Why Drawing Still Matters — The Thursday Sketchbook Dispatch

 If you’re new here, welcome. This blog celebrates drawing—our oldest creative language. Each week I share stories and links about why it still matters, especially for those of us who design, dream, or teach through lines.

This week’s focus: how drawing strengthens memory, shapes empathy, and grounds us when screens dominate.

1. Drawing Doubles Recall — According to Research
Studies show that drawing information improves memory far more than writing or passive review. In experiments, participants who sketched words recalled nearly twice as many later as those who only wrote them.

Need to remember something? Better draw it
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160421133821.htm

2. The Science of Drawing & Memory
Why? Because drawing integrates visual, motor, and semantic coding to create a richer memory trace. That multimodal engagement seems to be behind what researchers call the “drawing effect.”

The science of drawing and memory
https://www.edutopia.org/article/science-drawing-and-memory/

3. Art for the Brain — Literally
A recent NPR feature explores how making art—drawing, painting, sculpting—can reduce stress, improve mood, and support mental health. It’s not just therapeutic; it’s neural nourishment.

How art therapy helps the brain
https://www.nprillinois.org/2025-05-15/how-art-therapy-helps-the-brain

Until next week—keep sketching, keep thinking, and keep proving that imagination still wins.

—James

P.S. If you’d like to draw along with me and other designers, you can learn more about my Live Draw-Along Workshop here:
https://www.ipadforarchitects.com/livecourse-YouTube

P.P.S. Know another designer who might enjoy these Thursday notes?

You can forward this email—or send them this week’s post here:

https://www.ipadforarchitects.com/blog/drawing-still-matters