Heart of Art: In Defense of Doodling
Some of the best ideas in the world started as a doodle. A swirl in the margins, a half-drawn face on a napkin, a scribble that was tossed in the trash after a meeting. The act of doodling however, capturing thoughts through a wandering hand, has changed the world.
The Nike swoosh was a quick sketch by graphic design student Carolyn Davidson in 1971, inspired by the movement of an athlete. Walt Disney, legend has it, first drew Mickey Mouse on a train ride in 1928, sketching a round-eared character that would become an empire. Before they ever took flight, the Wright brothers filled pages with doodles of wings and propellers, visualizing their impossible dream of human aviation.
Even words, when put to paper in a loose, spontaneous way, can reshape history. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech was refined in the margins as last-minute notes, underlined phrases, ideas forming and reforming as he spoke.
Somewhere along the way, we got the idea that doodling is for kids, or for people who aren’t paying attention, but doodling is proof that the brain is active, engaged and making connections in ways we don’t always recognize.
Doodling doesn’t demand results or efficiency. It has no deadline. It’s simply a moment where the mind and the hand wander together, and in that space—free from expectation—some of the best thinking happens.
Researchers have found that doodling can improve focus, boost memory, and enhance problem-solving skills. It’s a form of active listening, keeping part of the brain engaged so the rest can absorb and process information more effectively. Studies show that people who doodle while taking in new information recall 29% more than those who don’t.
Doodling also acts as a visual anchor for our thoughts. A simple sketch can trigger memories of an entire conversation. This is why visual note-taking methods, like mind mapping or sketch-noting are so effective. They tap into the brain’s natural ability to connect words with images, reinforcing understanding in ways that traditional notes don’t.
And yet, somewhere between childhood and adulthood, most of us stop doodling. Maybe a teacher scolded us for it. Maybe we decided we “weren’t good at art.” Maybe we just got too busy. But doodling isn’t even really about drawing. It’s about thinking.
Maybe we doodle again; we should scribble in the margins of our notebooks, draw loops while we’re on the phone or in a meeting, let our hands wander when we’re stuck on an idea. If nothing else, we remember that sometimes, the best things can happen when we stop trying so hard to make them perfect.
Amador County Arts Council was established in 1982 as the Designated Local Partner of the California Arts Council to catalyze arts, culture, and creativity for all peoples in Amador County. Visit our website to learn more: amadorarts.org.
Correction: In last week’s column, we incorrectly stated that MJ Martinez attends Amador High School. She is a student at Argonaut High School and the winner of the Amador County 2025 Poetry Out Loud competition. We regret the error.
