Go digital with your paper musings. Try Adobe Scan.
I’m designing v2 of The Lab and as part of that process, I've been reviewing feedback, observations and ideas coming out of the first couple of months with my amazing Founding Members.
I like go analogue for this work, I think better when I step away from my computer and write with my hands. I use big paper (11x17in) and a pen…in this case my favourite fountain pen. I take myself to a lovely cafe and go old-school with my musings.
That's all (very) good for musings but also need them in digital format, otherwise I lose sight of them and the insights they hold.
If needing to convert your paper-based musings digital sounds familiar, try Adobe Scan. It’s fast, free, available for multiple platforms (e.g. iPhones, Android phones). Best of all it was super easy to send the files to Evernote and Notability, two staples of my productivity toolkit.
Why scan?
Scanning your paper documents means that you won’t just have an image but that image has gone through an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) process so your writing becomes easily searchable…even mine as it turns out, which is pretty amazing.
Why Adobe Scan?
Because I want to send the file to a few other apps and if I scan within Evernote (which is possible) then it’s harder to share. Adobe Scan was so easy. Plus you can name the files whatever you like before sending. But don’t just take my word for it, The New York Times Wirecutter and TechRadar agree with me.
Tips for better scanning
1. Lots of light. Every image-capture process benefits from great lighting and scans are no exception.
2. Use a high contrast background. I have a black foam core board that I use most of the time. So much faster with high-contrast with my white paper, no fixing of edges required on the scan. Shoot and go.
3. Rename your file with a useful (to you) title. It just takes a moment and it’s time well spent. “Scan[date]” is the default and not a helpful title once you ramp up those scans. In addition to a meaningful title I tend to put dates in most of my file names…I know that in finder it shows up in the metadata but I find it easier to have it in the filename.
Good luck and happy scanning😀
Any questions, please reach out.
Any other tips or tricks, please put it in the comments.
Like this kind of practical advice for how to use digital tech to your advantage, and want to get more? Perhaps it’s time to join The Lab! You’ll get so much more advice, a safe space to practice and the support of like-minded people.