The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

Visual Courage Part 3: Visual Thinking In High-Stakes Rooms

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:20:29 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES .
Vol. 7 No. 8 April 17, 2026

VISUAL COURAGE PART 3:
Visual Thinking in High-Stakes Rooms

You've faced the blank page . You've shared your work with someone you trust. You're building the muscle. Now comes the moment that separates the casual visual thinker from the Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHERO:

Someone hands you the marker in the room where it actually matters.

The important client meeting. The board presentation. The team that's been stuck for months. The community forum where emotions are running high. The high-stakes room.

Superhero Truth:

The rooms that matter most are exactly where visual thinking does its best work — and where our courage needs to be at its peak.

I had the honor of being invited to bring my markers to one of these high-stakes meetings recently, and it was TOUGH. I did learn a lot, though, and I would take the leap again.

WHAT MAKES A ROOM "HIGH STAKES"

High stakes doesn't always mean high drama. A room is high stakes when the outcome genuinely matters: to the people in it, to the project, to the relationship, to the mission. It could be a formal executive presentation. It could also be a difficult conversation with an organization at a crossroads.

What these rooms share is this: the stakes are high. Bringing your visual thinking practice into them can also feel daunting. Packing a case of courage in with your drawing tools is a requirement.

WHY VISUAL THINKING IS YOUR HIGHEST-LEVERAGE TOOL IN THESE ROOMS

When the stakes are high and people are entrenched in their positions, something remarkable happens when you introduce a visual. Debate becomes discussion. Attention moves from people to the shared surface. The visual becomes neutral ground.

This isn't magic. It's cognitive science. When we can see the same thing at the same time, we:

Reduce misunderstanding ("Wait, is that what you meant? Let me draw it differently.")
Slow down reactive thinking (you can't shout at a diagram)
Surface hidden assumptions ("I drew it this way, but is that actually how you see it?")
Create a shared record that outlasts the meeting

Your marker is no longer just a drawing tool. It becomes a de-escalation device, a decision accelerator, and a trust builder — all at once.

GETTING READY: THE PRE-MEETING SKETCH

Here's a practice that will change the way you walk into difficult rooms: before any high-stakes meeting, spend 10 minutes sketching what you already know about the situation.

This is not preparation for a presentation. This is thinking on paper — for your eyes only. Sketch:

The goal: What does a good outcome look like? Draw it.
The players: Who will be in the room? What do they each need?
The tension: Where's the sticking point? What's the gap between where things are and where they need to be?
The bridge: What visual might help? A timeline? A chasm? A simple before/after?

You don't have to use any of these sketches in the meeting. Having done this thinking on paper before you walk in means your visual brain is already warmed up and working. You'll be faster, calmer, and more able to capture what you hear.

IN THE ROOM: THREE MOVES THAT ALWAYS WORK

When the moment comes to introduce visual thinking into a high-stakes conversation, these three moves are your SUPERHERO toolkit:

Move 1: Ask before you draw. " Would it be helpful if I tried to capture this visually as we talk?"

This does two things: it respects the group's process, and it frames you as a servant of the conversation, not a performer in it. Almost everyone says yes. And when they do, you have permission to lead.

Move 2: Narrate as you draw. "So what I'm hearing is... let me draw that... and the question seems to be whether that connects to this..."

Your narration keeps people engaged, signals that the drawing is provisional (not the final word), and invites correction in real time. It also slows the conversation down just enough to reduce heat.

Move 3: Check and adjust every few minutes . "Does this capture it? What am I missing?"

This is the most courageous move of all, because you're explicitly inviting critique of your drawing. But it's also the move that builds the most trust — because it proves you're drawing to help them get to a goal, not for yourself.

WHEN THE ROOM PUSHES BACK

Sometimes your visual will be wrong. Someone will say, "That's not quite right." This is a gift. A wrong drawing is not a failed drawing. It's a diagnostic.

Respond with: "Thank you — help me fix it. What's different from how you see it?" Then change the drawing, in front of everyone, based on what they tell you. This is the moment that transforms a visual thinker into a trusted thinking partner.

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITY: PREP FOR YOUR NEXT

HIGH-STAKES MOMENT

Think of one upcoming conversation, meeting, or situation that feels high-stakes to you.

Sketch the situation — goal, players, tension, and a possible bridge visual.
Choose one simple visual format to have ready: a timeline, a 2x2, a simple list, a before/after.
Practice the three moves out loud before you go in: "Would it be helpful if I captured this visually?" / narrate as you draw / "What am I missing?"
Take your place in the room . Draw. Even if it's just a few lines on a notepad. Let the room see your thinking.
Debrief with yourself afterward: What did the visual do? What do you appreciate? What would you do differently?

When you start to feel the scary, pull out your case of courage and remind yourself… It's about the mission.

You walked into a high stakes situation with your pen and helped a group take a step forward. That's not nothing — that's EVERYTHING. Tag us: #appliedviz

The high-stakes room is behind you. Up next: the long game — what does it take to sustain a practice that's never perfect, never finished, and always worth it?

Visual Courage Part 2: Sharing Your Work

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:59:21 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES .
Vol. 7 No. 7 April 3, 2026

VISUAL COURAGE PART 2: Sharing Your Work

Last time, we talked about the courage it takes to face the blank page . You took that first brave step. You made marks. You drew ugly things on purpose. You warmed up.

Now comes the next layer of courage : showing someone else.

Drawing for yourself is one kind of bravery. Drawing for an audience, however small, is a completely different animal.

Superhero Truth:

A visual that stays in your sketchbook can only change one mind. A visual you share can change worlds.

WHY SHARING FEELS SO EXPOSED

When you write something and share it, people read the words. When you draw something and share it, people look at your thinking. The process is visible. The logic is laid bare. Every choice — what to include, what to leave out, how to connect the ideas — is right there on the surface.

That's exactly what makes visual thinking so powerful. And exactly what makes sharing it so frightening.

Add to that the cultural belief that drawing = art, art = talent, and talent = either you have it or you don't. Suddenly sharing your sketchnotes in a meeting feels like submitting to a gallery review. No wonder people keep their notebooks closed.

REFRAME: YOU'RE NOT SHARING ART. YOU'RE SHARING THINKING.

Key Reframe: You are not sharing a drawing. You are sharing your thinking made visible. The marks on the page are just the medium. The thinking is the message.

When you share a sketch, a diagram, or a quick map, you're not asking people to evaluate your artistic skill. You're saying: here's how I'm making sense of this. Here's what I see. Here's what I think matters. That's an act of intellectual generosity, not an audition.

Once you internalize this reframe, sharing gets dramatically easier. You're not exposed. You're contributing .

STARTING SMALL: THE COURAGE STAIRCASE

You don't have to go from private sketchbook to public Instagram overnight. There's a staircase, and you get to choose your step.

Step 1: Share with yourself. Photograph your work. Look at it the next day with fresh eyes. This is the foundation of every other step.
Step 2: Share with one trusted person. Not to get critique — just to let another human being see your thinking. One person. Low stakes. Big leap.
Step 3: Share in a small group. In a workshop, a team meeting, a community of practice. Use the language: "Here's how I was thinking about this..." Not "Here's my drawing."
Step 4: Share publicly. Post it. Tag it. Email it. This is the big one — and it gets less scary every time.

Courage is cumulative. Each small act of sharing builds the muscle for the next one.

WHAT TO DO WHEN IT DOESN'T LAND

Sometimes you share your visual and get crickets, a confused squint, or a well-meaning "What does this part mean?" — and that's okay.

Confusion is data , not failure. It tells you exactly where your thinking needs more structure and where the connection between ideas isn't yet visible to someone else.

When a visual doesn't land, talk it out: walk them through it, narrate the thinking , and you'll almost always discover precisely what to adjust next time. And then keep sharing anyway.

Every visual thinker has visuals that fell flat. The ones who grow are the ones who treat each landing (or crash) as a lesson, not a verdict.

USING SHARING AS A FACILITATION TOOL

If you're facilitating with visual thinking, sharing your work in real time is one of the most powerful tools you have . Live sketching captures ideas on a whiteboard or flip chart while a conversation unfolds. People can see you thinking. They can see you choosing. When that happens:

People can correct you in real time if you've captured something wrong
People feel heard — seeing their words become a drawing is a deeply satisfying experience
The group converges faster because everyone is looking at the same picture
You model visual courage for everyone in the room

You don't need to be perfect. You need to be present and brave.

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITY: YOUR FIRST SHARE

Pick a visual — one you made recently, or make one this week — and share it with one person you trust.

Make the visual. A sketch, a diagram, a quick map of something you're thinking about.
Take a photo of it.
Send it to one person with this note: "I've been practicing visual thinking and wanted to share how I mapped out [topic]. Here's my thinking — I'd love to know what you notice."
Notice how it feels . Scared? Excited? Both? Write one word to describe it in the corner of your next page.
Do it again next week. That's the whole plan.

You shared something. That is enormous. Tag us: #appliedviz

COMING UP NEXT

You've faced the blank page. You've shared your work. In Part 3, we're taking your visual courage into the rooms where it matters most — the high-stakes meeting, the difficult conversation, the moment someone hands you the marker, and the whole room is watching. It's called Visual Thinking in High-Stakes Rooms, and you won't want to miss it.

Visual Courage Part 1: The Blank Page

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 02:42:49 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES .
Vol. 7 No. 6 March 20, 2026

VISUAL COURAGE, PART 1: Facing the Blank Page

The blank page is terrifying. Even for seasoned visual thinkers, writers, designers and creators of anything new and reimagined. To be honest, I experienced a bit of blank page syndrome when I sat down to write this newsletter.

I know you "get" this. Even you SUPERHEROES who have done the work of building your visual thinking discipline practice — showing up, growing through discomfort, coming back when things fall apart.

NOTE: If the idea of a discipline practice sounds unfamiliar or scary to you, check out our "Discipline as Self-Care" series introduced in Vol. 6, No. 23 here and explained in depth in Volume 7, Numbers 1 , 2 and 3 .

You decide on a direction, lay some track, and yet something keeps the train at a standstill. You sit down, open your sketchbook, uncap your pen and… nothing. The fear, the inner critic, the procrastination bug, something swoops in before the ink even touches the paper.

Superhero Truth: Courage isn't the absence of fear. It's picking up the pen anyway.

That's what this new series is about. Visual Courage — the four flavors of bravery for visual thinkers. We're starting at the very beginning: the blank page , and the voice in your head that wants to fill it with doubt instead of drawings.

THE THREE FACES OF BLANK-PAGE FEAR

Before we can conquer something, we have to name it. Blank-page fear tends to show up in three disguises :

Perfectionism: "It has to be good or it's not worth doing." The pen hovers. The page waits. You are waiting for a guarantee that doesn't exist.
Comparison: "Mine will never look as good as theirs." You've seen gorgeous sketchnotes on Instagram. Your own work feels scrawly and embarrassing by comparison.
Relevance: "What's even the point of drawing this?" The inner critic questions the value of the entire exercise before a single mark is made.

You'll know you're facing one of these fears if you feel yourself suddenly motivated to walk the dog, clean out the basement, organize the garage or do pretty much ANYTHING else. That's "productive procrastination." Don't fall for it.

Instead, pause and take a breath. Read through the list of blank-page fears again. Any ring a bell? Most of us cycle through all three — sometimes in the span of sixty seconds.

The good news is that once you can SEE the flavor of fear you're dealing with, you can respond to it directly instead of just freezing.

VISUAL COURAGE IN ACTION:
Facing the blank page

Here's a toolkit of visual courage moves for the blank page. Try one, try all of them, try them in whatever order feels right.

Draw the page. If you can't yet face putting something on the page, draw the page first . Your page could be a sloppy rectangle, a tidy paper icon with a folded corner, or simply the addition of a fancy curlicue at the top to make your page look like a piece of chic stationary. Look at the page shape as a container ready to be filled.

Make a line. If you're like me, sometimes words come easier, sometimes drawings . If you are feeling wordy, invite your line to express a word or phrase, connecting the letters loosely, one to the next. When you are ready to draw, make a line that sorta captures something going on for you right here, right now.

Start ugly on purpose. Now that your hand remembers how to move but before you dig into what you actually want to draw, fill half a page with intentionally bad drawings . Lopsided circles. Wobbly stick figures. A house a five-year-old would be proud of. This tells your inner critic: we're not aiming for beautiful right now. We're warming up. Once your hand is moving and the page is no longer pristine, the pressure evaporates.

Give the inner critic a name and a face.

Sounds silly. Works every time. Sketch the voice in your head as a character — maybe it's a tiny grumpy toad sitting on your shoulder, or a miniature bureaucrat with a clipboard full of objections. When you can SEE the critic as a separate character rather than your own voice, you can negotiate with it instead of obeying it . (Bonus: the act of drawing it is itself a visual thinking victory.)

Borrow a prompt.

Staring at a blank page with no directive is the hardest version of this game. Give yourself a tiny nudge: Draw something you saw this morning. Draw your mood as a weather system. Draw the word "Wednesday." Constraints are the enemy of blank page paralysis. They give you somewhere to start — and starting is everything.

Time-box it.

Set a timer for five minutes. Tell yourself this: I HAVE to keep drawing for the next five minutes, no matter what. No stopping. The inner critic has a hard time being heard above a timer ticking. And when the timer goes off you have — guaranteed — something on the page.

BLANK-PAGE COURAGE WITH YOUR TEAMS

This isn't just a personal practice challenge. If you're using visual thinking with groups, you know the collective blank-page moment — that silence when you ask a group to sketch something and all twelve people suddenly find their shoelaces fascinating.

Here's how to lead your team through it:

Go first. Pick up the marker and make a mark — any mark — before you invite them. When the leader draws first and makes it imperfect and alive, the group relaxes just a bit.

Give them the starter kit. Instead of "draw your idea," say "draw your idea using only three shapes and one word." A constraint is a gift.

Celebrate the scrawl. When someone shares a rough sketch, respond with genuine curiosity: "Tell me more about this part." Never "That's so good!" — that accidentally raises the bar. Curiosity keeps the door open.

Remember: Your job as a visual thinking leader is to make the room safe for imperfect,
courageous marks.

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITY: The Courage Warm-Up

Before your next visual thinking session — personal or professional — try this five-step courage warm-up.

Set your timer for 3 minutes.
Fill an entire page with intentionally bad drawings. Bad suns, bad faces, bad chairs, bad dogs. Go wild.
Write the name of your inner critic at the top of the page. Give it a little face.
Turn the page. Now draw the thing you actually wanted to draw.
Notice the difference. That feeling? That's visual courage. That's your superpower warming up.

Share your warm-up pages with us — ugly ones welcome, actually ESPECIALLY welcome.

Tame Your Distraction Dragons with Visuals! Part 2

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:57:50 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES .
Vol. 7 No. 5 March 6, 2026

Back in October 2024, we met our distraction dragons for the first time. Remember them? Those fire-breathing interruptions — the ping, the buzz, the "hey, do you have a minute?" — that swoop in just when you've finally found your focus. (If you missed it, you can catch up on Part 1 right here . We talked about naming your dragons, spotting them, and starting to sketch them into submission.

Since then, something interesting has happened. We spent the last four issues exploring Discipline as Self Care — and if you've been following along, you've been quietly building something: a practice worth protecting. And that changes everything.

Because here's the thing about distraction dragons . They don't just show up randomly. They show up precisely when you've committed to something that matters. The deeper your practice, the bolder the dragon. Maintenance discipline, growth discipline, repair discipline — all of it means nothing if a dragon torches it the moment you sit down with your sketchbook.

So consider this your next level. Part 1 was about recognizing your dragons. Part 2 is about what to DO with them — for yourself, and in your work with others. Pen ready? Let's go.

WAYS TO DEAL WITH DISTRACTIONS

When you're trying to practice your visual thinking and a distraction barges in, here's a little secret: take the distraction as your raw material and SKETCH IT . You heard that right. Turn the interruption into the exercise . For example:

If the cat, the dog, or the toddler keeps pawing their way in and derailing your focus, channel that frustration into a DIY fix. What's your creative solution to keep the door closed — or signal to the household that you're in the zone?

Sketch it out! Label the parts, show the steps, make it funny. This is visual thinking in action.

Sound is one of the sneakiest distractors out there. Notifications, conversations, the neighbor's lawn mower — they're all competing for your attention. Put on the headphones, silence the notifications, and put your phone in another room. Then:

Create a HOW-TO DIAGRAM for building your personal Sound Oasis. Draw what it looks like, label your tools, and share it with someone who needs one, too.

Some distractions come from people we genuinely care about — friends, family, valued colleagues. You don't want to ghost them. But you do need to protect your focus. The move here is to deflect, delegate, or create a diversion — kindly and firmly. Here are a few phrases worth posting near your workstation:

"I'd be happy to help you with that. Let's pick a time that works for both of us."
"I'm not the best person to take that on right now. Might I suggest you talk with…?"
"I need some time to focus on what I'm doing until…. Is there a piece of this project you can work on until then?"

WAYS TO WORK WITH DISTRACTION IN OUR WORK WITH OTHERS

Here's where it gets really interesting. When you're facilitating a meeting, leading a team, or collaborating on a project, distraction doesn't just affect you — it affects everyone in the room (virtual or otherwise). The good news? Visuals are one of the most powerful focus tools available to you.

Give people something to look at . A shared visual — even a rough sketch on a whiteboard — acts like a magnet for a group's attention. When everyone is looking at the same picture, they're less likely to be composing emails in their heads. Draw the problem. Draw the goal. Draw the process. Make it visible for everyone.

Create a visual agenda. Nothing says "we're going to wander" like a meeting with no map. A simple visual agenda with time blocks, icons for each topic, and a clear destination gives everyone a mental anchor. You can sketch this in five minutes before your next meeting. Try it and watch how much faster a group finds its focus.

Designate a "distraction parking lot." When tangents come up — and they always do — don't fight them. Capture them! Keep a designated corner of the whiteboard (or sticky note cluster) for ideas and concerns that are real and worth keeping, just not right now . Seeing their thought captured and respected keeps people engaged without derailing the conversation.

Use silent methods. Not everyone processes information at the same speed, and some of your most valuable team members are too introverted to shout their ideas over the noise. Build in time for quiet reflection — sticky note brainstorms, individual sketching, written responses . This levels the playing field and dramatically reduces the distraction of dominant voices drowning others out.

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITY: Draw Your Distraction Dashboard

Here's a challenge for you. Take 10–15 minutes this week and create your own personal Distraction Dashboard — a simple one-page visual map of YOUR top distractions.

Here's how:

Draw a circle in the center of your page and write YOUR NAME (or a simple self-icon) inside.
Around the outside , sketch or write your top 5–7 distractions . Use simple icons — a phone, a speech bubble, a dog, a shiny star — whatever represents your personal distraction dragons .
For each distraction, draw a small icon showing your STRATEGY for dealing with it (e.g., block it, defer it, delegate it).
Add a color — red for distractions that cost you the most focus, yellow for the manageable ones, green for the ones you've already tamed.

That's it! You now have a visual map of your distraction landscape — and a toolkit for navigating it. Bonus: share it with your team and make a GROUP version. You might be surprised what you learn about each other.

Distraction isn't going away. The pings will keep coming. The people you love will keep needing things. The inbox will never be fully empty. But here's what you know now that you didn't before: every distraction is also an opportunity to practice your VISUAL THINKING SUPERPOWER .

You've already done the hard work of building a practice worth protecting. You've shown up for maintenance, you've leaned into growth, and you've found your way back when things fell apart. That's not nothing — that's everything.

Now it's time to protect what you've built. Sketch the problem. Map the solution. Draw the boundary. Make the invisible visible . That's the art of applied visual thinking. And you've got this. Until next time — keep your pen handy and your eyes wide open. Practice, practice, practice. And don't forget to share what you make with us! Tag us: #appliedviz

Want to sharpen your visual thinking skills? Check out our courses at appliedviz.com . Not on the email list yet? Join the SUPERHEROES — click here

The Art of Coming Back

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 11:45:00 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES .
Vol. 7 No. 4 February 20, 2026

The Art of Coming Back: Repair Discipline for Your Visual Practice

"Hello, old friend." That's the phrase that caught my attention from my son's piano teacher during his last lesson. She was encouraging him to play a song from his repertoire that feels like inviting a buddy over for a visit. It sometimes takes a beat to get in sync with the notes and rhythm, but once the fingers recall what they once knew, it feels like rekindling a friendship.

Let's talk about something nobody wants to admit: you're going to fall away from your visual practice sometimes.

Life will happen. Projects will explode. Health will demand attention. Motivation will vanish. And one day you'll realize your sketchbook / tablet hasn't seen your visual thinking for a week. Or a month. Or longer.

And here's a critical moment for your visual practice —not the stopping, but what comes after.

Most of us experience some version of guilt, shame, "I should have kept going." Sometimes it's "Why can't I stick with anything?" or "I'll start again when I have time / energy / motivation." Then it gets harder to return to the visual practice. It's easy to get stuck in the guilt gap between where you are and where you think you should be. The emotional hurdle makes it harder to return, and the longer we put it off, the more rusty we feel.

This is where repair discipline is a life saver. Not the discipline of pushing harder. The discipline of coming back gently . Of giving yourself a bit of grace for whatever happened or didn't happen. Of understanding that consistency is nice, but not always possible—it's more important to develop the skill to return.

Five Ways to Practice Repair Discipline

These practices are for when you've been away. They're gentle, forgiving, and designed to rebuild connection without demanding perfection. Pick the one that feels most like a soft landing.

1. The "Just Doodle" Return (5 minutes)

Don't open your sketchbook with a plan. Don't try to make up for lost time. Just doodle while your coffee brews. Circles, squares, stars, swirls—whatever flows from your pen. The goal isn't to create something. It's to remember what it feels like to move your hand and watch marks appear .

2. The One-Pen, One-Page Reset (10 minutes)

Grab one pen (not a full set—just one) and one blank page. Draw anything that comes to mind – a memory, your kitchen, how your day felt. No rules, no right answer, no fancy technique. This practice whispers to your visual brain, "Hey, remember me? Let's play." And your brain whispers back, "Oh yeah, I remember , and this is fun ." That's repair.

3. Redraw a Simple Favorite (7 minutes)

Think of an icon or drawing you used to do easily—a star, a stick figure, a coffee cup, a house. Draw it. Then draw it again. And again. Not to master it, but to feel competent. When you've been away, confidence is low. This practice reminds you that you do know how to do this . A pause is not a stop.

4. Look at Old Work, No Judgment Allowed (10 minutes)

Flip through your old sketchbooks or visual notes. But here's the rule: you're not allowed to critique. You can only appreciate. Look at what you captured, what you tried, what you showed up for. Let it remind you that you've been here before, and you can be here again. You're reconnecting with your own brave and brilliant history , not starting over.

5. Create a "I'm Back" Visual (15 minutes)

Make something that marks this moment. A simple drawing that says, "I was away, and now I'm here." Examples might be a door opening, a path with footprints, a plant growing back, a sunrise. Something that acknowledges the absence and honors the return . No apologies, no excuses, no guilt. It's about what you're choosing now.

Why This Matters Beyond Your Sketchbook

Repair discipline is perhaps the most important of all three types. Because here's the truth: you will fall away from things that matter. Not because you're weak or undisciplined. But because you're human.

Relationships drift. Health practices lapse. Good habits break. Projects stall. And the difference between people who sustain things over decades and people who don't isn't that they never fall away. It's that they know how to come back.

When you practice repair discipline in your visual thinking, you're practicing:

Self-compassion: Coming back without shame.
Resilience: Restarting after stopping.
Sustainability: Understanding that long-term success includes breaks.
Grace: Treating yourself the way you'd treat someone you love.
Trust: Believing you're worth returning to.

The same can apply to relationships, work, health practices, creative projects and learning goals. The skill of coming back — of repairing connection after absence — is what allows things to survive over years, not just weeks.

Coming back means you're still in the game.

Your Turn

If you've been away from your visual thinking practice, this is your invitation to come back. Not with a grand plan or a guilt trip. Just with a pen and a willingness to try.

QUESTION FOR THIS WEEK: "What if the most courageous thing I could do is return without explaining why I left?"

You don't need to catch up. You don't need to prove anything. You just need to show up again.

Your visual thinking practice is still here, waiting, no judgement. It's not mad at you. It's just glad you're back.

Coming full circle: Whether you need maintenance, growth, or repair this week, you now know which type of discipline your practice is asking for. And that knowing? That's already a form of care.

The Power of Getting Outside Your Comfort Zone

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 12:00:00 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES .
Vol. 7 No. 3 February 6, 2026

The Good Kind of Uncomfortable: Growth Discipline for Your Visual Practice

You know that feeling when you're about to try something new and your brain says, "Nah, let's just do what we already know how to do"? That's your comfort zone talking. And it's not wrong to listen sometimes. But if you only listen, you stay exactly where you are.

This is where growth discipline comes in—the kind of practice that stretches you past what's easy. It's deliberately choosing discomfort in service of expansion. Not punishment discomfort. Not proving-yourself discomfort. The kind that says, "I wonder what I'm capable of if I try this thing I can't quite do yet."

Growth discipline isn't about becoming someone else. It's about becoming more of who you already are.

Five Ways to Practice Growth Discipline

These practices will push you beyond your current edge. They're meant to feel a little awkward, a little challenging, a little exciting. Pick one that makes you think, "Ooh, I'm not sure I can do that."

1. Sketchnote Something Complex (20-30 minutes)

Find a TED talk, podcast episode, or article on a topic you care about but find challenging. As you listen or read, create a sketchnote that captures the key ideas. Not a transcript—a visual synthesis. This practice stretches your ability to listen, analyze, and translate ideas into visual form in real time . You'll fail a bit. That's the point. Each time you try, you'll get better at thinking while drawing.

2. Learn One New Visual Technique This Week

Pick something specific: hand lettering, perspective, color theory, visual metaphors, comic-strip narratives. Spend 15-20 minutes studying it (YouTube is your friend), then spend another 15 practicing it. Not mastering it—practicing it. The goal isn't to become an expert; it's to expand your visual vocabulary so you have more tools when you need them .

3. Explain Something You Know Well—Visually (30 minutes)

Choose a topic you understand deeply—your work process, a recipe, a concept you teach, how you make decisions. Now explain it using only visuals: diagrams, icons, flows, metaphors. No words allowed (or minimal ones). This forces you to think in visual logic instead of verbal logic. It's harder than it sounds. That's why it's growth.

4. Take a Visual Thinking Workshop or Class

Join a course, workshop, or community practice session. Being in a learning environment with others who are also stretching reminds you that growth is communal, not solitary. You'll see different approaches, get feedback, and push yourself in ways you wouldn't alone. Even one session can reset your sense of what's possible.

5. Create a Visual That Scares You a Little

What's something you've been avoiding because you're "not good enough yet"? A graphic recording of a meeting? A visual strategy map? A hand-drawn diagram for a presentation? Do that. Not perfectly. Not for public consumption if that feels too big. But do it. Because growth discipline means leaning into the exact thing that makes you think, "I can't." And then finding out that maybe, with practice, you can.

Why This Matters Beyond Your Sketchbook

Growth discipline isn't just a visual thinking practice. It's a life practice.

Every time you stretch yourself in one area, you're training your brain to believe you can stretch in others. When you practice growth discipline in your visual thinking, you're actually practicing:

Courage: Trying things you might fail at.
Curiosity: Asking "what if" instead of "I can't."
Resilience: Getting uncomfortable and staying there anyway.
Adaptability: Learning to do things in new ways.
Self-trust: Discovering you're more capable than you thought.

Think about it. The same muscles you use to learn a new lettering style are the same ones you use to have a hard conversation, start a new project, or change a pattern that isn't working.

Growth discipline in any area teaches you that discomfort isn't a sign you're doing it wrong. It's a sign you're doing it right.

The person who can sit in the awkwardness of learning visual metaphors can also sit in the awkwardness of learning a new role at work. The person who can push past "I'm not artistic" can push past "I'm not leadership material." The skill is transferable.

Your visual practice is teaching you how to grow. And how to grow is how to change. And how to change is how to become who you want to be.

Your Turn

This week, pick one growth practice. Just one. And expect it to feel uncomfortable. That's not a bug—it's the entire point.

QUESTION FOR THIS WEEK: "What would I try if I knew that struggling was part of learning, not a sign of failure?"

Here's something worth remembering: every skill you have now was once something you couldn't do. You weren't born knowing how to read, ride a bike, or send an email. You learned. You can learn this too.

Your visual thinking practice isn't asking you to be perfect. It's asking you to be brave enough to be bad at something new. That's where the magic happens.

Next time: Repair Discipline—because coming back matters more than never leaving.

The Power of Showing Up

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 03:18:07 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES .
Vol. 7 No. 2 January 23, 2026

The Power of Showing Up: Maintenance Discipline for Your Visual Practice

Remember when we talked about the three types of discipline? How some days feel like brushing your teeth, some like stretching into something new, and some like coming home after too long away?

Let's dive deeper into that first one— maintenance discipline —because it might be the most underestimated practice of all.

Maintenance discipline isn't flashy. It won't wow anyone on social media. You're not learning something mind-blowing or creating your magnum opus. You're just showing up. Again. And that's exactly why it's powerful.

When I took my first mindfulness meditation class, the instructor told us that the most important thing was to "take your seat," meaning " just show up ." The coolest thing about establishing a good maintenance routine is that the nourishment can overflow. Some days I feel "locked in" and others totally distracted. Showing up is good enough. The patience I show myself on the distracted days might just spill over towards others who might be less than focused.

Think of it this way: your visual thinking practice is like a garden. Maintenance discipline is the watering. Not every session needs to be a harvest or a replanting. Most days, you're just keeping things alive. And alive is exactly where growth starts.

Five Ways to Practice Maintenance Discipline

Here are five micro-practices that keep your visual thinking engine running. Pick the one that fits your life right now.

1. The Morning Brain Dump (5 minutes)

Before you check your phone, grab your sketchbook and draw three things: something you're thinking about, something you're feeling, and something you need to remember today. No judgment, no fancy technique. Just capture. This keeps your hand moving and your visual brain engaged while building a record of your days.

2. The One-Icon-Three-Ways Practice (3 minutes)

Choose one concept you're working with—maybe it's "growth," "connection," or "deadline." Draw it three different ways. Circle, triangle, arrows? Literal, metaphor, abstract? This tiny practice builds your visual vocabulary without demanding perfection. It's like scales for a musician—foundational and surprisingly meditative.

3. Keep Your Tools Where You'll Use Them

This isn't even a practice—it's environmental design. Put a sketchbook and pen by your coffee maker. Keep markers on your desk, not in a drawer. Tuck a small notebook in your bag. When the friction to start drops, showing up gets easier. Your maintenance practice lives or dies by how easy it is to begin.

4. The "Good Enough" Sketch (7 minutes)

Once a day, capture something visual from your work: a meeting takeaway, a project status, a decision tree. But here's the key—it doesn't need to be good. It needs to be done. Your maintenance practice isn't about impressing anyone. It's about staying in relationship with your visual thinking skills.

5. The End-of-Day Reflection Doodle (5 minutes)

Before bed, draw a simple visual of your day. Not a journal entry—a single image. A timeline? A weather map? A mountain you climbed? This practice closes your day with intention and keeps your visual thinking active even when life is busy. Plus, looking back at these over weeks or months reveals patterns you'd otherwise miss.

Why This Matters Beyond Your Sketchbook

Here's the thing about maintenance discipline : it's not just about visual thinking. It's a template for how you show up for anything that matters.

My amazing yoga instructor Barbara Lyon reminds me about ways to practice both "on and off the mat." Building strength, flexibility and balance, for example, carries over into navigating the challenges posed by living in a climate with snow and ice in winter.

The concept of moderation/wise use of energy (Brahmacharya) from Ashtanga yoga could look a little like suggestion #4 above, The "Good Enough" Sketch.

Your body needs maintenance: regular movement, consistent sleep, daily nourishment.
Your relationships need maintenance: check-ins, small gestures, showing up even when it's inconvenient.
Your career needs maintenance: skill upkeep, network nurturing, steady contribution.
Your mental health needs maintenance: boundaries, rest, small acts of self-compassion.
When you practice maintenance discipline in your visual thinking, you're training yourself for this larger truth: sustainability beats intensity every time. The person who sketches for 5 minutes a day will go further than the person who binge-draws for 4 hours once a month.
Most things worth doing don't need you to be a hero every day. They need you to show up consistently. To water the garden. To stay in the game.

Maintenance discipline teaches you that staying in relationship with something is more important than perfection. That small promises kept compound into transformation. That showing up is its own form of care.

Your Turn

This week, try one maintenance practice. Just one. Don't overthink it. Don't make it fancy. Just show up.

QUESTION FOR THIS WEEK: "What if I stopped waiting for the perfect moment and just started keeping my promise to show up?"

Here's a truth worth sketching: the most valuable thing you can do isn't always the most impressive thing. Sometimes it's the smallest thing, done consistently.

Your visual practice doesn't need you to be extraordinary today. It just needs you to be there.

WHERE DO YOU NEED TO JUST SHOW UP THIS WEEK?

Next time: Growth Discipline—where we talk about the good kind of uncomfortable.

The Just-Right Visual

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 13:00:00 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES .
Vol. 7 No. 1 January 9, 2026

Three Types of Discipline for Your Visual Practice

Holidays can be a challenging time in our communications, relationships, and vocations, add in our personal expectations, and it can be a lot. Self-care can help you balance all of these. However, not all discipline is created equal.

Last time, we talked about discipline as self-care - keeping promises to yourself. But here's what matters: your visual thinking practice needs different things on different days. Some days, showing up feels like brushing your teeth. Other days, it feels like stretching into something new. Still other days, it feels like coming home after too long away. These aren't moods. They are three types of discipline. And knowing which one you need changes everything.

The Three Types

MAINTENANCE DISCIPLINE - Your baseline practice. The habits that keep you grounded.

GROWTH DISCIPLINE - The stretching practice. Where you expand your skills to push you outside of your comfort zone.

REPAIR DISCIPLINE - The returning practice. Reconnecting after you've drifted away.

When you confuse these types, you end up trying to grow when you need to maintain. Or maintaining when you actually need to repair. When you name which type you need, you can:

Stop judging yourself for needing different things
Match your expectations to what's actually needed
Know when to push and when to maintain or repair

How?

MAINTENANCE DISCIPLINE: Keeps the Engine Running

Your baseline practice—the habits that keep your visual thinking practice alive.

What it might look like:

10-minute morning visual journal
One simple idea captured per day
Keeping tools visible

Why it matters: This keeps you in the game. It's the compound interest of creative practice. Without this, you're always starting over. With it, you're building.

GROWTH DISCIPLINE: Expanding Your Range

The stretching kind—where you deliberately move toward discomfort.

What it might look like:

Learning a new visual technique
Tackling more complex visual explanations
Trying new lettering styles

Why it matters: This is how your practice evolves. But you can't live here all the time.

REPAIR DISCIPLINE: Coming Back Home

The gentle kind—reconnecting after you've been away.

What it might look like:

• Reopening your sketchbook after weeks

• Starting over with basics

• Drawing anything (even "just" doodles)

Why it matters: Life happens. You will fall away. Repair discipline makes your practice sustainable over years, not just weeks. The biggest reason practices fail isn't lack of discipline—it's the shame spiral after falling away. Repair discipline breaks that cycle.

Try This: The Three-Type Check

(2 minutes)

Step 1: Ask yourself these three questions and jot down a few notes:

How consistent has my baseline practice been?
When did I last stretch beyond my comfort zone?
Does my practice need mending?

Step 2: Reflect on the answers to the questions above, what type of discipline feels right for you now, MAINTENANCE , GROWTH , or REPAIR ?

For example, if I haven't drawn in weeks, sitting down on January 2nd to sketchnote a complex podcast ( GROWTH ) is probably a recipe for frustration, leading me to quit again. However, if I start by just doodling while my tea steeps ( REPAIR) , that will be a gentler step in the right direction.

Step 3: Choose ONE action for this week:

If MAINTENANCE is where you are: What's one tiny habit you can start this week? (Example: "Draw one icon three ways")
If GROWTH is what you're craving : What's one small stretch you could do this week? (Example: "Sketchnote a TED talk")
If REPAIR is where you're drawn: What's one gentle reconnection you could make this week? (Example: "Doodle while watching TV")

Step 4: Write it out. On a sticky note, write out your intention "This week, I'm practicing _____ discipline by _____." and place it somewhere you'll see it often.

Step 5: Draw something. Pick up your pen and dive in. The most caring thing you can do for your visual practice isn't to push harder. It's to know which type of discipline you need right now and to put it into action.

Sometimes self-care looks like maintenance - showing up consistently.

Sometimes it looks like growth - choosing discomfort that builds skills.

Sometimes it looks like repair - coming back with gentleness, not judgment.

All three are valid. All three are discipline. All three are steps in the right direction.

Your Turn

We'd love to hear what you discover. If you try this activity, what do you notice and what works well for you?

QUESTION FOR THIS WEEK: "What if the most disciplined thing I could do is exactly what my visual thinking practice needs now, not what I think I should be doing?"

Sometimes love looks like knowing the difference.

Let's Put on Our 2026 Goggles! Part 2

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:00:01 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 6 No. 26

Dec 19, 2025

Reflect, Reset, & Realign: Preparing to Launch Your Fresh Start

We love closing out our year by thinking about what we really, really want in the new year by narrowing our focus to a few simple words.

If you haven't chosen your words yet, start by reading Part 1 and filling out the attached template. Then return here to find out how to nudge your intentions into reality.

Putting on our 2026 goggles! Part 2

If you happened to miss our last newsletter, you can find it here . Last time you did some visual brainstorming to generate a list of three positive, forward focused words you'd like to focus
on in the coming year. This time we're going to pick up where we left off and apply some visual thinking to take them from words to actions and help you keep them top of mind all year.

In Part 1 of this article, I mentioned I first developed a habit of selecting a word of the year
(or two or three) over a decade ago after a particularly challenging year. That first year my
word was JOY . I found new ways to experience more joy all year. I even created a flowchart
about having more joy.

That simple hand-drawn flowchart changed the way I think. It changed how I work. It even paved the way to starting AVT with my fantastic partner Sheri Kennedy. It was the first time I experienced the power of applied visual thinking, and I've never looked back. To this day, I still keep a copy of that flowchart hanging in my office, here it is. It's based on a wonderful little book by Tommy Newberry titled The 4:8 Principle . At the time, I had read the book several times but had trouble putting it into practice. The concepts made sense...

... but the actions didn't follow until
I made it visual!

The ideas presented in the book felt like a process to me so I picked up my markers and gave it a go. In fact, I gave it several goes until I landed on the final version, one that felt right for me. I hung it up just inside my kitchen door in a spot where I was sure to see it several times a day. At first, I stopped and read it out loud a few times a day. Then I paused once a day to review the process until it became rooted in my memory.

The best part is that visualizing the process kick-started my Reticular Activating System . If something was annoying, I looped through the process and found something to appreciate. If I needed help, my first response was to pray. Best of all, I began to notice things that were beautiful, true, honorable, right, lovely, good, virtuous, and praiseworthy without any effort.

Sitting in traffic, I admired the beautiful mountains. After a hundred "But Why?" toddler questions, I praised my son's never ending curiosity. At the end of an exhausting day, I marveled at his lovely sleeping face. I believe visual thinking's real power is that it can change your actions.

If you'd like to put on some

new goggles for 2026

grab a template and play along.

Step 1) Brainstorm your actions . Pull out your 3 word sticky note from last time and write one of your words at the top of each section of the template. For each word, think of a few actions you can take to incorporate them into your life. Use the action statement framework "I am (dimension + word), when I (action statement)." Think of one or two real-life situations where you can take an action that expresses the word. For example, one of my words for 2021 was courageous, being an introvert one of my action statements was, "I am socially courageous, when I talk to someone I haven't met before."

Step 2) Create a process or 2 or 3. As we teach in our FOUNDATIONS course, when you need to visualize a process, you just need to draw a flowchart. Pick an action statement and create a simple flowchart. Be specific, imagine exactly what steps you can take to put your word into actions. Pull out your pens and markers, use color, icons, and visual hierarchy to bring your action statements to life.

Step 3) Commit it to memory. First, tape your finished flowchart(s) where you will see it every day, such as your bathroom mirror, refrigerator door, or closet door. Or go digital, and take a picture of it and make it your desktop wallpaper. Now the most essential step, commit it to memory., Read it out loud at least once a day for two weeks, once a week for two months, and then once a month for the year.

Armed with your words and your flowchart(s), your 2025 goggles are ready to go . Day by day, week by week, month by month, you'll find yourself embodying your three words. You will move closer to where you want to be, what you want to do, and how you want to feel in 2025 and beyond.

After you've created your flowchart(s) be courageous and draw a shield.

Let's Put on Our 2026 Goggles! Part 1

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 11:00:01 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 6 No. 25

Dec 5, 2025

Reflect, Reset, & Realign: Your Year-End Guide to a Fresh Start

As this whirlwind year winds down, it's the perfect moment to pause, breathe, and intentionally look forward. The new year is your blank canvas.

Instead of resolutions, we invite you to set a powerful intention. Choose a single word (or two or three!) to guide your 2026 journey. We find visualizing these intentions makes them stick .

Below is a special replay of Part 1 from one of our most popular newsletter series, packed with inspiration to help you visualize your future. Enjoy the pause, and get ready for a transformative new year.

Let's put on our 2026 goggles! Part 1

What do I mean by put on our 2026 goggles? Let me give you a little background. Over a decade ago, I was coming off an exceptionally challenging year. That year included changing jobs, raising a 2-year-old (which, as every parent will attest, can be hair raising), and coming out of a particularly sticky bout of depression.

Come December, I had had enough and was ready to set my sights sites on something better. I wanted to feel better, be a better parent, and show up in the world better. That was the year I discovered New Year's goggles . I'm not talking about those giant funky glasses you wear on New Year's eve. I'm talking about a lens to view the coming year through — one that sets your sights on what you want, how you want to feel, and how you want to show up in the world.

That first year I knew I wanted more joy in my life...

at home, at work, and everywhere in between, so JOY became my word for the New Year. I drew the letters and created a small doodle that I stuck up on my computer screen and set my intention. That's when the magic began to happen.

We have this fantastic thing called the Reticular Activating System . It's a bundle of nerves at our brain stem that filters out unnecessary information, so the important stuff gets through. It's why you can distinguish your child's cry from every other noise on the playground. By setting my intention on joy, I let my brain know to be on the lookout for it.

As the year went along, I began to notice things about joy popping up everywhere. I read books and articles about joy, watched movies about joy, and played games with my son, which sparked joy. I visited my favorite book stores, libraries, museums, and art supply stores, often. I splashed around paint and ink with my son just for the joy of making a mess. I even created a flowchart about having more joy (more about that in our next newsletter)

By the end of that year, I had brought more joy into my life, so I decided to try it again the following year. I picked a new word for the new year and had the same results. That first year I choose one word, now I often choose two or three words for the coming year, and it has become a habit. It's a practice I look forward to, one that has profoundly affected my mental, physical, and emotional well being. It's a habit I highly recommend for everyone, especially after this most challenging year. It may sound hard, but in fact, it's fast, fun, and easy when you apply a little visual thinking .

If you'd like to put on some

new goggles for 2026

grab a template and play along.

Step 1) Check your gauges. There are many dimensions to every person's life — mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, family, friends, financial, vocation, or school, to name just few. Taking a quick visual check can steer you to areas you may want to focus on in the coming year.

Grab your template and a marker, write down a dimension, do a quick gut check, then color in how full your tank is from Empty ("E") to Full ("F"). Don't overthink it, just go with your gut. Repeat for the eight dimensions above, or pick some of your own. Now put your template away and come back to it in a few hours or the next day.

Step 2) Choose your focus. Pick out a few dimensions that grab your attention. Look at
what you've colored in. Are there any areas that speak to you? It could be a dimension that's running low and you want to build up, or one that's full, and you want to make sure it stays that way. Again don't overthink it, just go with your gut.

Step 3) Generate your words. For the dimensions that grab your attention, jot any down words that pop into your head. Choose words that are positive and future-focused. For example, for financial, you might include "prosperous" or "fit" or "growing." In contrast, for mental, your list might consist of "strong" or "healthy" or "peaceful." Use your intuition. The words don't have to make sense to anyone but you. Keep writing down words for each dimension until you run out of ideas. Shoot for 5 to 10 words for each of the dimensions that interest you.

