feel about the 15-minute length?
I think it’s good. I think I listened on 2X speed which is how I watch/listen to most things. Content kept my attention.
I still have to watch the recording of last weekend. :)
Overloading you with good stuff! My job here is done!
Beautiful and useful idea. Everything that works visually follows hidden rules that create balance or guide our eyes in specific directions. Hearing your analysis and observations on how others achieve this is truly fascinating.
Thank you for the kind words, Dario. It’s interesting how much I learned by doing it as well. You would think I would see the things, but as I get the tracing paper out and draw even more things appear to me!
I’m excited to do it live this Saturday to see how it works with an audience. :-)
This is SOOOO cool!! I love both Mike and Alan’s work, so this article was basically Christmas for me! Thank you both so much for your huge contributions to our amazing and ever-evolving field! :)
Thank you, Alice! I’m so glad you like this. I’m planning to do more in the future. Maybe even some with Alan again!
It is a very very good video Mike. The quality is top and the lenght is right!
Here my feedback
Q: Would you like to see this become a YouTube video series?
A: Yes, definitely!
Q: Alternately, what a live version at a monthly Sketchnote Lab Live Zoom session? I’d deconstruct a sketchnote (or two) while you all watch and ask questions as I work. Could be fun!
A: generally I'd say yes to this too but I already know that, as usual, something would come up and prevent me to attend :-D
Q: What do you think of the intro sequence?
A: I like it. However, if this will become a series, a shorter one (about 7 secs) would be probably better for the viewer that has already spent 5 to 10 seconds on ads and just want to get to the juicy part.
Q: Do you like the instrumental background music while I’m working?
A: Totally personal opinion: not super excited about it. After a while I find it annoying. In a video like this I believe you need to give us the "full-Mike" experience so, I'd love to hear the sound of the marker on the paper and the crackling of the paper rather that a repetitive background.
I love the outtro and kudos to Landon! Great Job!
Good feedback. I am thinking of doing one or two live and then using the recordings to create the YouTube videos. More on that soon!
One vote yes, for a series! I love this, not only for sketch, noting help, but how applicable it is to other things we do. Digital whiteboard, design for teams, presentations, etc. The applications are limitless! Love the design of the video, the background music, and the whole vibe. It is calming yet informative and energizing. Just awesome. Cannot wait to see more.
Thanks so much for the feedback, Lisa! I’ve already got a few ideas for how to approach this series from your and other readers feedback. This is great!
Thanks for the detailed breakdown of Alan's sketchnote! I’m guessing he went with red because it’s the color of China’s flag. Keep them coming, Mike!
That’s a good guess, Steven. I’m going to ask Alan about it now!
The video is great and idea of using tracing paper as a teaching/learning tools is so good! I liked how you identified the individual visual elements and explained how they work together. Also was interested in your pointing out the the storytelling choices the artist made; i.e., chronological left to right in rows, showing a foreground and background action for each year, creating a central anchor. The video length was just right: it didn't feel rushed, and it didn't feel long. I'd definitely be interested in a series.
Thank you, Frances! I'm glad this works. I think it could be cool to record these while presenting to a live audience on Zoom, then edit that video for the YouTube version to double up the impact!