# 3 Tips to TRANSFORM your Digital Notes | Goodnotes Tutorial on iPad ![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zK27mXGjPGE/maxresdefault.jpg) ## Intro [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=0s) - Goodnotes is running the "Think in Inc" competition, a note-taking competition with prizes including a trip to [[London]] or Hong Kong and an [[IPad | iPad]] Pro with [[Apple Inc. | Apple]] Pencil Pro for the runners-up [(00:00:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=11s). - The competition has a link in the description for those who want to learn more about it, and the current video will focus on tips to help take better visual notes [(00:00:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=22s). - The creator of the video, Samuel SES, is the head judge of the "Think in Inc" competition and is passionate about helping students own their learning and creatively infuse technology into that process [(00:00:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=45s). - The video will provide tips that can be helpful for various individuals, including those submitting notes to the competition, students, professionals, and those who use Goodnotes for fun or journaling [(00:01:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=72s). - The tips in the video are technical and build upon three principles for creating notes that were discussed in a previous video, which is recommended to be watched first for context [(00:01:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=88s). ## THREE Principles for Better Notes [(00:01:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=89s) - Three practical principles for taking better visual notes in Goodnotes are discussed, focusing on the dimensions of space, size, and color, with a potential bonus principle if time allows [(00:01:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=90s). - The discussion utilizes an [[IPad | iPad]] Pro with [[Apple Inc. | Apple]] Pencil Pro and the Goodnotes 6 app [(00:01:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=105s). - The three main dimensions to be covered are space, size, and color, aiming to improve note-taking in Goodnotes [(00:01:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=96s). ## Space [(00:01:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=113s) - Using space effectively can help visually lay out notes, making them more engaging and easier to process, and can be achieved by organizing text in a more creative way beyond the traditional left-to-right and top-to-bottom approach [(00:01:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=113s). - A feature in Goodnotes allows users to edit the spacing of lines of text, making it possible to organize text laterally instead of vertically, and can be accessed by using the [[Lasso | lasso]] tool and clicking on a specific icon [(00:03:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=185s). - This feature enables users to reformat text quickly, add titles, and incorporate color, making notes look more visual and organized [(00:03:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=211s). - Organizing concepts or ideas of equivalent value or importance laterally next to each other can help visualize differences and relationships between them [(00:03:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=226s). - Examples of this principle in action include arranging related terms side by side, such as paracrine, endocrine, and exocrine, and laying out parallel points about different topics, such as cardiac output, resistance, and blood volume [(00:03:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=237s). - Applying this principle can make text look more visual even before adding drawings or images [(00:04:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=279s). ## Size [(00:04:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=286s) - Resizing text or images in Goodnotes can be done using the [[Lasso]] tool, allowing users to emphasize key pieces of information and create a visual hierarchy of text [(00:04:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=291s). - By making headings larger, users can draw attention to important information and create a nested structure for the note, which can aid in retention [(00:05:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=316s). - Applying size to highlight important information and headings can be seen in various examples of notes, such as those on muscles, physiology, and cardiomyocytes [(00:05:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=343s). - A title that encapsulates the content of the page can be used to create a visual hierarchy, guiding the reader's eyes through the note [(00:06:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=373s). - The visual hierarchy of text is a design principle that helps guide the reader's eyes and forces the note-taker to prioritize information [(00:06:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=398s). - Consistent pen settings, such as using the fountain pen at 0.35 thickness, can be used in conjunction with resizing text to create visual hierarchy [(00:06:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=414s). - Using the [[Lasso]] tool to resize text, rather than changing pen thickness, can be a more effective way to create visual hierarchy [(00:07:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=428s). - Learning that "less is more" and incorporating space into notes can help important concepts and ideas breathe, making them easier to process [(00:07:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=451s). - Giving important concepts and ideas breathing space can allow users to process information better and retain it more effectively [(00:08:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=489s). ## Colour [(00:08:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=518s) - Color can be used as a tool to build associations between things, such as an image and a word, rather than just making notes look prettier and more aesthetic [(00:09:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=543s). - Using a consistent color palette can help with associating words with visuals, as seen in the example of color-coding different molecules in notes on the digestive system, where proteins are red, carbohydrates are yellow, and lipids are green [(00:09:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=559s). - Consistently using the same color palette across different notes can help reinforce associations, as seen in the example of using the same colors for carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids in notes on metabolism and cellular respiration [(00:09:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=582s). - Color can also be used to associate visuals with chemical reactions and changes in molecules, as seen in chemistry notes [(00:10:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=638s). - Using a well-designed color palette can help create a note that stands out and works together in harmony, making it distinct from other submissions [(00:11:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=697s). - Consistently using the same color for a specific concept, such as using yellow for ATP, can help reinforce associations and create connections between different notes [(00:10:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=658s). ## Drawing Hack [(00:11:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=713s) - A useful technique for those who struggle with drawing is to take an existing image, diagram, or drawing and copy, paste, or drag and drop it into Goodnotes on the [[IPad | iPad]], then resize it to the desired size [(00:11:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=714s). - To create a usable image, select a thick black pen that is thicker than the lines of the diagram and trace over the image, a process that may take a few minutes but can be therapeutic and enjoyable [(00:12:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=735s). - Once the tracing is complete, use the [[Lasso | lasso]] tool to select the original image underneath without selecting the traced lines and delete the image, leaving a usable traced image that can be built upon [(00:12:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=751s). - The traced image can be enhanced by adding annotations, color, a title, and other elements to create a visually appealing note [(00:12:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=767s). - This technique can be a helpful initial step for those who lack confidence in their drawing abilities, and repeated use can help build confidence to experiment and draw original content [(00:12:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=778s). - With practice, this technique can lead to the development of skills and confidence to create original visual notes [(00:13:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=786s). ## Conclusion [(00:13:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=795s) - The video covered four tips for transforming digital notes, including learning to play with space, size, and color, and dabbling with visual drawing in note-taking [(00:13:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=796s). - Using visuals in note-taking is beneficial as it allows for showing instead of telling, and when combined with a word, definition, and visual, it creates a triangulation that is great for retention and makes for a great note [(00:13:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=804s). - Viewers are encouraged to try out these simple tips, which will also be considered when judging notes submitted for the thinking in competition [(00:13:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=821s). - There is one week left before submissions close for the competition, and the creator is excited to see what viewers will create [(00:13:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=829s). - The creator is looking forward to reviewing the submissions and will see viewers in the next video [(00:13:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK27mXGjPGE&t=838s).