Step 4) Sift and filter. First, look at all the words you've written down, grab a marker or a highlighter, and circle the words that speak to you. Look for common words and overlaps. Now pull the words you've highlighted or circled into a new list. From this list, choose three words that really sing. Write them down together, then write them down again in a different order, and then do it one more time.

Step 5) Percolate and ideate. Over the next two weeks, look over your three words a few times. Play around with the words. Replace any that don't feel just right. Keep going until you have three words that roll off your tongue with ease, that feel right to you, and encapsulate how you want to feel and show up in the world in the coming year — the ones that reflect the best self you want to become. When you have them just right, write them down on a sticky note and hold on to it until our next blog post on Dec 20. In Part 2, you'll take those three words and create a flowchart to finalize your 2025 goggles .

After you have your three words take a break with a little drawing practice.

Multi-Modal Self-Care: Breaking the negativity loop

Sat, 22 Nov 2025 18:41:25 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 6 No. 24 Nov 21, 2025

Multi-Modal Self-Care: Breaking the negativity loop

In our last newsletter, we described how discipline IS self-care and introduced a visual thinking exercise that helps clarify that mind-shift. Of course we want to do the thing that will nourish us, right? What if you understand and agree, but still struggle to care for yourself through some kind of regular practice? Trust me, you are not alone.

In this newsletter, we’ll layer on some practices to gently shake loose those pesky, hard-to-name blockages that might be getting in your way. This multi-modal approach employs multiple modes of engagement (body + mind + senses) rather than relying solely on mental/cognitive approaches.

Neuroscience tells us that our brains have a “negativity bias,” meaning the default reaction to anything new or challenging tends to be to notice all the things that aren’t ideal or that could go wrong. This protective mechanism keeps us on high alert, which can be useful when we are under actual threat, like there is an escaped jaguar in our neighborhood, but not when we just want to be calm enough to diagram our team’s inventory process.

Those negative beliefs are not just situated in our brains, but actually reside in our bodies as well. There is a reason why we use terms like “a gut-wrenching loss” or “with a heavy heart.”

We at AVT have long been proponents of the idea that if you can visualize something, you can make it happen. Here is a diagram of what’s actually going on in the body. When you perceive a threat, such as the boss asking you to give a last-minute presentation, your sympathetic nerves send signals from the spine to parts of the body that have been conditioned to react to similar stressors. Maybe your gut clenches or your heart races.

That physical reaction prompts signals to travel back to the brain, which might start repeating negative messages like, “I’m not good at public speaking,” “What if I embarrass myself?,” or “My diagrams aren’t ready for prime time yet!”. Whoosh. The signal returns to the gut and it clenches tighter.

Try This: Picture what you want instead!

You may or may not be able to identify what specific limiting beliefs might be getting in your way, but you probably CAN express what you DO want . Maybe you want to be able to give presentations with confidence and ease? Is there a habit you’d like to start? What routine would you love to feel you can keep with ease?

Take a moment to reflect . What is it you’d like to make part of your routine?
Imagine the negative feelings or messages that have been getting in the way no longer exist. Do a quick sketch to represent what you will be doing or what the positive outcomes will be when you surpass the hurdles.
Keep this sketch where you can revisit it often . Imagine what it will feel like when you get to this place of ease.

5 Multi-Modal Steps to Get Started

While the sympathetic nervous system is the one that sends us into "fight or flight" mode, the parasympathetic is the one that can calm us down. The vegus nerve is in charge, sending calming signals from the brain to the organs when stimulated. Here are a handful of ways to break the unhelpful cycle of limiting beliefs, activate your vegus nerve and outnumber the negative messages with positive ones . Let’s add some movement and sound to the visual superpowers you already possess, and get you pumped and ready to make some visuals.

Try This:

Sound massage. Hum to yourself or make a "vooo" sound. Let the sound vibrate and massage your throat and chest.
Movement. Tap or thump parts of your body from head to toe with your fingertips, especially the head and upper chest and collar bone area. March in place, crossing the knees and arms in front of the body.
Materials prep. Choose and lay out the materials you will use with care. Select colors that nourish your creativity.
Breathe. Take 3 deep breaths.
Drawing warm-up. Stand at a large piece of paper and fill the page drawing lines, circles and basic shapes.

The next time your are feeling stuck in negative bias and want to practice self-care, take a moment to picture what you want and try one or more of the 5 simple, multi-modal steps above to get your ink, mind/body/hand connection and ideas flowing.

Keep These Tools Close

The beauty of these multi-modal practices is that they work precisely when your thinking brain is least reliable —when negativity bias has you in its grip. You don't need to remember complex steps or have perfect conditions. Just remember this: when you notice that familiar clench in your gut or heaviness in your chest, that's your cue. Pick one mode—sound, movement, physical preparation, breath, or drawing—and engage your body for just 60 seconds. The act of doing breaks the mental loop. Keep a simple sketch somewhere visible as your reminder of what ease feels like, or set a daily alarm to practice one technique. The more you use these tools when you're calm, the more naturally they'll come to you when you need them most. Your body already knows how to do this; you're just giving it permission to lead.

Discipline IS Self Care

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 15:29:49 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 6 No. 23 Nov 7, 2025

When Discipline Becomes Love:
A Visual Thinking Approach

What if I told you that the discipline required to show up consistently isn't the opposite of self-care— it is self-care ?

This might sound backwards. We're conditioned to see discipline as restrictive, demanding, even punishing. Self-care, on the other hand, feels soft, indulgent, restorative. They seem to live on opposite ends of the wellness spectrum.

But here's what I'm learning: they're actually the same thing.

A Moment That Changed My Perspective

Recently, I listened to a webinar with author Dushka Zapata https://www.quora.com/profile/Dushka-Zapata , and something she said completely reframed how I think about consistency. She was discussing her daily writing practice, and the way she talked about discipline was different from anything I'd heard before.

She didn't describe it as forcing herself or powering through. She talked about discipline as an act of care—a way of honoring what matters to her. The discipline wasn't against her impulses; it was for her growth and wellbeing.

That idea stuck with me for days.

I realized I'd been approaching my visual thinking practice and other helpful habits with an undertone of obligation and pressure. "I should sketch daily." "I need to get better." "I have to …" But what if we shifted that energy entirely?

What if showing up is an act of love? What if the discipline to practice isn't about productivity or improvement—it's about honoring what matters to you?

Why This Matters for Visual Thinkers

As people who use visual thinking, we know the power of reframing. We literally draw new perspectives. Yet many of us struggle with consistency in our practice because we're running on the wrong fuel: guilt, comparison, or pressure.

When discipline becomes self-care, everything changes.

For your visual thinking practice:

Your morning sketching isn't a chore—it's how you process your thoughts and find clarity
Protecting time for visual exploration isn't selfish—it's nurturing a skill that serves you
Following through on your commitment to practice builds trust with yourself
Structure doesn't limit creativity—it creates the space where visual thinking thrive s

And this applies everywhere:
The same shift works for any habit that matters to you—exercise, finances, sleep, learning, boundaries. When you see discipline as caring for your future self rather than restricting your present self, sustainable change becomes possible.

Try This: The Discipline-as-Self-Care Venn Diagram

(5-10 minutes)

Let's use visual thinking to discover where discipline and self-care overlap—starting with your visual practice but expanding to your whole life.

Step 1: Draw two overlapping circles (Venn diagram)

Label the left circle: "Positive actions I can take"
Label the right circle: "What would feel like self-care"
Leave the overlap section in the middle blank for now

Step 2: Fill the left circle with habits where you struggle with consistency: Start with your visual thinking practice (daily sketching? Using visuals in meetings? Keeping a visual journal?), then add other areas—exercise, sleep, finances, boundaries, whatever surfaces. Use simple words or quick icons.

Step 3: Fill the right circle with what would truly care for you:

For visual thinking: Mental clarity? Creative confidence? Processing your thoughts? A sense of flow?
For life: More energy? Peace of mind? Feeling in control? Better health? Financial security?

Don't overthink it—just capture what would genuinely feel caring and nurturing.

Step 4: Find the magic in the middle

Look at each item in the left circle: would this disciplined habit create something you listed in the right circle? For instance, under "Where I need more discipline," perhaps "regular exercise" pairs with the self-care wish for "more energy."
For each matching pair, circle or highlight the items in the left and right circles using a unique color or pattern.
Write these connections in the middle section, such as "A daily walk gives me energy"

Example: "Daily sketching practice" connects to "mental clarity" and "creative confidence"

Step 5: Choose your visual thinking anchor

Find your visual thinking habit in the overlap and highlight it
Below your diagram, sketch one small, concrete action for this week
Write: "This is how I care for myself through visual thinking"

Reflection: What surprises you about what ended up in the overlap? When you see discipline as self-care rather than self-improvement, how does your relationship with your visual practice and other habits shift?

Your Turn

We'd love to hear what you discover. If you try this activity, what connections surprise you? Does reframing discipline as self-care make it easier to show up—to your sketchbook or to other commitments?

And here's the question I'm sitting with this week: "What would be the most caring thing I could discipline myself to do?"

Sometimes love looks like keeping promises to yourself. And sometimes that promise is as simple as: "I'll spend 10 minutes with my sketchbook today."

Finding Your Sweet Spot: A Visual Thinking Approach to Mutual Decisions

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 10:30:00 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 6 No. 22 Oct 24, 2025

We've all been there—stuck in endless debates about which direction to take, which option to choose, or which idea to pursue. Whether it's your team deciding on a new project, your organization evaluating a future direction, or a committee choosing between proposals, the conversation can quickly spiral into competing priorities and frustration.

The Sweet Spot* tool offers a way out of this dilemma by giving everyone a shared visual language to evaluate options together . By scoring choices against five critical criteria— Mission, Capacity, Competency, Impact, and Will —you can move from arguing in circles to finding solutions that genuinely work for everyone involved.

I recently encountered a situation that lends itself perfectly to this framework. A local cultural organization faced a dilemma. A youth organization had requests free use of their large meeting room space every Thursday evening for a skills and leadership program. The program serves tweens and teens, which aligns with the organization's mission.

The arrangement sounds like a slam dunk, but there are drawbacks. First, if the room is occupied, the organization loses potential rental income for those evenings, which offsets ongoing maintenance of the aging facility. There are also questions about access, cleanup and wear and tear on the space.

On the other hand, the mission is to serve the needs of the community, and community meeting space is clearly a need.

The organization faces a decision—whether or not to allow the youth program to meet in their facility. One can imagine that passionate arguments could be made both for and against the idea, potentially causing friction among members.

Decisions like this are often made by gut instinct, tradition or simply following the will of the loudest.

What if there were a way to evaluate the pros and cons of the proposal using more objective criteria? How might all the voices in the room be heard equally?

Here's where visuals can save the day.

Imagine the leader of the organization putting up a large sheet of paper with a diagram. In the center of the diagram is a circle. Emanating out from the circle are five lines. Each line is numbered one to five. The ones are positioned at the farthest points away from the middle, fives surround the circle.

The leader explains that the group will be tasked with working together to score the request at hand from 1 to 5 for each of the five criterion: Mission, Capacity, Competency, Impact and Will

The team might find that they can come to consensus scoring each criterion as they share ideas, priorities, concerns and aspirations.

Mission: 5 — Serving youth aligns perfectly with their purpose
Capacity: 2 — They have the space, but losing rental income would strain their tight budget
Competency: 4 — Managing room access was something they already do well
Impact: 5 — The program could meaningfully change lives for 35+ young people
Will: 3 — Half the staff is enthusiastic; half is worried about the financial implications

Seeing the scores visually—three high scores, one low one and one in the middle—clarifies that this isn't a "yes or no" decision but a "how can we make this work?" opportunity.

Imagine that within minutes, the team brainstorms solutions that align with the priorities they just discussed: What if the youth organization contributed $50/month? Could they or the youth organization apply for a small grant to offset the revenue loss? What if the youth could help with needed repairs and upgrades to the space in lieu of payment?

The Sweet Spot for this scenario might be a solution that combines a modest fee structure, a volunteer coordinator and an arrangement where projects are undertaken to supplement fee payments. Using the visual scoring tool can transform advocacy into problem-solving , and honor both the organization's mission and sustainability.

Want to jump in and
give it a try?
Grab a pen and some
paper or download the template and play along.

15-Minute Activity:
Map Your Sweet Spot

Ready to try the Sweet Spot tool with your next decision? Here's a quick visual thinking activity you can facilitate in just fifteen minutes:

What You'll Need:

Large paper or whiteboard, or a large printout of the template linked here
Markers in different colors
The option(s) you're deciding between

The Process:

Draw the Framework (3 minutes): Copy the Sweet Spot diagram shown here. Label the lines and discuss the following criteria with the group.

Mission — Does this align with our core purpose and values?
Capacity — Do we have the resources (time, money, space, people)?
Competency — Do we have the skills and expertise to do this well?
Impact — Will this create meaningful, positive change?
Will — Do we genuinely want to do this? Is there energy and commitment?

2. Define Your Scale (2 minutes): Remind everyone that 1 = "not at all" or "very weak," and 5 = "absolutely" or "very strong." Keep it simple and intuitive.

3. Score Your Option (5 minutes): For each option under consideration, go through each criterion and ask the group: "On a scale of 1 to 5, how does this score?" Discuss briefly and mark your collective score on each line.

4. Analyze the Pattern (5 minutes): Step back and look at your visual map together. Ask:

Which criteria scored highest? (These are your strengths)
Which scored lowest? (These are your gaps or concerns)
Are most scores close to 5? (You're near the Sweet Spot!)
Are several scores low? (Can you address those gaps, or should you reconsider?)
What would it take to move a low score higher?

The beauty of this tool: Everyone can see the same picture , which turns "me versus you" into "us looking at this together." Visual thinking creates shared understanding that words alone rarely achieve. The Sweet Spot isn't about perfection—it's about finding options where most criteria score high, or where low scores can be addressed.

Recap

The Sweet Spot tool transforms decision-making from a battle of opinions into a collaborative exploration. By visually scoring options through five essential lenses— Mission, Capacity, Competency, Impact, and Wil l—you give your group a shared framework for evaluation. No single voice dominates, and no single criterion wins. Instead, you find solutions that honor your purpose while respecting practical constraints.

The next time you're facing a decision with multiple stakeholders and competing concerns, remember: the goal isn't to win the argument, but to find the intersection where most of your criteria score high. That's your Sweet Spot, and visual thinking is your map to get there. When you identify gaps, you can problem-solve together rather than simply saying yes or no.

*References:

"Sweet Spot" by Sue Phillips, New England Region of the UUA, March 22, 2018. www.uua.org/new-england

Another Ace In The Hole

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 12:00:00 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 6 No. 21 Oct 10, 2025

Another Ace in the Hole

This week, we are busily preparing for what's next. In the meantime, we'd like to point you to one of our favorite ways to use visual thinking to plan for YOUR next stroke of brilliance. Step into the way-back machine with us to 2021 to learn this tried and true Visual Thinking Ace in the Hole.

Over the past couple of weeks, I've been thinking about my favorite ways to apply visual thinking. It occurred to me that my favorite go-to visual thinking tool is a lovely cross-pollination of a typical mind map and Dan Roam's 6x6 framework from his bestseller The Back of the Napkin . It's always my first stop whenever I'm developing an innovation, beginning a new project, improving a process, creating a vision, working on a problem, brainstorming ideas, or learning something new. In short, it's...

My Visual Thinking Ace In The Hole!

It never fails to generate new ideas, surface questions, untangle confusion, connect the dots or bring an "ah-ha" moment. The best part is it can be done any time, any place, in just a few minutes.
No high tech tools or fancy software required. All you need is something to write with and something to write on.

Want to jump in and
give it a try?
Grab a pen and some
paper or download the template and play along.

Step 1) Give it a name - In the middle of your page, write down the topic you want to explore and draw a bubble around it.

Step 2) Add 7 W's - In spokes around your name, add the 7 W's. You might remember these from school. They are W HO, W HAT, HO W MUCH, W HERE, W HEN, HO W , and W HY . Now draw a bubble around each one. For extra credit, you can color-code each W and add a simple icon beside each one for even more clarity.

Step 3) Do a brain dump - This is the fun part . Using short phrases, let your mind go free and dump everything you know about each topic in spokes around each W.

W HO - These all the people involved. Planning a big event? They could be the hosts, guests, caterers, florists, entertainers, security, etc. Working on a new innovation or a project? They could be the team members, suppliers, subcontractors, the people who will benefit from or be impacted by the innovation or project, the community at
large, etc.
W HAT - These are all the things involved. For your event, they could be the invitations, food, music, seating, gifts, etc. For your innovation or project, they could be the product, technology, materials, facilities, tools, documentation, etc.
HO W MUCH or HO W MANY - These are the quantifiable numbers you need to consider. They could be your budget, guests, team members, available time, ROI, etc.
W HERE - These are the places you need to explore or connect with. They could be the venues, locations, branches, departments, teams, etc.
W HEN - These are the dates you want to nail down. They could be the event date, when contracts need to be signed, when deposits are due, when you need to send out invitations, when you need to present your innovation or your project deliverable is due, etc.
HO W - These are the steps you need to take. This could be the process you need to follow, the journey you want to
take, or the tools you'll be using, such as a vision map, process flow chart, or software application.
W HY - This may be the most important one. Why are you doing this? What is the vision or the desired outcome?

Step 4) Let it percolate - Put your pen down and walk away from your map. Let your brain percolate for a while, be it a few minutes, a few days, weeks, or months. This is where the magic happens . Your reticular activating system will begin to fill in the blanks and make connections while you are busy doing other things.

Step 5) Take a 2nd pass - Come back to your map and add any new insights or information that may come to mind.

Step 6) Share it - Here's the payoff! Share your map with your co-planners, team, or tribe. From here, you have a launchpad that invites collaboration and further discussion. One that was fast and easy to make. One that is easy to share and easy to leverage for your next steps. That's what I call an Ace In The Hole!

Draw some fun figures to go with your WHOs

The Just-Right Visual

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 10:00:06 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 6 No. 20, September 26, 2025

Planning for What's Next

Over the last couple of months, if you had a chance to read our newsletter on your summer travels, we narrowed our focus to a handful of very basic shapes in our “Shape Shift” series. We explored some of the ways we can harness the power of these simple visual tools. In this next series, will be floating up in a hot air balloon and broadening our view.

We know life is complicated, and sometimes capturing that complexity is necessary. For example, when you’re planning a cross-functional project or one that involves community input, creating and tracking a detailed project plan is essential.

Sometimes, however, we seek the ease that comes with simplifying a project to the high-level summary. Visuals are magic here. Being able to understand where you are at a glance saves time, keeps you on track and allows you to share that progress with others.

Determining how much information to share and in what format can be a confusing task. No doubt you have experienced a deer-in-the-headlights moment looking at a graph, map or chart that made no sense to you no matter how long you stared at it. Perhaps you have also experienced the frustration of a diagram that so oversimplified, it left you skeptical that there was enough data behind it to give you confidence in its message.

As in the classic story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, you and those you want to communicate with will be most comfortable if the visuals you create don’t have too little content, nor too much, but rather juuuuust right.

Where should you start to create the just-right visual?

We are preparing to launch not just one series, but a set of series that will dive into this very question and more. We will peer deeply into some practical ideas for combining those shapes into powerful tools you can use to reduce complexity, understand problems, generate solutions and share ideas .

As a place to start, here is a quick template you can use to kickstart your thinking, however you plan to use your visual superpowers. Think of this as a pre-planning exercise before you dive into the actual making of your visual.

Try This:

This template is especially useful when you are preparing to create a visual that will be shared with others and is intended to communicate something of importance. This scratch-sheet is intended to help you pre-sort your ideas for what could be included in your visual so you can narrow down the list to just what should be included for the biggest impact.

Download and print the "Just-Right" template.
Add a title to the top that describes the specific focus for your visual, such as "Agenda Template for Weekly Meetings" or "Onboarding Process".
Using the questions as prompts, jot down your ideas in the relevant section:

Too little
Enough
Too much

Want to make this a group activity?

Copy or print this template HUGE and have the group generate and sort their ideas using stickies.

Examples

Here are a few examples of how you might respond to each of the prompt questions:

Who is the audience and what's their level of expertise? Is your audience subject matter experts, new to this information, somewhere in between, or a mix? For a technical process map: too little skips crucial steps non-experts need, too much includes insider jargon, just right bridges knowledge gaps without talking down.
What might the audience need to know? For a project summary visual: too little shows only project phases, too much includes all tasks for each phase, just right shows key milestones with deadlines and responsible groups.
How will the visual be viewed? (large/small, on phones/screens, email, social media, presentation, etc.) For a budget update PDF: too little offers figures without context, too much creates unreadably tiny spreadsheets, just right is understandable at a glance yet detailed enough for closer review.
How much time will viewers have with your visual? For a presentation slide: too little provides numbers without context, too much overwhelms with paragraph-heavy content, just right can be absorbed in the time allocated while supporting the speaker's message.
What is the one key takeaway from this visual? For any communication: too little leaves viewers guessing the point, too much buries the message in competing details, just right ensures all elements support a single clear story.
What might the future of this visual hold? For a process diagram: too little lacks necessary details, too much becomes unwieldy to update, just right builds in flexibility for expected modifications while staying focused on current needs.

Closing Thought

Visual thinking doesn't have to be complicated—it just needs to be intentional. By taking a few minutes to sort through what belongs in your "too little," "enough," and "too much" categories before you start creating, you'll save time and create visuals that actually work for your audience. Remember: the goal isn't perfection, it's clarity.

Thank you for joining the Applied Visual Thinking family. We look forward to hearing from you what works for you and where you'd like more ideas for applying your visual thinking superpowers. Email us your ideas, questions, comments and stories!

Shape Shift Map

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 11:00:01 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 6 No. 19, September 12, 2025

The Map → Connecting the Journey

Welcome to the Shape Shift Series Wrap-Up

Now that you’ve oriented yourself with the compass, we’ll explore how to map your path—so you can see the journey at a glance and chart progress with clarity.

But before we step forward, let’s look back. Our summer Shape Shift series can be imagined as a map. Not a detailed one, but a hand-drawn treasure map with dotted paths connecting the shapes we’ve explored—circles, squares, triangles, blobs, arrows, flags, and the compass. Each shape feels like a landmark along the way, a place to pause and gather insight before moving on. It’s time to bring the series full circle with the Shape Shift Map .

Shape

When to Use It

How to Apply It

Circle

When you want to show connection, cycles, or unity
To represent ongoing processes or inclusive concepts

Use circles to frame or connect ideas that loop or evolve; great for showing continuity and relationships in a fluid way.

Square

When clarity and structure are needed
To break complex content into organized segments

Draw boxes or grids to section off information, add order, and provide a stable visual framework.

Triangle

To illustrate hierarchy, priorities, or sequence
When you want to ground ideas on a solid base

Sketch triangles as pyramids for ranking, as directional flows, or to emphasize foundational elements.

Blob

When capturing nascent, fuzzy ideas
To unleash creativity and show organic connections

Use freeform, amorphous shapes that allow overlaps and ambiguous boundaries, perfect for brainstorming and idea growth.

Arrow 

To guide attention or show movement
When illustrating steps, transitions, or cause-and-effect

Add arrows between or encompassing elements to lead the eye, demonstrate direction, or signal progression in your visuals.

Flag

When you need to highlight milestones or points of achievement
To draw attention to notable marker

Place flag icons or pennants on key ideas, “you are here” spots, or accomplishments to emphasize importance.

Compass

When you’re feeling scattered or stuck
To gain perspective across time and align with your goals

Sketch a compass with four directions: South = where you’ve been, West = where you are, North = where you’re going, East = what’s next. This helps rebalance, orient thinking, and guide intentional steps.

Why Use a Map?

A map gives you more than directions—it shows context . With all the shapes working together, the Shape Shift Map helps you:

See the whole journey at a glance, not just scattered tasks.
Connect the pieces —people, priorities, ideas, and milestones—into one clear picture.
Stay oriented so you don’t just move forward, but move forward with purpose.

It’s not about drawing perfectly—it’s about creating a visual guide you can return to whenever you feel lost, scattered, or ready for the next step.

Try This: Draw Your Map

Start with a blank page and a dotted path across it.
Place the shapes (circle, square, triangle, blob, arrow, flag or compass) that seem most interesting and relevant to you along the path as stops on a journey .
Label each shape with what it means for you—connection, structure, priorities, fuzzy ideas, direction, milestones, orientation.
Step back and look: you’ve just created a Shape Shift Map , a visual guide you can return to whenever you feel stuck or need perspective.

A Closing Story

For my next project, I’ll sketch a map—starting with a circle for the people, a square for the scope, a triangle for priorities, a blob for messy ideas, and arrows for flow. I’ll mark milestones with flags and keep a compass for direction. With the Shape Shift Map , it won’t just be a list of tasks—it will be a journey I can truly navigate.

“The Shape Shift Map turns scattered tasks into a journey you can navigate.”

Thank you for joining the Shape Shift series! May your map guide you with clarity and creativity as you chart your own path forward. Join us next time as we continue exploring visual thinking tools to see, think, and create.

Shape Shift - The Compass

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 23:12:49 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 6 No. 18, August 29, 2025

Navigate with Clarity

Welcome to the Shape Shift Series – Part 7

In our last issue, “Shape Shift – The Flag,” we explored how to mark your wins, milestones, and key ideas so they stand out. But once you’ve planted those markers, how do you know you’re moving in the right direction? How do you stay connected to both your past and your future?

That’s when you turn to the compass .

A compass is a shape with purpose—helping you orient your thinking and navigate with intention. It keeps you grounded in where you’ve been, aware of where you are, and focused on where you’re going.

A Story of Orientation

I confess, I hit a roadblock working on my next course. It's not that I had no ideas, it's that I had too many all at once. Every time I picked up the project, I felt pulled in every direction, unsure where to focus.

The compass gave me an idea . Instead of pushing harder, I stopped and drew a quick compass in my notes. I labeled the four directions:

South – Where I’ve been
West – Where I am
North – Where I’m going
East – What’s next

Seeing it mapped out gave me perspective. I realized I was spending all my energy looking east—chasing the “next thing to do”—without thoroughly understanding where I was or honoring what I’d already accomplished. That compass sketch reminded me to rebalance, and to do it often.

Why Use a Compass?

In visual thinking, the compass helps you do more than just choose a direction. Use a compass to help you:

1. See the whole picture – Balance past, present and future perspectives .

Example: Map your relationship to a work habit you'd like to shift. If you want to find greater focus towards your writing projects, for example,… South - note your past approaches, feelings and observations towards writing. West - record a snapshot of the same factors at present. North - add what might be different after the shift. Finally, to the East - identify a few immediate steps you can take.

2. Stay grounded – Avoid being pulled only by urgency, others' priorities or reactionary thinking .

Example: South - name one achievable but complex task, set of mini-tasks or portion of a project you absolutely need to get done today. West - what you've done/gathered/thought about so far in relation to this task. North - why completing this task is mission critical. (If it's not, pick a different one!) East - the next steps you need to take to get focused, get started, stay on task and celebrate success when it's done.

3. Choose wisely – Make decisions aligned with your true direction .

Example: Take inspiration from the Balanced Scorecard and change the four directions to "Customer," "Financial," "Internal Processes" and "Learning and Growth" to look at where your organization's current status. Reflect on how these categories might pair with the directions, such as South - our comfort zone, West - where we've put in the most work recently, North - the stretch goals, and East - a good next focus.

Try This: Draw Your Compass

Next time you feel scattered or stuck, sketch a compass and label the four directions:

South – Where I’ve been
West – Where I am
North – Where I’m going
East – What’s next

Then, notice where your attention lingers—and whether it’s time to shift focus.

Coming next: Shape Shift – The Map → Connecting the journey

Now that you’ve oriented yourself with the compass, we’ll explore how to map your path—so you can see the journey at a glance and chart progress with clarity.

Shape Shift - The Flag

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 19:06:56 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 6 No. 17, August 15, 2025

Mark the Moment

Welcome to the Shape Shift Series — Part 6 .

In our last issue, “Shape Shift – The Arrow,” we explored how arrows move us forward—helping us focus, connect, and take the next step. But once you’ve made progress, how do you mark it so it stands out later? How do you claim a moment and say, “This matters” ?

That’s when you raise a flag .

Flags are visual declarations —simple shapes that grab attention and signal meaning. They can celebrate wins, mark milestones, or warn of hazards. A flag in your notes says, “Don’t overlook this.”

A Story from My Lawn

A few summers ago, our lawn was looking tired and patchy. We decided to bring in a lawn care company to get it healthy again. After each treatment, they would leave a small, brightly colored flag in the grass—not for decoration, but as a clear signal: “Keep people and pets off the lawn for the rest of the day.”

Those flags worked. We didn’t have to remember every treatment schedule or guess when it was safe—one look at that little marker, and we knew. It was a visual cue that carried important meaning, without a single word.

The Flag

In visual thinking, flags serve the same purpose—they stand out and communicate instantly. They’re markers that help you return to what’s important later.

Flags don’t just make your pages look interesting; they work as memory anchors . When you flip through your notes, those little banners pull you back to the moment—reminding you of a key decision, a core value, or a win worth celebrating.

Why Use Flags?

Flags help you emphasize and recall what matters most. Use a flag when you want to:

1. Highlight wins or key ideas

Make your best ideas easy to spot later.
Example: Add a bright flag next to a breakthrough moment in a brainstorming session.

2. Mark milestones in a project

Celebrate and track progress visually.
Example: Draw a flag on your project timeline each time you hit a deliverable.

3. Signal values or themes

Assign colors or shapes to represent recurring ideas .
Example: A blue flag could always mean “innovation” in your notes, making patterns easier to see.

Flags are the shape of visibility.

They help you pause, take note, and make sure important things stand out—just like those little lawn markers that kept us from accidentally undoing the work we’d paid for.

Try This: Create Your Victory Banner

Next time you’re taking notes, find something you’re proud of—a decision, an action, a discovery. Draw a small flag beside it.

Pick a color that matches the feeling.
Add a word or icon inside to make the meaning clear.

Over time, your notes will fill with tiny victory banners—a visual trail of progress and pride.

Coming next: The Compass → Navigating with clarity and values

You’ve claimed your wins and marked your milestones—now we’ll explore how to use the compass to guide your ideas and keep your work true to its purpose.

Shape Shift - The Arrow

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 19:46:42 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 6 No. 16, August 1, 2025

Make a Move

Welcome to the Shape Shift Series Part 5.

In today's fast-paced and complex work world, sometimes it takes a little something extra to get your message to stand out above the noise. In our last issue, “ Shape Shift – The Blob ,” we explored how loose, organic shapes help us capture messy ideas. But what if you’re ready to shift from possibility to progress? What if you’ve explored the puddle—and now it’s time to really move?

That’s when you reach for a shape with intention and energy.

That’s where the arrow comes in.

My neighbor demonstrated one way to call attention to an important point. His parking space abuts a high rock wall. Cars tended to park close to the end of his driveway, making it difficult to see to get out safely. The city awarded his persistence with a no parking sign. The sign contains two BIG arrows pointing straight down as if to say, "don't you DARE park in this space!"

The Arrow

Arrows are the shape of motion . Sharp, direct, and forward-focused, arrows cut through confusion and point to what’s next. When you’re feeling stuck, arrows help you take the next step—even if it’s a small one.

In visual thinking, arrows create momentum. They don’t just organize information—they activate it. Arrows bring structure to sequences, spotlight priorities, and connect ideas in meaningful ways.

Why Use Arrows?

Arrows are directional by nature. They signal movement and help your thoughts travel. Use an arrow when you want to:

1. Make connections

When ideas feel scattered, arrows help you link them .
Example: Draw arrows between related notes on a whiteboard to make relationships visible—like cause and effect, or problem to solution.

2. Show progress

Arrows help you map a path forward —from idea to action.
Example: Planning a project? Use arrows to lay out key phases and transitions. Show how one step flows into the next.

3. Clarify priorities

Not everything moves at once. Arrows can highlight what to focus on first .
Example: Use arrows to mark urgent tasks, must-dos, or decision points that need attention now.

Arrows are the shape of clarity.

When you’re ready to move forward, shift your energy, or guide attention—draw an arrow . Let it point the way.

Try This: Create an Action Map

Start with a circle. Inside it, write a current challenge you’re facing—big or small.

Now, draw three arrows pointing outward:

Next Step – What’s one action you could take right now?
Support – Who or what could help you move forward?
Unknown – What’s still unclear? What question needs answering?

Label each arrow and sketch small icons or notes beside them. Let the arrows guide your thinking from stuck to unstuck.

Coming next: Raise Your Flag → Declare Your Message

You’ve shaped your ideas and mapped your next steps—now it’s time to make your message visible. In our final issue, we’ll explore how flags help you take a stand, communicate clearly, and claim your creative space.

Shape Shift - The Blob

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 10:30:00 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 6 No. 15, July 16, 2025

Make Space for Messy Ideas

Welcome to the Shape Shift Series Part 4.

In our last issue, “ Shape Shift – The Triangle ,” we explored how triangles help us focus, prioritize, and clarify. But what if you’re not ready to narrow down just yet? What if your ideas are complex, swirling or evolving?

That’s when you need a different shape entirely—something squishy, open, and flowing.

That’s where the blob comes in.

The Blob

Blobs are the shape of exploration. With no sharp corners or straight lines, they give your ideas room to breathe, sprawl, and evolve. A blob doesn’t demand order—it invites ambiguity, play, and complexity. It’s the shape you turn to when your thinking is raw, undefined, or wonderfully weird.

In visual thinking, blobs offer a safe and flexible space to hold ideas that aren’t ready to be boxed in or pinned down.

Why Use Blobs?

Blobs are organic by nature. They don’t follow rules or require precision. Instead, they create space for discovery.

Use a blob when you want to:

1. Capture fuzzy thoughts

When you’re brainstorming alone or in a group setting, blobs give you a loose structure to gather ideas that are still forming.

Example: Jot early ideas for a new workshop. Inside a blob, write stray words, half-baked themes, scribbled questions. A blob is your container to capture all of your ideas without needing to organize just yet. Not sure where to start? Try Dan Roam's 6x6 - who or what, how much, where, when, how and why.

2. Give yourself a space to play

Blobs are perfect for exercising your creativity. Color, texture, and motion can all show up inside a blob.
Example: Take a mental play break. Draw a blob with your eyes closed or make a blob on your page with a bit of spilled coffee, tea or paint. Take a moment to look at your blob from different directions as it dries. What does it remind you of? Use a pen or maker to add definition and detail to turn your blob into some more concrete and give it a name. This exercise is a fun way to expand your visual vocabulary.

3. Represent complexity

When things feel interconnected, blobs let you show it all—without simplifying too soon.
Example: Use a group of blobs to map the factors contributing to team success, such as clear goals, trust and commitment. Let the ideas overlap and swirl.

Blobs are the shape of freedom. When you need space to think without limits, when you're generating ideas or swimming in ambiguity—draw a blob. Let it hold whatever needs holding.

Try This: Create a Thinking Puddle

Let your pen wander. Draw a big, loose, blobby shape. No edges, no symmetry—just motion. Inside the blob, write what’s on your mind. Let it spill out: concerns, ideas, questions, vision.

No structure. No judgment. No formatting. This is your thinking puddle —a space to be messy on purpose.

Want to go further? Layer in color, add tiny drawings, circle key ideas. Let the blob evolve. It’s not a container—it’s a living field of thought.

Coming next: Arrows → Direction in Motion

Shapes help you hold ideas—but arrows help you move them forward. In the next issue, we’ll explore how arrows can guide attention, show progress, connect ideas, and bring clarity to your visual thinking. Get ready to add movement and meaning to your visual thinking—one arrow at a time.

Shape Shift - The Triangle

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 21:15:13 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 6 No. 14, July 4, 2025

Point with Purpose

Welcome to the Shape Shift Series Part 3.

In our last issue, “ Shape Shift – The Square ,” we explored how structure and containment help ideas take form. But what if you’re ready to focus in , identify what matters most, and move with intention?

That’s where the triangle comes in.

If the square is a container, the triangle is a spotlight—it directs your attention, clarifies your goals, and sharpens your message. Triangles are compact, efficient, and full of meaning. In visual thinking, they help you zoom in and prioritize what’s most important.

The Triangle

Triangles are more than just shapes with three sides—they’re tools of focus, clarity, and intention . In visual thinking, the triangle helps you identify direction and distill complexity into its core elements.

Here’s how you can use a triangle in your visual thinking:

1. Highlight a hierarchy

Triangles naturally point upward, making them perfect for visualizing levels of priority or importance.

Try this: Draw a triangle and divide it into three horizontal levels (like a pyramid).

At the top , write your highest priority or big-picture goal.
In the middle , include mid-level projects and roles.
At the base , add foundational elements or tasks that support the rest.

Example: Planning a team retreat

Top: Inspire connection and collaboration
Middle: Schedule group activities and team-building
Base: Book venue, food, transportation

Use this structure to communicate what’s most important—and what everything else depends on.

2. Show cause and effect

Triangles also create a natural visual flow, which is ideal for sequencing actions or explaining how one element drives another.

Try this: Use a triangle on its side to map a cause-and-effect flow.

At the left , identify the starting condition or trigger.
In the middle , outline the process or reactions.
At the right , state the result or impact.

Example: Customer complaint process

Trigger: Late delivery
Response: Investigate → Apologize → Offer refund
Outcome: Retained customer, improved shipping process

This layout helps you communicate logic clearly and concisely.

3. Create balance through focus

A triangle’s three sides offer stability—even when what you’re working on feels uncertain.

Try this: Draw a triangle with a goal at the top and two supporting elements at the base.

Ask yourself: What two things will hold this goal up?

Example:

Top (Goal): Launch new employee onboarding
Bottom Left: Build welcome content
Bottom Right: Set up LMS automation

This triangle structure brings clarity to your next steps—just three key elements to stay grounded and aligned.

Triangles are the shape of clarity —three points that create stability, direction, and intention. When your ideas feel scattered or you need to cut through complexity, draw a triangle. Let it guide your focus.

Ready to put your triangles to work?

Each of these exercises starts with a triangle. Choose one and try it:

Draw a triangle on your page or whiteboard.
Choose a focus:
S how a hierarchy
Map cause and effect
Ground a goal in key supports
Fill it in to reflect your priorities, process, or purpose.

Let the triangle help you zoom in, narrow your view, and move forward with clarity.

Next time: Blobs — messy, marvelous, and perfect for creative, unstructured thinking.

Shape Shift - The Square

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 19:07:29 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 6 No. 13, June 20, 2025

Welcome to the Shape Shift Series Part 2.

In our last issue " Shape Shift - The Circle " we explored the circle—a symbol of unity, cycles, and flow. But what happens when those ideas need to be sorted, structured, or set into motion? That’s where the square comes in. If a circle holds energy, a square directs it. It’s the shape of boundaries and balance, a visual container where messy ideas can settle into order.

The Square

Squares are more than boxes or blocks—they represent structure, containment, and clarity . In visual thinking, a square helps ground scattered thoughts and shape them into something actionable.

Here’s how you can use a square in your visual thinking:

1. Map out a process

Squares lend themselves to sequence. Place four smaller squares inside a larger one and use them to capture a step-by-step process.

Try this: Use the classic “What? So What? Now What? Wow!” reflection model.

What? Describe the situation or event.
So What? Reflect on its significance or impact.
Now What? Decide what comes next.
Wow! Capture a key insight, breakthrough, or appreciation.

Use this framework after a meeting, a project wrap-up, or even a challenging conversation to help clarify key takeaways.

2. Highlight important points

Squares help you sort and contrast ideas clearly. Line up boxes in rows and columns to create a visual comparison grid.

Try this: Draw a 2x2 matrix. Label the axes based on your decision criteria—like effort vs. impact, or cost vs. value.

Example: You’re deciding which marketing strategy to prioritize. Label your grid:

Vertical axis = Effort (Low to High)
Horizontal axis = Impact (Low to High)
Then, plot each strategy idea in the box where it fits. A low-effort, high-impact idea goes in the top-left—usually a great place to start. A high-effort, low-impact idea? Probably one to skip.

Seeing your options visually makes priorities easier to spot.

3. Frame a question

Sometimes you don’t need answers—you need a better question. A square helps you break a big topic into approachable angles.

Try this: In the center of the square, write your main issue or decision. Around each corner, write a different lens:

Facts – What do I know for sure?
Feelings – How do I feel about this?
Fears – What’s holding me back?
Future – What’s possible from here?

Example: You’re considering whether to apply for a leadership role.

Facts: I have 10+ years of experience and strong team support.
Feelings: I’m both excited and nervous.
Fears: Impostor syndrome and fear of failing publicly.
Future: This could lead to growth, influence, and new challenges.

Breaking it down like this gives you clarity—not just on the decision, but on how you’re thinking about it.

Squares are the shape of stability— solid lines, right angles, and everything in its place . When your thoughts feel scattered or your plans feel loose, draw a square. Give your ideas a home.

Ready to put your squares to work?

All 3 of these processes start with 4 squares. Choose one and give it a go.

Draw a square on your page or whiteboard.
Divide it into four sections using a cross or grid.
Follow the steps above for the process you choose to

clarify key steps by mapping out a process or
visualize priority by comparing options side by side or
gain clarity by visually framing a question

Let the edges of the square help you focus, structure, and sort.

Tune in next time when we move on to The Triangle —a small shape that brings sharp focus.

Shape Shift - The Circle

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 20:07:10 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 6 No. 12, June 6, 2025

Welcome to the Shape Shift Series. In our last AVT newsletter " Connecting the Dots: Big Ideas from Simple Mar k s, " we explored the power behind the simple dot to communicate structure, flow, grouping or organization of ideas.

What happens when an idea becomes bigger than a dot?

That dot becomes a circle , and from there, possibilities begin to expand. In this series, we dive into a series of simple shapes that carry powerful abilities to spark clarity, confidence, and connection.

The Circle

Circles are more than just dots or wheels—they represent wholeness , unity , and continuity . In visual thinking, a circle can:

1. Group ideas together

Circles can create order out of chaos.
Try this: Next time you have too many ideas to tame, jot each one on a sticky note. Post them on a wall or flipchart. Group similar sticky notes. CIRCLE each group and give each group a title in big, bold letters. Voila. Now that you have categories, you should find it easier to assess which ones to pursue next.

2. Highlight important points

Circles can lead the eye to a relevant thought, and where they EYE goes, the MIND goes.
Try this: Next time you take notes, make a point of emphasizing the key words and phrases you'd like to remember by CIRCLING them. Of course, you can make them bold, highlighted or outlined in a different color if you have time, but a quick CIRCLE could be all you need.

3. Represent cycles, systems, or feedback loops

Circles can be broken into segments. Add an arrow to one end of each segment, and you can illustrate the flow of activity in a system.
Try this: Do a little research into the life cycle of a frog, butterfly or chicken, or perhaps the water, carbon or rock formation cycles. Represent the life cycle of your choice using a CIRCLE diagram like the one shown here illustrating the developmental stages of a turtle.

Circles can contain worlds, connect worlds, represent portals to previously unimaginable worlds. Circles can be meditative. They can become ants on a log, craters on the moon or shadows under jumping humans.

Ready to put your circles to work?

Draw a big circle. Inside, jot down the things you need to focus on this week. That’s your “ zone .”
Everything outside? Not your zone. Let it go (for now) or delegate.
Circle your top three priorities in your zone . Remember to CELEBRATE when you get your inner circle tasks done!

Tune in next time when we shift over to the square—your visual container.

Connecting the Dots: Big Ideas from Simple Marks

Fri, 23 May 2025 13:00:00 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 6 No. 11, May 23, 2025

Connecting the Dots: Big Ideas from Simple Marks

Recently, my wonderful business partner introduced me to a little book that opened my eyes to the power of a simple dot. In The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds, Vashti, a hesitant young artist, makes a single mark on the page—just a dot. She doesn’t realize the impact it will have. But that one small dot becomes a spark for confidence, creativity, and transformation.

The Power of a Simple Dot

Dots are one of the most fundamental elements of visual language. Their simplicity makes them easy to overlook, but their simplicity is also their strength. A well-placed dot can:

Direct attention
Show relationships
Indicate movement or sequence
Organize information

Dots are everywhere: in bullet points, maps, notes, and graphs. Also, keep in mind dots don't always have to be round. Simple shapes like hearts, stars, or clouds can be used to add impact to your ideas and meaning to your marks.

In the right context, a few well-placed dots can carry as much meaning as a complex diagram . Let's break down a few ways you can up your impact using dots in visual thinking.

