My Notebook “System”

It is less a “system” and more like a “collection” or a “compulsion.” Like Austin Kleon, I have landed on four different sizes for different purposes — all are used to organize my Monkey Mind! 🐒


My Pocket Notebook

When I was younger and hitchhiking around Europe — well before the age of the mobile phone — these little books were my lifeline!

Usually picked up at a drugstore in the school supply section.

Field Notes are designed and produced in Chicago (USA) and used for shopping lists, mobile scratch notes, measurements, addresses, quick to-do lists, and randomness.

I first learned about this from designer Aaron Draplin.

As Draplin says, “I am not writing this down to remember for the future; I am writing this down to remember now!”


My Commonplace Journal

Robert Southwell's Commonplace Book c. 1653

ABOVE: Robert Southwell's Commonplace Book, 1653

I was inspired by my grandfather, a geography professor, who wrote 3-4 lines of tiny pencil notes about his global travels using a 1960s blue essay book.

I later learned about the long tradition of the “commonplace diary,” a collection of daily stats, weather, body weight, quotes of the day, news headlines, and top daily 3-5 highlights.

Mine sits permanently on the kitchen bar, where I eat breakfast, drink coffee, and listen to the morning news.


My Bullet Journal/Sketchbook

ABOVE: Fresh vs. finished sketchbook.

This highly customizable, analog organization system uses a notebook to track tasks, schedule events, brainstorm ideas, and more.

Bullet Journals (bujo) use a combination of bullet points, symbols, and personal organization techniques.

People have gone super-deep on this technique!

But, I have evolved my even lazier version based on the Lazy Genius.

I started posting selective sketchnotes from lectures, podcasts, and conversations here.


Weekly Work Log

My one-glance view of the workweek.

I set it up on Sunday afternoon with a snapshot of the week’s meetings, projects, to-dos, business operations, etc.

The handwritten schedule keeps me looking at my phone or calendar app.

It is spiral-bound, so it lays flat. It sits next to my computer keyboard. I only need one page to keep me on track for the week.

  • SIZE: A5 or 5.8” x 8.3”

  • BRAND: Airship Notebooks, dotted ruling. Designed by architect Eric Reinholdt of 30X40 Design Workshop.

  • LINK: www.thirtybyforty.com/blank


NOTE: Because the company has me dialed in — and a dope monkey icon! — I have a ton of Howler Brothers stickers on all of my luggage and sketchbooks. This helps me track them in the clutter!!


peterdurand

Peter Durand is an artist, educator & visual facilitator based in Houston, Texas.

He is the founder of Alphachimp LLC, a visual facilitation company that helps clients understand and communicate complex systems visually. He is a leader in graphic facilitation and a professor at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law.

https://www.alphachimp.com/
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