Short-Stories Edition: Hands, Presentations and Codicis
Story 1: Do you really know your Hands? Story 2: The Takahashi-style presentations. Story 3: Mind blowing Codicis (plural of Codex)
Hi!
This time, rather than one topic, I have 3 things I’love to share with you. Hope you find them interesting.
A few months ago I shared this sketchnote:
A few weeks later I did practice drawing hands and I realized I do not know my hands!
Given that the hands are, with the brain, the most important tools for Creativity, that is incredible. So, I’d like to share 2 reflection prompts.
And another one. This truly drives me crazy.
Did it happen to you? Maybe something similar?
Please, let me know I’m not alone in the comments.
I literally found this by chances. Invented by Masayoshi Takahashi, It is a simple yet powerful style of presentation.
The enthusiasm of the novelty may trick you and, before going with this method, there are a few things you may consider.
That said, I truly believe that this has a lot of potential and I’ll adopt the method soon.
Here is a short example.
A Codex is an ancestor of the modern books. It is made of single sheets bound with different methods according to the age. The interesting part is that it could be an organized and consistent book as well as a collection of loose sheets about different topics.
I’m going to share 2 Codex you’ll love, I’m pretty sure.
Codex Seraphinianus
It is a modern Codex, created by the Artist and Architect Luigi Serafini. Published in 1981, is a fantastic and mysterious book, illustrated with gorgeous surreal drawing about science and life.
You definitely need to see some of those pages! As the book is currently on sale and it is not published digitally you can just search “Codex Seraphinianus” on Google Images . Alternatively, I created a Pinterest Collection with all of the pages posted there.
I’m seriously considering to buy the book.
Voynich Manuscript
Not as enjoyable as the Codex Seraphinianus, it is still extremely interesting and intriguing.
From Yale Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library website:
Many call the fifteenth-century codex, commonly known as the “Voynich Manuscript,” the world’s most mysterious book. Written in an unknown script by an unknown author, the manuscript has no clearer purpose now than when it was rediscovered in 1912 by rare books dealer Wilfrid Voynich.
I leave to you to dive deeper in the mystery and you can flip through the pages on the completely digitized online version.
A few links you may find interesting
This is a great tutorial for drawing hands : give it a try!
Paper Airplanes : another thing to do when you have just 5 minutes. So rewarding and fun.
I’m testing MyMind : they say ‘All your notes bookmarks inspiration articles and images in one single, private place.’ So far I think it is the best way to manage my sketchnotes because it makes them searchable. Seriuosly, you can search INSIDE the handwritten text.
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:
Loved this Mauro!
We definitely take our hands for granted, and we shouldn't! I do not know what they look like if I don't look at them 😅
I also loved the Takanashi method. I'm about to start building my startup pitch deck, so it was a great reminder to be concise but impactful 👏
Also, I just returned from Mexico where I saw codicis from the Mexicas and Mayas, so this mention felt quite serendipitous ☺️
I loved this article. Full of information and inspiration.
As a daily tradition I do look at my palms everyday I wake up and chant mantra. And often look at the creases on palm trying to decipher (palmistry !). But this article gave me a pointer towards observing body parts and that leads to being present. It felt like meditation. Just observe.
The other topic of Takahashi style looks great for a TEDx like presentation. It shifts a great amount of responsibility on the speaker to do an engaging storytelling. I believe if the speaker lacks verbal communication skills it can be made up using details in the slides. I would love to see this style in action for tech and finance presentations. And I will try this out myself !
On the topic of codex is the focus on how the pages come together or the content. I felt confused there.
Also thanks for sharing the tutorial on drawing hands.