The Philadelphia Art Director’s Club sponsors a once-a-month open house for area ad agencies, design studios, production companies and other creative firms. The idea of “NomAd Night” is to allow the public to take a peek under the hood of various companies and get a feel for their culture, work and overall vibe. April 25th was 20nine’s night and we chose to do something a little off the page.

“Doodle or Die” was our theme and we invited attendees to loosen up and grab a Sharpie. Rather than people simply milling around like at a typical networking event, we asked attendees to fill the blank paper-lined walls of our studio with their doodles. “Grab a sandwich, a cocktail and have at it,” was the implied invitation. And guests did just that. With doodle walls, an interactive photobooth and even a “how-to” exercise, everyone in attendance had a great time being “strategic doodlers” for the night.

“Doodle or Die” is more than just a theme for a party, though. It’s a core value at 20nine. As a creating agency, we get paid to bring new ideas to life, and doodling allows us to free our minds and open up to unexpected possibilities. Plus, it’s a lot of fun and that’s the beauty of a creative profession, isn’t it?

We’re not alone in our belief. Corporate America has figured out the value and profit of strategic doodling. In fact, companies like Google, Facebook and Zappos build doodling and visual problem solving into the way they work. Google has an entire department of engineers and designers that doodle ideas for the daily Google Doogle of their logo on their website.

At 20nine, we believe that “you can’t solve what you can’t see” and regularly hold visual brainstorming sessions at the start of new projects and business pitches. Our feeling has always been “when you’re sketching, you’re stretching.” And sketching allows you to think out loud and stretch the boundaries to where the truly breakthrough ideas live.

Take a look below to see some of the doodles from the night:

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