What does your doodle say about you?
We all do it – Those seemingly mindless sketches on our notepads during a phone call or while waiting for something to load; but is there more to those drawings than meets the eye? Are they in fact a window into your sub-conscious?
The Marketing Mix have curated a list of common doodles and their interpreted meanings, so you can analyse what’s on your mind!
Before we start, let’s consider the size and placement of your doodles. Larger sized doodles that occupy most of your space tend to imply an attraction to nature, though perhaps a reserved personality. Smaller doodles towards the corner of the page point towards a more organised individual who dislikes wasted space and likes to keep things in order. Starting in the centre of the page usually speaks towards an attention seeker or extrovert, though It can also be interpreted to express a desire for personal space. If you tend to start your doodling at the top half of the page, it would suggest confidence and a wealth of ideas. If it’s right beside a page title or heading, that would imply you have more to say on the idea. Doodles positioned to the left of the page are most common and indicate thoughts of nostalgia, while doodling to the right is more common in left handers and those with the urge to express themselves.
And now, without further ado; here is a comprehensive list of common doodles and their completely subjective, though perceived meanings:
Animals
Sensitive to living creatures. The strength and personality traits of the animal can imply the hidden meaning behind the doodle.
Arrows
Ambitiousness, drive and motivation.
Chains
Restriction, stress.
Chequers
Patience, persistence. Possibly weighing up options. Common in people prone to mood swings.
Circles
Unity and peace. Generally passive, sociable and friendly.
Clouds
Fluffy clouds indicate happiness and freedom. Stormy clouds could indicate depression.
Cubes and Geometric Patterns
Constructive, methodical, organised. However can also suggest the feeling of being trapped. Cubes and rounded shapes such as spirals and circles indicate you’d rather be somewhere else.
Diamonds
Good news, positive outcomes relating to finance or career goals.
Dots
Anxiety, instability.
Ears
The feeling you’ve had to listen too much to something or someone
Eggs
A new beginning, or emergence of a new talent.
Eyes
The detail and expression usually indicate your mood.
Faces
The expression of the face usually indicates your mood.
Fire or flames
Power, passion, forward motion.
Flowers
Feminine, growth, nature and reproduction.
Food
Can suggest a need for love, but likely the desire to eat or drink.
Hearts
Love! What else?
Houses or Buildings
Represents your home life. The details indicate your mood.
Intricate Patterns
Obsessive, ambitious. Common amongst introverts.
Lines
Pressure denotes mood: Light is peaceful, heavier is more aggressive.
Ladders and Stairs
Can indicate an important or long-term task, or desire.
Letters and Numbers
Fantasy, creativity.
Musical Notes
Artistic, creative.
Names and Initials
The need to be the centre of attention. Common in teenagers. Doodling someone else’s name implies you are thinking about them.
Stars
Hopefulness, optimism. Clustered stars represent romanticism.
Spider Web
The feeling of being trapped, or of enticing someone else into a situation.
Spirals
Engaging in a thought process, mental clarity.
Stick Figure
In control, focused. Common amongst successful people.
Transportation
Desire to get away or reach a goal.
Triangles
The second most common doodle. Rational thinking.
Trees
Ego and ambition. The details indicate your mood.
Weapons
Competitiveness, strong spirit.
ZigZags
Discomfort, energy.