1. Focus & Emphasis

A single dot draws the eye. Use it to highlight key ideas or signal importance in: graphic recording, slide decks, to-do lists, or progress symbols like Harvey balls.

Try this : Add a dot next to the most important task on your list. Your brain will give it priority.

2. Structure

Dots can act like nodes, representing parts in a bigger picture in: diagrams, network maps, or bubble charts.

Struggling to see the overall structure of a system?

Try this : create a dot and label it to represent each part of the system. Then add lines to show how each part is connected.

3. Movement & Flow

Dots in a row suggest motion— like steps in a journey .

Struggling to gain traction towards a goal?

Try this : Diagram the steps you need to take to achieve your goal. Connect the steps with a variety of dotted paths, such as closer or farther apart, bigger or smaller, or alternative shapes or colors to represent speed, context, or other factors.

4. Grouping & Categorization

Clusters of dots help sort and compare ideas visually in affinity diagrams, heat maps, or dot voting.

Try this : Use colored dots to group similar ideas. Similar dot colors and sizes will be understood right away as related.

Key Takeaways

A dot can highlight what matters.
Connected dots reveal relationships.
Dots in sequence show flow.
Dot clusters group ideas.

Next time you pick up a pen, start with a single dot. See where it leads.

How do you use dots in your own visual thinking?

Women, Tech and Visual Thinking

Fri, 09 May 2025 15:07:16 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 6 No. 10, May 9, 2025

How Women in Tech—and Visual Thinking—Light the Way

As summer draws nearer, my thoughts take me outdoors with hopes of hiking, camping and adventures. With plan-making comes shopping. One of my recent finds for camping is a portable, inflatable solar lantern that is super compact and lightweight. I love that it has a handle designed to snap around a branch, inside a tent or on a pack so it can charge while you hike.

What I just learned, however, is that this LuminAID lantern was originally designed to bring light to disaster zones. Now it brightens campsites, emergency kits, and communities without reliable electricity. Two New York graduate students, Andrea Sreshta and Anna Stork, came up with the idea in response to stories they heard about difficult and unsafe conditions in Haiti after a devastating earthquake. They took their idea to ABC's "Shark Tank" and found an investor and fan in billionaire Mark Cuban.

Women haven’t had an easy time breaking into tech fields,* but when design meets compassion, innovation shines . Solving real-world problems takes empathy and creativity. Visual thinking is a powerful ally for everyone in innovation. It helps us:

See patterns and connections that others miss
Communicate ideas across disciplines
Make complex problems feel approachable
Prototype and test quickly —before anything is built
Systematize processes from concept to implementation

Making thinking visible can light the path to powerful, human-centered solutions. Here's how.

Some of the more common tools used to make thinking visible in order to drive innovation include product diagrams, mind maps, flowcharts and customer journey maps . These tools are useful to identify and capture problems and gaps in a given marketplace and generate creative ways to address them .

Some more unique visualization tools that can address the broader business questions or drill down to more specifics include:

Business Model Canvas : A strategic management tool to design and communicate business models.
Value Proposition Canvas : Zooms into customer segments and value offerings, complements the Business Model Canvas.
User Experience (Empathy) Maps : Visualizes what users think, feel, say, and do to drive human-centered tech development.
SCAMPER Diagrams : Visual method for idea generation: Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, Reverse

The picture above is a product diagram illustrating the features of the LuminAID lantern. We don't know for sure what techniques Andrea and Anna used to design the LuminAID lantern, but a diagram like this showcases the key benefits. To design your own invention and have some fun with wacky innovation words, check out the template linked from our 2021 article " Innovation Thingies ."

The following diagram is a Value Proposition Canvas, a wonderful way to clarify how your product creates value by relieving pains and creating gains for the customer.

When it comes to technology and innovation, visual thinking is helpful at both micro and macro levels . There are tools to develop and refine your product or service and also to build, manage and communicate the business systems you need to bring your vision into reality.

For a deeper dive into innovating using some of these tools, such as product diagrams, SCAMPER diagrams and creative problem solving, register for our Applied Visual Thinking for INNOVATION online course.

*Are you a women interested in tech? Check out this helpful guide referred to us by a reader in response to our previous article about Visual Thinking for STEM, STEAM and Beyond .

https://www.websiteplanet.com/blog/the-empowering-guide-for-women-in-tech/

Thanks, Isabel!

Visual Thinking Adjacencies

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 17:05:41 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 6 No. 9, April 25, 2025

Want to see things in a different light?

Widen your skills with adjacencies.

I attended a webinar recently that challenged us participants to choose a hobby or activity that is adjacent to the work we want to do or grow. For example, if you want to become an amazing pastry chef, maybe take a bartending class.

By expanding your skills and your awareness through learning something new, you will infuse your work and life with new energy and differentiate yourself as unique.

Want to expand your visual thinking adjacent skills? Here are some complementary practices to consider.

Creative Expression & Design

These hobbies involve composition, color, form, and communication—core to visual thinking:

Sketchnoting or Journaling – capturing ideas through text and images
Abstract or Graphic Art – exploring patterns, movement, and symbolism
Typography or Hand Lettering – visual storytelling through text
Illustration or Comic Drawing – sequencing ideas into visual narratives
Collage or Mixed Media – assembling visuals to convey concepts
Calligraphy – visually expressive writing

Mind Mapping & Information Design

If you like organizing complex ideas visually:

Bullet Journaling – blending structure and creativity
Infographic Making – turning data into engaging visuals
Diagramming (e.g. systems, flowcharts) – simplifying how things work
Puzzle Solving (crosswords, logic puzzles) – great for pattern thinking

Tactile & Spatial Hobbies

These engage the hands and the brain in three-dimensional visual thinking:

LEGO Building – systems thinking in 3D
Origami or Paper Engineering – folding structure into shape
Sewing, Quilting, or Weaving – patterns, symmetry, and storytelling
Woodworking or Model Making – physical sketching in form

Exploration & Observation

For hobbies that strengthen your observation and interpretation skills:

Photography – framing, focus, and storytelling
Urban Sketching – real-time visual notetaking of places
Birdwatching or Nature Journaling – noticing patterns in the world
Graffiti or Street Art Hunting – discovering visual messages in the wild

Strategy & Simulation

Great for those who enjoy systems, rules, and roleplay:

Tabletop Roleplaying Games (like D&D) – drawing maps, characters, visual storytelling
Board Game Design or Playtesting – mapping decisions visually
Game UI/UX Design – visualizing how people interact with systems

Not sure which of these parallel diversions will help your visual thinking learning and development in the long run?

Take this short quiz.

What’s Your Visual Thinking Adjacent Hobby?

Choose the option that feels most like you for each question.

1. How do you prefer to take notes?

A) Doodling in the margins

B) Bullet lists with flair

C) Mind maps or sketches

D) I’d rather take a photo

2. What kind of project sounds most fun?

A) Drawing a comic strip or zine

B) Building a tiny model or diorama

C) Designing an infographic

D) Creating a vision board or mood collage

3. What do you do with a blank page?

A) Start with a character or doodle

B) Fold or cut it into something cool

C) Sketch a layout or system

D) Splash on color and let it evolve

4. Which space would you love to spend time in?

A) A studio filled with pens, brushes, and sketchbooks

B) A makerspace with tools and hands-on supplies

C) A room with sticky notes and whiteboards

D) A gallery of street art, symbols, and texture

5. Which do you notice first in your environment ?

A) Lettering and illustrations

B) Shapes and materials

C) Diagrams and signage

D) Colors, textures, and mood

Results — Your Visual Thinking Hobby Match!

Mostly A’s → The Storyteller

Try: Sketchnoting, Comic Drawing, or Zine Making

You think in narratives and visuals. You love expressing ideas through characters, scenes, and creative storytelling.

Mostly B’s → The Maker

Try: Origami, Model Building, or Textile Arts

You love using your hands to bring ideas to life. Patterns, structures, and materials excite your visual brain.

Mostly C’s → The Mapper

Try: Mind Mapping, Bullet Journaling, or Infographic Design

You’re an idea organizer. You thrive when making complex information clear and visual.

Mostly D’s → The Observer

Try: Photography, Moodboarding, or Street Art Hunting

You see the world through an aesthetic lens. You’re inspired by what you notice and how it feels.

Every visual thinker has their own flavor. Some love structure, others love color and flow. Some find joy in sketching, while others prefer building or curating. Whatever your result, the key is this: visual thinking doesn’t stop at the office or workshop — it’s a way of seeing the world.

Try out your hobby match this week. Snap a photo. Doodle an idea. Fold a paper model. Or just notice what visuals are catching your eye lately. That’s your brain saying “more of this, please.” Be sure to let us know how you widened your skills and the results you enjoyed.

Until next time — keep thinking in pictures.

Four Types of Conversations: Part 4 of 4

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 10:30:00 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 6 No. 8, April 11, 2025

Need to spark and collect input from everyone?

Ever have to bridge the gap between the anvils who don't want to change and the helium balloons who want to change everything constantly? That’s the beauty—and challenge—of collaboration. With the right mix of visual tools, structure, and shared meaning, you can get everyone on the same page (literally).

Today's issue is the third in a four part series about the four key conversation types. If you missed part one or two you can find them here , here and here . Today we dive into the “Co-Create” type of conversation.

A "Co-Create" conversation is a dynamic, collaborative exchange where participants actively build upon each other’s ideas to generate new insights, solutions, or creative outcomes. It goes beyond simple discussion or debate—it’s about mutual engagement, open-mindedness, and synergy.

First, in case you missed it here is a recap of…

The Four Conversation Types

Sell – Persuade, motivate, and drive decision-making. Whether you’re pitching a product, securing buy-in for an idea, or convincing stakeholders to take action, visuals reduce uncertainty and strengthen emotional appeal .
Tell – Deliver precise, structured, and digestible information. When explaining a process, providing instructions, or ensuring alignment, visuals simplify complexity and improve retention .
Consult – Facilitate discussions, provide expert insights, and guide decision-making. Advising a client? Leading a strategy session? Visuals help structure discussions, organize complexity, and create clarity .
Co-Create – Foster collaboration, spark creativity, and build collective ownership. Brainstorming new solutions? Designing strategies? Visuals help organize diverse input, make abstract concepts tangible, and drive engagement .

Best Visual Tools for Co-Creation Type Conversations:

When you are…

Clarifying Complex Ideas – Diagrams, sketches, and infographics help simplify abstract or intricate concepts, making them easier to grasp.
Encouraging Engagement – Visuals such as dot voting, visual templates and sticky note clustering make conversations more interactive, helping participants stay focused and involved.
Facilitating Alignment – Shared visual references such as graphic recording, maps, charts and graphs ensure everyone is on the same page, reducing misunderstandings.
Supporting Idea Generation – Mind maps, storyboards, and visual metaphors inspire creativity and help expand thinking.
Providing a Shared Workspace – Tools like whiteboards, sticky notes, and digital collaboration platforms allow participants to co-create in real-time.
Documenting and Iterating – Visuals capture evolving thoughts and decisions, making it easier to refine and build upon ideas over time. Live sketching and graphic facilitation capture ideas in real time.

�� Example: I had to manage a challenging collaborative conversation recently. Remember the anvils and helium balloons? That was the conversation. How to navigate toward solution when parties start so far apart?

Create safety first by letting everyone take a beat and raise their highest intents and concerns.
Shift the focus to the ultimate outcome(s) all want to achieve.
Facilitate alignment using a chart, graph or template that documents who will do what by when.

Your Challenge: Try It in Your Next "Co-Create" Conversation

Step 1: Pick an upcoming conversation where you need to facilitate, advise, provide expert insights, or guide decision-making
Step 2: Use one of the visual thinking tools above as your framework or create your own. It could be the tool you're most comfortable with or a new tool that you want to explore.
Step 3: Create a quick meeting map including the key points you want to cover during your conversation. New to meeting maps ? Download a free meeting map template here.
Step 4: Jot down a few notes about how you'll use hierarchy, color and images to support your message.
Step 5: Grab something to draw on and something to draw with then sketch a quick visual of the visual tool you've chosen.
Step 6: Practice makes progress: Using everything you've considered/created, take your visual thinking tool a test drive. Enlist the help of a colleague or friend and walk through how you imagine the conversation will go. Notice where the tools provided the support you needed and what might need to be further clarified. Make the necessary tweaks and try again until you feel everything flows smoothly.
Step 7: Put it to use: Apply your chosen framework during the conversation and observe the impact. Make note of what went well and what you might do differently the next time.

Using visuals, you can transform your co-created meetings from cat herding to collaboration. Let us know how you use visual tools at your next brainstorming session, innovation workshop, design sprint, or problem-solving discussion!

Four Types of Conversations: Part 3 of 4

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 17:53:02 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 6 No. 7, March 28, 2025

Need to get on the same page?

Ever stepped into a consulting conversation where it felt like you and your client were looking at the same challenge but seeing completely different pictures?

You’re not alone. Bridging that gap requires the right questions, clear visuals, and a structured approach to align perspectives and uncover real solutions.

Today's issue is the third in a four part series about the four key conversation types. If you missed part one or two you can find them here and here . Today we dive into the “Consult” type of conversation.

A "Consult" conversation is a collaborative exchange where you facilitate discussions, share expert insights, and guide decision-making. Rather than dictating solutions, you help explore options, clarify objectives, and engage stakeholders in strategic thinking.

First, in case you missed it here is a recap of…

The Four Conversation Types

Sell – Persuade, motivate, and drive decision-making. Whether you’re pitching a product, securing buy-in for an idea, or convincing stakeholders to take action, visuals reduce uncertainty and strengthen emotional appeal .
Tell – Deliver precise, structured, and digestible information. When explaining a process, providing instructions, or ensuring alignment, visuals simplify complexity and improve retention .
Consult – Facilitate discussions, provide expert insights, and guide decision-making. Advising a client? Leading a strategy session? Visuals help structure discussions, organize complexity, and create clarity .
Co-Create – Foster collaboration, spark creativity, and build collective ownership. Brainstorming new solutions? Designing strategies? Visuals help organize diverse input, make abstract concepts tangible, and drive engagement .

Best Visual Tools for Consulting Type Conversations:

Mind maps to explore different perspectives.
Graphic organizers (sometimes referred to as visual templates ) to organize information and gain insight. New to visual templates? Check out this blog post with our top 10 favorites.
Sketchnotes to capture key insights dynamically.

Example: A coach is guiding their client through a 3-panel sketchnote to explore an ongoing challenge. The first panel defines the problem , outlining key obstacles and concerns. The second panel focuses on action , brainstorming potential strategies and next steps. The third panel illustrates the solution , clarifying the desired outcome and path forward. This visual approach helps organize thoughts, uncover insights, and create a clear plan for progress.

Your Challenge: Try It in Your Next "Consult" Conversation

Step 1: Pick an upcoming conversation where you need to facilitate, advise, provide expert insights, or guide decision-making
Step 2: Use one of the visual thinking tools above as your framework or create your own. It could be the tool you're most comfortable with or a new tool that you want to explore.
Step 3: Create a quick meeting map including the key points you want to cover during your conversation. New to meeting maps ? Download a free meeting map template here.
Step 4: Jot down a few notes about how you'll use hierarchy, color and images to support your message.
Step 5: Grab something to draw on and something to draw with then sketch a quick visual of the visual tool you've chosen.
Step 6: Practice makes progress: Using everything you've considered/created, take your visual thinking tool a test drive. Enlist the help of a colleague or friend and walk through how you imagine the conversation will go. Notice where the tools provided the support you needed and what might need to be further clarified. Make the necessary tweaks and try again until you feel everything flows smoothly.
Step 7: Put it to use: Apply your chosen framework during the conversation and observe the impact. Make note of what went well and what you might do differently the next time.

Using visuals, you can structure discussions, organize complexity, and create clarity. Join us next time for Part 4 in this series as we take a deeper dive into using visuals to organize diverse input, make abstract concepts tangible, and drive engagement.

Four Types of Conversations: Part 2 of 4

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 23:26:01 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 6 No. 6, March 14, 2025

Happy Pi Day!

Today's issue is the second in a four part series about the four key conversation types. If you missed part one about the first key conversation type "Sell" , you can find it here . Today we dive into the “Tell” type of conversation.

A "Tell" conversation is one in which you teach a concept or skill (something near and dear to our visual thinking educator hearts). Here's an example in honor of "Pi Day," a nerdy but fun, informal U.S. celebration stemming from the numerical notation of March 4th as 03.14. Want to join the fun? To celebrate, you can bake a pie or follow along with the Pi lesson below.

First, in case you missed it here is a recap of…

The Four Conversation Types

Sell – Persuade, motivate, and drive decision-making. Whether you’re pitching a product, securing buy-in for an idea, or convincing stakeholders to take action, visuals reduce uncertainty and strengthen emotional appeal .
Tell – Deliver precise, structured, and digestible information. When explaining a process, providing instructions, or ensuring alignment, visuals simplify complexity and improve retention .
Consult – Facilitate discussions, provide expert insights, and guide decision-making. Advising a client? Leading a strategy session? Visuals help structure discussions, organize complexity, and create clarity .
Co-Create – Foster collaboration, spark creativity, and build collective ownership. Brainstorming new solutions? Designing strategies? Visuals help organize diverse input, make abstract concepts tangible, and drive engagement .

Playing with Pi

In visual thinking, circles are one of the seven basic shapes you need to draw anything. Want to learn something cool that is true of all circles?

Pi (π) is the ratio of a circle’s circumference (the distance around the outer edge) to its diameter (a straight line from edge to edge through the center). No matter how big or small the circle is, this ratio is always 3.14159… and the number goes on forever without repeating. That’s why Pi is considered an "irrational" number—it can’t be written as a simple fraction and has no predictable pattern.

To see Pi in action, try this:

Take a circular object (like a cup or a plate).
Wrap a string around its edge (circumference), mark both ends of the string where they overlap.
Straighten out the string. Measure the distance between the two marks to get the circumference .
Then measure the diameter (a straight line across the middle).
Divide the circumference by the diameter —you’ll get something close to 3.14159… !

How else can we apply visual thinking to the Tell? When you or your team are the experts in your area, sometimes you need to present complex, dense or technical information in a digestible way. This is when visuals shine.

✅ Best Visual Tools for "Tell" Conversations:

Flowcharts & process maps to break down systems into clear steps.
Numbered visuals to make instructions easy to follow.
Icons & symbols to reinforce key takeaways at a glance.

�� Example: An educator introduces the learning model for their course using a circular flow chart. The visual elements in the model relate to the course materials.

Your Challenge: Try It in Your Next "Tell" Conversation

Step 1: Pick an upcoming conversation where you need to teach, present or tell a story.
Step 2: Use one of the visual thinking tools above as your framework or create your own. It could be the tool you're most comfortable with or a new tool that you want to explore.
Step 3: Create a quick meeting map including the key points you want to cover during your conversation. New to meeting maps ? Download a free meeting map template here.
Step 4: Jot down a few notes about how you'll use hierarchy, color and images to support your message.
Step 5: Grab something to draw on and something to draw with then sketch a quick visual of the visual tool you've chosen.
Step 6: Practice makes progress: Using everything you've considered/created, take your visual thinking tool a test drive. Enlist the help of a colleague or friend and walk through how you imagine the conversation will go. Notice where the tools provided the support you needed and what might need to be further clarified. Make the necessary tweaks and try again until you feel everything flows smoothly.
Step 7: Put it to use: Apply your chosen framework during the conversation and observe the impact. Make note of what went well and what you might to differently the next time.

Using visuals, you can deliver important information with ease, clarity and impact . Join us next time for Part 3 in this series as we take a deeper dive into using visuals to structure discussions, organize complexity, and create clarity.

Four Types of Conversations: Part 1 of 4

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 19:28:16 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 6 No. 5, February 28, 2025

How to Supercharge Your Conversations with Visual Thinking

Ever been in a conversation that felt like trying to solve the same puzzle with two different sets of pieces? You’re not alone. Studies show that people remember 65% of information when paired with visuals —compared to just 10% with words alone. That’s because our brains process images 60,000 times faster than text .

Words alone often fall short in driving alignment and collaboration. That’s where visual thinking comes in—using f rameworks, diagrams, and template to make ideas clearer, more engaging, and more memorable.

Every conversation has a purpose: persuading, informing, advising, or collaborating . When you identify the type of conversation you’re having, you can use the right visual tools to enhance clarity, engagement, and decision-making .

Today's issue is the first in a four part series about the four key conversation types.

The Four Conversation Types

Sell – Persuade, motivate, and drive decision-making. Whether you’re pitching a product, securing buy-in for an idea, or convincing stakeholders to take action, visuals reduce uncertainty and strengthen emotional appeal .
Tell – Deliver precise, structured, and digestible information. When explaining a process, providing instructions, or ensuring alignment, visuals simplify complexity and improve retention .
Consult – Facilitate discussions, provide expert insights, and guide decision-making. Advising a client? Leading a strategy session? Visuals help structure discussions, organize complexity, and create clarity .
Co-Create – Foster collaboration, spark creativity, and build collective ownership. Brainstorming new solutions? Designing strategies? Visuals help organize diverse input, make abstract concepts tangible, and drive engagement .

Today, we'll explore the first of the four conversation types, the Sell.

Selling is persuasion. Anytime you're looking to get someone to see things your way and take action, you're selling and visuals can help . This is true in business and in life. For example, if you want your team to agree on your next project or you want your family to join you on a bucket list adventure, these are great opportunities to sell.

Best Visual Tools for Selling

Storytelling visuals (before-and-after sketches, journey maps ) to help audiences visualize transformation.
Comparison charts or 2 x 2 to make benefits stand out.
Metaphors (“Your business is like a car—without strategy, it has no GPS”) to simplify complex ideas.

Example: A sales rep presents a visual journey map showing how their software streamlines workflow, reducing inefficiencies and boosting productivity.

Your Challenge: Try It in Your Next "Sell" Conversation

Step 1: Pick an upcoming conversation where you will want to convince, persuade or sell one or more people.
Step 2: Use one of the visual thinking tools above as your framework or create your own. It could be the tool you're most comfortable with or a new tool that you want to explore.
Step 3: Create a quick meeting map including the key points you want to cover during your conversation. New to meeting maps ? Download a free meeting map template here.
Step 4: Jot down a few notes about how you'll use hierarchy, color and images to support your message.
Step 5: Grab something to draw on and something to draw with then sketch a quick visual of the visual tool you've chosen.
Step 6: Practice makes progress: Using everything you've considered/created, take your visual thinking tool a test drive. Enlist the help of a colleague or friend and walk through how you imagine the conversation will go. Notice where the tools provided the support you needed and what might need to be further clarified. Make the necessary tweaks and try again until you feel everything flows smoothly.
Step 7: Put it to use: Apply your chosen framework during the conversation and observe the impact. Make note of what went well and what you might to differently the next time.

Using visuals during your conversations can increase clarity, focus and alignment and make your message more memorable . Join us next time for Part 2 in this series as we take a deeper dive into using visuals to deliver important information with ease, clarity and impact .

Untangling Conflicting Emotions Through Visual Thinking

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 11:30:00 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 6 No. 4, February 14, 2025

Emotions can feel big, scary and difficult. The language, norms and interpretations around emotions vary widely across personal, societal and cultural contexts. Giving emotions attention, however, is extremely important.

At AVT, we believe that emotions are important enough to spend two newsletter cycles on them. Why? The leadership research shows that emotional intelligence goes hand in hand with effective change, team management and performance . We know these are things that matter.

We also believe that building your emotional intelligence can be fast, fun, and incredibly useful, and that using visuals is key to unlocking the easy button .

In the last newsletter, we explored a few ways to visualize your emotions . Turning your emotions into shapes, drawings, icons or metaphors lets you look at them from a distance . This can make it easier to acknowledge that unpleasant emotions are present for you like fear, anger or sadness, but not let them drive the bus.

The "Inside Out" movies (Docter and Del Carmen, 2015) illustrate beautifully and comically what can happen if we give in and surrender decision-making to whichever emotion feels strongest in the moment. Spoiler alert – it gets ugly before it gets better.

Sometimes developing emotional intelligence means sorting through what appear to be conflicting emotions . The good news is, you don't need to spend years unpacking where all the emotions came from. You don't even need to know how to accurately name them to get started.

Just start drawing, and go from there.

Here's an example.

I was in conversation with a group of leaders the other day when a common theme came up. Each of us wrestled with feeling a desire to be held in close connection, but also a need to let go. For some, this was in the work context, others in primary or parent-child relationships. These feelings seemed contradictory and challenging.

As I sketched my way through the conversation, my notes took the form of two people hugging, then two people standing father apart but still engaged with each other.

Looking at the drawings helped me recognize — these people could be me and my teenage son, who may be inching closer to the day when he will leave the nest for future life adventures.

In the group conversation, the theme of holding close versus letting go took on stronger emotions like intense love pushing against anger and resentment. My drawing turned to icons and symbols of the gamut of emotions that emerged.

Now you try.

3 Steps to Visualize Conflicting Emotions

Before you start, get quiet for a moment. It’s hard to hear your own car when your mind is on a noisy emotional freeway. Try closing your eyes and counting to ten.

1. Represent Each Emotion Separately

Give each emotion its own visual identity. You might choose a color, shape, or pattern to represent how each emotion feels. You might start with words if those come first. Capture as many as emerge.

Examples:

Hopeful could be a glowing yellow circle.
Doubtful might look like a gray cloud.
Love may be a simple heart shape.
Anger could be a series of sharp zigzag shapes.

Place shapes on your page quickly, leaving space between them. Don’t overthink it—just let your intuition guide you.

2. Name the Conflicting Emotions

Start by identifying any contradictory emotions you’re feeling. This can be tricky when they seem to blend together. Try asking yourself:

“What feels good or positive about this moment?”
“What feels heavy or negative?”

For example, you might realize you feel hopeful about an opportunity but also doubtful about your ability to succeed.

3. Explore How They Interact

Now, focus on the relationship between the two emotions:

Are they clashing, overlapping, or sitting far apart?
Does one feel bigger, heavier, or more dominant?
Is there a way to connect them?

Draw lines, patterns, or other elements to explore their interaction. For instance, you might find that your hopeful circle shines light on the edges of your doubtful cloud, softening its harshness.

Visual Thinking as a Tool for Clarity

Conflicting emotions don’t have to battle for control. Often, they coexist for a reason—they’re telling you something important. By visualizing these emotions , you can explore their nuances, understand their roles, and discover how to move forward.

Closing Thought: Emotional Intelligence for Leadership

Leadership requires the skills and experience to grasp the big picture within your industry, discernment to know where to focus your attention, and the emotional intelligence to navigate the known and unknown challenges you and others experience.

Visuals unlock the EASY / USEFUL button on your emotional power source.

References:

Brown, C. (2014). The effects of emotional intelligence (EI) and leadership style on sales performance. Economic Insights – Trends and Challenges, 3(66), 1-14. http://upg-bulletin-se.ro/old_site/archive/2014-3/1.Brown.pdf

Prati, L. M., Douglas, C., Ferris, G. R., Ammeter, A. P., & Buckley, M. R. (2003). Emotional intelligence, leadership effectiveness, and team outcomes. The International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 11 (1), 21–40. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb028961

https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2003-99566-002

Goldman, D. (2013). The focused leader - how effective executives direct their own–and their organizations' attention. Harvard Business Review, December. https://hbr.org/2013/12/the-focused-leader

Visualizing Your Emotions

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 17:14:18 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 6 No. 3, January 31, 2025

Making Emotions Visible:
A Visual Thinking Approach

If you're anything like me, winter has a way of stirring up emotions. The shorter days, colder temperatures, and long stretches of gray skies can bring a mix of stillness, introspection, and sometimes even restlessness. I've noticed how my energy shifts with the season—some days, I feel a quiet calm; others, I struggle with a sluggish mood. When this happens, I use visual thinking tools to process these shifts. Instead of letting emotions linger undefined, I put them on paper, giving them shape, color, and form. It's a simple but powerful way to navigate seasonal emotions.

Why Draw Your Feelings?

Emotions can be unpredictable—sometimes overwhelming, sometimes subtle. They don't always fit neatly into words, making them hard to process. That's where visual thinking comes in.

When we translate emotions into images, shapes, and patterns, we create something we can see and work with. It isn't about making art but externalizing what's happening inside. Drawing emotions fosters self-awareness, problem-solving, and even emotional relief. Think of it as a practical tool for navigating feelings in a way that words alone can't.

Three Ways to Make Emotions Visible

1. Map Your Emotions

Imagine creating a landscape of your emotions. Here's how to do it:

Grab a blank page and something to draw with—markers, crayons, or digital tools.
Ask yourself, "How am I feeling right now?" Pick one emotion to focus on.
Sketch it out using abstract shapes, lines, colors, or textures.

Example: Anxiety might be jagged dark lines. Calm could be soft blue waves.

Add layers to show intensity. Is it big and heavy? Light and fleeting?

Once you've finished, reflect on your map. Does it reveal anything new about your emotions? Could shifting the shapes or colors change how you feel?

2. Create an Emotion Code

Design your own visual shorthand for emotions. Assign specific colors, shapes, or symbols to different feelings.

Example: Anger could be red spirals. Joy might look like yellow bursts. Sadness? Maybe soft blue rain.

Use this code in a journal or planner to track emotions over time. Patterns may emerge that help you understand your triggers or emotional cycles.

This is a great tool for personal insight and can also help teams or kids talk about emotions more easily.

3. Use Visual Metaphors

Sometimes, emotions feel like things we can describe in imagery —weather, landscapes, objects, or animals.

Example: A tough day might feel like a thunderstorm. Draw it—dark clouds, lightning, puddles.

Then, ask: What could shift this storm? Sunshine? A breeze to clear the sky?

Visual metaphors make emotions easier to process by turning them into something external—something you can analyze and even change.

Try This Quick Exercise

Grab something to draw with and something to draw on, and try this five-minute drawing exercise to get started:

Start by drawing a quick, simple figure . If you're not sure where to start, download the free handout here .
Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Tune in—what are you feeling , and where are you feeling it in your body?
Ask yourself, "If this emotion were a shape, color, or pattern , what would it look like?"
Open your eyes and draw your emotion in, on, or around your figure . Working quickly without judgment, use lines, shapes, and colors to express your feelings.
Pause: Allow yourself to sit with this emotion . Be present and let yourself feel it deeply for a couple of minutes.
Notice and Reflect: How does seeing your emotion on paper change your perception of it? You may notice the feeling has shifted or softened, or you may gain insight into what triggered this feeling. Jot down a few notes about the process and your emotions before and after you complete your drawing.

Make This a Habit

Like any skill, visualizing emotions becomes more powerful with practice. Try using it as a daily check-in or a tool when you feel stuck in an emotion.

It's also a great technique to share. Try a quick emotion-mapping activity with coworkers, friends, or family—it might spark surprising insights and better conversations.

Closing Thought

Emotions don't have to stay abstract or overwhelming. When you give them form—lines, colors, shapes—you give yourself the power to see, reflect on, and even reshape them.

Give it a try—your emotions might thank you.

Connections - Part 2

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 05:36:13 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 6 No. 1 January 17, 2025

What Miyawaki Forests Teach Us About Connection

In our last AVT newsletter, we explored how connections combat loneliness. This time, we draw inspiration from nature to uncover a fascinating approach to connection—both for ecosystems and people.

Miyawaki Forests, a revolutionary reforestation technique, show how planting native species densely together creates thriving ecosystems. These forests grow 10x faster than monocultures, proving that compact, diverse ecosystems can be a solution to environmental challenges.

The success seen from planting dense forests in remarkably small spaces demonstrates some surprising lessons for visual thinkers looking to make a positive impact .

Diversity promotes growth. Trees and plants are carefully selected for height and root depth. The close proximity and competition for sun encourages plants to grow tall and strong. Communities thrive, too, when there is variety across demographics, business and all aspects of the landscape.
Strength in numbers. It seems counter-intuitive to plant hundreds of plant species in a tiny footprint. I thought the roots would choke each other out. In fact, diverse root systems sort out their ideal depths and interweave to provide stability. Like a healthy root system, connections between individuals, groups and organizations strengthen communities, build resilience and reduce loneliness.

Nature provides many reminders of how relationships thrive through interdependence and diversity. To create powerful visuals describing the ecosystems—or connections—in your own work or life, try these visual thinking tools :

Networks and Webs – Use node-link diagrams or cluster maps to show relationships.

2. Flow Diagrams – Arrows or feedback loops illustrate dynamic processes.

3. Circular Models – Use cycles or mandalas for systems that sustain themselves.

4. Trees and Root Systems – Represent connections (roots) and outcomes (branches).

How could you use these visual thinking tools to strengthen connections in your life or work?

Whether you’re brainstorming, problem-solving, or teaching, visualizing relationships can create clarity and inspire action—just like Miyawaki Forests inspire resilience and growth.

Connections - Part 1

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 12:00:00 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 6 No. 1 January 3, 2025

Happy 2025 from Applied Visual Thinking! With the turning of the calendar page to a new year, I have been thinking about CONNECTIONS . Connections are crucial, and visual thinking can help us find new ways to connect and rejuvenate ancient methods.

According to a Gallop's State of the Global Workplace: 2024 Report , loneliness is most prevalent among younger and remote workers. More important than who or where workers are, however, is their level of ENGAGEMENT . That's one way visual thinking can help.

By expressing ideas and plans visually in addition to verbally, leaders can better ensure that all listeners can engage with their ideas in real time.

More good news — there are lots of ways to make connections . We can connect with other people, with animals or with nature, for example.

On New Year's Day, I was thinking about the connections we made last year by participating in hundreds or possibly thousands of little economies. Every time something is given and/or received, that's an economic transaction of some kind, barter of goods, exchange of ideas or skills.

Sometimes these exchanges are cyclical, sometimes one-way. I challenged myself and my family to respond to the following questions, promising bonus points for every time a sketch, icon or lettering hierarchy was used to convey a feeling or emphasis.

1.) What have you given this year and to whom? "What" might be time, money or skills, for example. "To Whom" might refer to individuals, organizations, pets, colleagues or classmates, or the Earth.

2.) What have you received this year and from whom? These might be things, skills, opportunities, or ideas from the same or different sources as above.

3.) What cycles of giving and receiving do you participate in? For example, you might offer your skills and wisdom as a mentor to someone from whom you receive heart-filling gratitude and new music recommendations. Perhaps you take the minutes for your condo association, and in return you always feel "in the loop" about what is happening.

Feeling inspired? Grab a piece of paper and try answering these questions for yourself, and don't forget to use visuals!

If you are ready to take it one more step, try this. Looking over your lists, how do you feel about each of these? Use emojis or simple smiley or frowny faces to indicate which of these give and take examples make you feel good vs. not so good. Does the balance sometimes feel tipped more toward giving or receiving, or is it generally balanced?

New Year's Reset: If you can capture your emotional response to your examples, you might gain insight into which of these types of connections you might want more of in the upcoming year, and which you might scale back on.

Want more ideas for
how to draw connections?

Download this freebie "How to draw arrows."
Try a few, then see what others you can dream up!

Let's put on our 2025 goggles! Part 2

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 18:45:23 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 5 No. 26

Dec 20, 2024

In our last newsletter, we replayed of one of our favorite year-end visual activities. We love filtering for what we really, really want in the upcoming year by picking a few words to focus on. Start by reading Part 1 and filling out the attached template, then return here for the next steps.

Putting on our 2025 goggles! Part 2

If you happened to miss our last newsletter, you can find it here . Last time you did some visual brainstorming to generate a list of three positive, forward focused words you'd like to focus
on in the coming year. This time we're going to pick up where we left off and apply some visual thinking to take them from words to actions and help you keep them top of mind all year.

In Part 1 of this article, I mentioned I first developed a habit of selecting a word of the year
(or two or three) about 10 years ago after a particularly challenging year. That first year my
word was JOY . I found new ways to experience more joy all year. I even created a flowchart
about having more joy.

... but the actions didn't follow until
I made it visual!

The best part is that visualizing the process kick-started my Reticular Activating System . If something was annoying, I looped through the process and found something to appreciate. If I needed help, my first response was to pray. Best of all, I began to notice things that were beautiful, true, honorable, right, lovely, good, virtuous, and praiseworthy without any effort.

Sitting in traffic, I admired the beautiful mountains. After a hundred "But Why?" toddler questions, I praised my son's never ending curiosity. At the end of an exhausting day, I marveled at his lovely sleeping face. I believe visual thinking's real power is that it can change your actions.

If you'd like to put on some

new goggles for 2025

grab a template and play along.

Step 1) Brainstorm your actions . Pull out your 3 word sticky note from last time and write one of your words at the top of each section of the template. For each word, think of a few actions you can take to incorporate them into your life. Use the action statement framework "I am (dimension + word), when I (action statement)." Think of one or two real-life situations where you can take an action that expresses the word. For example, one of my words for 2021 was courageous, being an introvert one of my action statements was, "I am socially courageous, when I talk to someone I haven't met before."

Step 2) Create a process or 2 or 3. As we teach in our FOUNDATIONS course, when you need to visualize a process, you just need to draw a flowchart. Pick an action statement and create a simple flowchart. Be specific, imagine exactly what steps you can take to put your word into actions. Pull out your pens and markers, use color, icons, and visual hierarchy to bring your action statements to life.

Step 3) Commit it to memory. First, tape your finished flowchart(s) where you will see it every day, such as your bathroom mirror, refrigerator door, or closet door. Or go digital, and take a picture of it and make it your desktop wallpaper. Now the most essential step, commit it to memory., Read it out loud at least once a day for two weeks, once a week for two months, and then once a month for the year.

After you've created your flowchart(s) be courageous and draw a shield.

Let's Put on Our 2025 Goggles! Part 1

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 22:04:36 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 5 No. 25

Dec 6, 2024

As the year winds, it is time again to look forward to a new year and set an intention for the coming year by picking a word or two or three. We like to do that with visuals. Below is a replay of Part 1 of one of our favorite newsletter series from the past. Enjoy.

Let's put on our 2025 goggles! Part 1

What do I mean by put on our 2025 goggles? Let me give you a little background. A little over a decade ago, I was coming off an exceptionally challenging year. That year included changing jobs, raising a 2-year-old (which, as every parent will attest, can be hair raising), and coming out of a particularly sticky bout of depression.

That first year I knew I wanted more joy in my life...

at home, at work, and everywhere in between, so JOY became my word for the New Year. I drew the letters and created a small doodle that I stuck up on my computer screen and set my intention. That's when the magic began to happen.

We have this fantastic thing called the Reticular Activating System . It's a bundle of nerves at our brain stem that filters out unnecessary information, so the important stuff gets through. It's why you can distinguish your child's cry from every other noise on the playground. By setting my intention on joy, I let my brain know to be on the lookout for it.

By the end of that year, I had brought more joy into my life, so I decided to try it again the following year. I picked a new word for the new year and had the same results. That first year I choose one word, now I often choose two or three words for the coming year, and it has become a habit. It's a practice I look forward to, one that has profoundly affected my mental, physical, and emotional well being. It's a habit I highly recommend for everyone, especially after this most challenging year. It may sound hard, but in fact, it's fast, fun, and easy when you apply a little visual thinking .

If you'd like to put on some

new goggles for 2025

grab a template and play along.

Step 1) Check your gauges. There are many dimensions to every person's life — mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, family, friends, financial, vocation, or school, to name just few. Taking a quick visual check can steer you to areas you may want to focus on in the coming year.

Step 2) Choose your focus. Pick out a few dimensions that grab your attention. Look at
what you've colored in. Are there any areas that speak to you? It could be a dimension that's running low and you want to build up, or one that's full, and you want to make sure it stays that way. Again don't overthink it, just go with your gut.

Step 3) Generate your words. For the dimensions that grab your attention, jot any down words that pop into your head. Choose words that are positive and future-focused. For example, for financial, you might include "prosperous" or "fit" or "growing." In contrast, for mental, your list might consist of "strong" or "healthy" or "peaceful." Use your intuition. The words don't have to make sense to anyone but you. Keep writing down words for each dimension until you run out of ideas. Shoot for 5 to 10 words for each of the dimensions that interest you

Step 4) Sift and filter. First, look at all the words you've written down, grab a marker or a highlighter, and circle the words that speak to you. Look for common words and overlaps. Now pull the words you've highlighted or circled into a new list. From this list, choose three words that really sing. Write them down together, then write them down again in a different order, and then do it one more time.

After you have your three words take a break with a little drawing practice.

Gratitude Made Visual

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 19:14:52 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 5 No. 24

November 22, 2024

3 Creative Ways to Make Gratitude Visual This Holiday Season

As the holidays and end of year approach, it’s the perfect time to reflect on gratitude in a meaningful way. Why not bring a creative twist to this season of thanks by making your gratitude visual ? Here are three engaging ideas to celebrate the spirit of gratitude with a splash of creativity:

1. Gratitude Map

Create a mind map with “Gratitude” at the center. Branch out into categories like family, friends, traditions, and moments from this year you’re thankful for. Add quick doodles or symbols to bring it to life. This is a wonderful way to prepare for holiday dinner conversations or reflect as a family.

2. Gratitude Wall

Instead of a gratitude jar, turn a section of your wall or a large poster into a "Gratitude Mosaic." Provide sticky notes or paper leaves for everyone to write what they’re thankful for during holiday gatherings. The colorful display grows throughout the season and becomes a visual reminder of shared blessings.

3. Daily Gratitude Doodle

From now until the end of the year, draw a small doodle each day representing something you're grateful for—like a family dinner, tasty dishes, or a cozy fireplace. These doodles can become a keepsake or even a fun part of your holiday décor. For example, add your doodles to a special holiday journal, place cards or a festive holiday table runner.

These activities aren’t just about celebrating the holidays—they’re about turning gratitude into something tangible that you and your loved ones can enjoy well into the new year.

Which of these gratitude visuals will you try this holiday season?

I’d love to hear about your creative gratitude practices! Share your visuals by email or through social media using the links below.

Wishing you a joyful and visually inspired holiday season.

Top Ten Reasons Why You Need to Learn Visual Thinking Now

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 17:19:15 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 5 No. 23

November 8, 2024

You can't afford NOT to build this mission critical skill.

We know you have a lot on your mind. All the priorities compete for your attention. Wouldn't it be great if you had a playbook of tools to help get through the tasks more efficiently?

Visual thinking is like a Swiss Army Knife of tools you can use in a wide variety of situations. We at Applied Visual thinking believe that EVERYONE, regardless of artistic background, can learn visual thinking skills, and our courses make it simple.

In today's fast-paced digital landscape, the ability to think visually has become paramount for deeply understanding challenges, generating and communicating ideas effectively, and driving innovation.

Here are the top ten reasons why you need to tell your boss that it's mission critical for you and your team to incorporate visual thinking into your skill sets:

1. Enhanced Communication: Visuals transcend language barriers and convey complex ideas more effectively, fostering clearer communication across diverse teams and stakeholders.

2. Improved Problem-Solving: Visual thinking encourages holistic problem-solving by allowing us to map out ideas, identify patterns, and explore innovative solutions with greater clarity.

3. Strategic Planning: Visualizing data and concepts aids in strategic planning, enabling us to analyze trends, anticipate challenges, and make informed decisions for future initiatives.

4. Increased Creativity: Embracing visual thinking sparks creativity and encourages out-of-the-box thinking, leading to fresh perspectives and breakthrough innovations.

5. Enhanced Collaboration: Visual tools facilitate collaboration by providing a shared platform for brainstorming, feedback, and co-creation, fostering a culture of teamwork and synergy.

6. Better Learning Retention: Visual aids such as diagrams, infographics, and mind maps enhance learning retention by engaging multiple senses and reinforcing key concepts in our memory.

7. Efficient Data Analysis: Visual representations of data simplify complex analytical information, making it easier to identify trends, outliers, and insights that drive decision-making.

8. Effective Presentations: Incorporating visual elements into presentations captivates audiences, enhances comprehension, and ensures that key messages are communicated with impact.

9. Enhanced Innovation: Visual thinking fuels innovation by facilitating ideation sessions, prototyping concepts, and visualizing the customer journey to uncover new opportunities for product or service enhancements.

10. Adaptability to Change: In today's dynamic business environment, visual thinking equips us with the agility to adapt quickly to changes, visualize future scenarios, and pivot strategies as needed.

By embracing visual thinking, we empower ourselves and our teams to navigate the complexities of the digital age with confidence and creativity. Let's commit to honing this invaluable skill and unlocking new possibilities for growth and innovation.

