What is a visual journal and how might this type of journaling open possibilities for reflecting and documenting our experiences differently? Visual journaling is a form of journaling that combines visual and text-based mark making. It opens the possibilities for creatively processing experiences through arts-based ways of knowing and doing.
Visual journaling has been a part of my practice as an artist and teacher, and now as a researcher, for the past 15 years. Beginning a visual journaling practice takes some preparation, but the joy of this practice is well worth it. Visual journaling is a way to engage with ideas and inspirations in creative and artful way, extending thinking beyond words and into color, line, collage, printing, drawing, and more.
Getting started:
I would like to share some simple and easy approaches to getting a visual journal started and overcoming the blank page. To begin, find or make a notebook or sketchbook that you are excited to carry around with you. To prepare for visual journaling, you might also want to assemble some of your favorite materials.
What materials and tools inspire you to be creative and take risks?
You could select a special type of pen, set of watercolors, acrylic paint, stamps, markers, needle and thread, scraps of fabric, highlighters, post-its, scraps of paper, magazines, glue, tape, coffee, tea . . . bring what makes you happy to your workspace.
Some other materials and tools that are helpful to have if available: glue sticks and white glue, water cups for painting, brushes, scissors, etc. Sometimes journaling can get messy. You might want to have a dedicated workspace, or outdoor space, where you are free to get messy!
Dive into your visual journal and engage with your blank pages by:
Laying down colorful watercolor washes.
Freely drawing lines and mark making.
Creating a pocket to carry ideas and fragments of ideas for future pages.
Stitching lines or patterns onto your pages.
Printing with common household items such as erasers, bottlecaps, cut fruit and veggies.
Collaging magazine or scrap paper fragments.
The possibilities are endless. . .
Use these pages as starting places for new ideas and reflections on your daily experiences. From time to time, return to your pages and layer back into them with new reflections. Revisiting your pages will often spark new ideas and guides future iterations and explorations. Most of all, enjoy the process and take the time to engage deeply in materials and tools that inspire you to express yourself in new and exciting ways. I am often surprised at what emerges from my pages and resonates with me over time.
Visual Journaling in progress, mobile studio for journaling
Page spread from Tamryn McDermott’s research visual journal (2023)
Visual Journaling workshop with Livable Futures students in Fall 2023
