Reading List: The Doodle Revolution

Professional “Infodoodler” and visual literacy advocate Sunni Brown wants to elevate the art of doodling to its rightful place as an essential component of literacy. Brown refutes the idea that doodling is a “mindless and unfocused” activity. In her lexicon, a doodle is visual note-taking and “spontaneous marks made to support thinking.” Infodoodling is the “most sophisticated form of doodling,” Brown writes in The Doodle Revolution. It’s a way of recording events graphically, by combining “words, shapes and images to represent text or auditory content.” Because humans are visual creatures, doodling—whether drawing stick figures or more intricate images—helps us organize our thoughts; improves focus, comprehension, recall and retention; and catalyzes creativity.

Brown’s defense of the doodle is convincing in this book packed with games, exercises and tools such as the Visual Alphabet, made up of 12 shapes and symbols that the most “helpless of artists” can use to draw anything. And even if you don’t participate in group doodling sessions or get hired to Infodoodle a company meeting or strategy session for Zappos or HomeAway—as Brown does—this creative, fun book will definitely help you get your doodle on.

by Sunni Brown

January
Portfolio/Penguin; $28.95