Have you ever wondered how artists manage to have so many amazing ideas? Do you ever feel creatively stuck in your research, or feel overwhelmed by the enormous task of writing a thesis? Have you ever thought that your research might be more interesting if it was a little more ‘visual’? This course gives you a chance to do just that, because sketchbooks aren’t just for artists! They can be a really useful in many different kinds of research and can help structure ideas in a range of subject areas across the arts, humanities and social sciences. You don’t have to be an artist, or even any good at drawing, to use a sketchbook.
One useful way to think about sketchbooks is as creative journals – portable collections of inspiring ideas, images and references. They are wonderfully analogue and an ideal way to take a break away from the screen whilst still exploring your research, making the learning and research process more rewarding and inspiring. They allow you to explore ideas, help visualise your research, reflect on your own interests and experience, and be confident about your own unique approach to your subject.
This course comprises a pre-recorded video with a learning pack and a live workshop session and will focus on how sketchbook thinking can help you in your research. Through a series of case studies, discussions, and hands-on visual exercises, we will explore the possibilities for visual exploration and sketchbook thinking for your research.
By the end of this course you will be able to:
- Understand how thinking visually can open up different ways of engaging with your research
- Articulate and externalise your research ideas visually
- Understand critical approaches to visual learning and problem solving
- Gain valuable transferable skills in creative problem solving and applied visual thinking
Exploring your research visually through mixing word and image, in informal sketchbook writing, drawing and doodling allows you to think laterally about your subject. ‘Sketchbook thinking’ can help you in your research, even unblock your creativity and allow you to explore new ideas and research directions. Using the skills you learn in this course, you will be able to enter more fully into your research and maybe even release your inner artist whilst doing it!
Session 1: Thursday 13 May, 10.00am-12.30pm
Session 2: Friday 14 May, 10.00am-12.30pm
Pre-recorded elements (video introduction and learning resources pack) to be available from Monday 26 April.