HOW Design Live 2024 may be over, but we’re still reveling in all the brilliant, energizing and inspiring takeaways we picked up last month in Denver.

Sure, we jotted down oodles of notes on-site—but so did Cal Brackin. And, well, we prefer his. Cal came to HDL from Westminster, CO, to sketchnote the show, and you no doubt saw some of his work in the halls and online. By day, Cal is a freelance designer and the founder of Design Good Works. By conference, he is a wildly talented documentarian who helps infuse all those rich takeaways with visual life.

What’s the key to a great sketchnote?

“Great speakers and storytellers,” he says. “Strong content that people can learn from and apply is the priority.”

Below, he tells us more—and all of his sketchnotes from HOW follow!

How do you decide which sessions to cover?

Selfishly first, then strategically. I start by picking sessions that personally interest me or align with my work. Then, I weigh the content and speakers to ensure balance. My goal is to create a diverse mix of topics, people and perspectives that can resonate with a broad audience. 

What is your process?

I work on an iPad Pro using Procreate. Before the conference, I prepare a template or two I can use for each speaker, including layers for text, drawings and backgrounds. I create a color palette based on the event’s branding and use a few preset brushes. I don’t research the speakers in advance, preferring to be in the moment.

At the event, I sit close to the speaker, snap a photo, insert it into the canvas, lower its opacity to 50%, and draw over it. I do this for a few reasons, but the biggest is vanity and wanting to represent people in a true yet pleasant way. I frame ideas in boxes, moving them around to create a visual flow. I tend to alternate between writing and drawing. For speakers who are expert storytellers and [experts] in their craft like those at HOW, I focus on capturing key points and the content before adding illustrations.

How much time does each session take to finish?

For HOW, sessions took longer because the speakers were outstanding and the content was packed. Each session took about 30-45 minutes during the talk, with another 30-60 minutes for post-production. At other events, I can often finish by the time the speaker steps off the stage.

Where do you draw influence for your illustrations?

I grew up drawing comics and was heavily influenced by Joe Sacco’s war journalism comics. You’ll see it in my use of framed text boxes and detailed drawings. I’m working on adopting more reductive, simpler forms to speed up my process.

How long have you been sketchnoting?

I’ve been sketchnoting for about eight years. I started while doing international development work, using sketchnotes to communicate across languages and cultures. Later, I integrated them into strategic communication projects, including a few conferences.

What sort of reactions did you get on-site at HOW?

It’s always fun to see people interact with my printed sketchnotes. I love hearing feedback—people often mention how approachable and easy to recall the big ideas are. I’m fascinated by what happens when someone takes a photo or downloads a sketchnote for later use or learning.

What’s it like when speakers comment on the work?

It is humbling when speakers comment positively on my work, but I’ve got them cornered, so I don’t expect critique unless I’ve drawn their portraits poorly. Positive comments are far from what motivates me to do these. The magic of shoving a drawing in front of someone, especially a drawing of them or about them, is that it immediately breaks down barriers. Power differences break down because that first interaction is less about “us” and how we can find alignment and more about the drawing. More genuine conversations start because there are new avenues for a conversation to go in instead of the tired routines of “what do you do,” blah, blah. It is a crazy method [and] I suggest people try it. Draw someone you’d like to speak with and show them the picture. It doesn’t need to be someone above you, either. I’ve used this method to chat with Mongolian nomads, cowboy poets and strangers on the street. In all my years and hundreds of interactions doing this with positive [results], I’ve only been told to F off once. You’ll have a good chat and be remembered and respected. Max Ottignon talked about the impact of using unique powers like this. 

Does this process take you out of the moment or enhance the session?

It absolutely enhances it. Sketchnoting forces me to process and absorb information in real time. I need to summarize it effectively in both words and visuals, which helps me internalize the content more deeply. Layering on illustrated metaphors that I need to make up makes it more impactful.

What was your favorite session at HOW Design Live 2024?

It’s impossible to choose just one. The quality of the speakers, storytelling techniques and sharpened content made this conference truly outstanding. I pinned up 11 sketchnotes on my corkboard to remind myself of the key takeaways. Each session had its own unique, inspiring insights that I’m eager to apply.

What was your favorite part of HOW overall this year?

Connecting with the speakers and attendees. The community is what truly inspires and brings out the best in me and my work.