Explaining the world one sketch at a time

Sketchplanations makes complex ideas simple with clear, insightful sketches. Explore topics from science, creativity, psychology, and beyond explained in pictures.

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Know your poles

Arctic: Frozen sea ice, polar bears. Antarctic: Frozen land, penguins.…

1 Nov 2014

What’s the difference between a tortoise and a turtle

If you remember nothing else, remember that tortoises are on land, and turtles are found swimming.…

25 Oct 2014

Fartlek

Somewhat improbable name for a simple training technique alternating fast and slower sections. Great if you’re short on time.…

18 Oct 2014

Treat your ideas with respect

Scribbling on a post-it doesn’t give your ideas they respect they deserve. Change the way you and others consider them by using a simple format that makes people think twice before dismissing and does more to get your idea across. HT: Jump Associates…

4 Oct 2014

In tandem

Means one in front of another, as opposed to side-by-side. It comes from a tandem harness with two horses pulling with one in front of the other. So technically no matter how many people you put on a bike, if they are in a straight line, they are still in tandem. As opposed to a bike where you sit side-by-side, also known as a sociable. I had to check this one out as on Friday I’m doing a somewhat crazy cycle on a home-made 6-man bike (all sitting in tandem) from London to Amsterdam for a great cause - KEEN London who provide one-to-one sports for children with special needs. Any donation you can make will make a huge difference to a small organisation. With just one day left, please donate here if you can…Means one in front of another, as opposed to side-by-side. It comes from a tandem harness with two horses pulling with one in front of the other. So technically no matter how many people you put on a bike, if they are in a straight line, they are still in tandem. As opposed to a bike where you sit side-by-side, also known as a sociable. I had to check this one out as on Friday I’m doing a somewhat crazy cycle on a home-made 6-man bike (all sitting in tandem) from London to Amsterdam for a great cause - KEEN London who provide one-to-one sports for children with special needs. Any donation you can make will make a huge difference to a small organisation. With just one day left, please donate here if you can

24 Sep 2014

Figure and ground

How we choose to separate objects from the background. Also see FedEx. Travel is good for resetting our figures and grounds. The classic vase/faces illustration is an example of an ambiguous figure—or sometimes a reversible or bistable figure.…

4 Sep 2014

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