Arrows!!! Let's talk about arrows
Not only an important part of my sketchnoting style: a fundamental tool for storytelling and problem solving too!
Arrows are so smart!
I’m pretty sure you already noticed how much I use arrows in my sketchnotes.
Someone may say that I’m using so much arrows just because I can’t draw a clear enough flow. He he he, well, sometimes they a “life saver”, particularly when I draw very dense and complex sketchnotes with a convoluted story.
History of the use of the Arrow Symbols
I knew… I knew that I’d have been disappointed, but I did it anyway.
I asked ChatGPT and Perplexity to tell me something about when the arrow symbols started to appeared in the drawings.
Honestly, I don’t find hard to believe this answer. However, I actually spent a lot of time surfing every website I could find in search of a meagre arrow but I didn’t find a single one.
In case you are curious (like me), here is a list of the resources I “religiously investigated”
Codex Atlanticus - Leonardo da Vinci
Astronomia Nova - Johannes Kepler
De humani corporis fabrica (Of the Structure of the Human Body) - Andreas Vesalius
If you know or find something, please let me know in the comments. That would be tremendously appreciated.
Ok, back to the arrows!
Arrows can Shape the Experience and Help to Think Clearly
I do believe that using arrows help significantly the reading and the overall usability of a drawing/map/sketchnote. An arrow does not need any additional knowledge to be interpreted, just follow it.
Have you noticed that I use different styles for my arrows? IIt's not an aesthetic choice or simple embellishment.
The xLontrax Arrows Code
Does this make sense to you? I found that an arrow has more that one function. By giving it a purpose I can add more informations and keep them understandable.
One last thing: the “Talking Arrows”
Never underestimate the power of a talking arrow.
Here a few ideas:
They make great stencils
They can be cool stamps (try masking tape printing)
Just draw them on a piece of masking tape and paste it somewhere (ethical vandalism)
Engage in some “Guerrilla Public Service”, perhaps
Try to make it the main element of your sketchnote and develop the rest around it
Give it a try! Using arrows is so satisfying, makes you think and brings clarity to your thoughts.
That’s it for this month!
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Until next time, take care and be happy!
Mauro
PS: a kind of Colophon
Just a few words about where you can find some of the things I do/did:
Really interesting, I tried to find more about the history of drawn arrows, most people mentioned physical arrows as the origin. The earliest example of them being used as we do today I could find is this image from 1316 document shared on Reddit by u/Quietuus.
https://www.iranicaonline.org/uploads/files/faresi1.jpg
Love this detailed outline of such an important element in visual communication. Well done!