5 Visual Thinking Tips to help you Confront Business Issues Creatively

They say that a picture is worth 1,000 words, and when it comes to the way our brain works, research has shown that most people think in images rather than words. 

You only have to look at the huge popularity of memes, GIFs and images on social media to see how we constantly absorb information via a quick image. 

It’s an increasingly common denominator when engaging with our clients. They will often say, “I’m a visual thinker; I always think in pictures -  it helps me understand the world these days. I just don’t have a lot of time to spend reading anymore. 

One of the great things about visual thinking is that it’s an easily accessible creative tool which can help you and your employees explore issues within your organisation. So, what can you do to become a better visual thinker?

Cue our 5 top tips:

Doodle frequently

With some practice, carefree doodling can be transformed into something useful. The artist David Hockney once said that “drawing makes you see things clearer and clearer”, and if you mindfully doodle, this can be the case.

Taking inspiration from your surroundings when doodling can prove extremely useful when looking back on your visual notes. 

If you’re trying to become a better visual thinker to solve your organisation's issues, start by doodling whatever you like. You can then try moving your doodles to the next stage by drawing to convey a wider meaning. This can then progress to helping visualise more critical things, like your company’s issues or goals.

Keep it simple

If you’re not a natural artist, you can start with simple drawings like icons, stickmen and arrows to convey meaning. When you are making notes in work meetings, for example, switch some words to simple images.

You’ll be surprised how quickly you can introduce and master some simple images that have a specific meaning to you ‐ which you can repeat in the future. Over time you will start to create your visual style.

Keep a sketchbook diary

A sketchbook diary is a great way to reflect on day-to-day life. These diaries can be therapeutic and also helps you to practice your visual thinking skills.

Keep a sketchbook diary to hand throughout the day and draw in it whenever you get a free moment. Focus on a specific issue at a time.

You can then use your sketchbook diary to transform information into a captivating, image-focused narrative that you can use for future reference and share with your team when discussing objectives.

Make mind maps

Mind mapping is a powerful visual thinking tool and has been around for thousands of years. The philosopher Porphyry of Tyros created the first mind map (that we know of…) back in the 3rd century BCE. The late psychologist Tony Buzan was also a fan of mind maps, calling them the “Swiss army knife of the brain” ‐ about their great potential for the user. 

Mind maps help creatively play with concepts and allow you to join the dots regarding your ideas.

Suppose the problems your business is facing are particularly complex.

Mind maps are a fantastic way of structuring information in a clear, concise fashion, making the information easily digestible for when you review and discuss them with your teams.

Dreamzoning

Dreamzoning is purposeful daydreaming which involves zoning out and focusing on the different images that pop into your head. If you struggle with this, you can use visual cards to help your creative juices flow. The point is to take some time out of your day to sit and think creatively, using images to help inspire some productive thought. 

There may be something, in particular, you wish to focus on when dreamzoning. For example, you may find it helpful to envisage what things will look like when you achieve a specific objective. And it will be helpful to visualise any challenges that may emerge along the way. 

You may find it easiest to dreamzone in the dark with music playing or to make notes while you zone out. Do whatever works for you. This exercise is highly personal, and the important thing is that it helps to inspire you.

At Group Partners, we help clients achieve their goals using our groundbreaking method: Structured Visual Thinking. Find out more about exactly how we do this.