Comments on: The barriers to visual communication adoption

By: Craig

Craig — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:10:20 +0000

Thanks for your comments, everyone. Here’s to the humanisation of communication through the intelligent application of imagery (visual as well as ‘textually metaphorical’, Graeme).

By: Graeme Bowman

Graeme Bowman — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 23:15:46 +0000

Great advice. Interestingly, as a Corporate Comedian, Hoax Speaker and Presentation Skills Coach, I find the barriers to simple visual communication similar to the barriers people put up against the use of humour. It’s almost like, ‘People won’t take us seriously unless we’re complex and boring.’

A good book I’m currently reading, which shows how to solve problems and sell ideas with pictures, is ‘The Back of the Napkin’ by Dan Roam.

A final tip: if you can’t actually get your client or colleague to use simple visuals, see if you can get them to at least ‘paint pictures’ with the words they use, through the use of metaphor, stories, etc. Describe the tangible action or behaviour that will occur as a result of your ideas or decisions, rather than shroud them in intangible ‘corporate speak’.

By: Barbara Rozgonyi

Barbara Rozgonyi — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:06:04 +0000

Thanks for mentioning Brad’s post on Wired PR Works, Guy. Cartooning is visual communication and can be used to great effect, especially when you consider the amazing statistic you quote:
“humans process visuals 66,000* times faster than text.” Wow!
@wiredprworks

By: scott carbonara

scott carbonara — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:31:38 +0000

Nicely done. I had this same conversation with a business partner yesterday. Long live ADD with a purpose!