What is doodling and why should you try it?

You’re in a meeting, pen in hand, and without even realising it, shapes appear on the pages of your notebook. Criss-cross lines, little characters, repetitive spirals…. This automatic habit has a name: doodling.

Doodling is far more than mindless scribbling, it stimulates creativity, boosts concentration, and can even be a precious aid to help structure your thought process. So, why should you and how can you make this a feature of your daily life?

 

Doodling refers to those spontaneous designs and drawings that we create without really thinking about it. In a corner of a page, on a Post-it note, on a paper napkin… Whatever you’re doodling on, the main point is the same: the pencil runs freely without seeking a perfect result.

Some doodles are simple designs that are endlessly repeated, such as arrows, curves, triangles, or stylised letters, while others might take the shape of expressive faces, shadowy outlines or even small scenes from daily life.

So much more than a distraction, doodle art is recognised for its cognitive and creative benefits. It is also an essential part of sketchnoting, the method that combines text and drawing to facilitate note-taking and present information in an intuitive way.

 

Doodling is a great way to unlock your imagination. Without any constraints or pressure, the mind can drift, and new ideas can easily emerge as your pencil runs over the paper.

From architects to designers to writers, many creative types use this technique to find sources of inspiration. It’s certainly no coincidence that some of the greatest innovations find their origins in a hastily doodled design.
 

Contrary to popular belief, doodling does not equate with absent-mindedness. A study by the University of Plymouth showed that people who doodle while actively listening retained 29% more information than those who weren’t doodling.

The reason for this is because the act of doodling keeps the brain active. Rather than blank out when faced with a torrent of information, the mind stays alert, which in turn helps with memorisation. Doodling is therefore a great way to focus and retain information.
 

A relaxing and stress-busting effect

Doodling requires neither sophisticated art supplies nor any kind of artistic talent. All you need is a pen, a pencil or a felt-tipped pen and a sheet of paper to start.
 

Rather than let your mind wander in the middle of a meeting, try doodling in your notebook. This will help you to assimilate what’s being said if you stick to simple designs (avoid doodling elaborate patterns that might distract you!).

Associating pictures and words makes it easier to memorise new information. A diagram is worth a thousand words! Sketchnoting is a very effective technique to organise your ideas and retain the most important points of a meeting or class.
 

Before you get down to a new task, try doodling for a few minutes. It’s an excellent way of setting your imagination free.
 

Need a breather between two tasks? Take a notebook and start an improvised doodle. All you’ll need is a few minutes to feel more relaxed.

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Doodling can be done with any pencil or pen but, as always, using the right instrument can enhance the experience and make it more comfortable. Here are some Caran d’Ache iconic products which are adapted to various types of doodling.

Before doodling with ink, some people prefer to do a preliminary sketch with a graphite pencil for a fluid and modifiable outline.
• Graphite Line pencils: available in different degrees of hardness, they allow for clear precise sketches that are easy to blend and fade.
• Technograph pencil leadsh: a versatile classic that slides easily over the paper.
• 849™ mechanical pencils: modern and practical, it combines the ease-of-use of a mechanical pencil and the smoothness of graphite.

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The rechargeable 849™ roller pen provides an intense and flexible writing experience which is perfect for precise and regular doodling.
 

Would you like to experiment with colour? Our felt-tipped pens and pencils are perfect for adding depth to your doodles.
• Fibralo™ fibre-tipped pens: these are perfect for playing with gradients as they contain water-soluble ink.
• Supracolor™ Aquarelle pencils: highly pigmented with easy-to-mix colours, these pencils will delight lovers of watercolour.
• Luminance 6901™ pencils: with ultra-high levels of pigment and high resistance to light, these are perfect for detailed, brightly coloured doodling.