Ready to begin your visual thinking journey?

We at Applied Visual thinking KNOW you can learn and expand your visual thinking skills, and you'll be glad you did. Check out AVT FOUNDATIONS to start today.

Novel Visual Reminders

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 03:35:33 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 5 No. 22

October 25, 2024

Unlock the Power of Novel Visual Reminders

I recently came across an intriguing method that uses visuals to create task reminders . It's surprisingly simple yet highly effective: drawing an unrelated symbol on sticky notes and placing them where they’re visible.

My task was to stretch for 1 minute every morning.

Here are a few of my sticky notes:

Although the symbol may seem disconnected from the task at hand, just seeing it triggers a reminder to complete the task. This novel approach harnesses the brain’s ability to form associations and focus on something fresh and unexpected.

How It Works:

Our brains are constantly scanning the environment for cues, and novel visuals stand out against the background noise of daily life. The unrelated symbol becomes a mental anchor, catching attention and signaling your brain to recall an important task. It’s the element of surprise and disruption that prompts a shift in focus.

Here are a few more novel ways to use visuals effectively as reminders or motivation tools:

1. Visual Tally Marks: Track Progress Creatively

Instead of using numbers or lists, draw tally marks or symbols representing each task completed during the day. For example, draw a small star or a unique symbol for each milestone. Over time, this builds a visible representation of your progress, giving you both a sense of accomplishment and motivation to complete more. This is also a great way to develop and practice drawing new icons.

Why It Works: Tally marks or simple symbols visually accumulate, giving your brain a tangible measure of progress. This serves as both an achievement tracker and a motivational push for continuing your efforts.

2. Mood-Based Color Coding

Use different colors to represent your moods or energy levels throughout the day. For example, you might use blue for calm tasks, yellow for high-energy tasks, and green for those that require focus. Create a colorful chart or visual reminder to assign tasks based on how you feel. For example: You might color code high energy tasks like making sales calls a sunny yellow color.

Why It Works: By connecting colors with emotions, your brain associates certain tasks with the best time to do them, leveraging your energy and emotional states for better productivity.

3. Mind Map Reminders

Create mind maps to visually organize complex tasks. Instead of a linear to-do list, use branches that break down tasks into smaller, manageable steps, with icons or symbols representing each part. This visual breakdown can make overwhelming tasks feel less daunting. If you're new to mind mapping or need a refresher check out our Visual Thinking Ace in the Hole blog post from more information.

Why It Works: Mind maps are a natural fit for visual thinkers, breaking up cognitive load into smaller chunks and allowing you to see the big picture while focusing on specific details.

How It All Works:

The underlying mechanism behind all these methods is the brain’s natural affinity for visuals. Visual cues, especially those that stand out as novel or different, grab our attention more easily than text or routine reminders. These visuals create associative memory links, meaning that seeing a specific image or pattern triggers a recall of the task it's connected to. Over time, the brain builds these visual-task relationships, making them reliable mental triggers for daily habits or tasks.

I've been using this approach for the last couple of months. Every time see the sticky notes with my symbol, I am reminded to stretch and reinforce my positive new habit.

By using novel, unexpected visuals to break through the noise, you can leverage your brain’s visual processing power for improved focus, better task management, and even a boost in creativity!

Distraction Dragons

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 10:45:00 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 5 No. 21

October 11, 2024

Distraction Dragons

We talked in our last newsletter about ninja-ing your calendar to regain control over your schedule and tasks. Why? Organization gives you time to get your most meaningful stuff done , not just address the squeakiest wheel.

Let's say you've selected the organization management tools you think will work for you, your goals, your habits and parameters. It's Day 1, you have a window of time to work, and you've chosen the top task or "next right move" to tackle (as Oprah refers to it). How do you get started?

If you're like me, just before beginning is when the distraction dragons show up.

Sometimes the distraction comes from a live being like a phone call or a pet or human actually needing attention, but more often it's inner distractions.

It's the email not yet sent, the home project that really "should get done today," or the never-ending list of important tasks can quickly tug me away from the thing I just told myself I would do. You, too?

Visuals can help you channel your inner ninja (let's imagine ninjas can train dragons!). Here is a simple drawing exercise that can help us free our focus from the distraction dragons. I tried it today, as a matter of fact, and it helped me write this article.

Getting Started with Visual Warm-Ups:

Visual Warm Up – Drawing

Take out something to draw on and something to draw with – plain paper and a pen is fine. Set a timer for 2 minutes.
Ask yourself, what do you need right now ? Focus? A title? A first line? Choose the one thing you need and simplify it to a word or short phrase.
Draw a simple shape as you say the word or phrase to yourself. Repeat the shape in various sizes and directions, each time repeating the word or phrase to yourself.

My warm-up doodle.

The swirls in the doodle reminded me of a dragon.

Now that you've started doing SOMETHING, are you ready to tackle the thing you sat down to do? Great. If not, try sketching something more related to what it is you want to do . Set a timer for no more than 5 minutes.

Example: In this drawing, I sketched out a few icons to represent the two things I most wanted to accomplish in this working session – first sending an email to one of my communities and next publishing this newsletter in all its various formats – email, website blog and social media.

Visual Warm Up – Writing

Need help getting the words flowing? Here are a few suggestions and writing prompts. Try setting a timer for some amount of time where you will ONLY write. Silence phones and notifications if possible, close the door or put on headphones with instrumental music that inspires you or "white noise" such as ocean waves or forest sounds.

Here are a few examples of simple writing prompts to get the words flowing. The goals for these warm-ups is to start writing something – anything. In order to steer an ocean liner, you need water moving past the rudder.

Draft a super simple outline like the one above. What are the 3-5 key points you want your reader to take away?
Open your photos and pick one at random. Write 5 titles for it, each hinting at a different story.
Write the letters of your name in a column with the first letter on top, last letter at the bottom. Write a word for each letter, then see how many you can connect in order in a silly sentence. Example:

S linky is a fun toy that takes to great
H eight(s)
E verybody who plays with it and
R ocks the toybox in every
I nstance

Hope some of these ideas help you gain momentum toward implementing your goals.

When the demons of distraction block your way toward getting where you need to go, VISUALS (and WRITING!) can help.

Visual Calendar Ninja

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 03:24:17 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 5 No. 20

September 27, 2024

Most humans perform best with a fairly regular schedule. This is most commonly understood in relation to sleep. Babies typically sleep better at night when they keep to a regular daytime nap schedule, and the productive energy of adults tends to wax and wane in conjunction with longer and shorter days in regions of the world where these are noticeably different.

What about work, study and home life schedules? Are you a die-hard scheduler or a reluctant one? Does having a packed calendar make you feel in control or freak you out? I, personally, experience both ends of the scheduling spectrum – I toggle between love and hate, and in the fall after a more freeform summer, I experience both at the same time.

On a good day, I feel like a calendar ninja , blocking out family, work and personal times using different colors so I can see it all at a glance. I have started keeping my projects organized in an app that allows for task lists I can assign deadlines and reminders to, and check off when completed. I'll let you know how it goes!

I was thrilled to learn about a handful of calendaring approaches and apps as part of a series of webinars recently hosted by JennieAndMeredyth and designed to help get that big project or goal accomplished. My key takeaways:

Differentiate between your calendar and your tasks . You may decide to manage these using two or more different tools.
Determine whether your weekly calendar is fixed or flexible . Do you have set hours during which you are available to work? Is your focus best during certain times of day?
Each project can be broken down into a series of tasks. Are your tasks sequential or can they be done in any order?
There are lots of ways to organize what you need to do when, and the ONLY right way is the one YOU can effectively understand at a glance and maintain regularly.

In today's lingo, ninja can be both a noun and a verb. You can "ninja" your calendar, too! Check out this list of possible ways to visual ninja your organization. When you feel yourself taking control over your time, you will feel like a ninja! (OK, at least a ninja in training.)

Here’s a list of different ways to organize your calendar and schedule that incorporate visual elements:

Color-Coding : Assign different colors to categories (e.g., work tasks, personal appointments, family time) for easy identification.
Kanban Board : Use a digital or physical sticky note on a visual board with columns for different phases (To-Do, In Progress, Completed) and move tasks through the workflow.
Monthly and Weekly Grids : Create visual grids to track the flow of events in larger time periods (e.g., whole month view or weekly overview).
Gantt Chart Layout : Create a timeline-based chart where you can see the progress of tasks or projects visually over days or weeks.
Visual Task Prioritization : Use symbols or icons (stars, arrows, or exclamation marks) to highlight high-priority tasks.
Heat Map Visualization : Track your energy or focus levels throughout the day visually by shading time blocks based on your productivity.
Bullet Journaling : A customizable journal system where you use icons, doodles, and symbols to track daily tasks, goals, and schedules.

Each of these methods uses visual elements to help clarify, prioritize, and manage tasks more effectively.

Want to dive deeper into how to use visual tools for organization? Browse through our previous blog posts.

IFVP Takeaways and Clean Your Chart the Easy Way

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 18:42:48 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 5 No. 19

September 13, 2024

A few weeks ago, I had the great privilege of attending the 2024 IFVP Conference in Montclair, NJ, with my fantastic business partner Sheri Kennedy. It was an incredible experience. I returned reinvigorated about the power of visuals to communicate complex ideas and a brain and sketchbooks filled with ideas, tips, and tricks.

My key takeaways were:

Practice, Practice, Practice - As the old saying goes, "How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice!" While we love a good hack and tips and tricks, nothing can replace hands-on repetition. Everyone's life is busy, and fitting in time to practice can be challenging. However, even 5 minutes daily will add up very quickly. Still need convincing? See the Practice on Vacation blog post here.

Less Is More - During our week at the IFVP conference, I repeatedly noticed the most exciting and impactful drawings were often the simplest.

Just like practice, simplification is not always easy, however, if you take it step by step, you can learn to simplify quickly. Not sure where to begin? See the From Fine Art to Icon blog post here.

Use The Tools You Have - While shopping for new pens and markers and trying out new tech are my happy places. You don't need to invest time and money on new tools or tech. To be a great visual thinker, all you really need is something to draw on and something to draw with. If all you have is a pen and the back of a napkin, that will do just fine. In fact, we endorse traveling light. Not sure what to carry? See the Visuals to Go blog post here.

Last but not least, here's the best tip I learned
at IFVP 2024!

In the past, I usually defaulted to creating my visual thinking charts, maps, and diagrams digitally. I was always unhappy with the photos because the background looked dull and gray. Also, I found cleaning up the images in Photoshop daunting and time-consuming, plus Photoshop is very expensive.

At the conference, I learned a fantastic trick that bypasses Photoshop in favor of one of my favorite digital drawing tools, Procreate . If you are or want to be a Procreate user and would like to clean up your hand-drawn visual thinking charts quickly and easily, read on!

You'll need:

A clear, evenly lit photo of your chart, map, or diagram. Cropped to remove as much of the background as possible.
An iPad with the Procreate app installed.

Tip: if you need help making a good photo of your drawing, try this.

For a small drawing: Before taking the photo, place your drawing flat on a table or the floor in front of a window without direct sunlight. The light from the window will cast a soft, even light on your drawing.

For a large drawing: Before taking the photo, tape your drawing on a well-lit wall, then spread a piece of white paper underneath it. The paper on the floor will bounce light onto your drawing, creating more even lighting.

How to clean up your drawing in Procreate

Step 1) Import the photo of your drawing into Procreate.

From the Photo app , tap on the image of your drawing.
Click Share to open the sharing options.
Click on the Procreate icon to send your photo to a new document in Procreate.

Step 2) Open the Procreate app and the new document. Then:

1) Clean up the background

Click on the Color Picker button (Circle icon in the upper right-hand corner) and set the color to pure white.

Drag and drop the Color Picker onto the background of your drawing. This action will clean up the image's background color and make it whiter. Note: you can do this a few times if needed.

2) Clean up the edges.

Touch and hold somewhere on the background of your now cleaner image to set the Color Picker to that color.
Using your favorite solid Procreate brush , such as the Studio Pen, draw over the edges of the image to remove any stray background marks.

3) Share your cleaned image.

Click the Actions button (Wrench icon in the upper left-hand corner) and click Share to export your now clean image in your favorite format.

That's it!

Here's the original photo.

And here's the photo after cleaning it in Procreate.

Using this method, it took me less than 2 minutes to clean up this image, and the difference is astounding.

So, try this the next time you want to share a cleaner, brighter image of your visual thinking. You'll be surprised at how quick and easy it can be when you use Procreate.

Bonus tip #1: While creating charts, maps, or diagrams on white paper is the norm, what about if you've used a different colored paper, like gray or tan? This method works great for those, too. In Step 2a, just choose a color from the Color Picker that closely matches the color of your paper.

Bonus tip #2: Let's say you made the drawing on tan paper, but now the background needs to be green. You may not need to redraw it. Instead, you can try choosing a different color from the Color Picker in step 2a.

One-Page Visual Instructions

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 10:00:00 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 5 No. 18

August 30, 2024

There is an old teaching adage that goes something like "Tell me, I forget; show me, I remember; involve me, I understand." This is a perspective we take to heart at AVT and one we incorporate into all our Applied Visual Thinking course lessons.

Sometimes, however, you might not have the luxury of time or sufficient contact with the learners to be able to follow all three of these steps. This is where visuals can help.

I was recently asked to design a visual art workshop for a conference where many of the participants are in recovery from brain illness or injury such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) or stroke. There were a range of abilities in regards to memory as well as physical challenges.

When I first learned about some of these possibilities, I realized I needed to be much more deliberate and thoughtful in drafting my lesson plan. Then it hit me. This is a visual art workshop.

Why not make my instructions visual?

Well, duh. Why shouldn't instructions ALWAYS have a visual component? Here are a few examples when visual instructions might be super useful as compared with a strictly verbal or written how-to.

Assembling furniture: Show parts and their connections step-by-step.

Cooking recipes: Show visuals of ingredients, preparation steps, and final presentation.

Technical troubleshooting: Show system settings or wiring connections through diagrams or screenshots.

Exercise routines: Demonstrate correct form and sequence of movements.

Navigation or map directions: Show routes, landmarks, and turns visually.

Safety procedures: Visual cues for emergency exits, fire extinguisher use, or first aid steps.

Software tutorials: Guide through tasks using screen recordings or annotated screenshots.

There are multiple benefits for creating visuals in preparation for any workshop, training or lesson. Here are just a few.

You will simplify your instructions to just the essentials.
By adding a visual to each step, your learners will understand more quickly and clearly.
Your instructions will be more memorable .
Learners will understand regardless of reading/language skill .
By limiting yourself to one page, you can post your instructions on a slide and/or print a single page per table.

If you've ever tried to lead a group training, teach something or provide instructions for someone, you may have discovered how difficult it can be to write down HOW to do something. By making your instructions visual, you can ensure that they are simple, easy to understand, and accessible to more learning styles.

Next time you are creating a how-to for someone, challenge yourself to fit it on one page and make it a simple visual!

Visuals To Go

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 10:00:00 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 5 No. 16

August 2, 2024

We're traveling this week! Deb and I are fortunate to be broadening our skills, toolkits and networks at the Global Summit hosted by the amazing and highly recommended International Forum of Visual Practitioners ( IFVP ) . While attempting to pack light for the trip, I had to make some tough decisions, especially when it came to visual notetaking toys.

Inspiration struck when I learned that a national eatery has opened its second To Go establishment in the country about a mile from my house. Why not make myself a “Visual Thinking on the Go” kit?

I love cafe sketching when I can find the time. I bring my sketchbook and drawing tools or digital tablet to do some stealth sketching of strangers while I enjoy a pot of tea or a cappuccino. I imagine what they might be writing or studying, or the content of conversations that I can see but not hear.

Cafe sketching, like visual notetaking, fuels my imagination and forces me to draw rapidly, without much fuss or correction. The tools for on the go sketching might be very similar to those for visual thinking. Here's my super simple list. Give it a go and let us know if you'd add or change anything!

On the Go Mini Visual Thinking Toolkit

A pencil
Your favorite black pen
2 markers - one light color and one medium color
Notebook, sketchbook or a few sheets of paper. If you like, try making a 1-sheet sketchbook. How to make a sketchbook from one sheet of paper (by StudyBytes)

Now that your kit is ready to go and you've made it to a café, library, cafeteria, town hall, food court, mall, gym or other location where you can observe the action from the sidelines, what should you do ?

Here are a few suggestions to hyperboost your visual thinking, no caffeine required.

On the Go Visual Thinking practice

Develop and practice 3 to 5 new icons.
For more tips on icons check out the blog post From Photo to Icon and our FOUNDATIONS course.
Develop or practice using a new template .
Go on an icon or lettering style treasure hunt.

Next time you feel the urge to get out and go, BRING YOUR VISUAL THINKING TOOLKIT TO GO! Share your fav's with us on Instagram , LinkedIn or by email .

Overcoming Negative Bias with Visual Thinking

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 22:22:04 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 5 No. 15

July 19, 2024

We all experience moments when our minds focus on the negative aspects of situations, a phenomenon known as negative bias . This tendency can hinder our creativity, decision-making, and overall well-being. Fortunately, visual thinking offers powerful tools to help overcome this bias and shift our perspective toward the positive.

Negative bias is the tendency to focus more on negative experiences or information rather than positive ones.

It's a survival mechanism that evolved to help humans respond to threats, like saber tooth tigers. However, in our modern lives, this bias can lead to stress, anxiety, and a distorted view of reality. By being aware of negative bias, we can actively work to counteract it and foster a more balanced perspective.

Why Does Negative Bias Happen?

1. Evolutionary Survival: Early humans needed to pay more attention to threats and dangers to survive. This heightened focus on negatives ensured quick responses to potential threats.

2. Emotional Impact: Negative events often have a more substantial emotional impact than positive ones, making them more memorable and significant, for better or worse.

3. Cognitive Processes: Our brains process negative information more thoroughly than positive information, emphasizing the negative aspects of experiences.

Visual thinking tools can help combat negative bias by externalizing our thoughts to assess and reframe them more objectively.

Some of the tools you can use to reframe your thoughts include mind mapping to branch out the negative and positive aspects of the situation and create a more balanced understanding of the whole picture, SWOT analysis to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats presented by the situation, and finally, our favorite, Reframing Doodles.

Want to weed out negative bias and differentiate between perception and reality?

Grab some paper, pens, and markers, and let's create a Reframing Doodle!

Step 1. Identify a Negative Thought: On the left side of your paper, write down a negative thought or situation that has bothered you. For example, My presentation was a disaster.

Step 2. Make It Visual: Above the negative thought, draw a simple image representing what happened. For instance, for My presentation was a disaster, you could draw a wide-eyed, sweating figure with shaky knees.

Step 3. Reframe It: In the center of your paper, jot down 3 to 5 things that went well or opportunities related to the situation. For example, your presentation materials were informative, several people asked relevant, thought-provoking questions, and the visuals were fun and engaging. Use different colors for a vibrant visual impact.

Step 4. Create a New Vision: On the right side of the paper, incorporate positive elements to transform your initial drawing into something positive. For example, redraw your figure standing in a confident Superhero pose, include a fun part of your presentation on a screen, and add a few figures asking questions.

Step 5. Reflect on How You Feel: Take a moment to reflect on how this visual transformation makes you feel. Notice and jot down any shifts in your emotional response or perspective.

By using visual thinking tools, we can overcome negative bias and cultivate a more balanced and positive outlook.

Try this activity and see how it transforms your perspective.

And the Winner Is...

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 10:45:00 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 5 No. 14

July 5, 2024

So my family did a thing during the first week of vacation that I wouldn't admit to my doctor. Don't rat me out, please. It but was a lot of fun to do once , and it inspired a fun family visual .

We spent the hottest part of a heat-wave level day in the air conditioned car on a road trip, sampling ice cream from three top-rated ice cream shops in Eastern Massachusetts. New Englanders, in case you haven’t heard, LOVE their ice cream, and can have VERY strong opinions about it.

This was not a proper tasting, as we didn't all sample every flavor. Some flavors were just too good to share. However, we took notes on the flavors sampled and each rated our choices on a scale of 1-5 stars. Here is a single panel visual map of our excursion including flavor rankings .

Visual maps like this one can be a fun and shareable way to capture memories and keep records. AND, a visual map can become a valuable tool for decision-making by placing the various decisions or processes into a context that can be understood at a glance.

Here's what I mean.

Say, for example, I plan to take my team for a summer ice cream excursion. There are 46 people with strong opinions, and we need to select one ice cream shop and preserve the peace.

ICE CREAM SHOP VOTING

Step 1. VOTING: From a long list of generally popular ice cream shops, I have narrowed down the choices to a reasonable number based on logistical criteria. Everyone receives a ballot like the one pictured here, with the various choices in the left-hand column. There are three columns to the right containing ovals that can be filled in to rank first, second and third choices. Voters can rank as few or as many of the choices as they like.

Step 2. ROUND 1: Once all the votes are collected, the first choice votes are tallied. If one of the ice cream shops won over 50% of the vote (in this case 24 votes), it would win. In the example shown, this is not the case. Kimball Farm won 13 votes, New City Microcreamery took 17 votes, and West End Creamery 16. Therefore, the voting moves on to Round 2.

Step 3. ROUND 2: First, the shop that came in last place gets eliminated – Kimball Farm with 13 votes. Then the second choice votes from each of those ballots are added to the votes for the remaining shops. Let's say 5 people selected New City as their second choice, 8 chose West End Creamery as second choice.

NOTE: If there were more choices, this process would be repeated and ballots revisited to tally third, fourth, fifth, etc. choices preferences.

Step 4. WINNER ESTABLISHED: In our example, after second choice votes are added, New City Microcreamery squeaks out the win with 24 total votes. All ballots are considered, and nobody feels like their vote didn’t count. A fair win means no complaining.

While this example involved ice cream, this is a newish method of voting that has been adopted in some local elections for political candidates, called Ranked Choice Voting . The big idea is that voters’ preferences are not lost if their top choice candidate doesn’t immediately win over 50% of the votes. If a candidate is appealing but unlikely to win, voters can still vote their hearts without feeling like they are throwing away a vote.

Ranked Choice Voting is a complex process, but at AVT we believe in the power of visuals to make complex ideas easier to understand.

NOW YOU TRY.

Similar kinds of physical mapping with ranking can come in handy in any number of other scenarios, too, for both personal and work settings. Get your feet wet with one of these activities, or adapt one to create your own helpful visual mapping tool .

Create a Map

Draw a loose map of a route you take every morning, indoors or out.
Print/draw a map. Mark where your customers/teammates/relatives/friends reside.
Sketch your kitchen with areas identified by activity zones, such as washing, chopping and prep, cooking, eating and socializing.

Do Ranked Choice Voting

Where to spend a summer weekend
Favorite local destination
Where to go when it's too hot/cold/rainy

If you need to keep a decision simple, try starting with a visual map or some ranked data.

Are you ready for a change? Visual thinking can help!

Sat, 22 Jun 2024 20:22:01 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 5 No. 13

June 22, 2024

How time flies. We're near the end of June, and aphelion (the point of the Earth's orbit farthest from the Sun) is just days away. This is a great time to reflect on where you've been, where you are now, and the direction things are heading in the future.

This week, we're taking a few moments to decipher what you might need to adapt, shift, or change on your way to becoming the next best you.

If the aphelion is an inflection point in the earth's orbit around the sun. There are also inflection points in work

and life.

In simple terms, an inflection point is a change in direction. Work and life are full of inflection points; they could be significant changes like an addition to the family, a career change, or a big move to a new area. They can also be minor changes like a shift in understanding, responsibilities, or interests. Whatever the inflection point is, the common denominator is the need to change . What has served you well in the past may not be working now or serve your needs in the future.

There are many different tools to help you recognize and navigate an inflection point, including mind mapping, flow charts, and timelines. One tool we particularly enjoy is a Past >>> Present >>> Future journey map.

At an inflection point?

Download a copy of the free template , grab some pens

and markers, and play along!

Map your Past >>> Present >>> Future journey:

Step 1) Take a few moments to reflect on what change you are facing. Consider:

What type of change is happening?
Where are you in the change process? Has it happened already? Are you in the middle of the change? Is it on the horizon?
How big is it? Are you looking at a small shift or a radical change?

Step 2) Set your timeline:

Using the P ast >>> Present >>> Future template , add the start date of your timeline at the left end of the curve and the end date at the right end of the curve.
Your timeline can be any length, from a few months to a few years. It's up to you.

Step 3) Mark your inflection point:

Draw an icon that resonates with you at the inflection point (the lowest point of the curve). For example, if you're changing jobs, you might draw a figure wearing a fancy new hat, or if you'd like more work-life balance, you might draw a balance scale.
Using hierarchy, color, and icons, jot down a few bullet points around your icon describing what has, is, or will be changing.

Step 4) Look back:

On the left side of the curve, jot down a few bullet points describing what's been happening for you, including what you've been thinking, feeling, and doing in the past. Use hierarchy, color, and icons to represent your ideas visually.
If you completed the Put On Your 2024 Google process and selected 3 words at the end of 2023, add them to your map, too.

Step 5) Look forward:

Take a few moments to reflect on who you want to be and how you want to feel, think, and act in the future.
On the right-hand side of the curve. Using "I am" and "I have" statements, jot down a few bullet points to describe your future self. Use hierarchy, colors, and icons to add meaning to your "I" statements.

Step 6) Embody it:.

Take a few moments to reflect on what you've created. Visualize how you will be in the world when living as your new self. Imagine in vivid detail where you'll be, how you'll feel, what you'll be doing, who you're with, etc. The more details, the better. Envisioning a bright future is the first step in bringing it into being.
Place the map where you will see it daily, such as your bathroom mirror, or take a photo and make it your screensaver. Look at it often. Keeping your vision front and center will keep you on the path toward positive change.

Unsure which inflection point to work on or want to dive deeper? Take a look at the Put On Your 2024 Google parts 1 and 2 blog posts here and here .

Recognizing and embracing inflection points using visual thinking can turn potential disruptions into opportunit ies for growth.

Let's harness these visual tools to navigate our journeys with clarity and confidence.

Work Backwards Visually

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 12:23:46 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 5 No. 12

June 7, 2024

Once, when I was hiking with a friend, we lost the trail. Not just for a few steps, but 20 minutes or so hiking in circles with full backpacks in the rain near tears lost. I kept questioning myself and doubling back, messing with my own sense of direction.

Finally, my friend suggested we just pick a direction and keep going until we found some clue to where we were. It was afternoon and we were far from any campsite. Her suggestion to "just keep going" worked. We eventually found a trail marker.

Last week, I found myself facing a different kind of lost. I had the joy of guiding a troop of almost 40 pre-teen Scouts through the design and silkscreening of t-shirts for their troop’s annual summer camp week. In a couple of short evenings, we needed to navigate from concept to design, then from a chaotic group of kids to an organized production house. Here’s how Visual Thinking helped me find my way, and it started at the end .

The END

I knew the group would need a clear idea of the VISION of the end goal in order to get motivated. I showed them an example of last year’s shirts, explained how the design fit the theme, and presented printed samples of this year’s summer camp theme for visual inspiration.

I asked for a small set of volunteers. We had about 6 creative Scouts on the committee, a mixture of boys and girls. This "Design Team" was given the overall theme for the week, the criteria and parameters to keep in mind. In about 30 minutes, they dashed off, refined and agreed to a handful of draft concepts that:

Related to the Tom & Jerry theme (the Hanna and Barbera American cartoon)
Included the troop number and location
Were legible from a distance so their leaders and others could easily identify them as a group
Passed the "I'll wear it" test for the whole troop, including adult leaders

The Design Team knew where we were headed and agreed on a direction — 100+ shirts printed with the theme silkscreened on the front and their patrol emblem block printed on the right sleeve.

The MIDDLE

Next, the whole troop was given time to review the draft designs , vote for their top pick, and add comments and notes . The Design Team met again briefly to tally the votes and read the comments. The designer of the winning design was then given an opportunity to redraw the design based on what the committee determined were the best suggestions.

Similar to my hike, the Design Team knew they had to "just keep going" in order to be prepared in time for the printing date.

The BEGINNING

The Design Team became Project Managers as they planned out print night. To do this, they retraced the steps they recalled from last year and improved on it . They mapped out the sequence of operations, how to lay out and set up the room, and how they would dry the shirts after they were printed. They assigned roles to each team member and made sure all the necessary roles would be staffed by a Scout with experience.

On screen printing day, the Design Team was tasked as leaders to coordinate the event as well as help mentor Scouts who had not done block printing nor silk screening before. "Ink Masters" were assigned to each print station, assisting the Scouts as they inked and transferred the designs onto their shirts.

The results? Over 100 shirts printed. Time: about 2 hours . 38 proud Scouts with big smiles and matching camp shirts.

Working visually helps develop ideas, build consensus and keep the end goal in mind .

Ready to try turning your visual thinking on its head? Here's how.

The printing example I described was for an entire project, but you can also apply this end to beginning process to visual thinking on a small scale, like developing a new icon for your icon library.

Ready for more End to Beginning fun?

Try the back to front method in these small, simple ways.

Want to make a key word stand out? Use a totally different style than the rest of the paragraph. Try for a style that emphasizes its meaning, like a fancy script for the word "elegant."
Want to create some visual whimsy in a block of text? Use a style of writing that contradicts the word or phrase, such as making a sign for "Meditation Room" in bright, bold, cartoon letters inside a cartoon star shape.
Want to make up a joke? Start with a punchline.
Want to draw an imaginary animal? Try a combination of two real ones.
Want to draw an imaginary animal another way? Combine two animal names, then draw the combo – penguigator, foxhawk or pandoctopus.

Share your Beginnings with us!

Embark on a Lettering Style Treasure Hunt

Fri, 24 May 2024 00:26:02 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 5 No. 11

May 24, 2024

Welcome to this week's AVT newsletter! Now that nicer weather is here, it is time to get outside and explore. Get ready for an exciting journey as we....

Embark on a Lettering Style Treasure Hunt!

Our goal? To discover and appreciate the diverse world of lettering styles around us. And add a few new tools to our visual thinking tool kit to communicate complex ideas more clearly .

Why is this important? Imagine using graffiti style lettering on a fancy wedding invitation. Or a historical script for a high-tech logo. The look and feel may not match the content you're trying to communicate. Matching the lettering style to the content underscores the message.

Grab your smart device, a pen and a sketchbook and head outside, it's time to...

Discover New Styles:

Graffiti:

Characteristics: Bold, colorful, and often intricate designs. Look for the unique tags, murals, and street art in your neighborhood.
Where to Find: Urban areas, alleyways, and public walls.
Useful For: gamification of your messaging, community, creative and cultural projects, and guerilla marketing

Signage:

Characteristics: Unique lettering on shop signs, billboards, and posters. Notice the variety in fonts, colors, and layouts
Where to Find: Shopping districts, commercial areas, and community boards
Useful For: wayfinding, navigation and street signs, event banners, and restaurant menus.

Digital Fonts:

Characteristics: Various fonts used in digital media, websites, and advertisements. Pay attention to the versatility and functionality of these fonts.
Useful For: internal and external communications, presentations, meeting graphics, white papers, splash screens, and event programs.
Where to Find: Online platforms, social media, and apps.

Historical Scripts:

Characteristics: Traditional and historical scripts found in books, monuments, and public buildings. Observe the elegance and detail in these scripts.
Where to Find: Libraries, museums, historical sites, and older buildings.
Useful For: informational brochures, event signage, formal events, and board meeting agendas.

Adapt Your Handwriting

Let's put our discoveries into practice! Here's a fun activity to adapt your regular handwriting style:

Step 1: Choose a Style: Reflect on the styles you've observed and select one that inspires you.

Step 2: Analyze : Observe the key characteristics of this style. What makes it unique? Is it the shape of the letters, the use of colors, or the overall flow? Take notes or draw sketches to capture these details, identifying the unique characteristics of the letters—look at proportions, slant, stroke weight, serifs (or lack thereof), and any decorative elements .

Step 3: Practice: Starting with your standard handwriting style, begin by adapting it to mimic the s hapes, curves , and spacing of the letters.

First, write the entire alphabet in your adapted style.
Next, try a few simple words or phrases.
Finally, experiment with different writing tools such as markers, pens, or brushes to achieve the desired effect.

Step 4: Create: Write a short note, message, or pangram in your adapted handwriting style. Let your creativity flow, and don't worry about perfection—it's all about exploration and fun!

Need to familiarize yourself with pangrams? Learn more here https://parade.com/living/fun-pangrams .
Consider incorporating elements like shadows, highlights, or decorative accents to enhance your lettering.

Step 5: Put it to use:

Is it bold and chunky? - create a cool title for your next chart
Is it historical and script? - use it to highlight an important quote
Is it sleek and modern? - try it for subheadings in an extensive list

Different lettering styles help convey different meanings. Having a few unique lettering styles in your visual thinking toolkit will help your audience understand your message.

Tips for Success:

Remember the number one rule - Make it legible!
Take Your Time: Don't rush the process. Enjoy the journey of exploring and adapting new styles.
Stay Inspired: Look for inspiration in everyday surroundings. Lettering styles are everywhere if you keep an eye out.
Practice Regularly: The more you practice, the more comfortable you'll become with different styles.

We'd love to see your creations! Share your adapted handwriting with us by replying to this email or tagging us on social media with #LetteringStyleTreasureHunt.

Happy Hunting!

Spark Creative Conversations with Visuals

183:831974313 (Sheri Kennedy) — Fri, 10 May 2024 22:17:55 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 5 No. 10

May 10, 2024

If you're reading this, you most likely agree with us at AVT that building a visual vocabulary is really handy. Here's yet another way you can leverage your icon library to fuel innovation and foster synergy in your conversations at work.

First, let me paint the scene. I was working with a phenomenal team of facilitators to plan a brainstorming event as part of a strategic planning project. The wisdom and care in the group was awe-inspiring. Each facilitator brought different skillsets, perspectives and concerns to the conversation. I learned a ton.

Three takeaways stuck with me from working with this group of experienced facilitators. If your work involves collaboration, idea generation or co-creation, read on.

1. Show, don't tell.

An amazing English teacher taught me to use a character's actions and dialogue to convey how they feel rather than telling the reader outright, "He felt anxious about presenting her idea in front of her former boss."

As we were planning how to structure and lead the in-person event, we often shared visual representations. Seeing examples was much more helpful than merely talking about the activities and formats we might suggest. It's amazing how much faster a group can reach consensus when everyone understands what each other are talking about!

Here are a few examples of diagrams that can be used as a container or template to collect the golden nuggets from complex brainstorming conversations.

Mind Map
Theory of Change
SWOT Analysis
Roadmap

Spider Diagram
Gantt Chart
Fishbone (Ishikawa) Diagram
(pictured)

2. Stay in service
to the work.

The client was a non-profit whose mission focuses on eliminating the barriers to community-owned solar development. When creative tension arose, the lead facilitators gracefully put the desired goal in the forefront. In some cases, what helped were examples that could be shared and compared in real time . The solution that would most likely and most directly result in the desired outcomes was chosen at each turn.

What might staying in service to the work mean in terms of Visual Thinking? If you are choosing an icon to represent a topic or idea, you have choices. You can select the first one that comes to mind, which may be the most easily recognized by the majority, or you can think about an icon (or a combination of icons) that might come even closer to the whole idea you want to capture.

For example, here are 3 tools that can be used for group consensus building to understand the perspectives of others. Surfacing how people feel early on during the process can help set the stage for smoother decision making.

3. Seek consensus.

No one person has all the answers, particularly when it comes to work that must meet the needs of a large set of constituents. Having a diverse group of people in the room is therefore vital to finding the best path forward.

With diversity comes difference of viewpoints, which can lead to differences of opinion about how to do things. One such moment of creative tension happened at our event. I was heartened at how viewpoints were expressed honestly in the moment, differing opinions discussed in a civil manner, and the work paused until there was agreement that the concerns had been heard and addressed.

Here are a few concepts you can draw upon (like what I did there?) next time you are seeking consensus with a group. I’ve included a few icon examples. Try your hand at these or come up with some of your own.

Active listening
Collaboration
Common goals
Dot voting
Growth mindset

Inclusion
Mediation
Teamwork
Unity
Win-win

The next time you are brainstorming, remember to use your visual thinking to fuel innovation and foster synergy in your conversations.

Go Big To Go Simple

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 23:05:03 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 5 No. 9

April 26, 2024

One of the greatest strengths of applying visual thinking in your work, life and projects is the power to convey complex ideas and information in concise, simple, easy to understand drawings. However simplification can be challenging.

As Mark Twain famously said, "I didn't have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead." which highlights the challenge and value of simplification. It takes more effort and thought to convey ideas concisely than to elaborate at length.

One of the ways you can learn to simplify your drawings is by adding constraints. This week we are diving into why larger markers and pens are not just tools, but transformative allies for visual thinkers. Plus, we have an engaging activity that challenges you to innovate within constraints.

Why Go Big
with Your Tools?

Larger markers and pens are a staple for visual thinkers for several reasons:

Increased Visibility: The bold lines created by larger tools are easier to see from a distance, ideal for presentations or educational settings.
Enhanced Fluidity: These tools facilitate smoother, freer whole-body drawing movements, helping you express ideas more naturally.
Simplification: When used on smaller canvases, larger markers can force you to simplify complex ideas into more digestible visual elements. This constraint is a powerful way to distill and communicate the essence of your thoughts.

If you're new to using larger markers, particularly those with a chisel tip, you may be surprised to learn they are very versatile and can make a wide variety of line widths depending on which part of the marker you use. If you're interested in learning more check out this video from Neuland Marker .

Embrace Constraints for Creativity

Let's experiment with how constraints can foster creativity using larger drawing tools.

Materials Needed:

- Large markers or pens

- A sheet of paper

- A timer

Instructions:

Choose Your Constraint: Opt for a limitation, like using only one or two colors, or employing basic shapes like circles and lines.
Set a Timer: Limit yourself to 5 minutes to visually interpret a concept such as "Growth," "Change," or "Capacity."
Create: Within the time constraint, use your large marker to capture the essence of the concept on a small piece of paper.
Reflect: Afterward, consider how the size of the tool and the space impacted your approach and outcomes. What did you have to do differently? How did you decide what to include and what to leave out? What might you do differently next time?
Rinse and Repeat and Repeat and Repeat: Carry a larger pen or marker and small notebook with you. When you have an extra five minutes such as waiting for an appointment or meeting to start, pull out your materials and practice this technique.

This exercise will help you experience firsthand how larger tools and thoughtful constraints can dramatically shift your creative process.

Adopting larger markers and pens not only enhances the clarity and impact of your visual communication but also encourages simplicity and focus in your creations. Challenge yourself to think big, yet simple, and see where these tools can take your visual thinking!

Ignite Your Intentions with Action

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 23:13:26 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 5 No. 8

April 12, 2024

In a recent newsletter we prompted you to shift your momentum into an upward spiral . In this edition of the Art of Applied Visual Thinking , we invite you into an enriching activity designed to not only help you set powerful intentions, but to actively live them through visual tools and simple, daily actions.

Whether your goals are to elevate productivity, enhance focus, boost energy, increase alertness, cultivate mindfulness, or unleash creativity, this hands-on approach can be used by everyone. Let's embark on creating a unique set of notecards, with each card visually prompting a specific action that resonates with your chosen intentions. Here's how:

Part 1) Clarify Your Intentions

Take 5 minutes and reflect on what you're aiming for. Is it to boost your energy levels for more vibrant days? Or perhaps to sharpen your focus for deeper concentration? Identify and jot down 2 to 3 intentions you would like to focus on during the next few months. Next, create an icon to represent each intention. Not sure where to begin? Check out this newsletter. Hold on to these icons because you'll use them in step 2 below.

Part 2) Craft Your Notecards

What you'll need:

A stack of blank notecards, pieces of paper or colored index cards
Pens, highlighters or markers.

Step 1: Ideate Actions

Compile a list of actions that align with your intentions, considering tasks that are both brief and manageable. Aim for 30 to 50 actions to keep you engaged. For instance, if your goal is to increase alertness, one idea might be, "Stretch for 3 minutes." Not sure where to start; click here to download a list of suggestions .

Step 2: Design Your Cards

In the center of each card, write down one action in big, bold letters. This is your motivational toolkit, so make it personal and inspiring to you! Make each card visual. Pair the action with one of the intentions you identified in Part 1) above. Draw your intention icon in one corner. Add the length of time in another corner. These simple visual additions will make the cards more useful in step 3.

Step 3: Daily Engagement

Keep your notecards in an accessible spot, like a clear box or a jar. Draw a card daily or whenever you seek inspiration, and dedicate yourself to completing the action. This method keeps you in steady pursuit of your goals through consistent, small steps.

Advantages

Enhanced Clarity and Dedication: Keeping your intentions visible and actionable sharpens your focus and commitment.
Steady Motivation: The satisfaction of accomplishing these small tasks fuels your drive to continue progressing.
Adaptable Approach: Your notecard collection can evolve as your goals and intentions grow, offering endless personalization.

Sample Action Ideas

To jumpstart your journey, here are a few action suggestions for various intentions:

Focus : "List your top 3 priorities for today."
Energy : "Take a brisk 5-minute walk outside."
Alertness : "Drink a glass of water and stretch."
Productivity : "Organize your workspace for 10 minutes."
Mindfulness : "Practice 5 minutes of guided meditation."
Creativity : "Spend 15 minutes free writing, doodling or sketching."

Embrace this practice as a daily ritual, allowing your notecards to guide you towards living your intentions more fully. With each action completed, you're not just moving upward towards your goals – you're embodying the change you wish to see.

Let this newsletter be your catalyst for change.

As you engage with your notecards each day, witness the transformation within yourself and your surroundings. Here's to a path filled with clarity, creativity, and continual growth!

Visual Thinking for STEM, STEAM and Beyond

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 17:13:45 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 5 No. 7

March 29, 2024

You have probably heard of "STEM" and maybe "STEAM" in education. STEM stands for "Science, Technology, Engineering and Math." "STEAM" adds the "A" for "arts."

When you hear the word "arts," does your mind jump instantly to the fine arts, such as drawing and painting, music composition and performance and dance? Do you think of "arts" as an area available only to the select few gifted with that elusive thing we call "talent"? It's no surprise if these thoughts are the first to come to mind, but in today's workplace, they are very limiting beliefs and here's why.

Thinking of the arts as only for talented people overlooks the fact that creativity and artistic expression are skills most of us demonstrate automatically as small children, and that these skills can be developed through practice.

Additionally, art as a form of personal expression, communication and innovation should not be undervalued. Key messages can be presented through art in ways that can be easily digested by most and reach people where they are. The arts can even prompt action on important issues. AND… it doesn't need to be pretty to be impactful .

At Applied Visual Thinking, we belief that the arts are important for their intrinsic benefits, and also that learning basic tools for creative expression will benefit everyone in whatever career or personal life path they choose. You don't need to be a professional artist to benefit from Visual Thinking. There are benefits to both traditional visual art and visual thinking.

Here are just a few examples of why both are important.

Traditional visual art-making is all about solving problems . So is Visual Thinking.
Traditional visual art-making expands the methods and "languages" for communicating ideas . So does Visual Thinking.
Art makes inter-disciplinary and complex concepts easier to comprehend . Visual Thinking does, too.
Both aid memory retention .
Both bridge barriers such as language and ability.
Both entice people to be fully engaged .

"A" for everybody! "STEM" to "STEAM" benefits all.

There is growing recognition that educating students with a wide range of perspectives and backgrounds in STEAM is a way to fuel the kinds of innovation we need to address global issues. Here’s how Visual Thinking can help in STEAM education at all levels from elementary to higher education… AND GUESS WHAT? These tools are also useful in business, industry, individual learning and personal development.

For example, I recently tried to understand the differences between a traditional high school program versus a vocational/technical career track. When I need to make a decision, my go-to diagram is the 2x2 matrix diagram .

Are you "in" on adding the "A"?

Diagram a decision using your own 2x2 matrix diagram, or try one of these other examples of useful visual thinking tools :

Mind map - represent and organize concepts, relationships and hierarchies such as animal species
Flowchart or Timeline - show sequencing, cause and effect or steps over time such as the life cycle of a frog
Venn Diagram - highlight overlapping areas, such as the intersections and differences between biology, chemistry and physics
Data visualization - charts, graphs and maps to assist with analysis and interpretation, such as for scientific experiments
Storyboarding - plan sequential steps, for an experiment, design process or animation
Infographics - communicate scientific results, data findings and trends using engaging visuals
Visual Analogies - help explain abstract concepts, making them more understandable, such as comparing electrical circuits to water flowing through pipes

Transform your perspective with visuals

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 13:00:00 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 5 No. 5

March 1, 2024

Visual thinking isn't about drawing pretty pictures. It's about increasing understanding and communicating ideas clearly . It can also be a powerful tool for reframing perspectives and overcoming obstacles. As visual thinking teachers, we're thrilled to guide you on this transformative journey. Let's dive in and explore how you can leverage visuals to navigate from a downward spiral to an upward one.

