Config 2024: From paper to pixels: why great ideas start on a napkin (Raphael Schaad)

Config 2024: From paper to pixels: why great ideas start on a napkin (Raphael Schaad)

Learn how the simple act of jotting ideas on paper can fuel creativity and innovation in the digital age, and how combining analog with digital can elevate your creative process.

Sep 3, 2024
Learn how the simple act of jotting ideas on paper can fuel creativity and innovation in the digital age, and how combining analog with digital can elevate your creative process.
Learn how the simple act of jotting ideas on paper can fuel creativity and innovation in the digital age, and how combining analog with digital can elevate your creative process.
  • Use Case: Using analog tools like notebooks to capture and preserve ideas, and enhancing their utility with digital tools like Figma for better organization and retrieval.
  • Tool: Physical notebooks (Field Notes), Figma for digitization.
  • Time for Learning: 5-10 minutes to start integrating analog note-taking with digital tools.

Video preview

Summary

In this engaging talk, the speaker emphasizes the enduring value of analog tools like paper and notebooks in the creative process, even in today's AI-driven world. He recounts how a simple field note captured at a pivotal moment became the foundation of his thesis and later inspired the creation of innovative software. The talk highlights the complementary strengths of analog and digital tools—using paper for ideation and Figma for execution. The speaker also shares a personal project where he digitized years of field notes into Figma, creating a searchable, organized "second brain" that blends the permanence of paper with the flexibility of digital tools.

Bear's Take

This video beautifully illustrates that even in an AI-dominated world, the simplicity and reliability of paper remain invaluable. It's a reminder that some of the best ideas start as quick, raw sketches or notes on paper. I'm personally inspired to scan my own notebooks and sketchbooks, laying them out in a Figma document to create a visual, searchable archive of my thoughts and ideas. This method bridges the gap between the analog and digital, making it easier to revisit and build on past ideas. 📓💡

What You’ll Learn

This content explores the unique value of analog tools in a digital era, particularly for creatives and designers. You'll learn why jotting down ideas on paper can be a powerful first step in the creative process, offering a distraction-free way to capture and develop thoughts. The speaker also discusses how to effectively merge analog and digital tools by scanning notebooks into Figma, transforming them into a searchable, organized repository of ideas. This hybrid approach not only preserves the spontaneity and depth of analog notes but also enhances them with digital functionalities, like search and annotation, potentially leading to greater creativity and efficiency.

Key Steps

  1. Capture Ideas Analog: Keep a small notebook with you to jot down ideas as they come, using pen and paper to free your thoughts from digital distractions.
  1. Digitize and Organize: Regularly scan your notes into a digital tool like Figma, arranging them on an infinite canvas where you can easily navigate through time.
  1. Enhance with Digital Tools: Use Figma’s capabilities to annotate, search, and build upon your scanned notes, effectively creating a "second brain" that aids in idea retrieval and development.
  1. Integrate and Iterate: Use the digitized notes in your creative workflow, integrating them with digital designs and iterating on them within Figma.

Next Step

  • Start a Notebook: Begin carrying a small notebook to capture your ideas and inspirations on the go.
  • Set Up a Digitization Routine: Choose a tool like Figma to digitize and organize your notes, and establish a routine for scanning and uploading them regularly.
  • Experiment with Integration: Explore ways to incorporate your analog notes into your digital creative process, such as using them as inspiration or direct inputs in design tools.

Links or Resources