A sketchnote of the Steve Jobs Stanford commencement address was created in the app Concepts on the iPad. Happy Spring! Here in Milwaukee, it’s rainy, but soon we’ll have warm weather. I can’t wait! While I’m waiting for the nicer weather, I’ve been enjoying the vector-based drawing app Concepts for sketchnoting. I love the flexibility of vectors. If you’re curious to try the tool, Concepts are offering you a 30-day trial of the Pro version. I’m working with Concepts to offer a sketchnote workshop showing how I use Concepts for sketchnotes. Sign up to be alerted when that happens at this sign ..read more

ON WEDNESDAY, I had a great time hanging out on Zoom with Andris Lagsdin, the creator and founder of Baking Steel. Mike’s sketchnote of a live dough-making session with Andris Lagsdin of Baking Steel. Andris made his signature 72-hour pizza dough while I sketchnoted his process — all live. You can see the finished sketchnoted above. 10% Discount on Baking Steel! Andris has created a special code for readers of the Rohdesign Weblog for 10% off a Baking Steel with the code STEELROHDE at bakingsteel.com at checkout! Video Session Replay You can watch the replay below, including the Q&A and t ..read more

This season with Jordan Love as the starting quarterback of the Green Bay Packers I decided to sketchnote every game of this historic season, win or lose, and capture the season visually. Each sketchnote is a little different as I experimented with concepts I have wanted to try out — and as it turns out, Jordan Love and the young Packers team found their way into the NFL Playoffs at the end of the season! I’ll add new Packers playoff game sketchnotes to the bottom of the page ..read more

An old church in Leiden, The Netherlands where I relaxed with a beer and a friend this summer. Autumn is here! This is my favorite time of year in Wisconsin, with leaves falling and crisp temperatures. Now I can wear my favorite hoodies and sweaters! If you’re down under, happy Summer! What’s in this issue? The Sketchnote Live Workshop Set is now available for $50. This includes all 3 of my in-depth workshops: lettering. layout, and icons, in one nice set! That’s 6 hours of teaching! Sketchnote Army Podcast season 14 is now underway with episodes released weekly on Tuesdays. Next Tuesday ..read more

Happy 2023! I hope the year has had a good start for you. Around here we’ve endured some pretty cold weather but today it’s warm-ish and sunny. That little sketch on yellow paper you see above was created by my 10-year old son, Landon. I just love that sketch! It’s a great reminder to me that the simplest of sketches can carry so much meaning and character. What’s in this issue? Announcing: Master Icons & Metaphors Live Workshops w/ earlybird pricing! Dario Paniagua and I are hosting 2 live workshops on icons and metaphors on March 11, 2023. You’re hearing about it first ..read more

Hello everyone, It is winter here in Wisconsin and I’m excited for Christmas! What’s in this issue? The Sketchnote Layout Live Workshop Video-on-Demand is available for pre-order at Vimeo.com and you get a 20% discount! See details for that discount down below. The Sketchnote Handbook turns 10 today and there’s a great 50% off deal to celebrate its birthday. Sketchnote Army Podcast season 12 is nearly done! But first, here are 5 cool things to check out: — Mike Rohde 5 Cool Things ❥ 1. Sketching as a safe space for your emotions Eleanor Beer provides a great article on using sketchin ..read more

Hello everyone! Fall is here! This is my favorite time of year for sure. Beautiful leaves, cool weather, crisp apples, and hot cups of coffee to start the day. What’s in this issue? The Sketchnote Handbook turns 10 this year and there’s a great 50% off deal to celebrate its birthday The Sketchnote Layout Live Workshop happens November 5 I have a PDF certificate for sketchnoters who struggle to draw Sketchnote Army Podcast season 12 is now underway But first, here are 5 cool things to check out: — Mike Rohde 5 Cool Things ❥ 1. How a sketch ..read more

In a recent private workshop, I had a new idea — what if I gave students of the Sketchnote Workshop a certificate that gave them the permission to “suck at drawing” while they learn drawing at their own pace? I created a certificate and it was a hit with students, so I’m offering it here as a PDF, for you, your students, or anyone who might enjoy it. Print out, add your name, and hang in a prominent location! Download your Certificate to Suck at Drawing right here ..read more

In December 2020, at the height of the pandemic, I ran a live, online workshop teaching my approach to lettering for sketchnoters. I had a blast sharing and I was honored to teach 200+ students that day in December! Now, I’m back to teach a NEW live workshop sharing my approach to layout in sketchnotes, designed for sketchnoters: Why layout? Because I’ve heard over and over that sketchnoters struggle with layouts every time they sketchnote. They ask: Which layout is the best one to use and when? How do I deal with too little or too much space? Why do some layouts work and others don’t ..read more

Hello friends, It’s been a busy summer here with all sorts of things happening here in my world, including travel, kitchen remodels and more. The Sketchnote Handbook turns 10 this year, I was interviewed for 3 podcasts this summer, Sketchnote Army Podcast season 11 wrapped up, and I’ll be giving a workshop on page layout at the Wild Wonder nature journaling conference this September. But first, here are 5 cool this to check out: — Mike Rohde 5 Cool Things Here are 5 cool things: ❥ 1. Lessons from Drawing a Chimpanzee, SimplyWatch as my friend G ..read more