Feeling blue?

If you're anything like me, winter can be tough. The short days and long cold nights can leave me feeling blue and lead me on a slippery slope into a downward spiral if I am not attentive to my self-care. Lack of sunlight isn't my only trigger; lack of sleep, an argument with a loved one, and making what I perceive as a big mistake are all on my list of triggers.

Common triggers for a downward spiral include negative self-talk, stressful situations, comparison with others, lack of self-care, and perfectionism, all of which can lead to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and burnout. Everyone's triggers and steps along a downward path are different. Knowing yours can help you break free from the downward spiral and ascend to new heights of positivity and growth.

Ready to change your perspective?

Download a free handout , grab your pens, and dive in, to launch into a more positive mindset.

Take Stock of Your Downward Spiral Triggers:

Reflect : Set aside 10 minutes to reflect on recent experiences when you've felt stuck in a downward spiral. Jot down the triggers that set off the negative cycle. Take note of the specific situations, thoughts, or emotions you experienced.
Identify Patterns : Review your notes and look for common patterns or themes among these triggers. Are recurring patterns in your thoughts or behaviors contributing to the downward spiral? Understanding these patterns is the first step toward breaking free from them.
Visualize: Download a copy of the free handout and create a simple visual story using the I t Started When - Then - And - Finally framework to illustrate your common downward spiral triggers, behaviors, and their effects on page one. For example, a recent downward spiral I experienced started when I didn't get enough sleep, then I had an argument with a family member, and I binged on chocolate and finally ended up feeling guilty all day. The payoff - visualizing your triggers and follow-on behaviors can help you gain clarity and perspective on the factors driving a negative cycle.

Launch into an Upward Spiral:

Just as a downward spiral often starts with an identifiable trigger, the same holds true with an upward one. One of the fastest ways to launch myself into a more positive mindset is to visit one of my happy places.

Knowing and understanding what activities or actions launch you into a more positive mindset is powerful. Some common first steps towards an upward spiral include adopting positive habits such as mindfulness, exercise, practicing gratitude, engaging in learning and growth, extending kindness, prioritizing self-care, embracing creative activities, and play.

Take Stock of Your Upward Spiral Triggers:

Reflect : Set aside 10 minutes to reflect on recent experiences when you've felt the effects of an upward spiral. Jot down the triggers that set off the positive cycle. Take note of the specific situations, thoughts, or emotions you experienced.
Identify Patterns : Review your notes and look for common patterns or themes among these triggers. Do recurring patterns in your thoughts or behaviors contribute to a more positive mindset? Understanding these patterns can help you launch into a new upward spiral.
Visualize : On the second page of the handout , create a simple visual story using the It Started When - Then - And - Finally framework to illustrate your favorite upward spiral triggers, actions and their effects. For example, one of my recent upward spirals started when I visited my favorite fancy art supply store, then I had a healthy salad for lunch and took a nap, and finally happily cooked a lovely dinner for my family. The payoff - visualizing your upward triggers adds new tools to your visual thinking toolbox the next time you feel the tug of a downward spiral and need to change your trajectory.

By following these steps, you'll gain insight into your downward spiral triggers and ignite the spark of creativity and optimism needed to fuel your upward ascent.

Are you ready to embark on this visual journey of transformation? Let's elevate your outlook and embrace the power of visuals to shape your path forward.

More Input = Better Output

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 04:58:11 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 5 No. 5

March 1, 2024

If you have an opportunity to share your work with a new audience, no matter how tough you think their critique might be, fear not. More input actually helps craft better output. Visual thinking benefits from many perspectives. In this newsletter, we'll look at various ways to widen your lens in terms of both your visuals and their meanings.

Humans are wired to assign meaning. We love things to make sense. We seek patterns and assign meaning to things we read, see and experience constantly. This is one of the reasons why working visually is such a powerful tool.

Lots of times, however, you might see something you've drawn one way, while someone else sees it another. Often, adding a label can help ensure that your icon is interpreted the way you intend. On the "glass half full" side, these varied interpretations can be opportunities to expand your icon library . I can think of four times in recent days that I was given the gifts of fresh input that helped me, sometimes with visual projects, sometimes in other ways.

First, I took my iPad with me to the diner where I had some time to myself waiting for my car to be inspected. I did some quick sketches, selected a few parts of the sketches and turned them into icons.

Second, I took the FOUNDATIONS course with my teenage boys. Not only was it fun for me to revisit the exercises as a participant, I learned a TON about what parts of the course might be most relevant from the middle and high schooler perspectives. The parts that caught their attention pointed directly to the essential messages in the course. This is incredibly valuable information for Deb and me for future course development, marketing and in-person delivery.

Third, (mini reveal here!) I shared the outline of the book I’m writing with a friend. By explaining how I set up the outline in spreadsheet form and what the various rows and columns meant for the intended book structure, that structure became more clear to me. Her careful listening and input set me up to have a very productive session reworking the outline to be simpler and more coherent for the reader.

Finally, in designing a newsletter masthead recently, my team asked about 10 people which of 7 fonts looked the most like a loose, hand-written script that could have been written by the same person who did a drawing that would appear next to it. They noticed lots of things I wouldn’t have thought of, like the way one of the letters “k” was hard to read as a “k.”

It can be tempting to keep our creative projects under wraps until we feel they are “ready for prime time,” but sometimes taking a lesson from the agile approach can help you complete a better project in less time. Get the idea formulated just enough to share. Then allow those multiple perspectives to improve, test and expand the idea , hopefully before excessive resources are spent going down a path that might prove less than ideal because not enough audiences were at the design table.

The WAYS we interpret patterns and assign meanings are variable. This is why we need to seek out a diverse set of opinions if the goal is clear communication .

Now you try! Here are just a few ways to gather more input.

Draw something/someone new - bring a mini sketchbook to a cafe, library or bus station. Fill a few pages with sketches of people, things and lettering styles you notice.
Turn some of your sketches into simple icons to expand your visual library.
Show your icons to a few people without explanation and ask what keywords or titles they would give your icons. Keep notes. Boom. You’ve just expanded your visual vocabulary.

Remember — to get better output, seek out more input. Increase your visual input to expand your visual vocabulary and icon library. Share with a diverse audience, and listen to the various interpretations to help you build your visual vocabulary even more and to clarify your communication.

Did you know? Better Handwriting = Better Drawings

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 22:08:09 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 5 No. 4

February 16, 2024

When I became interested in learning visual thinking, I initially focused on learning how to create clear, concise graphics to help tell a story. During that process, I quickly discovered I also needed to improve my handwriting. Since visual thinking is usually a combination of words and pictures, the graphic is just one part of the equation. Handwriting also influences how well the graphic can be understood, and is a fundamental skill that impacts our communication. Improving your handwriting can enhance clarity and legibility and even unleash your creativity.

Additionally, refining your handwriting can positively impact your drawing skills , as both activities involve similar motor control and spatial awareness. Let's dive into a quick exercise to help you enhance your handwriting in just five minutes.

Materials Needed:

- Pen or pencil

- Paper

Instructions:

1. Posture and Grip: Sit comfortably with your feet flat on the floor and your back straight. Hold your pen or pencil with a relaxed grip, allowing for smooth movement without strain. If you find that your fingers or wrist are hurting, pay attention to your grip.

2. Warm-Up Strokes: Start by loosening your hand with warm-up strokes. Draw horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines and circles on your paper. Focus on maintaining a consistent pressure and fluid motion.

3. Letter Formation: Choose a letter of the alphabet to focus on. Write this letter in both uppercase and lowercase, paying attention to each stroke's shape, size, and spacing. Take your time and strive for precision.

4. Word Practice: Select a few simple words to practice writing. Write each word slowly and deliberately, aiming for uniformity in size and spacing between letters. Repeat the words multiple times to reinforce muscle memory.

5. Sentence Composition: Now, compose a short sentence using your practiced words. Write the sentence neatly, ensuring each word is legible and properly spaced. Focus on consistency in letter formation and alignment.

6. Reflect and Adjust: Take a moment to review your handwriting. Identify areas where you can improve, such as letter consistency, spacing, or slant. Make any necessary adjustments and practice those specific areas further.

Did you know?

Line drawings are often made up of S, C and I shapes.

Coincidentally these are the same shapes used to create the upper case Roman alphabet. Practicing upper case letters will help improve your line quality while drawing.

Also, pay attention to connecting the lines in your letters. This practice will translate into better geometric shapes when drawing.

Ready for more? Here are some fun ways to practice your handwriting:

Make a prettier to-do list
Send "thinking of you" cards
Address envelopes
Handwritten notes to family
Create file folder labels
Take fancy-ish meeting notes

Congratulations on completing this handwriting improvement activity! Consistency and practice are key to refining your handwriting skills over time. As you enhance your handwriting, you'll improve your ability to communicate effectively and lay a foundation for developing your drawing skills. Keep practicing and enjoy the journey of self-improvement!

Feel free to share your progress and insights with us and with others. Don’t forget to encourage them to take our FOUNDATIONS course as they embark on their handwriting improvement journey.

Happy writing and drawing!

Complex Decisions Made Visual

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 05:51:38 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 5 No. 3

February 2, 2024

This time of year, where I live is chillier and darker than the rest of the year. To be honest, it can make me feel pretty down. One strategy I've found that can lighten my step is to look to the future.

The beginning of the year is often a busy planning time. This year, in addition to planning for work, I'm planning a vacation with my family plus another. With four adults and four teens in the mix, it's a bit of a complex project management challenge.

Are you a cat herder in your organization? Are you sometimes tasked with guiding a group to make a decision about a very complex situation? The visual method I just learned might help you, too. This idea sparked from visual thinker/big picture synthesizer Brandy Agerbeck .

To simplify the many options for planning a trip to a popular national park, I needed a system that could make it easy to compare very different options quickly. Here are the steps as I followed them.

The Steps

Define your project. Make sure the scope is manageable. I was looking for accommodations for 8 people within 5 miles of the park. Ideally, we wanted a little more space and comfort than camping but feel connected to nature.
Gather the key stakeholders to establish the major criteria. This usually means getting parameters from the budget and calendar keepers. If you are making something, Sourcing and Production might be involved. For my project, the 4 adults determined the budget and timeframe.
Test the criteria list with your stakeholders. Ask "What is important to you?" "What is missing from this list?" Select the top 4 criteria. My criteria were amount of free time, communing with nature versus connectivity, cost and how much each individual liked the place.
Research the options. What do you need people to choose between? Again recruit brainstormers if you are able so you have as broad a range of options as possible. I searched up campgrounds, cabins and cottages and homes for rent. I gathered the same kinds of data about each option so we could compare apples to apples.
Narrow down the choices to 3-5 options. Give people a reasonable number of options but not so many they become paralyzed. My choices whittled down to 3.
Create a card for each option with criteria in the corners. I added icons to make the comparisons super fast to understand. See image.
Let each stakeholder vote by smile, meh or frown on each card. Have a set of sticky notes if you like so they can ask questions or point out information that might have been missed for each option. Clarify or research any questions that pop up.
Is there a clear winner? Great. If there is a split, try silent dot voting between the tied options. If there is still a split, identify the biggest obstacle to accepting each option. Offer a small reward to anyone who contributes an idea for how to overcome the obstacle or find an acceptable compromise.

Want other ideas for how you might apply this? Here is an example. If your team needs to decide what projects to focus on in the next year, your top criteria might be:

Budget
Capacity of key personnel
Investment to revenue projections (ROI)
Importance to client

Now you try.

This tool can be applied in both family and organizational settings. Whether your group consists of teammates, vendors, clients, volunteers or siblings, coming to consensus is never easy. However, applying visuals can help you simplify complexity and build consensus.

Everyone has projects they manage. Join our AVT for Project Management course for more tools you can use… made visual .

Reduce Reuse Create Innovate

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 19:45:59 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 5 No. 2

January 5, 2024

This year I'm on a quest to become more active. I admit that I have Peloton envy but have I talked myself out of spending thousands of bucks for a fancy high tech bike. Instead I challenged myself to reduce my consumerism, reuse what I had on hand and innovate to get the feel of biking outside with friends.

I started looking around to see how I might do that and use what I've learned about Innovation from my amazing business partner Sheri Kennedy and the idea generation tool SCAMPER* we practice in the AVT for Innovation course.

To begin, I decided to use my old-school stationary bike. It doesn't hook up to Wi-FI or have any fancy technology but it's quiet and comfortable to ride and something I already had. Score 1 for the home team. Next I needed to figure out the tech piece. I looked no further than the tiny super computer I carry around with me all the time, also known as my smart phone. It's great for streaming video and something I already had. Score another point for the home team. These are two examples of SCAMPER innovation principle "Put to another use."

Next I had to determine how to set up the smart phone on a stationary bike so that it was at a comfortable viewing angle. I did an internet search and found a small shelf I could buy that would attach to my old stationary bike. However, I again challenged myself to see if I could use what I had on hand. Cue SCAMPER innovation principle "Adapt."

Using the design of the shelf I found on the internet as a starting point, I considered how I might make something similar with materials I had on hand. I wanted something sturdy and rigid that I could easily cut and put together for a prototype. I stumbled across some thick mat board I had been given. It was perfect. Score another point for the home team.

Next up was the design step. Time for visual thinking.

I needed an upside down box with a backboard to lean the phone against. Seemed simple enough. I measured where the shelf needed to sit and drew up a simple plan. Then I cut the mat board into pieces. Since this was an early prototype I stuck them together with cellophane tape. It was just sturdy enough to hold together for a short test run.

Design Challenge #1 – While the prototype fit on the bike and held my phone, the angle of the screen was not right for comfortable viewing. Back to the drawing board.

Time for SCAMPER innovation principle "Modify." I considered how I could use the pieces of mat board I had already cut. I discovered that adding an "L" shaped piece of tag board would fix this view angle issue. One of the leftover pieces of tag board was just about the right size. I scored and folded it into an "L" shape, attached it with cellophane tape and took it for another test run.

Design Challenge #2 – Although the view angle was improved, the phone was now sitting very close to the edge of the shelf and could easily be knocked off.

Time to apply the SCAMPER innovation principle "Modify" again. Affixing a flat strip of tag board to the front of the box to create a small lip was just the thing. The phone was at the correct viewing angle and would not easily slip off the shelf. Yippee! Problems solved (or so I thought). I pulled out some duct tape and taped everything together to make a nice sturdy box, then I took it for another test run.

Design Challenge #3 – The box fit well, the view angle was comfortable and the phone was secure. However, the prototype had multiple distracting colors clearly within view.

Time for one more innovation using the SCAMPER innovation principle "Eliminate." To eliminate the distracting colors, the prototype needed to be more uniform. I could have painted the first prototype or gotten some black tag board and made a new one. In the end, I decided to add another layer of black duct tape to cover everything.

Problems solved – the viewing angle was comfortable, the phone was secure and no more distracting colors. I also had an innovation bonus – the box is now extra sturdy, and will probably last for years. What was intended to be a prototype is now my long term solution. (Another application of the SCAMPER innovation principle "Eliminate" or "Put to another use." )

Did I meet by my goals of reducing my consumerism, reusing what I had on hand and innovating to get the feel of biking outside with friends? 100%. Is it a bit of a Frankenstein's monster? 100%. Does it do the job? 100%. Did it save me thousands of dollars? 100%. Did I have fun making it? 100%.

That's Innovation for the WIN - WIN - WIN - WIN.

* SCAMPER is an idea generation tool. The letters stand for S ubstitute. C ombine. A dapt. M odify. P ut to another use. E liminate. R everse.

These concepts are attributed to Alex Osborn, best known as the inventor of "brainstorming." Bob Eberle developed the easy to remember mnemonic "SCAMPER."

Learn to Innovate

Check out the full INNOVATION course to…

Learn core principles of creativity and innovation
Expand your visual vocabulary and visual hierarchy skills
Gain hands on experience generating lots of ideas and using visual innovation tools such as our fun origami tool for idea generation
Develop confidence with our elemental innovation process
Build fluency leading a visual innovation process live with a team
Learn to Apply Your Visual Thinking SUPERPOWER to INNOVATION

Back to Basics

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 04:11:16 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 5 No. 1

January 5, 2024

Let’s start the new year by coming back to the basics. What is meant by “visual thinking” anyway? A simple way of thinking about it is the use of pictures, words and diagrams to convey meaning. It’s a way of organizing ideas in a visual way that helps you remember and communicate those ideas.

There are a million ways to source, use and combine pictures, words and diagrams, but for any given situation, not all methods work well .

For example, in my days as a graphic designer working on PowerPoint presentations, there were common clip art pictures that were very commonly used to convey certain ideas. These were fine for corporate presentations that needed to be functional, readable and only flashed on the screen for a short time. These were NOT great to use if you wanted to generate an original logo.

Today, the internet is rich with copyright-free sources of imagery in all kinds of styles, and some tools are integrating artificial intelligence to generate new images from requests like, “make a photograph of a flower pot with flowers in it held by a pair of hands” and poof, there it is. The ease with which we can generate images, text and even video got me thinking.

Image generated with AI using Magic Media from canva.com

Prompt: "make a photograph of a flower pot with flowers in it held by a pair of hands"

A couple of lightbulbs lit up for me when I followed the brilliant New Year's Goggles process posted by my colleague, Deb, at the end of 2023 (see our last two blog posts here and here ).

Lightbulb #1: I’m more inspired to create from scratch than to use something that exists. Call it an entrepreneurial mindset, innovation obsession, or a tendency to reinvent the wheel, it’s a part of my process that I am starting to name and work with.

Lightbulb #2: I am a crusty New Englander. It’s in my genes. As such, I feel compelled if not obligated to do what I can myself. This makes it difficult for me to even know when to ask for help, never mind accept it.

In completing the exercise,
I also uncovered my two words
for 2024, which form a phrase
I hope you’ll find useful, too,
“authentic growth .”

My "homework" is pictured here.

Growth

One of my learning edges is the embracing of technology to make work simpler. There are lots of cool technologies, for example, being developed to put visual communication into the hands of the creatively curious of all ability levels.

“Generative AI” lets you combine elements and define a style to produce a visual in seconds that would take hours to produce manually. Thankfully, I work with someone who is much more of an early adopter with tech, so I know I can follow her lead.

Other ways I intend to seek growth in 2024:

Learn new skills and become more proficient in the ones I have.
Expand my world to learn more about topics, people, cultures and histories less familiar to me.
Repeatedly push my boundaries to ask, “what else?”

Authenticity

While I love the idea of making my life simpler and my work better, I am also concerned about what I am putting out in the world. I want to be sure my intent and voice don’t get lost in a tradeoff with efficiency.

Here are a few thoughts I have for staying authentic.

Communicate and act from a place of love , not lack or fear.
Stay rooted in the goal , whether that goal is making human connection, solving a problem, or making something that is needed.
Remain true to who I am and what I believe.

In 2023, I plan to use tools available to me as sources for ideas, a way to speed up ideation and expand my thinking. I also plan to keep in mind that it is up to me to decide what I want to put out into the world and how I want to say it.

Yup, I used AI to help me generate some of the ideas in this article, then I edited them a lot. I applied a tool I didn’t invent to get over the first hurdle. And it was fun!

Now you try! For your next drawing, diagram or visual thinking project,…

Step 1. Accept help , use a tools, or re-tap some of your previous greatness.

Step 2. Do a gut check. Does this represent me, my brand, who and what I want to be part of? If not, iterate or start again. If yes, go for it!

Step 3. Write us and tell us how it went.

Let's put on our 2024 goggles! Part 2

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 12:30:00 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 4 No. 24

Dec 15, 2023

Putting on our 2024 goggles! Part 2

In Part 1 of this article, I mentioned I first developed a habit of selecting a word of the year
(or two or three) about 10 years ago after a particularly challenging year. That first year my
word was JOY . I found new ways to experience more joy all year. I even created a flowchart
about having more joy.

... but the actions didn't follow until
I made it visual!

Sitting in traffic, I admired the beautiful mountains. After a hundred "But Why?" toddler questions, I praised my son's never ending curiosity. At the end of an exhausting day, I marveled at his lovely sleeping face. I believe visual thinking's real power is that it can change your actions.

If you'd like to put on some

new goggles for 2024

grab a template and play along.

Armed with your words and your flowchart(s), your 2024 goggles are ready to go . Day by day, week by week, month by month, you'll find yourself embodying your three words. You will move closer to where you want to be, what you want to do, and how you want to feel in 2024 and beyond.

After you've created your flowchart(s) be courageous and draw a shield.

Let's Put on Our 2024 Goggles! Part 1

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 14:31:00 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 4 No. 2023

Dec 1, 202 3

Let's put on our 2024 goggles! Part 1

What do I mean by put on our 2024 goggles? Let me give you a little background. A little over a decade ago, I was coming off an exceptionally challenging year. That year included changing jobs, raising a 2-year-old (which, as every parent will attest, can be hair raising), and coming out of a particularly sticky bout of depression.

Come December, I had had enough and was ready to set my sights sites on something better. I wanted to feel better, be a better parent, and show up in the world better. That was the year I discovered New Year's goggles . I'm not talking about those giant funky glasses you wear on New Year's eve. I'm talking about a lens to view the coming year through — one that sets your sights on what you want, how you want to feel, and how you want to show up in the world.

That first year I knew I wanted more joy in my life...

By the end of that year, I had brought more joy into my life, so I decided to try it again the following year. I picked a new word for the new year and had the same results. That first year I choose one word, now I often choose two or three words for the coming year, and it has become a habit. It's a practice I look forward to, one that has profoundly affected my mental, physical, and emotional well being. It's a habit I highly recommend for everyone, especially after this most challenging year. It may sound hard, but in fact, it's fast, fun, and easy when you apply a little visual thinking .

If you'd like to put on some

new goggles for 2024

grab a template and play along.

Step 5) Percolate and ideate. Over the next two weeks, look over your three words a few times. Play around with the words. Replace any that don't feel just right. Keep going until you have three words that roll off your tongue with ease, that feel right to you, and encapsulate how you want to feel and show up in the world in the coming year — the ones that reflect the best self you want to become. When you have them just right, write them down on a sticky note and hold on to it until our next blog post on Dec 15th. In Part 2, you'll take those three words and create a flowchart to finalize your 2024 goggles .

After you have your three words take a break with a little drawing practice.

Visuals for Learning – Part 3: Stay Calm and Get Organized

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 18:09:52 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 4 No. 22 November 17, 2023

On my early morning walk around the block with the pooch this morning, I was reminded how essential it is to remain calm, even when things seem to be going crazy around us. We happened to surprise a flock of mourning doves having their morning breakfast in someone's driveway. The flutter of wings and noisy arc of their collective flight from ground to roof startled me, and also reminded me of Visuals for Learning for two reasons.

First, the birds' dark shapes organized into a cool pattern in flight. Second, two birds sat silhouetted against the light blue sky, already settled calmly on the roof. They seemed to observe the event without ruffling a feather.

If the pair on the roof were teaching the flock, the lesson seemed to be, "stay calm and get organized."

When you are digesting a lot of complex information, such as when you are taking a class, listening to a panel discussion or participating in a large group meeting, how can you stay calm and organize your thoughts so that your visual notes will help you make sense of things later? This is where visual thinking can really help.

The times I get most flustered when using visuals are when there is a LOT of information being presented that is just beyond my understanding, and when it is really important to me to retain this information toward some purpose.

For example, I took notes during a panel discussion about the intersections between local life science companies and the community. I used thick orange lettering for headers, narrow, black text, and soft, yellow lines for icons, arrows and highlights. Choosing a limited number of tools and colors helped me focus more on what was being said.

When you are preparing to take visual notes, planning ahead is ideal, but not always possible. Whether you are taking notes on paper or digitally, developing your "go-to" toolbox and practicing in advance can help you get organized, and add to a sense of calm .

Want a baby step way to get started taking notes?

Once you have your toolbox ready with HOW you will take notes, WHAT will you capture and how will you arrange the information on the page? Try starting with a simple mind map.

The beauty of Mind Maps

A mind map is an intuitive diagram that organizes information into main themes with subordinate information branching off in a non-linear fashion.

Start anywhere: literally pick any spot on the page and start writing.
Start with the categories that make sense to you. If you're not sure where to start, try

Who / What / Where / When / Why (story)
Cost / Time / Resources / Risks (project)
Where We Started / Where We Are Now / Where We Want to Be (planning)

Build out in any direction from each category as the ideas occur to you.
Add connecting lines , arrows and/or shapes to connect related thoughts. [Note: I left these out in the mind map above and separated each topic onto a different page instead.]
Don't worry about a structured template. Mind maps are freeform.

Ready to give it a try?

Listen to a 10- or 15-minute podcast, lesson or talk. Before you begin, ready your toolbox and review the mind map tips above.

For me, taking notes during the life sciences panel discussion helped me digest a lot of complex information. I think the mourning doves have more to teach me, too. I plan to do a little research. Here are my questions.

How did the birds know to fly in the same direction almost in unison?
How did the birds on the roof stay so calm?
Were the two birds on the roof a couple?
Were the birds on the roof in charge?
Did the birds on the roof signal the others to fly up to the roof?

If I find the answers to these questions, you can bet I'll use a mind map to stay calm and organize them .

Visuals for Learning – Part 2: Compare and Contrast

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 19:13:08 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 4 No. 21 November 3, 2023

This week, we continue with the Visuals for Learning series, where we learn to use visuals to simplify & codify complex info. Complex subject matter can be challenging for several reasons. The subject could be abstract or technical or require prolonged and intense study. There could be a large volume of material to be digested, or the method of presentation could be challenging to follow.

This week, we're looking at compare and contrast.

Comparing and contrasting is a standard analysis method in various academic, professional, and everyday contexts.

Use compare and contrast to highlight the similarities and differences between two or more items, concepts, ideas, or entities. Here are some situations where it is appropriate to use:

Academic Essays
Research Papers
Decision-Making
Product or Service Evaluation

Business and Marketing
Problem-Solving
Personal Reflection
Literature and Film Analysis

In any of these situations, visuals help quickly and easily organize the information. For compare and contrast , all you need is a simple chart, which we like to call a ZEE , such as a 2-Zee, 3-Zee, or 4-Zee.

Recently, I have been reading Brené Brown's book, Atlas of the Heart . It's jam-packed with wonderful stories and essential information about creating a roadmap and language for understanding our emotions, vital information I wanted to learn and remember. I quickly noticed that many of the topics contrast with something else. To help me better understand and remember what I was learning, I began creating simple 2-ZEE diagrams of related emotions; below is one of my favorites.

Creating these diagrams helped me quickly grasp a deep and rich subject, while reviewing my drawings helped the information stick.

Learning something new?

Ready to jump in and give it a try? Grab something to write on and something to write with, and dive in.

Step 1 : Determine how many subjects, items, or concepts you will compare.

Step 2: Create a template. A ZEE is a set of containers, one for each subject you want to compare and contrast . If you're comparing two items, two rectangles are all you need. If you have more items, add more containers. The containers can be any shape. Simple rectangles, circles, or hexagons are great places to start. If you want to be more creative, try drawing more complex shapes such as a clipboard, water glass, or a house.

Step 3: Review your material and quickly capture key concepts, essential facts, important dates, or ideas .

Step 4: Fill in your template. Using visual hierarchy, icons, colors and charts, maps, or diagrams, draw out how the items are alike and/or are different . Want to learn more about visual hierarchy? Check out our FOUNDATIONS course . When using the compare and contrast method, it's essential to provide clear criteria for comparison, whether you're comparing products, historical events, or concepts. Additionally, the structure of your comparison (e.g., block method or point-by-point method) and the purpose of your analysis will dictate how you organize your thoughts and present your findings.

Step 5: Store it. When creating visuals for learning, the key is to create useful information. Setting up a system to store and catalog your work is critica l. This could take many forms, from a simple binder to a set of folders or a digital notebook. If you're working on paper but want to store your work digitally, you can use your smart device to take pictures and store them in your preferred app. One of my favorites is the Notes app for iPhone or iPad with smart folders based on keywords.

Step 6: Use it . Schedule time to go back and review your drawings regularly. When learning new material, repetition is the key to creating long-term memory and connections.

That's it. Learning is easier when you use visuals. Join us for the next newsletter in our Visuals for Learning series, where we learn more about using visuals to simplify & codify complex info.

Visuals for Learning – Part 1: How Do I Start?

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 04:05:09 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 4 No. 20 October 20, 2023

School is in session. Applying visuals to your learning jumpstarts the grey matter. This week we kick off the Visuals for Learning series. Learn how to simplify & codify complex info.

If you've found your way to AVT, you are most likely someone who enjoys learning new things.

You probably also know that learning complex subject matter can be challenging for several reasons. The subject itself could be abstract or technical, or require prolonged and intense study. There could be a large volume of material to be digested, or the method of presentation could be challenging to follow.

Despite these challenges, we at AVT know that when you are trying to learn and understand something complex, visuals help . But HOW exactly?

I recently picked up a book about Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci in search of some inspiration for a drawing course I'm designing. It was written in what I think of as traditional art history style – complex and technical, with a combination of facts and interpretation. There was no table of contents. I wanted a quick reference of the material so that I could locate the most relevant topics.

Here are two different summaries of the book. One uses simple shapes and color, the other icons. Both capture the overview of the contents.

We know it can be difficult to figure out which chart, map or diagram to use to best simplify and codify the information you are learning. In this Visuals for Learning series, we scan the landscape of visual diagrams and shed some light on which type of diagram will capture the type of information you are trying to learn.

Ready to put it into practice?

Ask yourself - what are you learning ? Is it in a book or course or video? To get started, you'll need to gain an overview of the main topics . For example, if it's in a book, here's how you might begin.

Step 1: Gather the topics.

Scan the table of contents first, then the first and last paragraphs of the chapter. This should give you a sense of the flow of material and the major chunks you will encounter.

Step 2: Create a diagram or map that includes each chapter head.

The idea is to create a snapshot of the biggest chunks of material you are planning to learn so you can see them all on one page . Keep it simple and meaningful for yourself.

For example, a simple mind map using a different color or simple shape around each chapter head is a great place to start. The purpose of visual thinking is to create visuals that are meaningful and useful .

Having this visual snapshot will be invaluable as a study aid later on.

If you need help creating your mind map, check out our My Visual Thinking Ace In The Hole blog post and download the attached template.

Great job. As you can imagine, these steps can be modified slightly and applied to learning through video or other formats.

That's it for this week. In upcoming newsletters in the Visuals for Learning series, we'll be taking a deeper dive into which kinds of charts, maps or diagrams are most useful when you are studying complex, technical or abstract information.

Be sure you're on our email list . Come along on a deep dive into some of our favorite diagrams and when to use them in upcoming issues of The Art of Applied Visual Thinking .

References:

Learning How to Learn: How to Succeed in School Without Spending All Your Time Studying; A Guide for Kids and Teens by Alistair McConville, Barbara Oakley PhD, Terrence Sejnowski PhD
Leonardo da Vinci by Patrice Bousel, Konecky& Konecky

Symbols Treasure Hunt

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 22:32:46 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 4 No. 19 October 6, 2023

This week, we're sending you out into the world on a visual thinking treasure hunt. One quick, easy way to build your visual vocabulary is with symbols. Think of symbols as visual thinking shorthand, where you can tell a lot of information with just a few strokes.

Recognizable symbols can vary depending on cultural context and personal experience, but here is a list of 24 widely recognized symbols from around the world:

Peace Sign: A symbol of peace and harmony.
Heart Symbol: Represents love and affection.
Smiley Face: Conveys happiness and positivity.
Yin and Yang: Represents balance and harmony
Mickey Mouse Ears: Iconic Disney symbol.
WiFi Symbol: Represents wireless internet connectivity.
Play Button: Indicates play or start.
Pause Button: Indicates pause or stop.
Recycling Symbol: Promotes environmental awareness.
Power On/Off Symbol: Found on electronic devices.
Biohazard Symbol: Indicates biological hazards.
Wheelchair Symbol: Indicates accessibility.
No Entry Sign: Prohibits entry or access.

Traffic Light Symbols (Red, Yellow, Green): Regulate traffic.
Heartbeat Line: Symbolizes life and vitality.
Bluetooth Symbol: Represents wireless technology.
Infinity Symbol: Signifies eternity and limitlessness.
WiFi Bars: Indicate signal strength.
Peace Dove: A symbol of peace and reconciliation.
Checkmark: Indicates correctness or completion.
Exclamation Mark: Indicates urgency or emphasis.
Question Mark: Signifies a question or uncertainty.
Biohazard Symbol: Signifies biological hazards.
Ampersand: Abbreviation for the word "and"

These symbols are generally recognized around the world and hold various cultural and universal meanings. They often transcend language barriers and are widely used in communication, branding, and everyday life. These are great additions to your visual thinking toolkit, but are just the tip of the iceberg. Discovering new symbols can be an exciting and creative endeavor.

Here are some places and ways to look for new symbols:

Nature: Nature is a rich source of inspiration. Observe patterns, shapes, and natural elements like plants, animals, and landscapes for potential symbols.
Art and Design: Explore contemporary art and design exhibitions, galleries, and websites. Artists often create new symbols to convey their ideas and emotions.
Cultural Heritage: Study different cultures and their symbols. Folklore, mythology, and ancient civilizations often contain unique and meaningful symbols.
Books and Literature: Read books, especially those with allegorical or symbolic themes. Symbols can be found in literature and storytelling.
Technology: Emerging technologies and digital culture often give rise to new symbols and icons. Think of emojis, hashtags, or app icons.
Science and Mathematics: Explore the world of science and mathematics. Mathematical symbols, formulas, and scientific diagrams can inspire new visual symbols.
Pop Culture: Movies, TV shows, and popular media often introduce new symbols and icons. Consider logos, catchphrases, and characters.
Travel: When traveling, pay attention to local symbols, signs, and cultural artifacts. Different regions have their own unique symbols and meanings.
Historical References: Delve into history books and documents. Historical symbols and icons can be reimagined and given new relevance.
Experimentation: Feel free to experiment with shapes, colors, and concepts. Create your own symbols through trial and error.

Remember that symbols are subjective and can carry different meanings for different people. What's important is that the symbol resonates with its intended audience and effectively communicates the desired message or concept. Be open to inspiration from various sources and interpretations. Let your creativity guide you in discovering and creating new symbols. Be sure to test new creations for understanding before launching more broadly.

Ready to put it into practice?

Our challenge for you this week is to collect at least 10 new symbols.

Step 1: Go on a symbol treasure hunt . The next time you are out and about, look for new symbols to add to your toolkit. When you start noticing, you'll find symbols everywhere, from smart devices to websites to billboards and signs and everywhere in between.

Step 2: Capture new symbols. Draw out your version of the symbols and jot down a brief description of what each represents. Tip: We like to capture ours in a small address book to keep them in alphabetical order. If you're pressed for time, try snapping a picture with your smart device and add it to your notebook later in the day.

Step 3: Put them into practice . The next time you take visual notes or create a diagram, chart, or map, add one or two new symbols to your drawing.

We want to express our gratitude for being part of our community. Your engagement and enthusiasm have made this journey incredibly rewarding. Together, we're unlocking the power of visual thinking and symbols to communicate, create, and connect.

Stay curious, creative, and tuned for more visual thinking adventures!

Simple Summer Series Recap

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 19:47:44 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 4 No. 18 September 22, 2023

Sometimes the best way to move forward is to look back .

My hairdresser/geologist/artist/astrologist friend Linda introduced me to a few of the helpful insights that can be gleaned from astrology. I don't follow astrology as a rule, but when communication, travel and technical glitches crop up in frustrating abundance, I can now confirm with surprising accuracy that Mercury is in retrograde*. I then know that I need to double-check travel reservations and appointments and be well stocked with patience for technology projects and unclear conversations.

Mercury retrograde is not all bad news, however. Linda advised me that these periods can be a good time to look inward, edit or perform other needed tasks starting with the prefix "re-" as in review, restore, reissue, reread, or rewrite.

Since we just emerged from a Mercury retrograde on September 15 and the autumnal equinox is this Saturday, September 23, kicking off the first day of fall, it seems like a good time to review all the juicy offerings we introduced over the summer in our Simple Summer Series .

Easy Shadows - 3 ways : Adding shadows to a map, chart, or diagram can enhance clarity, add appeal and draw the viewer's eye to essential elements.

Find a New Template : Friends don't let friends keep reinventing the wheel. Browse a few of our favorite templates and find a new favorite to add to your toolkit.

Find a New Color Palette : Using color wisely is a wonderful way to increase clarity and understanding. Trying a fresh palette is a fun, easy way to up your visual thinking game.

Expand Your Figure Library : Increase the cast of characters in your visual toolkit and learn to differentiate different groups of people, show diversity or hierarchy, show actions or activities and add variety to your work.

Pair Visual with Tech to Make Learning Sticky : Pairing visual with tech or text based learning makes your lessons easier to understand and remember.

Super Simple Activity Planning : Make summer activity planning super simple. Use visuals to plan a visit, build anticipation and excitement, share perspectives and ideas, avoid potential pitfalls and get the group invested in the success of the event.

Use Lettering to Remember More! : Grab your pen and paper — we're using lettering hierarchy to make remembering what you're learning easier to digest, remember and share.

Make Your Notes Come Alive with Figures in Action : Make your notes come alive. Add super simple figures in action.

Top 10 Things To Do When Creating a 10 Minute Sketchnote : Sketchnotes are a great way to tell a story. This week we share our list of top tips and tricks to making great sketchnotes.

Ready for a fall review?

Look over the list above. Which one(s) speak to you? Grab a pen and paper, click on one or two of the links and help yourself to the harvest of visual thinking tools and tips.

*NOTE: Mercury has an 88-day orbit around the Sun, while Earth takes 365 days. This difference means that Mercury laps us three or four times per year. During this overtaking period, it appears to us on Earth that Mercury is moving backwards for about three weeks.

Top 10 Things To Do When Creating A 10 Minute Sketchnotes

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 19:02:09 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 4 No. 17 September 8, 2023

If you've been with us for the past few months, you know this summer, we've been presenting a Simple Summer series of 10-minute visual thinking tips and tricks. We've discussed everything from learning how to add easy, effective shadows to playing with a new color palette and lettering hierarchy , learning a new template , and adding life to your notes with simple figures . This week, we're counting down the...

Top 10 Things to Do When Creating a 10-Minute Sketchnote!

Let's dive right in:

Number 10: Add constraints . Constraints are like creative boundaries that guide and enhance the sketchnote-making process. They ensure that your sketchnote remains effective, visually appealing, and easy to understand, ultimately achieving its purpose of conveying information or telling a story. Choosing the best constraints when sketchnoting depends on your style and the specific context of your sketchnoting task. However, here are three versatile limitations that can be effective in many sketchnoting situations:

Time Limit: Setting a time limit is one of the most effective constraints for sketchnoting. It forces you to be concise and prioritize information. A common time limit is 10 minutes, but you can adjust it based on your skill level and the complexity of the content. The challenge of completing a sketchnote within a set time frame encourages efficiency and clarity.
Word Limit: A word limit constraint encourages you to use concise language to convey your message. Limiting the number of words you can include in your sketchnote forces you to distill complex ideas into succinct phrases or keywords. This constraint is particularly useful for ensuring that your sketchnotes are visually engaging and not overwhelmed by text.
Color Palette: Choosing a limited color palette can enhance the visual appeal and cohesion of your sketchnotes. Select two or three colors that complement each other and use them consistently throughout your sketchnote. This constraint helps maintain a harmonious and organized visual style while preventing your sketchnotes from becoming too chaotic with too many colors.

When used together or individually, these three constraints can help you create compelling and engaging sketchnotes that are visually appealing and informative. However, experiment with other restrictions based on specific sketchnoting goals and preferences. The key is to find a balance that works for you and the content you're sketchnoting.

Number 9: Pick a theme . Whether it's your favorite movie scene, a memorable vacation, or your daily routine, having a theme will give your sketchnote direction.

Number 8: Plan your layout . Before putting pen to paper, sketch a rough outline of your sketchnote. This helps you organize your thoughts and design elements.

Number 7: Embrace icons. Simplify complex ideas using icons. A picture is worth a thousand words, and icons can convey much information in a small space.

Number 6: Use color deliberately. A touch of color can make your sketchnote pop. Decide in advance where and how you'll use color to keep your sketchnote clear and consistent.

Number 5: Prioritize critical points. Decide what information is most essential and emphasize those details. Your sketchnote should tell a story at a glance.

Number 4: Add some humor. A clever doodle or witty caption can bring your sketchnote to life and engage your audience.

Number 3: Practice speed. You've only got 10 minutes, so practice sketching quickly. Don't worry if it's not perfect; the charm is in the spontaneity.

Number 2: Review and refine. Spend a minute or two reviewing your sketchnote. Are there any errors? Can you make it more transparent? A quick touch-up can make a big difference.

And the Number 1 thing to do when creating a 10-minute sketchnote is…

Number 1: Have fun! Sketchnote-making is all about creativity and expression. Enjoy the process; your enthusiasm will shine through in your final masterpiece!

There you have it, folks! The Top 10 Things to Do When Creating a 10-Minute Sketchnote . Now, go grab your pens, markers, and sketchbook, set a timer for 10 minutes, and start sketchnoting!

Make your notes come alive with figures in action.

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 15:33:53 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 4 No. 16 August 25, 2023

What's something exciting you've seen, learned about or experienced this summer? Gone birding? Whale watching? Taken an online course? Have you tried drawing it?

When I look back at notes I've taken, the ones that I am most compelled to revisit contain figures of some kind and an image that shows some kind of action.

When I look back at notes I've taken, the ones that I am most compelled to revisit contain figures of some kind and an image that shows some kind of action. The idea of drawing a person doing something can seem daunting, I know, but it can be as summer simple as putting on a pair of sunglasses.

Read on to learn how.

Start with the end in mind.

What action or concept do you need to show? If you were taking a photo, would you need a full-frame close-up or a wide-angle distance shot to best spotlight the idea?

When to use a close-up :

Zoom in on the person's EXPRESSION to convey an emotion.
Call attention to A THING such as a telescope, whiteboard, sign, book, telephone, or product.

Draw the thing first – don't be afraid to make it BIG!
Draw the person around the thing – smaller than the thing.

FILL a small space or shape.

Draw the container first – a shape, a corner of a room or whatever abstract outline fills the space (leave a gap or two if you want the person to overlap the outline).
Draw the person in the space – maybe conforming to the space or breaking out of it .

When to use a full-body figure from a distance:

Indicate that the person is moving or performing an ACTION – running, swimming, jumping, reaching, swinging a tennis racquet.
Include more than one person INTERACTING – high fiving, talking/listening, giving/receiving.
Take up more space and therefore give it more IMPORTANCE .

When to use a group :

Set a larger CONTEXT – whole team, organization, city, world.
Include a DIVERSITY of figures or responses.
Convey PERSPECTIVE such as foreground to background or small vs. large.

NOW YOU TRY IT!

Find a video or start a class, take some notes and juice 'em up with a figure or two in action. If you have a few more minutes, check out our recent blog post for more ways to Expand your Figure Library .

Adding figures can be simple and fun, and add life to your notes.

Use lettering to remember more!

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 21:36:16 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 4 No. 15 August 11, 2023

In keeping with our Simple Summer series and the fast-approaching start of a new school year, this week, take 10 minutes to practice using lettering to make your study notes easy to digest, remember and share. No worries. You don't need to learn a new letter style, buy fancy tools or do anything complicated. Your normal neat handwriting and whatever tools you have on hand are perfect.

For this week's practice, you're going to employ the Glance - Scan - Read - Study method from our graphic recording and lettering artist friend Heather Martinez which goes like this.

GLANCE - make the title big and bold . Use a bold color like red, all capital letters in your normal handwriting, and a thicker marker if you have one. Alternatively, a double stroke of your pen will do the trick.

SCAN - capture the main points using capital letters in your usual handwriting.

READ - jot down a few details in upper and lower case using your regular handwriting.

STUDY - call out an idea nugget or memorable quote using smaller text or a lighter color.

Easy peasy! And something you can do in 10 minutes or less.

