what is the art of noticing?

the art of noticing is the practice of paying close, deliberate attention to the everyday world: the details, people, sounds and small changes most people pass without seeing. it treats attention as a skill that can be trained, and as a source of creativity, inspiration and joy.

where the term comes from

the phrase was popularized by writer and columnist rob walker in his 2019 book the art of noticing: 131 ways to spark creativity, find inspiration, and discover joy in the everyday. the book is a collection of short exercises for seeing ordinary surroundings with fresh eyes.

the idea is older than the book. in 1973, french writer georges perec called for attention to the “infra-ordinary,” the background of daily life that rarely gets examined. in 2019, artist and writer jenny odell’s how to do nothing argued for pulling attention away from the attention economy and back toward physical surroundings, community and nature.

why it matters now

much of daily attention now goes to screens. the art of noticing pushes the other way: slower, more present, more curious about what’s already there. it’s popular with artists, writers, photographers and designers looking for ideas, and with anyone who wants to feel more connected to where they live.

simple ways to practise it

• walk a familiar route and look up
• pick one colour and notice everywhere it appears
• return to the same spot at different times of day
• listen for a minute before looking
• follow one small detail, like a sign, a door or a shadow, across a neighbourhood

how it connects to visual storytelling

the art of noticing is the first step in visual stories of the mundane. before an ordinary moment can be photographed or filmed, it has to be seen. noticing is what turns a crosswalk, a shopfront or late afternoon light into a story.