Doodlings

Doodlings are drawings created spontaneously, usually while a person is concentrating on something else, such as listening to a lecture or thinking through a problem. They typically consist of small scribbles, shapes, patterns, or simple figures drawn in margins or around notes. Doodlings are often informal and unplanned, reflecting the drawer's momentary interests rather than a finished artwork.

Origin of the term: The verb doodle is attested in the 17th century, with doodling as a noun and gerund emerging in the 19th–20th centuries. Doodlings therefore refers to the act or results of doodling.

Materials and styles: Common tools include pens, pencils, markers, or digital styluses on tablets. Styles range from geometric motifs and repetitive patterns to figurative sketches or letter-like forms; many doodlers blend multiple elements.

Cognitive and educational aspects: Research on doodling shows mixed results. Some studies suggest that doodling during listening can aid incidental memory or attention by reducing cognitive overload, while others find no reliable benefit. Doodling is also associated with stress relief and increased creativity for some individuals, though it can also be a distraction in others.

Cultural context: In classrooms and workplaces, doodling is often casual but common. Some educational practices encourage doodling as a form of visual thinking or note-taking, while others discourage it as a distraction. In art and design communities, doodling is recognized as a source of ideas and a low-pressure form of exploration.

See also: doodling; note-taking; creativity.