Do you keep a notebook of ideas and sketches? Apparently filming the contents of one’s moleskine notebook has become quite the phenomenon, and I find it fascinating to peek inside the creative mind of designers, illustrators and artists as I watch these videos. The City Notebook exhibition by Detour offers some of the most interesting notebooks I’ve seen.
So, do you carry around a notepad with you so it will be available when inspiration strikes? I find that having a pad of graph paper is perfect for my notebook, as it’s great for sketching logos and layouts, and also for just keeping a running list of post ideas for the various blogs I own or contribute to. I also have found that I’m more productive when writing a post if I sketch out all my ideas and write an outline on paper first. More on keeping a sketchbook at the excellent site of Jason Santa Maria.
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i have one. actually it’s more of a journal, and kind of a collection of journals with art and writing inside. it’s nice.
i see you’re on smashing’s list! http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2007/09/11/creative-favicons-tiny-artwork/
Hey! Cool! My first Smashing Magazine mention.
I have Moleskine Notebook for any ideas I have, because I know I’ll forget them next time I’m front of the computer. I always seem to come up with ideas when travelling, especially flying!
Jamie
Smashing Magazine have just been keeping the best until last.
I too have a notepad for ideas / sketches. It’s great to get outdoors, and the fresh air stimulates my mind, especially when I have a fantastic view to look out upon.
Moleskyne are like drugs! I’m addicted at the moment
I am a huge fan of the Moleskin Notebook. I have several, each with it’s own special purpose. Plus I give them away as gifts as well. Emma
I swear Randa, every time I have an idea for a post, or get one lined up in queue – you beat me to the punch!
I guess great minds really do think alike? I worked on one over the weekend about Moleskine “hacks”. Started it months ago and then forgot about it actually. It’s still unpublished at the moment.
Anyway I agree about keeping a running list of post ideas in a notebook. I do the same thing. Sometimes when I’m writing a post, it’ll trigger an idea for another, and scribbling something down in a notebook is so much quicker than clicking over to the Write panel just to get a title or intro idea down, and risk interrupting the flow of thought on the first article.
I’ve never actually outlined a post on paper, but that’s not a bad idea. So often I’m all over the map when I write, and I end up doing more revisions than I should probably have to.
I do carry a notebook with me in case I get an idea!
Too bad most of my ideas never become a reality…
They’re still cool to look back at though!
the notepad for me is used for a conversation with my girlfriend since she’s mute and even I am not, I prefer doing the same thing of writing my words just like she do.
Anyway, yeah, there are times that an idea will come into my mind and since I am not in front of my PC, I write them on my notepad.
I am addicted to notebooks. I allways come with ideas or I remember to do stuff and if I don’t write them I forget. My notebooks make me an organized person:)
I use my notepad exclusively for writing down and business ideas and such that come to mind during day to day living personally.
Occasionally I will doodle in it too
I have a tendency to lose my notebooks, and I also have the annoying tendency to be very particular about the neatness and the ‘perfect’ nature of it…
Yes, yes – I took my meds today.
The other side of your post – I actually discovered the stone age method of sketching and outlining with pencil and paper today. Strange how something so simple can make life so much easier.
PS – Do you have any tips for someone looking to formalize their design efforts under the umbrella of a company, also to allow for future expansion…
moleskin! love those! the leather. the cream pages. ahhhh….
i always have a notebook with me to sketch my ideas or just just to pen down random thoughts. although i lose them after a while, i have a few notebooks which lie around my house and i’ll just jot my ideas down to whichever notebook nearest to me.
I have several Moleskine notebooks and always have one with me. All the inane ideas and observations go into it. My latest post is right of of my notebook and Is canned the pages to add a picture to the post.
I even set up a second blog to post the crazier ideas that get scribbled in the notebook.
I like them because they are durable.
I’ve just recently bought a moleskin notebook. It’s rather costly here, but i love it. I just can’t put it down, I’ve been sketching in it every now and then. I’m keeping some a travel sketchbook of the places i visit.
I doesn’t have any habit to bring notebook around me even though i used to forget what i want to do for the nxt. I don’t have any habit to jot down anything into notebook except working stuff
I’m on about my 20th notebook now… I doubt I could function without it – for sketches, notes and there’s even a page or two that have replaced my need for a half decent memory.
Fortunately, everyone gets me new ones for my birthday, sort of a tradition now, and I present whoever gave me the empty book with it once it’s full for them to have a look through.
open my moleskin and you’ll see the other side of me….that’s what i was told. i use my moleskin for my visual diary, to record my inner thoughts and feelings..it’s kinda personal.
Yep, I carry notebooks…everywhere.
Mead, college ruled, spiral notebooks. I get them on sale for under 25 cents.
Moleskine is for suckers.
As Hugh McLeod says in “How to be Creative”,
“The more talented someone is, the less they need the props.”
http://www.gapingvoid.com/Moveable_Type/archives/000885.html
No moleskin, I just carry a regular old pad with me to jot down ideas as they come to me. Rip the pages out and use the ideas and then throw the paper away. Never really thought of getting something that would be more like a journal, I really just need something to write myself reminders :>)
Hey, where can i get moleskine notebooks? cuz i really want them!!! i like the size in your youtube thing..where did you get that one?
help please! i love em
tiff