Ready to give it a try? Grab something to write on and something to write with and put it into practice.

Step 1 : Read a short article or watch a 5 to 10-minute video and jot down a few bullet points.

Step 2 : Translate your notes using the Glance - Scan - Read - Study method.

Glance - Make up a short title, 3 to 5 words max
Scan - Add the 2 or 3 main points, leaving some space for details between
Read - List at least 2 or 3 supporting details or information as bullet points under your main points.
Study - Add a callout that captures one key "takeaway" message or memorable idea.

Step 3 : Share it! Take a picture and share your work on your favorite social media platform using the hashtag #appliedvizletteringhierarchy.

This is my example.

That's it. This is a quick, easy way to practice your letter hierarchy and improve your note-taking technique.

Making your notes easy to digest, remember and share!

Super Simple Activity Planning

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 11:00:00 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 4 No. 14 July 28, 2023

Sometimes a busy Mom needs a break. That's the real reason why I'm asking the youth in my household to help plan some of the family activities this summer, and I'm giving them a visual tool to make it easy . Moms are also not the only organizers who could use a break. Caregivers of all descriptions as well as managers and team leaders can find themselves in the role of "cruise director," tasked with coming up with activities to engage, teach and/or entertain the masses.

Besides keeping the default activity planner happy, however, there are benefits to any member of a family, team or group learning how to organize a group activity, especially using visuals.

For example, as organizer you:

Learn about the place you plan to visit and share your insights
Build anticipation and excitement for the activity
Bring a fresh perspectives and new ideas
Avoid potential pitfalls
Become invested in the success of the event

Planning is not everyone's forte, of course, especially during the summer when you might just want to get up, get out and go. To read about how to minimize tension and conflict around vacation planning , read last summer's blog post " Minimize the Kerfuffle. "

When you are ready to take the next step and prompt others to take on activity planning, keep it simple. Here's how.

Try it out

Start by asking the classic 5 W's and an H questions — what, who, where, when, why and how? Download and print the free template here to make activity planning ultra simple .

Imagine you are sitting around a campfire dreaming up a future activity. Answer the following questions in the ovals, or craft your own questions. Draw connecting lines from the most applicable of the 5W's and an H or color code them.

WHAT? What might we do exactly? What will we need to prep at home? Take with us? What needs to be taken care of while we are away?
WHO? Which members of the group/family will go? Who might we need to notify? Connect with?
WHERE? Where is this destination located? How long will it take to get there and back?
WHEN? How long will we stay? Are there opening and closing times we need to know? Transportation-related timing?
WHY? Why is this going to be the coolest adventure EVER? What will we get out of it?
HOW? How much will it cost? Will we need to make reservations or buy tickets? Reserve library passes? Are there discounts we can use?

The next level: Yes, and…

Here's how to take it to the next level and engage a group with the process. Keep in mind that the goals are to keep the process as well as the activity as super simple and fun as possible, and to be kind, patient and cooperative toward each other along the planning path.

The designated planner presents the activity idea to the group. Others are asked to be "active listeners" by paying close attention, but not interrupting the speaker.
The group is then given an opportunity to ask clarifying questions for anything unclear, one speaker at a time if necessary. No critique or negating of the big ideas is allowed.
Participants can then offer suggestions for any of the 5 W's and an H to BUILD ON to the big idea . Comments MUST take the form of "yes, and…" and continue the flow of ideas , rather than critiquing previously stated ideas.

NOTE: This process is great for planning a single activity. If what you need is to plan a whole event, start with our Event Planning Triage blog and template .

Pair visuals with tech to make learning sticky

Sun, 16 Jul 2023 15:26:10 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 4 No. 13 July 16, 2023

Pairing visuals with tech makes learning sticky!

Recently I've been using an excellent little app on my smartphone. It's helping me learn about CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) techniques. Anyone that knows me knows I'm a geek and love technology, but sometimes it falls short. This is particularly true when I'm learning something new.

I find tech solutions are often primarily text-based, and as someone who thinks in pictures, I need an image to help cement the learning.

This shortfall is an opportunity to create my own picture. It doesn't have to be fancy or take a long time. Making a quick 10-minute diagram using available supplies is a surefire way to help lock in the learning.

The best part, studies show the quality of the drawing does not matter ! A quick simple picture is all you need.

Here are some tips to help you create a picture to make sense of the gobbledygook.

Step 1) Determine what you're learning . Knowing what type of information you're learning will help you choose which picture to draw. The table of contents, outline, or curriculum summary can be an excellent place to find this info.

Are there how-tos or steps involved? - Try drawing a simple flow chart or timeline .
Are there overlaps in the thinking? - Try drawing a Venn diagram .
Are there categories of information? - Try creating a grid .
End up where you started ? - Try drawing a cycle (Hint: that's essentially a circular timeline)
Learning a new language? - Try drawing i cons to represent the words.

Still, trying to decide which picture to draw? - Draw a few thumbnails to determine what makes sense before creating a final version.

Step 2) Post your drawing somewhere where you will see it often, like the bathroom mirror or on your screensaver.

Step 3) Take a minute or two each day to review your diagram . Soon you'll have your picture embedded in your brain to help you remember the information you're learning.

Bonus:

Have more than 10 minutes?

Add color and hierarchy

to add interest and additional layers of meaning to your diagram.

Learning something new this summer? Have 10 minutes? Grab something to draw with and something to draw on, and give it a whirl. Creating your own picture helps make learning sticky.

Expand Your Figure Library

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 04:39:52 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 4 No. 12 June 30, 2023

Simple Summer - Figures

With all the increase in activity that seems to accompany summer (at least in concept if not always in practice!), I find myself sketching people in a variety of poses. To continue our Simple Summer offerings, here are a few ideas for ways in which you can join me in expanding your library of figures.

First, if you're feeling a bit of reluctance, trust me, this will only take 10 minutes or less… unless you get pulled in and really enjoy hanging out with these cutie people drawings and decide to keep going. If you do, that's on you :-)

Why?

Second, if you are wondering why expand your figure library ? Here are just a few reasons.

Differentiate people from one group to another
(teams, divisions, families)
Show diversity
Show hierarchy within organization
Draw people doing fun stuff
Add variety to your characters

How?

How do I branch out from my go-to people style? Start with the body type. Here are 10 simple examples, each with endless variations. Try one of each, or pick one or two and see how many variations you can come up with.

Spiral people – spirals for each segment let your figure bend and sway into action
Blobs – any shape goes, and these are easily gender neutral
Triangles – make it tall, short, wide, skinny, point up and add a circle on top
O-U – "O" for the head, small upside-down "U" for the body
Star – pop a head on top of a 4-pointed star
Salt shaker – this is a fun shape with a subtle 3D feel to it
Stick figures – simple can still be effective
Elongated star – stretch and curve the 4-pointed star for a dynamic look
Geometric shapes – create variety in a group by using multiple shapes
Carrot – invert the triangle point-down and fill it in for a simple, solid body

Click to download the 10 Simple Figures handout to get started.

What next?

If you have a minute or two more, add stick or double-line arms and legs.
Add an object in your figure's hands or have them interact with it in some way.
Add a shadow (see our previous blog Easy Shadows - 3 Ways ).
Add a context for your figure, like a simple horizon line, door or window frame.
Play around with simple facial expressions. Two eyes and a mouth are enough.

Find a New Color Palette

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 13:04:24 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 4 No. 11 June 15, 2023

Simple Summer - Color Palettes

With the flowers in bloom, beach towels on the line and fruity beverages with umbrellas, summer is a terrific time to try out a new color palette . In keeping with our Simple Summer Series, here are a few ideas to help you unearth some new color ideas.

Take a tour of a color palette generator such as https://coolors.co/ or https://color.adobe.com/create/color-wheel .
Search for "color palette ideas" on Pinterest or in your favorite browser .
Take a stroll through a garden , feed your senses with the colors of nature and snap some photos.
Too hot to be outside? Plan a trip to your local art museum and make note of the colors used in your favorite work of art .
Looking for an edgy look? Visit your local shopping center and take a tour of the hippest store you can find for the latest color trends .

Now that you have some inspiration. apply it!

Look through your markers and art supplies to find 2 to 3 corresponding colors and create a quick sketchnote, graph or chart.

Out and about? Color inspiration can pop up anywhere. Going digital is a quick, easy way to try our new color combos. Recently I noticed an unusual combination of colors in a slide deck during a presentation I was attending. I pulled out my trusty iPad, loaded up my favorite digital sketchnoting app, popped in the new color combo and created this quick diagram during the talk.

It was fun and inspiring to play with colors outside my usual comfort zone.

Dig Deeper.

Take a l ook at what you've created and ask yourself these 3 questions .

What do you like ?
What did you learn ?
What might you do differently next time ?

Up for more? Rinse and repeat with 2 to 3 different colors.

Have more time?

Download a copy of the handout created by my fabulous partner Sheri Kennedy and take a deeper dive into color and color theory.

Want to dive even deeper into color?

Look into these early pioneers of color theory.

Isaac Newton (1642 – 1727)
Albert Munsell (January 6, 1858 – June 28, 1918)
Josef Albers (March 19, 1888 – March 25, 1976). See this Bauhaus artist's 1963, Albers published Interaction of Color
Emily Noyes Vanderpoel (June 21, 1842 – February 20, 1939) See Emily's 1901 painting manual Color Problems: A Practical Manual for the Lay Student of Color
Mary Gartside (c.1755-1819).

Find a New Template

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 03:20:06 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 4 No. 10 June 2, 2023

Summer simple - Visual Templates

If you're a creative like me (and I know you are if you are reading this!), most likely you enjoy making stuff up and/or reworking things to suit your own personal style. For me, that sometimes means I am also really good at reinventing the wheel.

In fact, deep learning requires a certain level of doing in order to become proficient in a skill to the point where it feels like your own. Don't beat yourself up if you find yourself, say, designing a complex spreadsheet only to discover that "there's an app for that" already.

In keeping with our Simple Summer theme, I humbly suggest that you find a new friend – a visual template you can rely on to do some of the heavy lifting for you, like that strong friend with a truck that shows up when you spot that perfect piece of furniture. What I mean by a "visual template" is a model or format that can be reused to save time, thought and energy.

Find a new template - make a friend for life.

When you identify something you do repeatedly or something that gives you that "this should be easier" feeling, there may be a template for that . Templates can be great when you need to…

Identify a problem you'd like to solve
Search for a solution to a sticky issue
Think about a crucial conversation you may need to have

HERE'S HOW to make a new template for yourself.

Search our blog post for templates using keywords related to your challenge (see examples below). Innovation template, crucial conversation template, or customer feedback template are a few examples. Do a search online if you'd like more template ideas.
Pick one template to make your own. If you need to, change the words or add to the template.
Draw the template in YOUR style using the colors, lettering styles and hierarchy that make sense to you.
If you wish, add icons or a callout shape where you will be able to add a key "takeaway" message.

HERE ARE 10 EXAMPLES of templates we love (and why). Click any of the icons to download your free template.

Innovation Mashup: https://www.appliedviz.com/creativity-part-3-creativity-and-innovation

Exercise your creativity and innovation plus visual vocabulary and hierarchy.

2. Customer Feedback: https://www.appliedviz.com/customer-obsessed-innovation

Everyone at all levels should know how to put customers first.

3. Deep Dive Into Your Why's: https://www.appliedviz.com/change-requires-innovation

Innovation is great, but only if your whole team knows why .

4. Crucial Conversations: https://www.appliedviz.com/make-the-scary-not-so-scary

Having that tough conversation gets easier with a visual test run.

5. Vision Map: https://www.appliedviz.com/vision-for-the-future

Future-proof your plan toward a positive vision.

6 . 7 W's: https://www.appliedviz.com/my-visual-thinking-ace-in-the-hole

A great all purpose template. Generate new ideas, surface questions, untangle confusion, connect the dots or bring an "ah-ha" moment.

7. Activity Design: https://www.appliedviz.com/learning-teaching-with-visuals

When you need to plan a killer learning activity.

8. Venn Diagram: https://www.appliedviz.com/explore-your-happy-place

Find your happy place or find sets of commonalities and differences.

9. Innovation for Life: https://www.appliedviz.com/innovations-for-life

Track your fav life hacks.

10. Resilience: https://www.appliedviz.com/creativity-resilience-phoenix-moment

Face big change with a positive, resilience-based approach.

Can't find a template for what you need? INVENT ONE and share it with us .

Easy Shadows - 3 Ways

Thu, 18 May 2023 21:12:42 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 4 No. 9 May 19, 2023

Summer's almost here – time to take it easy.

With summer just around the corner, it's the perfect time to simplify your life. The season is about relaxing, spending time with loved ones, and enjoying the great outdoors. With that in mind, as the days grow longer and the school year starts winding down, we're shifting gears and kicking off our Simple Summer newsletter series . Throughout the summer, we'll share some of our best simple visual thinking tips and tricks to up your visual thinking game in 10 minutes or less.

Today we will look at adding shadows to your visual thinking work. For example, adding shadows to a map, chart, or diagram can make it look more three-dimensional and help to convey depth and perspective. Shadows can also make the work more visually appealing, exciting and draw the viewer's eye to essential elements.

In addition to their aesthetic value, shadows can serve a functional purpose. For example, they can help distinguish between different layers or levels of the chart and make it easier to understand the relationship between other parts.

You may think, Deb, that's all good, but how do we do it? It's easy!

Here are three easy ways to add shadows to your visual thinking.

All you'll need is a black marker and a lighter-colored marker or highlighter; light gray, blue, yellow, pink, or orange are all great choices.

Want to give it a go?

Download the free handout , grab your pens, set a time for 10 minutes, and play along.

Inside - adding a shadow to the inside of an icon gives the impression of volume and dimension. This technique works particularly well for rounded or three-dimensional forms like a cube.

Step one - draw 3 or 4 simple icons of objects typically rounded or three dimensional in real life with a black marker—for example, an O-U person, a light bulb, or a tall building.

Step two - Add a stripe of color inside your shape along one side with your lighter-colored marker. That's it. Your eye will read the form as having more dimension.

Outside - adding a shadow to the outside of an icon draws attention to the icon and helps it stand out from the background. This technique works particularly well for container icons, such as speech or thought bubbles, or signs.

Step one - draw 3 or 4 simple container icons with a black marker—for example, a clipboard, a thought bubble, or a road sign.

Step two - Add a stripe of color just outside your shape along one side with your lighter-colored marker. The reader's eye will be drawn to shapes and the vital information they contain.

Beside - adding a shadow in the spaces between a collection of icons ties them together to create a scene and tell a story. Use this technique when you want the reader to view several icons as one unit.

Step one - with a black marker, draw 2 or 3 simple icons that together tell a simple story. For example, a customer standing at a counter across from a salesperson or someone giving a speech to a crowd of people.

Step two - with your lighter-colored marker, fill in the spaces between and beside icons to tie them together. With just a few marker swipes, you've set a scene and drawn attention to the story.

Adding shadows to a map, chart, or diagram can enhance clarity, depth, and visual appeal. In addition, it can make the image more engaging and exciting to look at and help communicate information more effectively to the viewer.

Remember, practice makes progress. Try this exercise the next time you're practicing your visual thinking or have a few extra minutes while waiting for your next call or meeting to start. You'll quickly become a champion at making your icons pop with just a few swipes of your marker.

Keep in mind, even the most simple drawing can have a HUGE IMPACT.

When Things Explode & How to Get Back on Track

Sat, 06 May 2023 03:07:25 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 4 No. 8 May 5, 2023

I recently experienced a big disappointment. A group project I had been working towards for a few months made it almost to the finish line. We were just waiting for some answers from the other party and the final version of the paperwork. Then, early the other morning, I got the news that they changed their minds. I felt like I had woken up back at the starting line with the air let out of my tires completely.

Have you ever had a project you care about implode? How did you feel? What did you do?

I heard a phrase that jolted me into a new appreciation for when things blow up – metaphorically, of course…

“rapid, unplanned deconstruction”

"Rapid, unplanned deconstruction” — this is the humorously visual reframing one of the announcers at SpaceX used four minutes into a planned test launch of their combined Starship and Super Heavy rocket on April 20, 2023. Instead of the two sections neatly separating from one another so that the rocket Starship could continue on its path without Super Heavy, there was a big explosion. Smoke billowed and rocket parts flew.

Back at headquarters, however, there were no heavy sighs, finger-pointing or sad faces. Everyone cheered! This is what “failure” should always look like in my opinion. Their bar was low, and optimism high. If the ship lifted off the platform, the mission would be a success. Anything beyond that would be data they could use for future attempts.

Find JOY (and data!) in FAILURE. My fearless colleague Debbie wrote about the benefits of failing fast and moving forward in her blog post “The best advice I ever received!” . Included in the blog post is a free template that can help you track what you did that worked and didn’t, and capture your thoughts for what you can do differently next time.

Somehow, watching the joyous reactions of these onlookers helped me shed some of my anger, frustration and sadness and start visualizing what data I could take with me into the relaunch of our project. We had invested time and effort, yes, but thankfully not much money. We were, in fact, not back at square one. We had gathered significant information about needs, priorities and wish lists. The challenging work of shifting mindsets and gearing up for change had started. What could we do to build on that momentum?

Here is a quick doodle I made capturing what parts of our project are still intact versus in need of a reset.

When Plan A fails, it can be difficult to come up with a Plan B. Visual thinking can help. Here is a quick exercise that can stretch creative thinking in a fun way and put you on the path towards Plan B.

Blob drawing for groups Part 1

Purpose: start some creative juices flowing, provide an opportunity for lightness and fun after a project "failure"

Hand out a piece of paper or index card and drawing tool to each person in the group.
On your mark, ask everyone to quickly draw a random shape on the paper.
Everyone passes their paper to someone else in the group.
Set a 1-minute timer. Give the group one minute to turn the shape on the paper they received into something. Anything, real or imagined. Emphasize that the goal is to generate IDEAS, not produce artistic masterpieces.
When the timer goes off, have each person show their drawing and say what they drew. BONUS: offer a reward (like peppermints or star stickers) to anyone who makes a connection between their drawing and the project.

Blob drawing for groups Part 2

Purpose: pick out the pieces that can help you develop your Plan B

Hand out another piece of paper.
Set a timer for 1 minute.
Have everyone draw a big blob.
Thinking about the project that "failed," INSIDE THE BLOB have everyone jot down important reusable data, salvageable information and lessons learned.
OUTSIDE THE BLOB, note things that need to be replaced, reimagined, adjusted or tweaked.

The Payoffs

You've blown off steam with your team using humor and creativity.
You've generated a ton of significant data.
You can use this data to inform the next stage of project planning.

Keep in mind, even the most simple drawing can have a HUGE IMPACT.

Create Space for the Unexpected

Sat, 08 Apr 2023 01:09:33 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 4 No. 7 April 7, 2023

Smear super glue to a sheet of wrapping paper. Roll across it, then place a bow on your head.
. . . That's how to truly live in the present.

Every good comedian knows that telling a joke well is all about timing. You need good material, yes, but if you deliver the punchline too early , your audience won't have had time to digest the setup line and understanding is lost. Wait too long and they might lose the thread. Again understanding is lost. The pregnant pause is a necessary gap.

Mind the Gaps

Applied Visual Thinking bridges gaps — gaps in communication, knowledge, and understanding. Sometimes, however, gaps can be useful in other ways. In a recent workshop I attended, the trainer explicitly left long pauses for questions and responses. She worked hard to let people process ideas, then pose their reflections, comments and questions rather than filling in the gaps with a barrage of chatter. What a relief for some of us who like to turn over ideas slowly like letting a fine piece of chocolate melt on the tongue. What a horror for others who are uncomfortable with silence.

In this age of instant messaging, multiple screens in view at once, and advertising everywhere vying for attention, it's hard to let silence be OK. And I'll speak for myself here, silence is essential to my mental, physical and spiritual health. I need the quiet times to focus, be creative and get the tougher work done.

Visuals need gaps, too. Open space is where the brilliance has room to emerge. Let's look at some ways you can use visuals to build open space into your work, whether you are drafting a workable agenda, designing a strategy meeting, or taking visual notes.

PLACEHOLDERS. Where can/should you leave empty bullets? Room for forgotten items?
TIMELINES . When creating a timeline, where can you leave wiggle room between dates and times for the unexpected?
CONTAINERS. Create "containers" and leave some empty. Containers can be simple shapes that help differentiate blocks of information. Choose shapes to convey greater meaning, such as a speech bubble to contain a quote, a cloud to list a thought.
TEMPLATES. Many of our AVT templates contain simple diagrams intended to organize complex information. These could also be considered containers.

Check out these templates and handouts from the AVT archives.

Stairs: https://www.appliedviz.com/need-to-get-moving-take-the-stairs
2x2: https://www.appliedviz.com/visuals-combat-decision-fatigue
Diverge / converge: https://www.appliedviz.com/embrace-the-new
Venn diagram: https://www.appliedviz.com/explore-your-happy-place
Radial: https://www.appliedviz.com/creative-writing-is-a-breeze-with-you-start-with-a-map
Rows and shapes: https://www.appliedviz.com/the-best-advice-i-ever-received
Columns: https://www.appliedviz.com/event-planning-triage
Mind map: https://www.appliedviz.com/move-beyond-the-messy-middle

Next time you want to increase the impact of your visuals, consider where you can leave out something and wait to see what emerges.

Ready to practice drawing containers? Click here to download a free copy of the handou t "How to draw containers" and take out yo ur drawing pen!

Draw out your BRAVEST, STRONGEST, SMARTEST moment

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 20:21:16 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 4 No. 6 March 24, 2023

One of my favorite quotes is

"You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."

― A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh Library

We're living in a time of significant change. We hope to be brave, strong , and smart during times like these. Instead, we may feel lost, confused, or afraid to move forward. It's easy to get bogged down amid significant changes.

But, on the bright side, we've all had moments of bravery, strength, or intelligence more powerful than we usually possess. Looking back and analyzing what you did before is one way to feel braver, stronger, or smarter in the here and now. Likewise, applying visual thinking is one way to jog your memory and quickly capture critical concepts.

Want to play along? Download a copy of the free template , grab your pens, and dive in.

Step 1:

Remember a time when you felt particularly brave and jot down a title using an I was (adjective) when I (action) statement. For example, I was brave when I learned to water ski . On a side note, we often associate bravery with being fearless. However, people we usually consider brave heroes are not fearless. They are brave because they feel the fear and do what they need to do anyway.

Step 2:

Draw out the people (who) , places (where ) , and things (what) involved in your moment of bravery and label them.

In my example, there was me, the lake, the water skis, the boat, and my brother, who was driving the boat.

Step 3:

Draw a quick flow chart (how) of the actions you took during your moment of bravery.

For example, when I learned to water ski. I convinced my brother to take me to the lake when no one else was around. He helped me adjust the skis so they felt more comfortable, and he gave me some basic instructions on what to do when the boat started and when to let go of the rope. Then he helped me get in the water and get the rope positioned before steering around to pull it tight. Once I was ready, I gave him the signal, and he floored it. I got up and then promptly fell down. Over and over and over again. I was petrified and, after several attempts, exhausted. I can't say it was easy or that I became a great water skier; I did not. However, I never felt braver. I attempted something I found very challenging, felt the fear, and did it anyway.

Step 4:

Rinse and repeat x2, describing times in the past when you felt more powerful, braver , or smarter than your usual self.

Step 5:

Step back and analyze your work. Look for themes or patterns across your times of bravery, strength, and super smarts. For example, I discovered it's easier for me to attempt something scary without an audience present. When I need more strength, prayer is my go-to. When I want to feel more competent, I either research best practices employed by others or tap into my unconscious brain by giving it an assignment to work on while I'm sleeping.

Arming myself with these tools is one way to feel brave, stronger , and smarter the next time life throws me a curve ball.

Event Planning Triage

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 05:34:27 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 4 No. 5 March 10, 2023

WOMEN CAN DO ANYTHING.

March 8 is recognized in many countries around the world as " International Women's Day " in honor of the struggles that women have endured. It started with women demanding workers' rights in the United States in the early 1900's and quickly progressed to Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, then to Russia. The demands grew to include the right to vote and to hold public office, and to protest workplace discrimination, violence against women and unequal economic opportunities. As a women-owned company, AVT offers a bow of respect to the brave women who forged the path we tread, and to all the hard-working women out there, which is ALL OF YOU who identify as women!

I have been given the gift of being able to offer assistance to a few of the women in my life whom I consider to be total powerhouses. These are the women you go to when you want something done quickly, well and with a smile. AVT was founded by two women I would also put in this category (yes, we should shamelessly toot our own horns!).

As I learned a few years ago when I had my own health crisis, however, even the most capable among us will need help at some point. Learning to accept help with as much grace as we give it is a master's level art, and one that I believe can be a boon to leaders of all genders. In our personal lives and at work, for all we can do solo, we are even stronger when we band together and share our strengths.

Turns out that preparing for surgery is not so different from planning a conference. OK, the scale is very different, but the high level process is the same. There are things you need to think about BEFORE the event, things to be prepared for DURING the big day/days, and a laundry list of items that will need attending to AFTER leaving the hospital or conference room. The same holds true for planning birthday parties and other group gatherings.

There is never enough time to plan an event to the satisfaction of a process geek like myself, so I have become better over the years at creating a "triage" list as soon as I know the thing is really happening. This helps me think through the most important items I need to consider in order to pull off the event with a minimum of personal stress. With Plan A spelled out and visual, I feel more relaxed that I won't forget something critical, and more prepared to adapt to a Plan B if needed. I can also dive deeper into tools like those we explore in AVT for Project Management if needed.

An Event Triage Plan doesn't have to take more than a few minutes. Mine fit on a small notepad and included a quick list of what my friend and I knew we needed to do or learn BEFORE , DURING and AFTER the surgery. I added a second column to capture whatever was needed in order to tick off the list in Column 1. I also created a simple visual "P" icon for pending items.

Need to triage your own upcoming event? Here's how.

COLUMN 1: List no more than 5 things that need to happen BEFORE, DURING and AFTER the event in order for it to be as simple, low-stress and successful as possible.
COLUMN 2: To decide what belongs in this column, ask yourself, "In order for the things in Column 1 to go well, what information, resources or things are required? Is there a due date? Anything I am waiting for (pending)? A logical person to assign this to?"
If you'd like to practice the visual power tools you learned in AVT Foundations , add icons, highlight the most pressing items, and/or add lines or shapes to separate blocks of information.

Download a free copy of the template here to be more prepared and at ease for your next event.

Have Pen. Will Doodle!

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 20:08:03 GMT

New Paragraph

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 4 No. 4 February 24, 2023

This week we're taking a break from our usual format to bring you a fast, easy drawing activity to enhance your visual vocabulary. If you're new to the tribe, visual vocabulary may be a new term. We like to think of visual vocabulary as the building blocks of visual thinking. Learning to quickly and easily draw simple icons, maps, and charts is the first step toward great visual thinking.

Practice makes progress!

Setting yourself up with time, space, and tools for practice is one way to create a drawing habit.

Some possibilities include the following:

Take a cue from author Jessica Hagy Place a small stack of note cards and a pen near your coffee or tea station. And practice drawing a few icons, a simple map, or a quick chart while waiting for your morning beverage to brew.
Try a tip from illustrator Wendy McNaughton and keep a notebook and a few pens on your coffee table and practice drawing a few objects or characters while watching TV.
Take a suggestion from sketchnoter and author Mike Rohde . The next time you take handwritten notes, include a few simple icons to illustrate the key points.
Carry a simple sketchbook made from a single sheet of paper and a pen in your pocket or purse. Practice drawing a few items or people you see around you while waiting in line at the grocery store or deli.

If you're into digital, load a simple drawing app onto your favorite device and use it to follow one of the prompts above. If you're new to digital drawing, one of my favorite apps, is Paper by We Transfer . It features a straightforward tool set in a sketchbook-style format that is great for quick drawings. No learning curve necessary.

Enough with the words. Let's draw!

One of my favorite ways to practice my visual vocabulary is by creating magazine doodles.

Want to play along? All you need is an old magazine and a thick pen or marker.

Going digital? You'll need your favorite digital drawing app and a few fun images to import into the page.

Step 1: Find an exciting image - Flip through an old magazine and select an interesting picture. It can be anything, an attractive shape, some fun colors, an unusual arrangement of items, or a large area of negative space. Choose whatever piques your interest.

Step 2: I magine what you might draw on or around the image to tell a simple story.

For example, milk being poured into a glass may remind you of ocean waves, so you might draw in a surfing stick figure or a sailboat.

Step 3: Have an idea but need help with how to draw it? A quick Google image search of any word plus "icon" will return a vast selection of possibilities. Pick one or two to use as inspiration.

Step 4: Give it a go - There is no right or wrong answer. Just put pen to paper and start drawing. For example you might:

A dd a few simple shapes to turn a landscape into a hot air balloon adventure

Add face and arms to turn a curvy lamp into a sultry singer.

Add a stick figure to a bowl of soup to turn it into a hot tub

Have fun and let your imagination run wild!

Bonus Points - Add a narrative - write a few words to help tell the story. While the old saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words," is true, adding a few words to help tell a story is the backbone of great cartoons.

As with all endeavors, practice makes progress . The more often you doodle, the faster you build your visual vocabulary and visual thinking skills. Till next time happy drawing!New Paragraph

Anticipation vs Expectation

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 22:07:37 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 4 No. 3 February 10, 2023

Daughter shows bravery trying something new. Mom rewards daughter with a trip to her favorite ice cream parlor. Dog wakes up when he hears activity in the house. Dog wags his tail, grabs a toy and heads to the front door. The scene is set for anticipation versus expectation. There may be winners and losers.

What's the internal dialog?

Dog: Oh, boy. Something's going to happen. I'm so excited. Look, people! Look, squirrel! Something's happening. I'm so excited! (anticipation)

Daughter: I'm going to get bubble gum ice cream with rainbow sprinkles in a chocolate dipped cone. I'm so excited! (expectation)

I think this is no different, by the way, from certain work scenarios, like a first meeting with a new client or planning session for a new project. Read on and see if you agree.

The dog anticipates that something exciting about to happen. The girl formulates expectations for what she wants to happen. What's the difference? Turns out, recognizing the difference between anticipation and expectation can make all the difference for effective communication and negotiation both at work and at home. Oh, and of course, using visuals can help.

Anticipation is open-ended. I picture it as a feeling that emanates from the self outwards in all di rections.

Expectation has a preset direction, like goal-setting.

What happens?

The dog's story has a high likelihood of a positive outcome. The pup is excited about something (anything) interesting happening, and in fact, it does. He gets a ride in the car, experiences interesting views and smells, maybe a pat or two from a stranger, and if he's lucky, gets to lick up a forbidden treat off the sidewalk. Win-win-win. Anticipation is equivalent to having an open mindset. Anything is possible.

The girl's story could go any number of directions. As soon as she sets expectations the possibility for disappointment or need for negotiation pops up. What if they are out of bubble gum flavored ice cream? or rainbow sprinkles, or chocolate dipped cones? What if they are unexpectedly closed that day? The girl may need to adjust her expectations a little or a lot, and that may be more or less difficult for her to do.

Expectation is about creating desired outcomes . Moms learn that kids develop expectations very quickly, and can get very upset if those are not met, even if they weren't "realistic" according to the rules of the world that grown-ups understand. If Mom wants to manage her daughter's expectations and head off a potential disappointment-induced emotional melt-down, she might confirm the ice cream parlor's hours and availability of the favorite flavors before promising the outing. Alternatively, she might caution the daughter that they might not have everything she wants at the moment, so she might need to prepare herself to be OK with second choice alternatives.

I'm headed toward my thing. You're headed toward your thing. What are the things in the middle that we both want to happen?

I am an entrepreneur, so I know this well. Any time an exciting possibility arises, there is the thrill of anticipation. Something is going to happen! As soon as the planning, scheduling, goal-setting and task delegation begin, expectations begin to be set. From BOTH SIDES.

Wouldn't it be great if each party could SEE what the other expects from a given situation?
You can if you draw it out using a simple Venn diagram. Here's how.

Win-Win-Win Diagram

List your hopes and wishes on the left
List what you know or believe to be the hopes and wishes of the other person on the right.
Write or rewrite the win-win's in the center.
S hare your map with the other person, or confirm in conversation that your lists are correct.

Download a free copy of the template here and draw out a map of shared expectations.

We're all connected, working visually helps you see how.

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 23:23:38 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 4 No. 2 January 27, 2023

Happy Chinese New Year, I learned last week that Korean's wish someone Happy New Year by saying 새해 복 많이 받으세요 (saehae bok mani badeuseyo), which translates to - Please receive lots of blessings in the New Year . No matter our current circumstances, we are all blessed in many ways. But, unfortunately, if you are anything like me, it's far too easy to take blessings for granted and even easier to forget how those blessings came to be.

Simple everyday things we take for granted are available because of hundreds of people's hard work, time, effort, and skill. One way to truly appreciate your blessings is to take a visual deep dive into how they came to be.

Map your blessings!

10 minutes, a pen, and some paper are all you need to begin to see what Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh calls "interbeing," the connectedness of all things.

Want to play along?

Grab a pen and paper, and let's dive in.

Step 1: Think of one simple thing you are genuinely grateful for . Some examples may include a cup or glass of your favorite beverage, a long hot bath, or a fan that provides a cool breeze on a hot day.

Step 2: Create a reverse timeline . On the far right edge of your paper, jot down a word or two and add an icon representing the simple thing you're grateful for. For example, I feel blessed to have clean, safe hot and cold running water by just turning the tap, so I drew a red and a blue water drop for my icon.

Step 3: Consider what came before . Draw an arrow, then jot down a few words and an icon representing a previous step. For example, the plumbers had to install the faucets and pipes in my house before the water could flow.

Step 4 : Keep going . Draw out some other steps that come before. For example, someone connected my house to the city water supply > people dug the trenches and laid the pipes for my neighborhood > many people from all sorts of trades built and run the water plant that keeps the water supply flowing > many people from all over the state built and maintain the canals that direct the water from the rivers > the clouds produced the rain and snow that fills the rivers.

Step 5: Dive deeper . Take another pass below each step of what came before. For example, someone had to manufacture the fixtures before the plumber could install them, mine or make the raw materials before they could be made, and so on.

Working visually helps connect ideas.

This simple visual exercise will quickly illuminate our interbeing-ness and how the efforts of others have blessed us . This is just the tip of the iceberg. You'll notice in step 4 when I drew out the steps that came before I landed on nature. If you go back far enough you'll see we are all connected to each other and the planet. Billions of people spend their days and nights keeping the wheels of modern life turning. Their hard work and dedication are a blessing to us all. So the next time you turn the tap or make a cup of tea, or turn on your favorite smart device pause and give thanks for everything that made it possible.

How to Unlock Time

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 03:02:55 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 4 No. 1 January 13, 2023

We all want more time in life, right?

More time to be a kid, more time with friends and family, and more time for that big project, right? I know I definitely want more time to get to those bucket list items. In this article, I'll reveal the true secret to finding more of that ever-elusive gem, TIME … and how I discovered it using visuals.

My great discovery started when I watched a movie that had one of those classic scenes where one of the characters unlocks a combination lock by slowly turning the dial, listening closely and feeling for the clicks. It looks simple, but clearly only the most skilled in the group can open the lock without setting off an alarm. Given the time constraint the characters were facing, it struck me how both the combination lock and clock could be drawn starting from a simple circle.

Noodling with sketches of locks and clocks, phrases began popping into my head such as "find the key," "sequencing and combinations," and "unlock time."

What if we could unlock time?

It’s not literally possible to alter time (as far as we know at the moment), but a chill vacation day at the beach certainly seems to stretch much longer than a busy, deadline-driven day at work, right? In Deb's final AVT Newsletter of 2022 , she talked about wanting to keep up with the supersonic speed of change in today's world through her 2023 word of the year, "open." What if every now and then, instead of speeding up, we could slow the world down to our own natural pace?

Reading about how our brains process the passage of time, I kept stumbling upon a few key themes.

Be present. Focus deeply on something you love. Experience something new. If you do these, you will find more time.

It all comes down to our perception of time. At AVT, we are all about employing the power of visuals to enhance perception.

Here are the steps to time-finding based on my interpretation of the research and my own experience.

Focus on one thing at a time. Make it something (or someone!) that is worth spending your time with. Some examples might be putting away your devices as you engage in a conversation, or closing all other windows on your computer as you draft an article. If you only have a minute or two, just pick a number and count up to it.
Experience deeply. Really see, hear, smell, touch and taste to the extent you are able. By mindfully taking in whatever you are perceiving, you will literally deepen the memory track formed in your brain.
Learn something new. Becoming a "newbie" (learning a new skill or refreshing a forgotten one) makes you pay closer attention than doing something for which you have already established habits. Doing something in a new way like taking a new route home or using a new tool works, too.

If learning something new sounds like fun to you, consider which Applied Visual Thinking course might fit for you next. All our AVT courses are designed to allow opportunities for you to focus, dive deeper into the material, and review what you've learned. When you complete the course, our goal is that you are ready to apply what you learned.

Returning to the combination lock metaphor, the KEY TO UNLOCKING YOUR VISUAL SUPERPOWERS is to…

Start moving forward. (Pick a course and sign up!)
Listen for the click. (Plan to do the practice work to build muscle memory.)
Reverse direction. (Go back and review, repeat, practice.)
Listen for the click. (The learning locks in.)
Reverse direction again. (Apply the concepts in a new way.)
Keep moving until you unlock your next VISUAL SUPERPOWER!

References:

https://medium.com/predict/how-to-slow-down-time-4908f60493d8

https://www.popsci.com/diy/how-to-slow-down-time/

https://timelyapp.com/blog/how-to-slow-down-time

https://www.fastcompany.com/3064113/how-to-trick-your-brain-to-slow-down-time

https://www.marksdailyapple.com/7-ways-to-slow-down-your-perception-of-time/

Leverage Your Strengths in 2023

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 20:08:36 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 3 No. 26 December 30, 2022

If you've been with us for a while, you know that at the end of each year, I'm a fan of picking a few words for the upcoming year. They express how I want to feel, be and show up during the year and keep me focused and on track as the year rolls along. My words for 2022 were Energetic, Optimistic, Fruitful, and Blessed . They have served me well, and I am truly grateful for all the beautiful people and things that showed up this past year.

For 2023 I have settled on Open as my single word of the year. I picked this word to remind me of my desire to be open-minded and open-hearted. Open to new ideas and ways of learning, doing, and working with and relating to others. The world is changing at supersonic speed, and being more open is one way to help myself keep up.

Applying a little visual thinking is a great way to generate words that resonate with you. At the end of 2020, we went through a couple of visual thinking exercises to create a list of three positive, forward-focused words for the coming year. If you missed them, you can find them here and here . Want to pick a word or two or three for 2023? Read through the articles, then grab your pens and play along.

Another great way to kick off a new year (or any new endeavor) is to practice visual appreciative inquiry (AI) . Drawing out a simple story of when you were at your best in the past helps you leverage your strengths as you begin something new. By using AI, you may recognize strengths you weren't aware of previously. You might try this before an interview or prospecting meeting, before updating a web profile or marketing materials or just for yourself.

Want to play along? Download a free copy of the template and grab your pens. This is a fun one!

Step 1: Pick one of the 6 dimensions: Mental, Physical, Vocational, Financial, Spiritual, or Emotional to work with first.

Step 2: On the template or a larger sheet of paper use the 6W's to draw out a short story using this storyline. "I was at my best (dimension) ... when I ... (attributes: who, what, where, when, how, and why ) ."

For example, one of your stories might be, " I was at my best physically (dimension) when I (who) rode (how) my bike (what) to work (where) every Friday (when) with my friend Jill (who) so we could practice for a 100-mile ride in the spring (why) ."

Step 3: Pick another dimension, rinse, and repeat until you have completed all 6 dimensions.

Step 4: Put it all together. Review all your storylines together. The final result is a complete picture of ways you have leveraged your strengths in the past. Now you can move forward with a clear sense of when, where, and how you work best and leverage those strengths as you move forward.

Before we say our final goodbyes to 2022,

we want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been with us for the past year. It's an honor and a privilege to serve you and share our love of visual thinking. We have some fun new things in the works and look forward to seeing you all in 2023!

From Photo to Icon

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 06:43:17 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 3 No. 25 December 16, 2022

With the year soon coming to a close, I have been thinking about goals. Specifically, I have been thinking about working backwards to get to a desired outcome. In a recent newsletter, I wrote about how to develop icon ideas starting from a fine art image. Now I'd like to share a related idea. If you share the goal of building your visual vocabulary and icon library, keep reading to learn how a photograph can spark visual thinking .

To be clear, by “visual thinking” I am including creative idea generation that can enhance your communication with anyone — family members, partners, colleagues, customers or clients. At AVT, we teach you how to use simple drawing methods to capture and spark conversation. Here we'll look at how choosing a photo as a starting point can provide a different path into a lush forest of discussion.

Here's the story.

I was walking around the block with the dog, as I frequently do. What was different that day was that it was the first day that a ton of leaves had fallen from the trees. It was a sunny day after a blustery one, so many of the leaves in gorgeous fall colors were clustered in bright, shiny piles. Kade is only a year and a half old, so this is only his second fall in New England, his first as an adult dog. He was enthralled with everything, and his excitement rubbed off on me.

Marigold bridge
Rose petal path
Uncertain future
Aim high
Follow your instincts
Follow the signs
The path less traveled
Keep going
Nowhere to go but up
Path to success
When in doubt, trust and take a step forward

Many of the houses on our side of the street have a flight or two of steps up to the front doors. One of these sets of steps had a small pile of red leaves on each stair at least as far up as one could see from the bottom. The image reminded me of the "marigold bridge" from the movie Coco, which was inspired by the prevalence of marigolds in Mexican celebrations of Dia de los Muertos (day of the dead). The bridge and the marigolds symbolize the path between the lands of the living and the dead.

What other ideas, metaphors, concepts, or images might this photo evoke? Check out my list next to the image. Does it make you think of others? How do you imagine using an image and metaphor to get your point across?

Here's the big idea. Find a photograph that interests you. See how many meanings it can take on.

From Photo to Icon Exercise

Find a simple but thought-provoking photo and display it as large as possible so you can see the details.

The whole exercise shouldn’t take more than about 10 minutes.

1. Take a breath , clear your mind.

2. Set a 2-minute timer and list the things you see in the photo (think "just the facts") — objects, colors, shapes, cropping or perspective — anything that catches your eye. Don't stop moving your pen. If you see it, write it down.

3. Set a 2-minute timer and come up with as many responses to the following fill-in-the-blank sentence as you can. Use both your list and the photo as inspiration. "This ___ makes me think of ___." Try for 10-20 ideas. See the start of my lists below.

4. Read through your sentences and circle the one that gets you the most intrigued.

5. Make a very rough sketch that shows the aspect of the image that reminded you of the idea you circled. For example, the red leaves reminded me of rose petals at a wedding or fancy gala.

6. Finally, look at your sketch and dream up a list of what it could represent as a symbol or icon for you or your team. In my sketch, I changed the leaves to rose petals and added a banner at the top of the stairs that says, "congratulations." This could represent a "big win" for a team or client.

OR... (especially great for leaders, trainers,
coaches and facilitators)

Next time you need to blow the top off a sticky problem, generate some totally new solutions or kick off a set of challenging conversations, find a simple but thought-provoking photo (or 3, 5, 10 or 20!) and display them as large as possible so that everyone involved can see the details. Use the "This ___ makes me think of ___." prompt to start the ideas flowing.

P.S. At AVT, we like to keep things simple. Stairs, we recognize, may not seem simple to draw, but they can be! Download a free copy of the handout " How to Draw Stairs ," try out the 3 ways and see which you like!

You have BIG goals. WHY?

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 21:22:46 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 3 No. 24 December 2, 2022

If you're like me, you probably have a few BIG goals. Not just everyday goals but huge ones. Monster goals. Goals that genuinely matter to you. It could be writing a book, getting that degree you've always wanted, learning a musical instrument, achieving your ideal body shape, or becoming debt free, to name just a few. All of these are absolutely worth doing. However, to reach them, you must put in sustained effort, work hard, sweat, compromise, build new habits and change over the long haul.

It's easy to start on your journey toward a big goal. In fact, most people start out with a big bang, but it's far too easy for everyday life to take over and get in the way of your progress.

To stay on your path, it helps to KNOW YOUR WHYs.

Why do you want to do this? Why it's important to you? Why it's worth all of the effort?

