TEDx Melbourne – releasing my Untapped sketchnoting potential

Today I went to my very first TEDx session, a lovely way to spend a Sunday. Given my recent exercises in UX sketchnoting I thought this would be an ideal opportunity to practice my conference drawing skills. TEDx Melbourne was held at Swinburne University today with the theme being ‘Untapped’.

After an introduction from Troy Swindells and welcome from TEDx organiser Jon Yeo the day was a rollercoaster ride of emotional live TED talks, sprinkled with some fabulous pre-recorded TED videos and live performances from Tinpan Orange.

1. Dr Jee Hyun Kim Lifetime without fear:early treatment of anxiety.

A heartfelt talk where Dr Kim share’s her own childhood anxiety of team sports and proposes that early treatment is the key.

Video: Terry Moore Why is ‘x’ the unknown

2. Leyla Acaroglu Rethinking sustainability

Leyla shares examples of where solutions in history only created bigger problems by not thinking about sustainability.

Video: Joe Smith How to use a paper towel

3. Chris Varney Make your own label!

Another heartfelt talk where Chris asks us to make our on labels while sharing the story of how his mother helped him make his.

See Chris talk about how his unstoppable mother proved the experts wrong on YouTube.

After lunch the delightful Tinpan Orange treated us to a live performance on Dumb ways to die which is one of TED’s 2013 ‘Ads Worth Spreading’.

4. Tasneem Chopra Exceeding the hype

Tasneem share’s her own experience with being the stereotype ‘Quota queen’ and shows us how to write our own narrative.

Video: Ron Findley A guerilla gardener in South Central LA

5. Aravind Burla Telescopes, kaleidoscopes and pico satellites

Rocket scientist and creator of little satellites, Avarind teaches us that the point isn’t the success or the failure, but getting to the end.

6. Dr David Jones Printable organic solar cells

Dr Jones shares with us the not to distant future when our homes could be made of solar cells.

7. Zara Grose The epidemic of overseriousness

The seriously witty Zara tells us to lighten up and tap into our own secret super power.

What did I get out of today?

Throughout the different talks the theme of Untapped stretched from human potential to technical potential and explored the idea that we should not only look at our own untapped potential, but not underestimate the potential in others. Nearly all the speakers had a deeply personal story to share (reminding me of the value of great storytelling) it made for a compelling and interesting day.

It was certainly apt that while I spent the day listening to fabulous people speak on the theme of ‘Untapped’ that I was exercising my drawing skills, something which I have only recently begun to tap into. It was really nice to have other delegates comment on how much they liked my drawings. I purposefully sat at the back so I could concentrate on drawing without the paranoia of people looking, but that soon went away as I concentrated on getting the notes out. I don’t think I will ever do 7 drawings in a day again, my hand is pretty sore and it was difficult to pace when I was not really sure how long the talks would go for. It was great fun none the less.

I will add links to the talks when TEDxMelbourne publishes them, and links to blogs and reviews from other delegates as I come across them:

• Check out Zoe Keightly‘s review: EVENT REVIEW- TEDxMelbourne