πŸ“¬ Sketch Academy: What's coming + updated tools guide!


Hi Reader,

In today's Issue:

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Survey Results: What's coming next + Poll

Community member sketch: Florie Enders

Events + Updates:

  • Workshop: Sketchnoting using Adobe Fresco + iPad workshops
  • Free workshop on client expectations

People I think you'd like: David Drazil

What I've been up to: Alt Summit, Updated sketchnoting tools guide!


✍️ Sketchnoting Survey Feedback
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Thank you!!

2 weeks ago I sent out a short survey asking for your feedback about sketchnoting courses and how you like to learn, and your feedback has been SO helpful. Here are the big themes shared by the majority in the survey:

  • Time & Consistency: People are struggling to find time to practice regularly and need discipline or motivation to maintain a routine. They want accountability or structured practice.
  • Layout: People have difficulty doing a complete sketchnote. They're not sure how to plan a page, structure, or layout and then execute on that plan.
  • Drawing: People feel limited in their ability to draw, don't know how to develop a visual library, and feel insecure about their skill level.
  • Overall, people are on tight budgets and have limited time to invest. You're not confident you'd be able to finish a long online course (as I suspected!).

Your feedback gave me great direction, and here's what I'm thinking of offering next:

  • Sketchnoting zoom workshops: Online workshops about 2-3 hours in length. These workshops would likely be geared towards specific sketchnoting experience levels (ex 101, 201, 301, etc.) and would teach and have time to address any questions. This is something you'd show up to live.
  • Sketchnoting Jumpstart: A self-paced mini course to help you overcome hesitations, get started with basic skills and practices, and teach basic sketchnoting and drawing skills. This is something you'd buy and do on your own time.
  • Bring back "Build a Daily Sketching Habit:" "Build a Daily Sketching Habit" was a 30-day cohort program where you were emailed tips, inspiration, and 3 daily prompts to draw. I want to bring this program back in a format so anyone can join this challenge at any time. If you like and finish the program, then perhaps my next idea below would be a good next step!
  • Sketch Academy Membership: I'd like to offer a low-cost monthly membership ($20-ish) for people who want to connect with other sketchnoters/drawers and learn consistently over time. I'm envisioning this membership to have drawing prompts for each month, exclusive live zoom classes and tutorials, and Q&A with me.

If you have any other thoughts about these offerings and want to share with me directly, feel free to hit reply! :) I'm a real person and do my best to respond to everyone.

Inspiring Sketch

Today's sketch comes from Florie Enders! Want me to feature your sketchnote? Fill out this quick form!


News + Updates

FREE Workhop | Registration open!

Sketchnoting using Adobe Fresco

iPad for Architects & Designers 2025

I'm one of 20+ instructors teaching a workshop at this online summit centered around the iPad! The workshop is free to watch live, but you can buy an All Access Pass to keep all video recordings after the event once you register. Price increases once the event starts!


Free workshop on March 26th

Define the Relationship

Setting Client Expectations

I'm co-teaching a workshop with my friends Brian Tarallo and Chris Cushing through NOVA Scribes, where we'll run through discovery conversations and learn how to set client expectations at the very beginning.

This free workshop is geared towards visual practitioners, but the lessons apply to anyone freelancing or running a services business.


People I think you'd like

Image for Hi, I'm David - an architect who loves to sketch!

Hi, I'm David - an architect who loves to sketch!

Sketch Like an Architect

If you want to improve your analog or digital sketching skill, join the 52k+ Sketch Like an Architect tribe and be the first to know about new resources, free workshops, Youtube videos, and more!

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What I've Been Up To

Alt Summit

I recently attended Alt Summit, a conference for creative women entrepreneurs in Palm Springs.

I went alone not knowing anyone, but ended up having a good time and connecting with some awesome ladies.

It was also nice to leave snowy Bend and get some sunshine and warmth!

I updated my tools guide!

I just updated my free PDF outlining my favorite sketchnoting tools to version 2.0!

The easiest way to tell if you have the new version is if you have a green cover. If your copy's cover is blue, it's old!

Get it for free here!

(p.s.If you've already signed up to get it, just log in and download the updated file!)

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Take care for now, and happy sketching!

Emily Mills
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Founder of Sketch Academy