At WW (formerly Weight Watchers), they have a saying, "keep your why close by." Your WHYs are the anchor you need to resist lapsing into old habits and build new ones. They are the glue that keeps you making progress when you're in the messy middle, and the end seems very far away.

Ready to clarify your WHYs?

Applying a little visual thinking can help you. Grab a pen, markers, and paper or download a copy of the free Know Your WHYs template and play along.

Step 1 : Name 'em – At the top of your paper, jot down a few of your BIG goals then pick one .

Step 2: List 'em – In no particular order, quickly write down as many benefits as possible of achieving this goal. Don't edit. Nothing is off-limits. Just get them all down on paper. Be specific. For example, if your goal was to remove 50 lbs, some of your WHYs might be to fit into your old wardrobe or buy a new one. Other WHYs might be to lower your blood sugar, ease the pain in your knees, have more self-confidence, feel in control of your eating habits, be fit enough to climb Machu Picchu when you take that once-in-a-lifetime trip, etc. Jot down as many as you can think of. Aim for at least 10 to 15. The more, the better.

Step 3 : Categorize 'em – Grab one of your markers and circle all of the benefits you listed that will have an impact in the next few weeks or months. These are your short-term WHYs . Next, grab a different colored marker and circle the benefits that will have an impact in the next 1 to 2 years. These are your mid-term WHYs . Lastly, with another color circle, everything that will have an effect in the next several years. These are your long-term WHYs . The final result will be a messy but clear map of WHY you're working towards this goal.

Step 4 : Keep 'em close by – Post your map somewhere you'll see it often, like your bathroom mirror. Take a picture of it and make it your screensaver. Or make it the image on your smart device lock screen and review them often.

The goal is to keep your WHYs front and center so that you remember why you are doing this big thing when you are tempted to have that cupcake instead of fruit or skip your cello practice and binge watch Downton Abby instead.

Having a visual will help you stay focused on your journey toward your great BIG goal.

From Fine Art to Icon

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 03:31:08 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 3 No. 22 November 18, 2022

Debbie and I started Applied Visual Thinking because we know visual thinking is a skill any (sighted) person can learn, even with little to no background in art. But what if you are already a visual artist who wants to learn to use visuals in a new way? If the Pictionary timer often runs out while you are still adding details, then read on, my friend.

In my other life, I paint. I used to see my fine art painting as totally separate from my visual thinking drawing. Now I am beginning to see how they can feed into one another.

In 2020, I painted a series of small canvases based on five natural elements — earth, wind/air, fire, water and metal. In this wind/air painting, I tried to imagine what blowing wind or moving air might look like. This led me to the feeling of flying. The image that emerged started to look like a bird in flight. I enhanced the imaginary bird, added a few details, sun and horizon.

A friend saw the wind/air painting. She commissioned me to paint a similar painting to look more phoenix-like for a mutual friend. The phoenix is a mythical bird that burns itself, then rises again from the ashes.

The motion in this second painting had to be up and outwards versus the forward movement in the first painting. The phoenix painting also needed some kind of land on which I could locate the pile of ashes. Rather than just changing out the bird, I discovered I had to think about the whole image in a different way to convey different meaning.

The phoenix is a mythical bird that burns up, then rises again from the ashes. The motion in this second painting had to be up and outwards versus the forward movement in the first painting. The phoenix painting also needed some kind of land in the on which I could locate the pile of ashes.

The process of starting with one image as a springboard for generation of a second reminds me of our AVT FOUNDATIONS course. In the course, you learn how to draw anything, even complex concepts, starting from simple shapes. Let's turn that idea upside down for a moment. What if we could start from a complex, finished piece of art and simplify it to a simple icon?

To use visuals as a practical tool when working with others, sometimes speed is of the essence . The pace of innovation does not usually allow time for neat, realistic drawing, but organizations NEED creative thinking. For professionals and dabblers in the fine arts, however, how can we ignore what we learned about things like depth, shading, proportion and perspective?

As futurist Alvin Toffler said, “The illiterate of the future are not those who can’t read or write but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”

Here I took the challenge to “unlearn” painting and create an icon of a phoenix.

How to simplify from complex image to icon in 4 easy drawings:

Drawing 1 : Look carefully at a painting, photo or illustration that inspires you. Sketch the essential elements.

Drawing 2: Remove color and any non-essential pattern, texture or details.

Drawing 3: Smooth out lines and eliminate more detail.

Drawing 4: Use the fewest lines necessary to convey your idea.

What next?

Create muscle memory by filling a page with your new icon. Aim to draw it the same way every time. The point is to build muscle memory so you can draw it quickly from memory.
Take 1 minute to file it for future reference. For information about how to start an icon reference library, read our last blog post Visuals and Building a Second Brain Go Hand in Hand .

Ready for more?

Join our AVT FOUNDATIONS course and learn how to grow your visual vocabulary and essential visual thinking tools.

PRO TIP:

Icons can inspire wonderful logos. To make a logo that will stand the tests of time, printability, legibility and translation to various media, use what I call the 1-inch test. Print or view your icon scaled down to one inch actual size. Does it lose important detail? Can you still tell what it is? If not, then SIMPLIFY the until you cannot reduce it any further without losing meaning.

BONUS:

The paintings above are based on air movement. Here are a few ways to draw icons representing wind. You can download a free copy of the handout here . How many more can you think of? What else could these icons represent? Add to your icon library by listing as many icons and interpretations of the icon as you can think of.

Visuals and Building a Second Brain go hand in hand

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 23:16:59 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 3 No. 21 November 4, 2022

Recently I was introduced to Tiago Forte's excellent book, Building a Second Brain , and was immediately captivated. The second brain concept uses simple digital software systems that you may already be using to Capture , Organize ,

Distill and Express information. The big payoff is that you can save all your hard-earned knowledge with just a tiny amount of extra effort. This system allows you to quickly and easily access and share your knowledge with others in the future while freeing up brain space for other things.

Visuals and building a second brain go hand in hand.

I have been struck by how well the Building a Second Brain concepts mesh with Applied Visual Thinking.

Drawing is a great way to capture and understand complex ideas . Moreover, research has shown that drawing is also one of the best ways to retain more information. The best part is the quality of the drawings does not matter; stick figures, simple shapes, and a few arrows are enough to get started.
Creating sketchnotes is an excellent way to distill and organize information visually . Sketchnotes are ideal for capturing just the essential key points quickly and visually.
The old axiom "A picture is worth a thousand words." still rings true. Words may be misunderstood. Sharing your drawings is the best way to communicate (or express ) your ideas with others and gets everyone on the same page quickly.

Here's how I've been using visual thinking and building a second brain methods together.

Storing ideas for new icons
Capturing quick brainstorm doodles for a current project
Building a library of visual thinking templates for a future book
Saving the ugly and polished versions of my sketchnotes for future reference. I used to ditch my ugly sketchnotes until I read this article by Eva Lotta-Lamb praising ugly sketchnotes . Now I realize the value of keeping this work as a bonanza of ideas for future work.
Gathering and backing up older visual thinking projects in my second brain. Viewing older work with fresh eyes reveals ideas I can use and expand on in new work.

I've been organizing all of these in my two favorite searchable apps — the Notes app on my iPhone/iPad and OneNote on my PC. I take a picture with my phone, add the photo to the correct app note or page, and type in a few keywords. That's it.

In less than a minute, I've backed up my visual work in a way that's digital, searchable, and easy to find and share.

Working visually is your secret superpower and capturing your work in a second brain frees up brain space for more creative, innovative visual thinking.

P.S. Thinking can be difficult, but drawing a brain doesn't have to be.

Download a copy of the free template , grab a pen and practice drawing brains.

Lessons From the Cone

Sat, 22 Oct 2022 00:52:28 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 3 No. 21 October 21, 2022

I recently wrote about using a visual Heat Map to help me sort out an important decision quickly when my dog, Kade, experienced an injury. Thankfully, Kade has fully recovered and is back to his bouncy, healthy self. During the healing process, I learned a few more things. My lessons learned relate directly to the process of learning how to do this "visual thinking" thing.

Lessons from Kade …

1. LOSE THE STIGMA. I have heard the fashionable headgear pets are given to prevent them from reinjuring or licking the injured area called a "cone of shame." I'm not sure shame is an emotion dogs feel, to be honest. The cone pushes the pup's ears down, making their expression appear sad, guilty or possibly remorseful, but from my observation, my dog just seemed sad that he wasn't allowed to play with the friends he encountered.

KEY TAKEAWAY Too often in today's world we are told to "leave it to the experts." At AVT, we believe that learning to use visuals is something everyone can , and in fact should learn to do . Visuals make communication more complete and more universal. Our courses break down the lessons into steps so simple, every human can do them .

2. PRACTICE MAKES PROGRESS. Climbing the stairs, navigating the crate and playing with favorite toys while wearing a cone is not ideal. With practice, however, all things are possible.

KEY TAKEAWAY AVT courses follow a process where you learn a concept first, then try it out in a simple way, then add on complexity gradually. Repetition builds muscle memory so that the visual thinking skill becomes part of your superpower toolkit.

3. HAVE PATIENCE. Ten days of restricted movement, medication twice per day and tolerating the cone probably felt like ten years in dog time. Extra snuggle time and treats? Priceless.

KEY TAKEAWAY Learning a new skill doesn't happen overnight. Any tool worth having takes practice to learn how to use it properly. Thankfully, practicing visual thinking is not only valuable, it's fun!

Need to rethink a question; untangle emotions, rethink a problem, innovate, tackle challenges?

Grab a copy of the free template and play along.

Reframing practice.

Download the free Visual Reframing Template . In the first box, write or draw a image (bonus points!) to represent something big or small that is tripping you up. Maybe it's a roadblock that looms large for you, or maybe it's some small thing that has popped up unexpectedly and stolen more attention than you want to give it.

Pause and ask yourself, "what if there were another way to look at this?"

In the second box, find a completely different way to represent the thing.

Rethink a question
Translate complicated emotions into empathy
Turn a problem on its head
Innovate to turn a design issue into a feature
Turn a problem into an opportunity
Reframe a challenge into a lesson to be learned
Look deeper at a perception to uncover reality

Reframing is related to the innovation method “Reverse” (the "R" in "SCAMPER") which asks you to ponder what would happen if you reversed a process or sequence, did the opposite, swapped roles or reorganized. For lots more visual tools for innovation, check out our AVT for INNOVATION course.

Tools you need NOW! Part 1

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 23:49:59 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 3 No. 20 October 7, 2022

You may have noticed that we often write about how we've applied visual thinking in our day-to-day lives. This is because we believe learning and using visual thinking tools is your secret superpower. It's also one of the quickest, easiest ways to up your game, no matter the situation . No need to buy anything or learn to use new technology. All you need is something to write with and something to write on.

This week we're recapping a few of our favorite visual thinking tools and when you might reach for them. So grab your pens and play along.

Need to …

… generate new ideas? sort out muddled thinking? solve a problem? kickstart a new endeavor?

Meet the mind map on steroids . Marry a typical mind map with the 6x6 from Dan Roam's best-selling book The Back of the Napkin and you end up with a powerhouse idea-generating, problem-solving tool that is your ace in the hole. Getting ideas out of your head and up where you can see them helps clear brain clutter, makes connections and provides new insights. Learn how to create your own mind map on steroids and download a free template here : https://www.appliedviz.com/my-visual-thinking-ace-in-the-hole .

… decide between cost and quality? time and money? importance and urgency? wants and needs? others?

Meet the 2 x 2 . This flexible, useful tool can be used in a wide variety of situations either by yourself, 1 on 1, or in a group. Plotting ideas visually can lead to new insights and clarity while helping groups reach shared understanding and agreements in order to make a decision. You can learn how to use a 2 x 2 to combat decision fatigue here: https://www.appliedviz.com/visuals-combat-decision-fatigue .

… uncover preferences, talents, resources or strengths? overlaps between categories? valuable intersections between relationships?

Meet the Venn diagram . Organizing information visually and highlighting the overlaps and intersections can help uncover relationships you may not have noticed before. Test drive a Venn diagram , and download a free template to discover your happy places here : https://www.appliedviz.com/explore-your-happy-place .

These three powerhouse tools are a great place to start. Ready to learn more?

When you need to:

Understand your customers' pain points, bottlenecks, and sources of dissatisfaction.

Check out AVT for CUSTOMER JOURNEY MAPPING . Working visually reduces complexity, clarifies information, and generates ideas.

Adapt and change quickly?

Check out AVT for INNOVATION . Working visually helps generate, capture and organize a large volume of ideas to address a clearly stated need. Equipped with these, you can develop a new or revised product, service, or system you can share quickly, clearly, and confidently with others.

Save time and money and avoid unnecessary delays during your next project?

Check out AVT for PROJECT MANAGEMENT . Following a project management process reaps rewards and benefits no matter your project size. Using visual PROJECT MANAGEMENT tools is faster and easier and makes it simpler to collaborate, iterate and share. The bigger the project, the bigger the potential for saving time and money. At the same time, the bigger the project, the greater the risks and the opportunity to avoid them.

Roll With the Punches

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 05:06:59 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 3 No. 18 September 23, 2022

Sometimes life throws you a curveball. That happened to me last Saturday. I was all tucked in with my coffee and art supplies in my office, headphones on and family occupied in other rooms. I was looking forward to joining an art class over Zoom. Not fifteen minutes into the class, my youngest son informed me that our dog, Kade, had a cut on his leg. It wasn’t terrible, but it didn’t look good.

OK, I thought. I am frequently teaching about building resilience and learning to roll with the punches. This was the punchy part. More distressing than the inconvenience of having to duck out of most of the class were the questions of what to do to care for the dog.

Treat him at home or take him to the vet?
Could we could even get an appointment
on a Saturday?
What should we to do if it became infected
over the weekend?

In talking about these various concerns with our veterinarian, a local urgent care vet and my husband, other factors emerged such as the time involved (we had a busy day planned already) and cost.

I was reminded of the Heat Map Debbie introduced me to when we were developing the Applied Visual Thinking for Project Management course. It’s a simple but powerful way to capture the risks associated with a decision and their comparative impacts to their impact (positive or negative). I created a heat map to show the main concerns in this story. I used color coding to differentiate between the two options we were considering — taking the dog to the vet for stitches or treating him at home.

What was the outcome? After quickly visualizing the risks and possible impacts, we decided to take Kade to the vet for stitches. We thought the possible benefits of faster healing and lower risk of infection were worth the costs.

This was a personal example but these kinds of complex assessments happen all the time in business , too. Should I outsource my data management? Grow my business by hiring, finding a partner or outsourcing? This is one way to map the risks. There are others. When you are trying to present information visually, remember to align your drawing with the most important takeaways. Just as there can be "bad data," poor visuals leave you with incorrect messages.

Whether the decisions are personal or business relate, I find that thinking through the potential risks visually helps me see them more clearly and thoroughly . Armed with this knowledge, I can create a risk plan like this one to mitigate the risks that have the greatest potential for harm. This is the “tuck and roll” that brings me through unscathed.

Have a risky problem you need to resolve? Download this free Heat Map & Risk Plan template and play along.

Make a list of the possible risks you can imagine.
Select the top 3-5 risks. For each, consider how great the risk and impact is - low, medium or high. The higher a risk is plotted on the vertical "Risk" axis, the more likely it is to occur. On the horizontal "Impact" axis, the farther to the right, the bigger the impact would be in terms of cost, time, delays, etc.
Plot each of your selected risks on the Heat Map .
Consider which of the risks are most worth the time and energy to mitigate. Most likely these will be found in the high risk, high impact quadrant of the map (upper right). Create a short list of simple actionable steps you can take NOW to mitigate these risks.

Sketch a little, learn a lot with UX diagramming

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 17:41:19 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 3 No. 18 September 9, 2022

First, let me say happy back-to-school season, everyone. I know it can be a hectic time of year, and finding the time and energy to study, practice, and apply your visual thinking skills can be challenging . However, it's also worth the effort .

One exercise I like to do when short on time and energy is

simple UX (user experience) diagramming.

What I mean by that is to draw out an app screen and what you might do to improve it. Starting by drawing something that already exists keeps it fast and easy, while drawing out how you might improve it stretches your imagination and expands your visual thinking muscles. And as a bonus, it's a great way to build your visual vocabulary . We've included a free UX icon handout below to speed you on your way .

This is one of my go-to visual thinking exercises when I have a spare 10 or 15 minutes waiting for the next activity, like sitting in the school pickup line, to be called into a doctor's appointment, or as an easy wind down at the end of a hectic day.

Here is a recent real-life example. Here is a diagram of the app page where we report an absence if my son misses a day of school. I find this page cumbersome and confusing. The absence report link is buried at the very bottom of a page called "More," and the link I need is below the fold, meaning I have to scroll to find it.

If I could wave my magic wand , I would move the absence link to the first position on the page, change the font to make it bolder, and change the color to red, so it stands out. If I'm having trouble finding this link, I bet other parents are, too.

Want to play along?

You'll need:

your favorite smart device
the app of your choosing
something to draw with
something to draw on

Two or three different pen colors is helpful but not required. Just use whatever you have handy.

Open the app to one of the screens/functions you use often or find cumbersome and frustrating. Notice how it's laid out, such as where the buttons, menus, and tools are. Think about which action you use to access each. Do you single tap or double tap? Swipe up, down, left, or right? When and where do you pinch or scroll?
Grab your pen and paper or digital drawing tools and draw a quick user interface diagram of the app screen as it appears. Most app screens are made up of a bunch of rectangles in various sizes, making it super fast to diagram. Bonus: If you're drawing digitally, you may be able to copy and paste the rectangles or smooth them to make the drawing neater.
Next, label each rectangle and note the action - when and where you tap, swipe, pinch, scroll, etc.
Now imagine you could change the app to suit your fancy . What would you change? Would you move any of the buttons, menus, or tools? Perhaps make the text larger or smaller or use a different font? Change the colors or the actions? Mark those changes down on your diagram. Bonus points if you use a different ink color.

There you have it, a quick, easy visual thinking exercis e you can do in just a few minutes wherever you are. While it might seem small, these little bites of visual thinking practice add up and help build your visual thinking muscles . In case you missed it, you may want to check out our “Practice on Vacation” blog post for more quick visual thinking practice ideas.

This is a great example of exercising one’s creativity toward product innovation. It also taps into customer mindset and envisioning small ways to improve customer experience. Click the links below to explore our Applied Visual Thinking for INNOVATION and CUSTOMER JOURNEY MAPPING courses.

For more icon ideas, download this bonus icon handout . Print it out and start practicing.

Minimize the Kerfuffle

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 00:04:49 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 3 No. 17 August 26, 2022

How has your summer been? Mine started with great expectations of a few fun vacations involving various groupings of family members and friends. With all the moving parts and some unknowns, some of the planning became pretty complex, requiring Plans A, B and C to accommodate the various "what if" and "just in case" scenarios.

This Charles Dickens quote reminds me to savor time away and time with loved ones, regardless of whether the vacation Plan promises to meet my expectations.

“There was a long hard time when I kept far from me the remembrance of what I had thrown away when I was quite ignorant of its worth.” – Great Expectations

During one conversation with my hubby about our upcoming vacation to an island in Maine with extended family, a tiny lightbulb went off for me. I was talking about things I assumed he would want to do during the week when he reminded me that I didn't have to guess what he wanted, I could actually just ask , because he was sitting right there.

Dumb, right? We think that just because we know someone well, we know exactly what they like, want and need at any given moment. Maybe sometimes that's true, but not always. Just as spouses and children grow and change, bosses and coworkers do, too. Similarly, when seeking a solution to a complex problem at work or planning any multi-faceted project or event, isn't it better to TEST assumptions before we set expectations?

It stands to reason that if all or most impacted parties are consulted during the planning phase, we can minimize the kerfuffle during the vacation, rollout or event. No assumptions, no surprises.

This insight led me to ask all of the family members who would be coming on the vacation what they required and what would make the vacation extra special if it were possible . Because my brain frequently gravitates toward lists and diagrams, my notebook quickly filled with lists of people's REQUIREMENTS and WISHES. Talking things through with everyone in advance also gave me the opportunity to temper expectations when I sensed that the wish bucket was getting full to overflowing.

To learn about the car camping innovation I designed last summer that saved time and reduced friction during packing, click to read " Packing More In with Visuals: Camping Innovation ."

A couple of the wishes people mentioned involved reservations and scheduling, so I started a diagram like the one pictured here. I kept it super simple just blocking in meals, morning and afternoon segments. For example, my brother and his son were interested in fishing, and wanted to reserve a 1/2 day on a fishing charter. My family needed to reserve one evening to attend a birthday dinner. I filled in activities and meals that we imagined happening on specific days and times first so that we could be sure to keep plenty of unprogrammed time.

My planning diagram prompted discussion about which activities and meals could be flexible, and which were relatively fixed. As a result, there was very little kerfuffle, and I think it's safe to say that the majority of (moderate) expectations were met.

While this story happened to stem from a personal experience, the process of info gathering can be used for any group activity planning, such as a team offsite or annual meeting. Here's how.

Download this AVT Group Planning Template here . Print it out and fill it in.

Start by jotting down a title for the event , such as "Island Vacation Planning"
Next, get clear on your needs versus wishes and fill in these columns. I had a need for a 2 to 3-bedroom house that allowed dogs, and my wish was for a bike ride around the island. If clarifying your own thoughts has you befuddled, check out our blog post " Visuals Combat Decision Fatigue ."
Make a list of people whose input you need to include in this process, and ask each of them to thoughtfully describe their needs and wishes . For example, multiple bathrooms and an easy walk to town were on one needs lists, and gaming devices were another's wish.
Discuss areas of overlap, and mark these in the Consensus column . We could all agree that multiple bathrooms would be nice, and that biking to town could also be a good option.

The next time you're planning a vacation, event or retreat remember to grab your pens and take a quick visual poll of everyone's needs and wishes in order to reach a consensus, maximize the fun and minimize the kerfuffle.

Move beyond the messy middle

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 22:32:51 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 3 No. 16 August 12, 2022

In our last newsletter, my incredibly talented business partner Sheri introduced us to her 5-Step Creativity Method . Being new to painting with acrylics and game to get more out of my painting sessions, I gave it a whirl. I found the process simple, intuitive, and easy to implement. Soon I was knee-deep in a painting I liked, except for one area. But, once I got to this point, I didn't know what to do next. I was stuck, afraid to do more and perhaps ruin what I had created. So I washed my palette knife, put away my paints, and left the canvas on my work table.

Welcome to the messy middle.

We don't know what comes next or how to move forward. It happens to all of us at some point. Whether in a creative project, business, or as part of life. So we sit and wait. Wait on someone or something to push us onto the next step.

My canvas sat propped up on my worktable for a week. Every time I looked at it, I felt it needed something but didn't know what or where to start. Que my talented partner Sheri. The next time we spoke during her "Friday Flow" gathering, I mentioned the painting and my stuckness, and without missing a beat, she gave me a few prompts to help me move forward.

They were:

Place the canvas across the room and observe it for several minutes.
Consider what needs to come forward or recede .
What color needs to repeat or what new color needs to be added ?
What shape needs to be expanded or reduced ?
What section feels like some "thing" you want to explore, enhance or intensify , such as a tear, a mass, or a blob? Ask yourself, how can I give that section more energy or definition?

I quickly jotted down her suggestions and moved on to work on something more pressing. A few days later, I came back to my painting with Sheri's prompts in hand. With her guideposts to help me think, I quickly added a bit more color and a few shapes to my canvas. Now I love it even more. I'm not sure it's done yet, but I know I can come back to it and follow Sheri's new prompts until I feel it's complete.

To learn more about Sheri's "Friday Flow " weekly gathering of creatives, check out the Turtle Studios calendar or click here to subscribe for the weekly reminders and Zoom info.

Now for the really cool part.

Like the 5-Step Creativity Method , with some tweaking, one or more of these prompts can be applied anytime you feel stuck be it on a project, in business or in life. So let's look at them again through a broader lens.

Give it some space - step back and observe the project, process, or situation from a distance . You can start by mapping out the 6 W's you learned in school --- who, what, where, when, how and why --- to give you the lay of the land.
Amplify or Quiet - what needs more or less of your precious time, resources and attention?
Repeat or Add New - what could you do more often or what could you add to help you move forward?
Expand or Reduce - what could you expand on, do less of, or perhaps eliminate altogether ?
Look for the "thing" - is there some intriguing new "thing" concealed beneath the surface that needs some extra time, attention, or energy in order to come to life? Something more you want to say, a new direction you might take or the next level you want to achieve?

The next time you feel stuck, pull out these prompts, grab a pen, some paper and take a few minutes to map out your next steps. Soon you'll be out of the messy middle and on your way to bigger and better things.

As a bonus, we've included a free handy mind map template to help you visualize the steps out of your messy middle.

New to mind maps? Sign up for our AVT Foundations course for a deep dive into mind maps and the other core tools you need to become a great visual thinker.

5-Step Creativity Method

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 03:49:32 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 3 No. 15 July 29, 2022

I believe that everyone is creative, and that creativity takes many forms. I also believe that the creative process has a lot of similarities to the art of living,

This 5-step method...

…is one I use to teach people how to paint.

You might find this process applies to your creative endeavors , whether your creativity takes a more "artistic" form like writing, composing, painting, or dance, or a more business oriented format , such as designing a software solution, planning a project , innovating , or solving a problem for a customer .

Why painting? I have been making art since childhood. I had two grandmothers who painted – one self-taught and the other a graduate of Portland School of Art, so I always felt like I had no choice but to become a visual artist. Looking back, I now believe that the ability to see the world as a painting was only part of the legacy I inherited from my grandmothers. I witnessed their perseverance to keep at it, no matter what.

I was fortunate to accompany my Grandma Kennedy’s to some of the painting classes she taught at senior centers in and around Portland, Maine. For participants, those classes were only partly about learning to paint . More importantly, they were about sharing coffee and donuts, building community, and trading stories about life’s ups and downs.

There have been times when I have chosen visual art over other pursuits, and times that I have set it aside for other, more “practical” (read as lucrative) forms of education and work. Where my own path has led me today is a combination of drawing and painting, facilitation and visual thinking. In business settings, I help make big ideas visible through words, pictures and diagrams. I paint to keep myself grounded and sane (well, more grounded and sane).

From my many years of teaching and painting, I’d like to introduce you to a simple 5-step method for painting .

Make the canvas not blank. Make a mark, a blob, a background, some texture, anything to get some momentum going.
Listen for the nudge. Some urge drew you to make this thing. Close your eyes and see if one piece of the puzzle comes clear enough to act on.
Get down the bones. Narrow down your composition to 3-5 major shapes or lines and put them down BIG to AT LEAST fill the available space and run off the sides.
Work from back to front, light to dark. Things we see in the distance usually appear more muted and have less contrast. Objects in the foreground tend to have sharper edges and greater differences between lights and darks. Every painting is different, and every painter may have a different approach, but in general, I find this to be a good, fairly universal starting point.
Respect your work. There just may be a reason why this nudge chose you to bring it to life. Trust the process and give it a chance.

As mentioned previously, this simple process can be applied to any creative endeavor.

1. Make the canvas not blank. Take a first step . Start anywhere. Learn, try something new, experience, grow.

2. Listen for the nudge. What comes next? What's your gut say? What's the vision?

3. Author Natalie Goldberg’s book for aspiring writers says, “Write Down the Bones.” Ask, "What's the high level outline, 3 bold steps or mind map that point in the general direction I want to start?"

4. Work from back to front, light to dark. Dance with your idea. Take some fearless steps toward the nudge that brought you there, step back, see what’s actually shown up, then take the next step. Say yes. Trust that it’ll all work out.

5. Respect your work. It’s your nudge. Trust that the approach you choose will always be the right one . Share with those you trust, listen, smile, say thank you, and keep going.

Create like it’s your last day of vacation.

Trust the process.

P.S. I applied this creative process to create this painting entitled “Family Reunion.” If you'd like to hear the full story, click here for the video. Ready to learn visual thinking? Sign up for our AVT Foundations course . Not sure where to start? Contact Us .

Practice on Vacation / Little things add up

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 13:48:04 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 3 No. 14 July 15, 2022

Creating a daily drawing practice, no matter how small, is vital to becoming a great visual thinker.

Even five minutes of drawing per day adds up quickly. Five minutes per day equals 35 minutes per week, 150 minutes (that's 2 1/2 hours) per month, 1825 minutes (that's just over 30 hours) per year . You can amp up your game very quickly if you double or triple your daily practice time.

However, it's easy to fall into a rut. If that's happened to you, summer vacation is a great time to breathe some new life into your daily drawing practice. Here are a few tips to help you break out of your daily drawing rut or just have some fun while drawing.

Switch it up. Try drawing with your non-dominate hand. You may cringe at first. However, your opposite hand drawings will get better quickly if you switch hands regularly. Bonus: changing hands is also good for your brain. Research has shown that doing everyday activities with your non-dominant hand, like drawing, writing, or brushing your teeth, helps build new neural pathways and increase brain plasticity, which is the ability of the brain to modify its connections or re-wire itself. Who couldn't use more of that?
Draw something different. Look back through your sketchbook and search for patterns. If you spend a lot of time drawing similar things, go for the opposite. For example, if you love timelines and process flows but rarely draw charts or maps, try creating a few of those for the next week or two.
Try new media, material, and location. Playing with new media, materials, and places is a surefire way to spark some new life in your practice. For example, if you always draw with a pen in your journal at your desk, you might tape up some large paper, grab a couple of large markers and go crazy doodling on the wall or grab some sidewalk chalk, go outside and doodle up the driveway. Bonus: this is a great cheap summer activity for the kiddos when they and you are bored. Want to save what you've drawn? Snap a photo with your phone, print it out, and paste it into your sketchbook.
Host a drawing game night. Stock up on some pens, markers, paper, and snacks, and let the fun begin!

Play Pictionary. Similar to charades but with drawings, this classic game is fun for all ages and guaranteed to spark infectious laughter.
Create a list of simple words like toast, mouse, sign, or bat, and have everyone draw their version of it in one minute. It's always interesting to see how someone else interprets words.

Collaborate to recreate a famous artwork. Pick a renowned piece of art such as The Scream, have everyone draw one element such as the screamer or the sky for one minute, then trade papers and move on to another aspect until you run out of features.
Play "Exquisite Corpse " https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exquisite_corpse . This simple creative, collaborative drawing game is guaranteed to turn out some fascinating creatures, monsters, and ghouls.

Creating a daily drawing practice is key to becoming a great visual thinker. And summer vacation is a great time to break out of a rut and try something new. Ready for more? Sign up for our AVT Foundations course . Not sure where to start? Contact Us .

Yes, you CAN draw!

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 12:00:00 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 3 No. 13 July 1, 2022

Yes, you CAN Draw!

How many of you have told yourself I can't draw? Unfortunately, it's a common misconception that drawing

is reserved for those people who have "TALENT."

The truth is drawing

is a SKILL!

Drawing can be cultivated like any other skill, such as cooking, gardening, or playing an instrument. If you can write, you can draw. Heck, you can draw even if you can't write. Most little kids draw long before they learn the alphabet and how to write.

The best part is you can start right away . No need to purchase anything new. No need to learn any new technology or software. No need to set aside a big block of time. All you need is something to draw with, something to draw on, 5 minutes, and a few simple shapes.

This week we have six quick tips to help get

you started.

Scroll to the bottom to download a free copy of the handout.

Tip #1: Practice drawing the seven simple shapes of Dan Roam's Visual Alphabet for a minute or two every day.

Tip #2 : When drawing geometric shapes or anything with straight lines . Place your pen on the paper, look where you want the line to end, and shoot your pen across quickly.

Tip #3: When drawing circle s. Hold your pen just above your paper and draw a few circles in the air, then touch your pen down to the paper and draw your circle.

Tip #4 : Spend 5 minutes a day building your visual vocabulary based on simple shapes.

Tip #5: Shortcut for drawing in 3D.

Draw a simple shape.
Draw a part of the shape slightly above or below and to one side.
Connect the corners.

Tip #6: Drawing something complex ? Start with the largest shape and build your drawing one shape at a time.

Practicing just 5 minutes a day will go a long way to building your drawing skills. Don't have 5 minutes? Draw one thing while your coffee or tea is brewing or waiting for your next call, meeting, or appointment to start. The more you draw, the faster you'll build your drawing skills, and the sooner you'll be tackling more complex drawings.

Ready for more? Sign up for our Applied Visual Thinking FOUNDATIONS course, where you'll

Learn the building blocks of a visual alphabet and visual vocabular y so you can draw anything
Master applying color, hierarchy, lettering styles, and basic diagrams to organize information
Gain hands-on experienc e using the foundational tools
Apply the visual power tools to visualize data quickly and clearly
Learn to Apply Visual Thinking as your next SUPERPOWER

Yes, you CAN draw! Practice these quick tips for 5 minutes a day and you'll be on your way to drawing with ease.

Birthdays call for flowers!

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 05:18:30 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 3 No. 11 June 3, 2022

Isn’t it interesting how we humans love to mark occasions? It's almost the mid point in the year, which also happens to be when my birthday falls. In the last AVT Newsletter Vol. 3 No. 11, Deb guided us through a " 3 Word Mid Year Check In ." If you missed it, you can read that article here .

Since I work for myself and am located in New England where the weather changes dramatically, I am more attuned to the natural cycles that correspond with the seasons than a company calendar, but sometimes the two coincide. The turning of the calendar year and mid-point are two times that give me pause and prompt me to step back and reflect on my goals and VISION.

Be more responsive to customers
Be more innovative
Manage projects more effectively
Make processes more repeatable
Spend less
Focus on what's most important

Build in more agility
Streamline
Boost efficiency
Plan better
Communicate more clearly

BUT HOW?

These are some of the directives that pop up in business books and magazines as essential skills for successful professionals and businesses. I’ve also had similar fuzzy mandates pop up on performance reviews. " But how? " I and my colleagues have asked again and again. Training and practice are generally the answer, but which training and how do I get practice before I can list the skill on my resume?

Looking at the whole and breaking things down into small chunks is a tried and true method for making progress on any goal or vision.

For example, I think of growing the skills I need to do my work as f lowers in a garden . Not every flower will grow in my garden, nor do I want every flower. That would be chaotic. When I select plants for my garden, I think about the conditions of the location and amount of sunlight first. Is the location in a high traffic area or out of the way? Is the soil rocky, sandy or rich? How much sun hits the spot over the course of the day? Are there compatible plants nearby?

I love roses, and I recently planted a rose bush in my front garden where passersby can share in the luscious scent. I love drawing roses, too, but this has always been a challenge for me. Until I put on my AVT goggles and realized I can take a hint from our own playbook. What if I draw the overall shape first, then break the inside forms into simple shapes?

Here is what I came up with for a drawing of a rose. Read on for a downloadable freebie on how to draw more flowers. The rose happens to be one of the flowers corresponding with my birth month according to U.S. tradition. What's yours? .

Here is a list of birth month flowers according to the Farmers' Almanac.

Taking this same idea of looking at the shape of the whole and then looking for simple shapes and patterns within is an approach that "has legs" in any number of arenas. Coming back to my mid year check-in, I can look at any one of the broad goals listed above and identify an AVT course that gives both a simplified overview and hands on practice with these skills.

For example, AVT for INNOVATION can you help look at your current products, services or solutions with fresh eyes. AVT for PROJECT MANAGEMENT can help you and your team get on the same page quickly and generate a simple plan that is easy to create, easy to iterate and easy to communicate. Oh, and AVT for CUSTOMER JOURNEY MAPPING can help you quickly get a better grasp of your customer pain points so you can innovate how you work with them.

Starting simple can build confidence and create a path to clarity about what the next step should be.

What course will you sign up for next? Click here to see your current options, or click here to sign up for emails when new courses are released, including our next offering, AVT for VISIONING .

D ownload a copy of the how to draw flowers template and draw up a summer garden of your own.

3 Word Mid Year Check In - Rocks Pebbles and Sand

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 03:36:27 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 3 No. 11 June 3, 2022

If you have been with us for a while, you might recall I am a big fan of choosing three words at the end of each year. These three words represent how I want to feel, be and show up during the coming year. If you missed them, you can read those articles here and here . For 2022 my words are Energetic, Optimistic, Fruitful, and Blessed . Yes, I know that's four words, that's cool. The words and how they make you feel are what's important, not the number.

Even with the best intentions, I sometimes forget to look for opportunities to actively live my words each day. So a mid-year check-in is a great way to add some spark. One way to do that is to tie in your three words with a Visual Priorities Jar , which Sheri introduced in our last Art of Applied Visual Thinking newsletter.

Now is a great time for a mid-year check-in. Grab your pens, your Visual Priorities Jar and play along.

Want to play along? Pull out your Visual Priorities Jar and a few colored markers, and let's see how we can easily wedge in a few words here and there.

Start with a Rock - first, review your "rocks" (main priorities), pick one, and circle it in a bold color. Now draw out a few ideas for how you might connect that rock with one of your words for 2022. For example, one of my rocks is being more active every day. I know walking has many benefits, including helping alleviate depression and promoting better sleep, which can help me feel more Optimistic . So I might sketch myself taking a 20-minute walk after dinner as an idea.
Choose a couple of Pebbles - next review your pebbles; pick one or two and circle them in a different color. Again draw out a few ideas for how you might tie in the pebbles with one or two of your words. For example, one of my pebbles is to keep my task list up to date (a simple checklist icon). I know from experience that using and maintaining a task list helps me accomplish more, so I can actively become more Fruitful every day.
Lastly, add a few grains of Sand - for this, you might try creating a Tiny Habit. I'm a big fan of Dr. BJ Fogg and his Tiny Habits methodology . If you are not familiar with Tiny Habits, they are just as you might imagine, a habit you build by starting very, very small, think 30 seconds or less. For example, deep breathing is a sure-fire way to get a quick energy boost, so I might draw a timeline for taking three deep breaths every time I switch to a new task. Since this activity is so tiny, I can easily fit it into my day, just like grains of sand. The result is feeling more Energetic throughout the day.

Reviewing your priorities through the lens of your words for the year is a wonderful way to add some zing to your days and help you notice and appreciate the person you are becoming.

To begin your 3 word mid year check in, you start with a rock. Here's how to draw one.

Priorities, Cans and Rocks

Thu, 19 May 2022 17:07:27 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 3 No. 10 May 20, 2022

Let's talk about thinking ahead for a minute. Sometimes taking the time to talk about a vision for the future may feel unproductive, because the results are not immediately apparent. At work and in life, however, sometimes it makes sense to slow down and confirm your dir ection before speeding up again. Visual thinking can help, and make the process more fun.

You might be tempted (like me) to put off this big picture thinking for any number of reasons. Sometimes kicking the can down the road (delaying your visioning and planning), however, can come back to bite you. Not getting enough sleep for days on end, for example, makes you more forgetful, less efficient, and more prone to errors. Delaying inspections, repairs and maintenance can turn cheap, simple fixes into expensive projects. Putting off hiring to fill open positions can cause customer dissatisfaction, and postponing marketing or networking calls can result in lost sales.

AVT for VISIONING (coming soon) will help simplify and bring visual thinking into your next visioning activity. Meanwhile, I have always loved the story of t he teacher who teaches his students about how to prioritize life by using the visual metaphor of an empty glass jar. Read on for some inspiration and a free visual template.

Kicking the can down the road can sometimes come back to bite you.

T his story has been retold many times. A professor of philosophy began his class by filling a jar to the rim with rocks. He asked the class if the jar was full. They agreed that yes, it was full.

The professor then produced a box of pebbles and poured them around the rocks, shaking the jar gently so they would settle into the cracks. The professor asked again if the jar was full, and the students laughed and said that yes, this time it was really full.

The professor pulled out a bag of sand and poured it into the remaining open spaces in the jar, all the way to the top. The professor asked a third time if the jar was full, and the students nodded vigorously that yes, this time it was truly full.

“Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar signifies your life . The rocks are the truly important things, such as family, health and relationships. If all else was lost and only the rocks remained, your life would still be meaningful. The pebbles are the other things that matter in your life, such as work or school. The sand signifies the remaining “small stuff” and material possessions.

If you put sand into the jar first, there is no room for the rocks or the pebbles. The same can be applied to your lives. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are truly important.

What are the biggest "rocks" taking up space in your calendar? Better yet, what would you like them to be? If you think of your calendar as an empty jar,… OK, maybe your calendar is far from empty, but imagine with me for a moment. If your calendar is an empty jar, what do you envision as the biggest, most essential rocks? What might be the pebbles? Sliding in through the cracks are the grains of sand. What might the small stuff represent for you?

AVT Visual Priorities Jar template

Download and print this free Priorities Jar template to envision for yourself how you might answer these BIG questions about life's priorities. Take a minute to clear your head first. Maybe get a beverage of your choice, find a comfy place to sit, and look out a window or at some photos of places you love to go in order to "cleanse the visual palette" from the distractions of email, social media, etc.

Start by brainstorming all of the recurring activities you would like to see in your dream calendar of the future. Jot these down in the open area on the left.
Circle the most important 3. (OK, no more than 5!) Add these to the jar in big, bold letters, and circle them. These are your " rocks " that you will grant prime real estate in your calendar of the future.
Underline the activities you want and need to make time for regularly in order to keep your world happy, balanced and functioning. These are the " pebbles ." Add as many of these as you need to, but try to be discerning, as each of these will take up time on your calendar and space in your jar. Use medium-sized lettering in a second color.
Just as my husband says, "there is always room for ice cream to slide into the empty spots," so it is with taking a few deep breaths, sending a message of encouragement, or walking the long way to get a little extra movement into the day. What is your " sand " that you can and will always make time for? Add these activities to your jar in small but readable black lettering.
Use your AVT Visual Priorities Jar template to guide your calendar planning for the next day/week/month. Share your jar with us and let us know how it goes!

Visuals Combat Decision Fatigue

Wed, 04 May 2022 17:49:30 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 3 No. 9 May 6, 2022

I read something recently about decision fatigue . According to Roy Baumeister and John Tierney, authors of the New York Times bestseller Willpower , decision fatigue can lower your willpower and cause you to do things you hadn't planned or might not be in your best interest . We all have tons of decisions to make daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly. So finding simple solutions to make decision-making easier is a great idea.

Do you have an important decision coming up? A vacation to plan? A big purchase to make? Or a meaningful change to complete in your life or business? Applying a little visual thinking can be just the thing to help you clarify your thinking and make the best decision.

Want to give it a spin?

You'll need something to write on, something to write with, and a simple 2 x 2 diagram

Step 1: Give it a name - across the top of your paper, write down the decision you're trying to make. For example, where to go on vacation this year.
Step 2 : Create a 2 x 2 diagram - first, draw a line to divide your paper in half vertically, then draw a line to divide your paper in half horizontally. You'll end up with four sections.
Step 3 : Label the sections - Starting in the upper left, label the first section MISSION CRITICAL . Next, in the upper right-hand area, add a label of NICE TO HAVE , label to the lower left-hand section WANT TO AVOID , and finally, label the last section DEAL BREAKER.
Step 4 : Now, the fun part - starting with the MISSION CRITICA L section, do a brain dump of all the e ssential items, features, or functions your final decision must include. For example, if you are longing for a beach vacation, which for you means walking out your door and onto the sand, or you have a strict budget of $1000 for a hotel room, note it down as MISSION CRITICAL. Keep going until you run out of things you consider essential for the success of your plan, project, or change.
Next, move on to the DEAL BREAKER section and repeat the process considering all the things you can not accep t. For example, if you cannot stand crowds and humidity, a wildly popular location in the tropics at the height of a tourist session could be a DEAL BREAKER. Finally, plot the in-between - things that fall into either a NICE TO HAVE or a WANT TO AVOID . For example, a spa or sports activities might be NICE TO HAVE while a very long drive or several plane changes might be a WANT TO AVOID.
Step 5 : Color code it - with a different color circle the top 1 to 3 things in each section. Adding color will further clarify your thinking and highlight the most crucial items, features or functions.

The final result is a clear, concise picture of your needs and wants for a successful outcome. Armed with this information, you can begin your research and go on to make a decision you can feel very confident about much faster and easier.

For more practice using visuals, check out all the Applied Visual Thinking Courses or get in touch to let us know what YOU need to make happen using visuals.

PS. There are lots of way to represent the idea of decisions. Grab your pens, try out a few of these icons and create some of your own!

Org Juice

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 18:52:35 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 3 No. 8 April 22, 2022

I do my best work in the morning. Not crazy early before sunrise, but mid-morning after the breakfast flurry has subsided and the household and dog are occupied or elsewhere. I have a new theory about why morning is my best time to focus, and it has to do with juice.

