Drawing on Knowledge

   This morning a friend & former coworker posted a link on my Facebook wall, saying that she saw this video and thought of me, because the cartoons helped cement the concepts in her brain. It got me thinking...
   My whole life I've remembered concepts better by drawing them. A pictorial link is an important trigger for our brains, and the abstract simplification in cartoons is very effective for memory. When I was learning Japanese, I practiced by drawing after each class:

   This is why if someone is drawing in a meeting, you shouldn't assume they're not paying attention. Studies show people who doodle can actually have significantly better recall of information... like, 30% better! Time magazine even reported on the findings a few years ago.    
   I should note that I did once get dinged in a performance review for drawing in meetings. Hallmark is funny that way... this is a passion point for me. The conflict between business minds and creative minds is real. It is tough to work with partners who do not understand or appreciate the differences in how people think or learn. Honestly, I chalk it up to jealousy. The ability to draw, to write, to do any form of imaginative creation is pretty cool. And while I could go get a business degree, I don't believe many business people would flourish in an art class. Sure, anyone can learn the principles of art. But there is an innate talent that can't be taught.
   I wouldn't trade my skills for anything. If I were a spreadsheet jockey I'd be jealous of creatives too.  ;)