How to Draw a Lightbulb & 3 Ways to Use It

I often use a simple lightbulb sketch during meetings, brainstorming, and notes. It’s quick to draw and easily conveys meaning, even if it’s not perfect!

Start with an oval, then add a three-sided box at the bottom (the base). Inside the oval, draw two loops for the filament. Finally, add five short lines radiating from the lightbulb to show it’s “on.”

Three Ways to Use a Lightbulb Drawing

• Brainstorming or Problem Solving: Place a topic or question in the center of the lightbulb. Jot down one idea at the end of each radiating line. If these spark new thoughts, add new lines to extend the diagram. This creates a visual web of ideas, making it easier to see connections and evaluate possibilities.

• Grounding Work in the “Why”: Think of the purpose as the energy source for your lightbulb. Write your 'why' beneath the socket and place your project or topic inside the lightbulb, grounding it—pun intended!—in your mission.. Annotate the lines radiating from the lightbulb with project phases, implications, stakeholders, etc.  Use this visual to focus conversations or tell the story of alignment.

• Capture Sparks of Inspiration: When inspiration strikes, write it down and use a lightbulb sketch to flag it for future attention. For example, if you’re taking notes at a conference and get an idea for how to apply a concept to your team, write it down and add a lightbulb to make it easier to find later.