How to Draw in Notion

Drawing in Notion might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of this productivity tool, but it's possible. Quite handy. Whether you're looking to add a personal touch to your notes or visually brainstorm ideas, drawing can be an excellent way to express creativity. Let's explore how you can incorporate drawing into your Notion workspace and make it a part of your workflow.

Why Draw in Notion?

Before we get into the how-tos, let's talk about why you'd want to draw in Notion. Notion is a dynamic tool used for different purposes, from note-taking to project management. However, adding drawings can bring a fresh layer of creativity and personalization to your workspace. Here are a few reasons why drawing in Notion is beneficial:

• Visual Learning: If you're a visual learner, sketches can help you understand and retain information better. Drawing diagrams, mind maps, or doodles can make complex ideas more digestible.
• Creative Expression: Sometimes words alone can't express what you're trying to convey. A drawing can add that extra flair or clarity, especially in brainstorming sessions or creative projects.
• Enhanced Note-Taking: Adding images or sketches to your notes can make them more engaging and memorable. Plus, it breaks the monotony of text-heavy pages.

Interestingly enough, while Notion doesn't have a built-in drawing tool, there are creative workarounds you can use. Let's get into some methods you can employ to draw in Notion.

Using Third-Party Drawing Tools

Since Notion itself doesn't offer drawing tools, your first option is to use a third-party app to create your drawings. These apps often have more features and flexibility than a built-in tool might provide. Once you've created your masterpiece, it's a simple matter of importing it into Notion. Here's how this can be done:

Choosing Your Tool

There are many drawing apps you can choose from, each with its unique features. Some popular choices include:

• Procreate (iOS): Known for its robust features and user-friendly interface, Procreate is perfect for digital artists.
• Autodesk SketchBook (iOS/Android): A free app that offers a realistic drawing experience with a variety of brushes and tools.
• Microsoft OneNote (Windows): While primarily a note-taking app, OneNote has a built-in drawing feature that's quite handy.

Importing Your Drawing

Once you've created your drawing, you can easily import it into Notion:

1. Save the Drawing: Make sure your drawing is saved as an image file, such as PNG or JPEG.
2. Open Notion: Navigate to the page where you want the drawing to appear.
3. Drag and Drop: Simply drag the image file into your Notion page. You can also use the "Upload" option by typing /image in Notion and selecting your file.

And there you have it. A seamless way to incorporate detailed and vibrant drawings into your Notion pages!

Using Notion's Database and Gallery View

While Notion might not support freehand drawing directly, you can still get creative using its database features, like the Gallery View. This feature allows you to organize and display images in a visually appealing format.

Setting Up a Gallery

Here's a step-by-step on how to set up a gallery to display your drawings:

1. Create a New Database: On your Notion page, type /gallery and select "Gallery - Inline" to create a new gallery database.
2. Add a Title: Give your gallery a meaningful title that reflects the theme of your drawings.
3. Upload Images: Click "New" to add a new entry, then upload your drawing as an image. Repeat this step for each piece you want to include.

By organizing your drawings into a gallery, you give them a polished look and make it easier to browse through your work.

Incorporating Drawings in Templates

Templates in Notion can be a great way to streamline your workflow. You can create custom templates that include placeholders for your drawings, ensuring you always have a spot for your artistic expressions.

Creating a Custom Template

Follow these steps to create a template with space for your drawings:

1. Open a New Page: Start by creating a new page in Notion.
2. Design Your Layout: Use text, headings, and other Notion blocks to design your template. Leave space where you'd like your drawings to go.
3. Save as Template: Once your layout is ready, click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select "Save as Template."

Now, whenever you need to use this layout, just select your template, and you'll have a ready-made spot for your drawings.

Embedding Online Drawing Tools

Another clever workaround is embedding online drawing tools directly into your Notion page. This way, you can sketch directly within Notion, albeit with some limitations.

Using Tools like Excalidraw

Excalidraw is a popular choice for embedding a drawing tool. Here's how you can set it up:

1. Go to Excalidraw: Visit the Excalidraw website and create a board.
2. Copy the Shareable Link: Once your board is ready, copy the link that allows you to embed or share it.
3. Embed in Notion: Go to your Notion page, type /embed, and paste the Excalidraw link. This will create an embedded version of your drawing board right in Notion!

This method is excellent for quick sketches or collaborative projects where multiple people might want to contribute.

Using Notion's Inline Math Feature for Technical Drawings

If you're looking to include more technical drawings, such as mathematical formulas or diagrams, Notion's inline math features can be surprisingly useful.

Creating Technical Drawings

Here's how you can create a technical drawing using Notion's math features:

• Inline Math: Use LaTeX, a typesetting system, to create mathematical notations. You can type /math to bring up the inline math editor in Notion.
• Complex Diagrams: For more complex diagrams, you might want to use an external tool, create the image, and then import it, as discussed earlier.

While this method might not offer freehand drawing, it's perfect for precise and structured visual representations.

Collaborating on Drawings

One of Notion's strengths is its collaborative features, which can be extended to drawings as well. Whether you're working on a team project or brainstorming with friends, there are ways to incorporate drawing into your collaborative efforts.

Sharing and Collaborating

Collaborating on drawings in Notion involves a few straightforward steps:

1. Share the Page: Use Notion's sharing options to invite collaborators to your page.
2. Use Comments: Collaborators can leave comments on drawings, offering feedback or suggestions.
3. Embed Collaborative Tools: As mentioned, embedding tools like Excalidraw allows multiple people to work on a drawing simultaneously.

Drawing collaboratively can turn into a fun and productive activity, enhancing your team's creativity and communication.

Spell and Notion: A Winning Combination

While Notion is a fantastic tool for organizing your thoughts and projects, sometimes you need a little extra help in creating documents quickly. That's where Spell comes into play. Think of Spell as your smart assistant that helps you draft documents in seconds.

Imagine you're working on a project in Notion that requires detailed documentation. Spell can generate a high-quality draft, saving you time and ensuring a polished result. You can then incorporate your drawings and other Notion elements to create a comprehensive document that's both informative and visually appealing.

So, while Notion handles the organization and creative aspects, Spell takes care of the heavy lifting when it comes to writing, making them a perfect pair for your productivity needs.

Final Thoughts

Drawing in Notion might not be straightforward, but with a bit of creativity, you can incorporate sketches and diagrams into your workspace. Whether you're using third-party tools or embedding online sketches, there are plenty of ways to get your creative juices flowing. And when it comes to drafting detailed documents, Spell can help streamline the process, enabling you to focus on the creative aspects. It's all about finding the right balance between tools to suit your workflow and boost productivity.