UX Designer's Notebook
As a UX designer, note-taking is crucial to my process. Despite digital alternatives, I prefer pen and paper. Here's why:
A research study shows handwriting boosts memory and cognitive processing. Handwriting activates larger brain networks than typing, engaging areas like the hippocampus. This leads to deeper cognitive processing and improved recall. A study in Frontiers in Psychology supports this: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01810/full
Being a visual thinker, the physical act of writing and sketching helps me process ideas more thoroughly. I can quickly visualize concepts, map connections, and iterate on designs right on the page.
My daily notes include:
→ Action Items: To-do lists, follow-up tasks
→ Visual Thinking: Sketches, wireframes, user flows
→ Research Insights: User feedback, competitive analysis
→ Collaboration: Team ideas, stakeholder input
→ Project Context: Meeting notes, decision rationales
I capture not just what decisions were made, but why. This creates an external memory system, tracking idea evolution and design rationales. While digital tools like Notion are popular, I find the tactile experience irreplaceable. However, I'm considering adopting a hybrid method myself, combining the benefits of both traditional handwriting and digital tools.
I've shared my personal opinion and preferences in this post. As I continue exploring this topic, I plan to investigate various note-taking methods used by designers. I'm curious to learn whether they primarily use digital tools, prefer traditional pen and paper, or employ a hybrid approach combining both methods.