My theory is that I wake up each day with a relatively full glass of "juice," representing my capacity for higher level thinking. Some days, the higher level thinking required may take the form of writing or drawing, others teaching, organizing, planning or strategizing. Some days my glass feels less full than others. I am calling this my "organizational brain juice" or "org juice" for short.

What do you need your "org juice" for?

The second part of my theory is that we have a limit to how much organizational capacity we can tap into during the course of a day . If I run out of "brain juice" during the day, a nap, a walk in the sun or yoga session, or a super healthy breakfast can sometimes act as a refill for me.

How do you refill your "org juice" ?

That first glass in the morning, however, is precious. Imagine the first sip of fresh-squeezed, chilled orange juice from a buffet. You can go back for a second glass later, but it's never quite as refreshing as the first. Sometimes I get to the end of the day and realize how much I let myself spin off into other projects, "quick" things and easier tasks that were less important or could have been dealt with another time. Suddenly it's getting dark out, and I am still not done with my main priority task for the day.

How can I set myself up instead of beating myself up? First, I am admitting right here, right now to you all that I cannot do it all in one day. Second, I offer the following mini process that helps me sort my priorities for the day into a quick visual. I use this before I dive into any project and keep it at my desk where I will see it all day as a reminder.

Don't overthink this AVT SUPER SIMPLE SCATTERGRAM activity. Read through the instructions, then set a 5-minute timer to be sure this activity doesn't become a distraction in itself.

Example

SUPER SIMPLE SCATTERGRAM: A scattergram is usually a set of dots loosely positioned from low to high on 2 axes. This AVT version is even quicker and simpler to make. To start, Draw a big square or rectangle on a blank sheet of paper.
SCATTER. Jot down the tasks, projects and/or activities you have in mind for the day anywhere on your page.
LETTERING HEIRARCHY = TIME. Use larger letters to write the things you need to do today that you anticipate will take the most time. Use smaller letters to for quicker tasks. Leave space around each item.
IMPORTANCE = COLOR. Grab a red pen or other bright color and circle the 1-3 most important activities. Ask yourself, what will be the consequences if this item doesn't happen today?
YES - NO - DELEGATE. Look over your items. Are there any that don't really need to be done at all? Draw a single line through any that may be redundant or not truly necessary. If you can delegate or postpone an item, draw the line underneath, add an arrowhead, and a note.

Reference:

Tuarez, Jaimer. Can your brain get full? (Yes or No?). (2020, September 27). Retrieved from https://neurotray.com/can-your-brain-get-full/

For more practice using visuals to prioritize, check out all the Applied Visual Thinking Courses or get in touch to let us know what YOU need to make happen using visuals.

Creative writing is a breeze with you start with a map

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 21:45:56 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 3 No. 7 April 8, 2022

I recently worked on a creative writing prompt to describe my favorite place. On the surface, the prompt seemed easy. However, as I was writing, I found it challenging to go beyond the surface and express my feelings about what makes that place special. Que the entrance of one of my favorite visual thinking tools, borrowed from software development, the User Experience Map . This handy map is a fast, visual way to capture what's happening around you .

A user experience map typically captures what a user is thinking, seeing, saying, doing, feeling , and hearing . Because the sense of smell and taste are the senses most tied to memory, we suggest adding a section for scents and flavor s to round out the experience when using one as a tool for creative writing .

Creating a favorite place map
is a fun exercise for yourself or when developing a character
or persona.

Sketching out the important aspects of your favorite place in the form of a quick map will give you a jump start on your creative writing, while visuals can help you dive deeper into what you or your character or persona appreciates about
a specific place.

Want to hop in and

give it a whirl?

Download a copy of the free template,

grab your favorite pens, and dive in.

Step 1: ID the character - Draw a simple character of yourself or your character or persona in the center circle on the map. Drawing yourself in the center of the action helps ground you in the place you want to describe. Download a free how-to-draw simple characters handout for a quick, easy formula for drawing simple characters.

Step 2: Get the facts - Write down your name, or the name of the character or persona and their title if that's relevant, and the name of the place you'll be describing.

Step 3: Creative daydreaming - Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Center yourself and let your imagination take you to your favorite place. Once you're there, stand up and walk around.

Notice what catches your interest.
Pay attention to the sights, sounds, and smells of the place.
Notice the feeling of the area. Is it warm and inviting, calm and soothing, vibrant and exciting? Take a couple of minutes to get the big picture, then take a closer look and notice the details.
What are the specific things that make this place unique?
What items do you want to touch or hold in your hand?
Pay attention to activities going on in this place. Are you watching or participating? Is the vibe laid back and casual or intense and invigorating?
Notice what you're thinking. Are you caught up in the present moment or wondering what might happen next? Do you long to sit down and stay awhile, or is this place made for passing through?
What are you saying or tasting? Are you having a lively conversation over a delicious meal? Or whispering to your neighbor while nibbling on popcorn in a cool, dark theater? Or enjoying the salty tang of the sea air while walking silently on the beach?
Mining your memory or imagination for sights, sounds, details, flavors, textures, and important events is what you're striving for.

Step 4: Make it visual - Open your eyes, pull out your pens and your map and draw out and jot down notes about everything you noticed in as much detail as possible. There is no right or wrong way to create your map. Start anywhere and work institutively. Stop whenever you feel satisfied with the results.

Step 5: Break time - Stand up and take a short break. Grab a drink of water or take a short walk.

Step 6: Put it into words - Open your favorite journal or writing app and pretend you're writing an article for a magazine. Use your favorite place map to remind you of the things you appreciate about the area and explain the details. Paint a picture of your favorite place in expressive and inviting terms to inspire someone else to visit that place.

Starting with a bit of daydreaming and a quick visual map is a great way to enliven your creative writing . Try it the next time you're writing an article, a paper, or to a friend. You may find your work has more depth, details, and flair.

For more practice using visuals to alter the future, check out all the Applied Visual Thinking Courses or get in touch to let us know what YOU need to make happen using visuals.

Shouldering the Joy

Sat, 26 Mar 2022 01:53:03 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 3 No. 6 March 25, 2022

Winter in New England typically promises a few shoveling workouts, icy sidewalk balance poses and snow melt bicep builders. This winter, some combination of these and other seemingly harmless activities led to an injury that has forced me to slow down to a snail's pace .

The good and bad news is, I've been here before. When I was 30, I " threw my back out " picking up a bag of groceries. I was working too many hours, sitting too long, holding in the stress of keeping my graduate school aspirations from people at work, and wrecking myself with high impact workouts. During my current state of mandatory physical rest, I am reminded of some of the lessons my back taught me previously. This time, however, these are coming to me as visual metaphors .

Visual metaphors are pictures representing the phrases we say but don't literally mean.

I recently stumbled upon a visual and lyrical metaphor for one person " shouldering the burden " for the family. In Lin-Manuel Miranda's song "Surface Tension" from the 2021 Pixar film Encanto , Luisa, the oldest sister gifted with superhuman strength, is expected to handle any task that requires lifting, moving, carrying or supporting weight. I imagine most older siblings, parents, and caregivers of all descriptions can relate. Both the lyrics and the brilliant animated visuals certainly resonated for me.

"Give it to your sister, your sister’s stronger

See if she can hang on a little longer

Who am I if I can’t carry it all?"

Here's my visual version of the "shouldering the burden" feeling I get from the song.

I have always believed that "If you can see it, you can make it happen." That's why I am in the visual thinking world of work. However, as I've been working on the Applied Visual Thinking for VISIONING course, I wondered, instead of "shouldering the burden," what if we could replace "burden" with "joy"? Perhaps the power of visual metaphor is that "If you can see it, you can alter it."

Here is my redrawn version, visually altering how I feel about my "burdens," making them lighter and more fun. I call it, " SHOULDERING THE JOY ."

Now you try.

Here are some common metaphors, similes and idiomatic expressions. Pick up your pen and draw a few !

river of tears
ballerina swan
piggy eater
float an idea
chew on it for a while
happy as a clam
push the pause button
raining cats and dogs
kick the can down the road
spill the beans

Try some from other languages !

German: “das ist mir Wurst” means "it's sausage to me" or “why should I care?”
Spanish: "Más vale maña que fuerza" means "better skill than strength" or "brains over brawn"
French: "Mettre les points sur les i" means "to put the dots on the i's" or "to make things clear"
Italian: "un pezzo di pane" means "a piece of bread" or "a good egg"
Hausa: "Babu ruwana" means "It's not my water" or "it's none of my business"

Great job. Now flip the script on one of them and change something to give it a whole new meaning .

Tip 1: Developing this skill can lead to inventing a good comic strip!

Tip 2: Don't get hung up on the definitions of metaphor, simile and idiomatic expression. The idea is just to find inspiration for imagery in the odd things humans say!

For more practice using visuals to alter the future, check out all the Applied Visual Thinking Courses or get in touch to let us know what YOU need to make happen using visuals.

Embrace the New

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 19:01:26 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 3 No. 5 March 11, 2022

I have loved books since I was big enough to know what books were. I grew up close to a library and was one of those kids who completed the summer reading list every summer. The library and the bookstore were my happy places. They still are. I'm poly-amorous, where books are concerned, often reading 4 or 5 different books simultaneously. My nightstand, end table, and the back of the toilet always had a small stack of books in the past.

Embrace the New

That changed a few months ago when I bought myself an e-reader for Christmas. Previously, I had believed that e-books were not significantly different from ordinary printed books, so why change? Second, I had resisted using an e-reader for a long time because reading something that wasn't paper and ink did not feel like reading. And lastly, I feared I may not retain as much information when I read something digital. Fast forward a couple of months, and now I'm hooked. My e-reader goes with me everywhere. I'm actually reading more than ever, enjoying it more, and I am expanding my learning in more areas faster than ever before.

What changed? My beliefs .

When I changed my views about reading on digital devices, I opened up a whole new world. Along the way, I discovered many benefits of my little e-reader. For example, did you know some e-readers will read the book to you? Great for getting your reading done while you're busy doing other things. Some e-books let you read the footnotes and cross-references by clicking on a link embedded in the text. Making it much faster and easier to gain more insight on the subject. Or, if your device supports it, you can email PDFs to your e-reader. Great for keeping books, research, and notes all together in one place.

Embracing the new , be it technology, habits, processes, or behaviors, is easier when you start by examining your beliefs . Applying visual thinking can help you illuminate your thoughts and embrace the new.

Want to play along? Grab a pen, download this free template, and dive in.

Step 1: Identify the new: In the center of your template, draw a simple icon to represent the new thing you want to consider and name it. One example might be trying new technology, such as using an e-reader. Examples of other new things might be creating or changing a habit, a process, or behavior. Not sure how to draw your new thing? A simple tip is to just draw a circle or a square and name it. Or take one minute to do an internet search with the name of your new thing + icon. Your inquiry will usually yield hundreds of ideas for you to try to draw.
Step 2: Illustrate your old beliefs : On the left-hand side, jot down all the reasons why you believe this new thing may not be for you. For example, one of my old beliefs was I thought e-books were not significantly different from ordinary printed books, so why change.
Step 3: Illuminate potential wins and gains : Put aside your old beliefs for a moment, and jot down one or two potential short-term wins on the right-hand side. For example, by using an e-reader, I could easily carry all my books with me wherever I go. Now dig deeper. Jot down as many reasons as you can why the new thing might be helpful. For example, reading the footnotes and cross-references is much simpler on digital books, which would deepen my understanding of the information. Emailing PDFs to my e-reader and storing them in collections could save tons of time and organize everything in one place. Reading a page or two from several different books would be easier since they would all be on the same device, etc.

Extra Credit: use icons, color, and hierarchy to show importance and add meaning to your thinking.

Step 4: Let it percolate : Set the template aside for a while. When you return, notice if your beliefs have shifted, even a little. If yes, take the next step. Perhaps that's talking to a friend or colleague about their experience, researching options, or giving the new thing a test drive. If not, you might put your template away for a while longer and check your beliefs at a later date. Or make a decision. Is the new thing for you or not, or not right now?

Regardless of the outcome, thoughtfully examining your beliefs is a great way to practice visual thinking while better understanding yourself.

BONUS FREEBIE!

Recently Mark V, one of our AVT students, mentioned wanting to know more about drawing hands, so we've put together a PDF with a dozen of our favorites. You can find it here

Learning by Doing

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 17:33:06 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 3 No. 4 February 25, 2022

Learning by Doing

You can't learn to bake a cherry pie like Mama's just by reading the recipe. You've gotta DO IT!

Similarly,…

You can't learn to drive without practice behind the wheel.
You can't truly learn a language until you converse with native speakers.
You can't climb a mountain from the couch.
You can't know how to tie a good sheepshank knot just by memorizing a poster.
You don't know how many pages your story will be until you write it .

By the same token, you can't learn to be a visual thinker merely by reading about the topic. It makes sense to start with the concepts and find an approach that works for you, but then you simply have to apply that learning one pen, pencil, marker or stylus stroke at a time until the concepts are eventually replaced by muscle memory .

That's why Debbie and I started Applied Visual Thinking...
to break visual thinking into bite-sized chunks that can be practiced learned and practiced as part of your daily stuff rather than wedged into the non-existent empty spaces in between.

If you've taken a bunch of online courses before, you might think, "I've got this. I can skim through, get the main gist, and try it out when I have a need for it." Sounds good on paper, BUT, we've found that visual thinking is experiential — you've gotta DO IT to GET IT!

In fact, one of our course participants learned not to rush and to lift his pen between strokes. He wants to know how to draw arrows better. Arrows can be harder to draw than they look, and drawing them competes with the main subject for your attention. With practice, however, arrows can be woven into your "body memory" as you so aptly describe. Mark, this freebie's for you!

1. Here's one place to start doing something simple, then applying it. There is a line in a Kacey Musgraves song that I like, "Follow your arrow wherever it points." Download this free handout to learn how to draw different styles of arrows. Pick up your pen, pencil, marker or stylus and find or create YOUR favorite arrow. Practice it until drawing it feels as natural as writing your name.

2. Visual Thinking is bigger than a breadbox. Visual thinking always starts simple (think dot, line, square,…) but the possibilities for application quickly grow huge. What would you like to learn? What skills might you like to develop? Check out our current Courses page for a few ideas of where to start! Make a list and use your new favorite arrow to indicate which you'd like to develop or hone first.

Resources for Visual Thinkers

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 12:30:00 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 3 No. 3 February 11, 2022

A few days ago I had a great conversation with a new friend and discovered she recently started sketchnoting at church, something I've done for years.

No matter where you are, drawing has been proven to increase focus , helps learners and listeners engage with the information , and improve retention .

The best part is the quality of the pictures is not important! Drawing simple shapes, using your regular handwriting and quick stick figures is a great place to start.

My new friend's work is beautiful and she's interested in learning more but was unsure where to begin. Sharing knowledge and resources about visual thinking is our happy place, so Emily, this is for you and any other new visual thinkers out there. Welcome to the tribe!

Resources for Visual Thinkers

For new visual thinkers or the visual thinking curious, we recommend

starting here:

AVT's Foundations Course
Past AVT newsletters and free templates can be found on our blog page .

You also might be interested in:

The Sketchnote Handbook by Mike Rhode
Sketchnote Army website and podcast
Neuland for books, markers, and supplies

If you are interested in improving your handwriting or learning fancy lettering techniques we recommend:

Heather Martinez's courses and resources

For advanced visual thinkers , we recommend:

AVT's courses for Customer Journey Mapping , Innovation and Project Management
Dan Roam's books
Brandy Agerbeck's books

And for those seeking to use their visual thinking skills professionally , we recommend investigating:

Christina Merkley's Graphic Facilitation Training
The Grove Consultant International for courses, templates, and supplies
Nova Scribes Meetup's for webinars
The International Forum of Visual Practitioners for training, conferences, and events

One great way to get started with visual thinking is to...

Build your visual vocabulary!

If you were with us for the first newsletter for 2022, you might remember we had an exercise about visual archetypes . Visual archetypes are simple shapes that can be learned very quickly to help build your visual vocabulary.

Enough words.

Let's Draw!

First, grab a copy of the free handout , something to draw on, and something to draw with, then Practice, Practice, Practice! Fill a page with each icon, soon you'll be on your way to building a tremendous visual vocabulary.

Experiencing fear of the blank page (FOTBP)?

Try one of these tips.

Grab some old newspapers, magazines, or used printer paper and a chisel tip marke r like a Neuland No. One or a Sharpie and draw over the text. You'll be reusing existing paper and avoiding the blank page problem.

Use a light-colored marker or highlighter to fill a page with straight-ish lines . Try to keep the lines parallel, the same length, and the spacing even. Then use a black or darker colored marker to draw over the lines . You'll be warming up your drawing hand and building confidence in drawing straight lines while eliminating FOTBP.

Happy Drawing!

Furry Wisdom

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 12:00:00 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 3 No. 2 January 28, 2022

I was recently reminded of the term " thin place . " This designation has been most often used to refer to locations that evoke awe. The spiritual describe a feeling of the space between heaven and Earth being exceptionally close at these locations.

Then my world was altered forever with a question. What if the whole planet is a "thin place"? My whole adult life, I assumed that had to work long and hard, spend money and travel far to earn a trip to a "thin place." The idea that thin places might be all around at all times felt like a relief. It also made so much sense to me! The distance between people, species and environments are thinner than we realized in the past.

As part of my own personal Vision for 2022, I would like to pay close attention to the words, images and metaphors I choose to convey my ideas and those of my clients. Do they further my and my clients' highest purpose?

Tip for Visual Thinkers

Need to convey abstract or high level concepts? Sometimes it helps to start with a theme that lends itself to more concrete imagery. Here I used my new puppy, Kade, to illustrate some 2021 wisdom I want to carry forward into 2022.

Lessons from Furry Friends

Every day is a good day
Give and receive affection regularly
To BECOME an alpha, ACT like one
Greet each day with GUSTO
There is ALWAYS time to stop and watch a flock of birds take off
ACT happy, BE happy
Little things matter (picking up that piece of trash means a critter won't try to eat it!)
Nap when needed
Always keep the door open a crack
Give more PRAISE than reprimand
Learning a new skill requires repetition, repetition, repetition
There is ALWAYS room for one more on the couch

Your turn! Grab a pen and a piece of paper, and let's draw a bit.

How might you draw these concepts? Draw out one or two.
What other ideas do you have from your furry friends (wild or domestic)? Draw out one or two of those.

Congratulations - you just added several new images to your visual vocabulary!

Here's why you need visual thinking!

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 04:32:34 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 3 No. 1 January 14, 2022

A few days ago, Sheri and I had the immense pleasure to lead a short Applied Visual Thinking webinar to a small group of very creative folks hosted by the fantastic creative thinking duo of Andre and Judy de Zanger .

We used a 2 x 2 to map out an "at my best" visual story in 8 minutes on a single sheet of paper during the session. It was a fast, fun session, and I am always amazed at the power of drawing a few simple pictures to tell an important story.

After the session, the participants graced us with their key takeaways, which may resonate with you and help you the next time you're about to launch into some visual thinking.

Warm-up is key . Drawing a few simple shapes helps overcome the fear of the blank page and primes the pump for more thinking and drawing.
Drawing = More information ; we usually know more than we think we know. Drawing is a quick, easy way to tap into and mine your ideas.
Drawing timelines allows you to think procedurally and helps you break down the big picture into the steps you took or may want to take.
Frameworks like the 2 x 2 "at your best moment" visual story help you break down and clarify something nebulous and turn it into a simple story.
Drawing helps tap into the non-verbal aspects of thinking and allows you to express those ideas more easily.

After the session, Andre treated us to a quick, fascinating lesson about visual archetypes . When we hear certain words or ideas, we can imagine a related picture. Some of these fall into archetypes, where most of us have similar images in our heads.

Want to play along? Grab a pen and a piece of paper, and let's draw a bit.

Step 1 : Simple origami - fold your paper in half lengthwise, fold in half again the other direction, then unfold. You'll end up with four rectangles.

Step 2 : In the upper left-hand section - draw the simplest line or shape you can to represent the word TRANQUILITY .

Step 3 : In the upper right-hand section, draw the simplest line or shape you can to represent the word ENERGY .

Step 4 : In the lower left-hand section, draw the simplest line or shape you can to represent the word WHOLENESS .

Step 5 : In the lower right-hand section, draw the simplest line or shape you can to represent the word SECURITY .

Congratulations - you just added four new images to your visual vocabulary!

Bonus points - look up synonyms for the four archetype words, and you'll have expanded your visual vocabulary several times over. For example your drawing for ENERGY could also represent vitality, vigor, life, liveliness, animation, vivacity, spirit, fire, passion, ardor, zeal, verve, enthusiasm and zest.

As I mentioned, these are visual archetypes, meaning most people will have drawn a similar picture. Click on the button below to see what most people draw when completing this exercise.

Appreciating 2021

Thu, 23 Dec 2021 00:32:33 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 2 No. 26 December 25, 2021

If you were with us at the end of 2021, you might remember the two P ut On Your 2021 Goggles articles we did in late December. We went through a couple of visual thinking exercises to generate a list of three positive, forward-focused words you'd like to focus on in the coming year. If you missed the articles, you can find them here and here .

My three words for 2021 were Courageous, Connected , and Thriving . They expressed how I wanted to feel, be and show up in 2021. They have served to keep me focused and on track amid another wild and crazy year. For example, I was at my best in 2021 when I courageously asked for referrals.

At this time of year, I find it helpful to take a few minutes to look back at the year and appreciate what's gone well, even before deciding on new words for the next year.

A little applied visual thinking is just the thing to help you understand the times when you have been at your best.

All you need is 6 minutes, one of your 2021 words (if you have them), something to draw with , and s omething to draw on .

Want to play along?

Grab your favorite pen and a sheet of paper, and let's dive in.

Step 1: Fold your paper in half lengthwise and again in the other direction, then unfold it, splitting your paper into four
equal rectangles.

Step 2 : Starting from the upper left, label each section as - At My Best, Who & What, When, and Impact/Outcome .

Step 3: In the At My Best section, take 1 minute to write down a short sentence about a time when you were at your best in 2021. Bonus points if you include one of your 2021 words.

Step 4: In the Who & What section, take 2 minutes to draw a few stick figures and icons representing the people and things involved in your at your best moment.

Step 5: In the When section, take 2 minutes to draw a simple timeline of the sequence of events involved in your best moment.

Step 6 : In the Impact/Outcome section, take 1 minute to write out a sentence or two about how your best moment impacted your life, work, or relationships.

Step 7: Take a moment to appreciate your work and tack it up somewhere where you'll bump into it occasionally to remind yourself of what has worked well in the past.

Repeat this exercise anytime you need a boost or before embarking on a new challenge or change.

Visually appreciating your strengths is a fast, easy way to take off on a positive note.

Now that you've looked back you may be ready to pick out some new words for next year. You can check out the 2021 articles here and here to see the process we mapped out.

By the way, my words for 2022 are Energetic, Optimistic, Fruitful and Blessed .

PS: Signs are a fast, easy way to highlight important information on your charts, maps and diagrams. So grab your pens and practice drawing a few signs!

Thanks, Body!

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 21:23:14 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

Special New Years' Edition

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 2 No. 27 December 31, 2021

As the year winds down to almost nothing, let’s take a pause together to acknowledge the one thing that is truly ours — our bodies. My own body doesn’t look anything like it did 10 or 20 years ago, but each scar and mark is part of my story, for which I am infinitely grateful.

The new year has always felt like a time for reflection on the year past, and also an opportunity to put forth a vision for what I want to manifest in the future. In order to get to that grand vision, however, I have found it helpful to start from where I am in the moment . For me, the most direct way to calm and ground my spinning mind is through the body.

Body Gratitude Visual Exercise

Here is a centering exercise intended to elicit acceptance of whatever is happening in your body at the moment, and gratitude for all it has done for you over the past year and perhaps your lifetime.

Focus attention on each area of the body as you go, and thank each for what they do/have done.

Feet: thank you for all the miles you have traveled over the years.
Ankles: thank you for your flexibility and ability to pivot.
Calves: for supporting me fully.
Knees: for allowing me to choose between standing tall and getting down to ground level.
Thighs: for moving me forward.
Backside: for helping me take my seat at the table.
Belly: for being my processing plant and the origin of my creativity.
Chest: for containing the breath that enlivens me.
Back: for being my freeway of energetic impulses.

Shoulders: the coat hanger that supports two of my limbs.
Arms: for reaching farther than I ever would have anticipated.
Hands: for making and soothing, and doing almost everything.
Neck: for holding my head up high.
Face: expression is everything.
Top of Head: a gateway to my best self.

If acceptance of any of these areas is difficult for you, think of it as a house guest that doesn't have the best manners, and send it as much compassion (or at least patience!) as you can muster.

Now let's map it!

Make your gratitude visible and visual by downloading the attached template . Fill in your thanks in the corresponding areas of the body map. Make it fun, make it colorful, add some pizazz! Hang it up somewhere where you’ll bump into it periodically. When you do, take a moment to appreciate everything your body does for you.

What makes your brain happy?

Thu, 09 Dec 2021 20:38:45 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 2 No. 25 December 10, 2021

Have you ever heard something so outside your normal orbit that you had one of those Wait, What, Rewind moments? If it had been a movie, you'd have hit the rewind button so you could listen to the words one more time to make sure you heard correctly?

That happened to me a few years ago. I was listening to a friend interview a fellow author. When my friend asked the author why he had written his latest book, he replied,

"Making stuff makes my brain happy."

My adult task-driven, goal-oriented brain said, Wait, What, Rewind ? He wrote an entire book simply because making stuff makes his brain happy. My adult brain said, Huh? While my kid brain said, Cool, let's do it!

I've been on a path of learning what makes my brain happy ever since. No goals, no tasks, just doing stuff because it makes my brain happy. I have to report it's great. It also clarified a lot of things that I felt badly about.

You see, I'm a bit of a jill of all trades. I've had several careers and so many hobbies that it might not make sense to an outsider. But, after my Wait, What, Rewind moment, things began to fall into place, and I finally understood, the thing that makes my brain happy is LEARNING!

This was a bit of revelation since I was a lackadaisical student in primary school, and I didn't go to college until a couple of decades later than most people. But, I also discovered it's not just learning, but learning, doing, and sharing what I learned that makes my brain truly happy.

How do you know if you're doing something that makes your brain happy?

If you're saying YES to any of these questions, then that might be something that makes your brain happy.

I like what happens when I'm _________.
I like how I feel when I __________.
I loose track of time when _______.

For example, when I learn something new, do it, and share it with others, I feel a great sense of service by helping others.

A little applied visual thinking might be just the thing to help you pinpoint your happy brain thing, why it's good for you and why it's ok to make time for it. So grab a free template and play along.

Pull out all your favorite pens or markers and use icons, color and hierarchy to map out what makes your brain happy.

Step 1 - Fill in the left-hand box with what you've been doing recently or have done in the past.

Step 2 - Fill in the right-hand box with either how it makes you feel or the results.

Step 3 - Rinse and repeat until you run out of ideas.

Step 4 - Step away for a while; when you come back, circle or highlight 1 to 3 themes that jump out to you or strike a chord.

Step 5 - Schedule time on your calendar for the themes you identified in step 4, gather your supplies and dive in for a brain date and get your happy on!

Extra credit: Take a few moments to consider what you might take on or let go of in your work or life to have more happy brain moments. Then plan a project to make it happen!

PS: Grab a pen and practice drawing a few brains, they're easier than you think!

Managing Projects Just Got Visual!

Fri, 26 Nov 2021 02:00:00 GMT

for PROJECT MANAGEMENT

If you manage projects, pictures will help you! Visuals give you a firm grasp on WHAT needs to happen and WHY in case the HO W has to change.

Organizations and their leaders must EMBRACE NEW WAYS OF WORKING. Amidst such massive change, leading organizations are Gymnastic Enterprises * that…

Achieve both organizational agility and managed risk .
Empower their people to learn the best new management practices .
Focus squarely on delivering financial value and positive social impact .

*(PMI, Pulse of the Profession 2021)

WE BELIEVE

In a Volatile, Uncertain, Changing, Ambiguous world, everyone must develop the skills to MANAGE PROJECTS!
Learning to manage projects visually is a VITAL NEW TOOL for everyone's toolbox.

HERE'S HOW

In AVT for PROJECT MANAGEMENT
you will:

Learn to visualize projects in a focused way, making them easier to manage
Immediately apply your visual vocabulary and visual hierarchy by mapping out projects from start to end
Apply your visual thinking skills to the essential PM tools

Expand your visual toolkit with a few more complex PM tools
Build agility at deciphering when to use each PM tool
Build fluency by visualizing a real-world project live with a team

Innovation Thingies

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 03:33:53 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 2 No. 22 October 29, 2021

What's your go-to name for the thing that just doesn't have a name? Can you draw it? Sometimes words are just not enough.

I’m terrible at remembering names of actors, movies and historical figures. No, I don’t play Trivial Pursuit much. Pictionary, on the other hand, is a favorite. I love how sometimes it’s the people who say they can’t draw who sometimes come up with the most innovative ways of conveying the hidden word to their teammates using only simple marks on a whiteboard .

When I have worked on international teams, I have found that the more I could provide in the form of tables, illustrations and diagrams, the lower the risk of misunderstandings.

Making work visual levels the playing field for people who understand words differently.

On the other hand, sometimes words can create a fun, sometimes humorous opportunity for cross-cultural exchange, perhaps even leading to a new INNOVATION. For example, when I was on a group camping trip with my son, we were paired with another mother and son to help prepare breakfast. My son and his friend were given the task of trimming the non-edible tops off the strawberries. The Mom told them to "take the jimmy-jams off the strawberries" and the term sent us all into fits of laughter.

The humorous moment led us to focus on how to handle the "jimmy-jams" and the most efficient, safe way to accomplish the task. I prefer holding the leaves and cutting a circle around them, but this requires the right knife and a steady hand. Tearing off the leaves first reduces the risk of leaves in the bowl, but requires slicing the strawberry in a different way. The conversation resulted in the two boys figuring out the system that worked for them – spontaneous INNOVATION .

Want to read about more ways to spark innovation?

Check out our course Applied Visual Thinking for INNOVATION .

Here are some of our favorite crazy names and visual translations.

A few are real words, but most are taradiddle (made-up). Can you spot the real ones? (Read on for the answers.)

1.) Whoosie-what's-it = when you just can't remember what it's called

2.) Roundtoit = that thing you never seem to have time for

3.) Jimmy-jam = the non-edible green part at the top of the strawberry

4.) Doohickey = a small thingy, usually attached to a larger thingy

5.) Fiddly bits = the nit-picky details

6.) Cattywampus = askew, awry, kitty-corner

7.) Koosie-hitchie = you know, the thingy

8.) Bumfuzzle = confuse, perplex, fluster

9.) Whatchamacallit = too technical a name to recall, or a candy bar

10.) Gardyloo = in old Edinburgh, a warning cry when throwing slops from the window into the street

Want to jumpstart your innovation brain?

Try inventing your own wacky words, definitions and icons. Download this FREE WACKY WORD INNOVATION template to get started. Send us your favorites, and maybe you'll see your creation pop up in a future issue of The Art of Applied Visual Thinking Newsletter!

Want to learn more?

Our FOUNDATIONS and INNOVATION courses are designed to give you and your teams the easy-to-learn, fast to implement visual tools so you can draw anything and innovate your products, goods, or services .

Start your visual journey here.

Ready to dive deeper into innovation of your products, goods or services?

Answer key: The real words are whatchamacallit, doohickey, cattywampus, bumfuzzle, and gardyloo.

Drawing on the Inside of Your Eyelids!

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 10:00:00 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 2 No. 21 October 15, 2021

In the last newsletter we discussed how learning to think visually is like learning a new language. Likewise, learning to SEE is an essential step in developing your visual thinking skills. However, we don't always have the opportunity to pull out a pen and paper. Those are great times to practice Drawing with Your Eyes . This is a fun activity to pass a small pocket of time and build your visual thinking skills during daylight. But what about in the dark? If you like a lot of people, me included, that often wake up in the middle of the night and sometimes have trouble falling back to sleep, might be just the trick.

Drawing on the Inside of Your Eyelids...

I first learned about this from visual practitioner, lettering artist, and Neuland marker ambassador Heather Martinez . This activity is a great way to improve your handwriting and build your visual vocabulary. Plus, it's very soothing and can help you fall back to sleep faster when you're mind's running at full speed, and you'd rather be sleeping. That's a WIN-WIN-WIN!

The next time you're awake when you don't want to be, you might try one of these simple visual exercises and see what happens.

Practice drawing the capital letters slowly in your mind's eye. I like to do this with a foundational lettering style called Roman Hand. You can find out more about Roman Hand in Heather's free online course Unlock Your Neuland Markers
Imagine drawing foundation 3D shapes likes cubes, spheres, cylinders, and cones. First, imagine where the light is coming from, then draw the simple shapes, connect them to make a 3D shape, and add some shading to give your shape some volume. If you're new to drawing 3D shapes, we recommend checking out children's author and illustrators Shoo Rayner's Everyone Can Draw book
Try creating a continuous line drawing of your favorite icons in your mind. You may wonder what's the difference between an icon and a continuous line drawing? We believe an icon is the simplest thing you can draw to represent a thing or idea, drawn using simple shapes from Dan Roam's Visual Alphabet , while a continuous line drawing is one long flowing line that suggests a form. You can read a great blog post by Alumina featuring Picasso and other contemporary artists' One Line Drawings here .

Happy snoozing. See you next time!

Want to learn more?

Want to learn more about building your visual thinking and expanding your visual vocabulary? Our FOUNDATIONS course is designed to give you and your teams the easy-to-learn, fast to implement visual tools so you can draw anything and express your ideas visually.

Draw with Your Eyes!

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 21:31:59 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 2 No. 20 October 1, 2021

Learning to think visually is like learning a new language. When learning a new language, you begin by learning the sounds, connecting the sounds to make words, the words into phrases, and phrases into sentences. You can take a similar approach with visual thinking – learning the simple shapes, connecting the shapes to make icons, associating the icons to words, ideas, or metaphors, and creating charts, maps, and diagrams to make meaning, increase understanding, and facilitate communication.

Learning to SEE is an essential step in developing your visual thinking skills. However, there are times when you don't have the opportunity to bring out your pen and paper and draw what you see. Moments spent standing in line at the grocery store, waiting in the carline at school, for your coffee order, or for a meeting to start are precious. Don't pass the time scrolling the news, looking at funny pet photos on Instagram, or playing with your apps. Use it to …

Draw With Your Eyes!

Drawing with your eyes helps build visual thinking skills and visual vocabulary by translating what you see in 3D into simple shapes and arranging them into icons. The next time you're standing in line or waiting for a meeting to start, pick out an visually interesting object like the broccoli you're planning to have for dinner, then take a long, close look at the thing and try one or two of the following simple exercises.

Slowly move your eyes along the outside edges of the object while creating a contour line drawing in your mind's eye.
Use the 5 shapes from Dan Roam's Visual Alphabet to identify the simple shapes that make up the object. Start with the most prominent shape and work your way down to the minor details. Notice where the shapes overlap and connect with each other. Compare the size of each shape to the others that make up the article.
Take a cue from one of the exercises in Dr. Betty Edward's classic book "Drawing from the Right Side of the Brain" and notice negative spaces in and around the item.
Practice a bit of chiaroscuro by observing the size, shape, and placement of the darkest and lightest areas of the object.
Decide what the object's essence is, something children's author and illustrator Shoo Rayner calls the "Nuss." What elements make the thing the thing?
In your mind's eye, turn the object into an icon. How could you draw it with the fewest possible lines? Bonus points: what words, phrases, or ideas might you represent with your new icon?

Drawing with your eyes is a fast, fun way to be present, see the details of an object, figure out how you might draw it, and build your visual vocabulary.

Download a free copy of the handout and try your hand at
drawing with your eyes!

Want to learn more?

Our FOUNDATIONS course is designed to give you and your teams the easy-to-learn, fast to implement visual tools so you can draw anything and expand your visual vocabulary

Innovation News - Singing Avatars

Sun, 19 Sep 2021 14:22:39 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 2 No. 19 September 19, 2021

"Alter Ego" is a new reality singing competition show that uses virtual reality technology to disguise the identities of its contestants. In a similar show, "The Masked Singer" has contestants who are famous for something other than singing disguise their identities from the judges. In "Alter Ego," contestants have an opportunity to create an avatar that expresses whatever wild, creative, kick-butt identity they want to don for the competition. This idea has me excited for a number of reasons.

For those following INNOVATION in the world of visuals at work , you know that visuals express more than straight-forward facts. How a visual looks matters. A data chart can be dull and straight-forward, or simple, clean and "on brand." Alternatively, the story behind the data can be made more understandable at a glance using icons, visual hierarchy and color . Visuals have the power to ignite or turn off our emotions, to remind us of shared lived experience, and to invite connections to legends, literature, history and culture. How cool is it that visuals are now moving off the 3D movie screen onto the live stage!

I don't sing in public, but my Alter Ego does!

For a singer, the invitation to sing and dance behind a curtain while the fantasy character they created to represent them takes center stage can open up a world of opportunity. One can imagine any number of reasons why singers may have struggled to get call-backs from live auditions for reasons that had nothing to do with singing ability. I'm excited that the avatar solution could prove very useful as one way to counteract implicit bias beyond entertainment and into the workplace .

For the audience, watching these avatars and hearing impressive singing feels like an invitation to people of all backgrounds to "join the club." I don't know about you, but after I hear an amazing song by an eye-popping 3D being, I can't help wanting to hear the human story behind the character. Creativity has a way of opening doors and connecting people across all kinds of differences.

Business leaders and team managers, are you following this intersection of innovation and creativity?

Do you need to unlock the secrets behind employee engagement, diversity and inclusion , and keep focused on your organization's goals ? Think about enrolling your whole team in Applied Visual Thinking for INNOVATION .

Want to create your own avatar? Start with the concept. How do you want your other "you" to be seen? Brave? Invincible? Brilliant? Other-wordly?

1. Start with the face. Sketch your own face as a simple icon. Consider portrait elements and draw each a few times before you combine them.

Face shape
Hair or headgear
Nose
Eyes
Eyebrows
Mouth
Chin
Ears
Collar or shoulders

2. Transform each of the portrait elements and see how they change the personality of the character.

3. Choose the elements that feel most like you want your avatar to be.

4. Play with the elements in different combinations and angles until you find one you like.

5. Add some bling! Enhance with clothing, jewelry or headgear

PS: Download a free copy of the handout and try your hand at drawing your own avatar!

Want to learn more?

Start your visual journey here.

Ready to dive deeper into innovation of your products, goods or services?

Packing More In with Visuals: Camping Innovation

Sat, 04 Sep 2021 13:59:58 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 2 No. 18 September 4, 2021

Have you ever had a pre-vacation family melt-down? We have, and it was a result of miscommunication about preparing and packing for a trip. In fact, I would assert that communication issues are probably at the root of most melt-downs, both personal and work-related . I am sharing this story in hopes of saving us all some future pain by illustrating how you (and I) can plan visually .

My family decided to go on a camping trip for a long weekend earlier this summer. Preparing and packing for a typical weekend road trip is always a bit arduous with a family of 4. Someone needs to remember all the big and little tasks that need to be done beforehand (like taking out the trash and clearing out the fridge of anything that might spoil). Someone needs to think about any special equipment or clothing needed for activities we are likely to do. Someone needs to gather everything needed, and someone needs to pack it all into or strap it onto the car. I was determined not to be all of those someones.

You can pack more in with visuals!

I am a big fan of lists to keep track of this kind of minutiae, and I distribute my lists liberally amongst my family members, and politely suggest to them (OK, hound them) to actually check off each task or item as it is completed or packed. The checklist system annoys some who feel slowed down by the process, but the end result is that we forget fewer things, which leads to fewer hassles and time-wasting extra trips . Here is a summary of what I thought about a couple of weeks before the trip, so we could make sure we had everything we needed in good repair.

The List of Lists

Individual camper packing list – personal items
Group campsite tools list – for fire-making, hanging clothes, first aid
Group camping equipment list – tents, tarps, sleeping bags
Group food list – shopping
Group cooking list – cooking and cleanup schedule
Activity idea list – addresses, websites and phone numbers

To learn more about how to up your visual game when making lists (or other basic diagrams) using color, lettering and visual hierarchy, check out our FOUNDATIONS course.

Sometimes a list is not enough. We have gone on enough road trips to know how painful the packing process can be without a plan, and camping adds a whole other level of complexity, even if it is "just car camping" and we don't need to haul everything on our backs. It's still tough to know what to bring and not to bring.

I knew I needed a plan.

Why not make it visual?

I applied some of the processes from our Applied Visual Thinking for INNOVATION course to innovate our family vacation preparation.

This is my car camping innovation design in the form of a diagram indicating the packing locations for each list of items. The roof carrier is also nicknamed the "mini-van extension," "the pod," or sometimes even the "upper bunk" in jest.

The result? It was still challenging to fit everything, and we had to modify some of our original ideas, but it worked out in the end, and with minimal friction. Bonus – we saved time and conflict by clearly defining roles – visually , using a chart. There was room for negotiation, but who was responsible for what tasks was clear from the lists.

COMING SOON! If you want to learn more about how to think and communicate visually about your next project, sign up for our email list. We'll let you know as soon as our new Applied Visual Thinking for PROJECT MANAGEMENT course is released.

The suitcase is a classic metaphor. What could you use a suitcase icon to represent? Here are a few ideas. What others can you think of?

Travel
Adventure
Hidden secrets
Emotional baggage
Compact storage
Simplified
Jam packed

Life transitions
Off to college
Vacation
A location ("___ or bust")
Personal belongings
Resilience

PS: Download a free copy of the handout and try your hand at drawing a suitcase icon. Modify yours to become a briefcase, rolling travel bag, or innovativ e suitcase of the future!

Want to learn more?

Start your visual journey here.

Ready to dive deeper into innovation of your products, goods or services?

Draw Something Every Day!

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 14:00:00 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 2 No. 17 August 20, 2021

I'm a huge fan of Jessica Hagy's Indexed blog , where she publishes a simple visual thinking chart every weekday while the coffee brews. Her work is what g reat visual thinking is all about. Her simple charts pack a ton of meaning into a simple drawing that's fast and easy to create, understand, and share with others.

Here at AVT, we believe creating a daily drawing habit is a great way to...

Build Your Visual Thinking Superpower!

The more you draw, the easier it becomes. Likewise, the more extensive your visual vocabulary, the greater your visual thinking superpowers will become. You don't need any artistic talent, fancy art supplies, or expensive tech. A simple pen or pencil and a sheet of paper, post-it notes, or index card will do nicely. Best of all, you don't need a lot of time either; committing to just 5 minutes a day will do wonders for your visual vocabulary.

Are you ready to become a great visual thinker? Download a free copy of our favorite type of journaling page (inspired by composition notebooks from school, they're great for visual thinking and improving your handwriting!) , grab something to draw with, and dive in!

Draw something every day!

Here's a list of 50 ideas to get you started drawing every day:

Draw a new icon once a week and practice drawing it every day for a week.
Find a favorite quote and turn it into a simple chart. This is my favorite quote from bestselling author
Seth Godin
Create a new icon mashup every day for a week
Draw a timeline for the plot of the book you're writing or are planning to write
Practice drawing simple containers, connectors, and borders
Create a timeline for the plot to your favorite book, play, or movie

Write out a definition for the word of the day using size and color to show the importance and add meaning then add a quick sketch. T he classic Cesar Sala d generally attributed to restaurateur
Caesar Cardini is the ultimate example of creating something great using what's on hand.
Create a mind map outlining the major components of your next big project, vacation, book, course, or presentation Draw a simplified version of your favorite animals
Create a diagram showing your top skills
Draw an icon of your favorite foods
Create a visual hierarchy to rank your favorite
vacation spots
Create a timeline of your work history
Draw a visual packing list or your next vacation
Create a visual to-do list

Draw an icon of the same idea a different way everyday for a week using your favorite app - start simple and work your way up to more elaborate This one was drawn on an iPad using the
Paper by WeTransfer app
Create a drawing of your breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks (use as few lines as possible)
Create a Venn diagram showing the 3 best things that happened today
Draw a timeline of your day every day for a week or month; heck, why not all year!

Draw icons for everything on your grocery list
Draw 5 things on your desk, in your purse, or in your
junk drawer
Draw a love note to your honey
Create a chart for the agenda of your next meeting
Draw a map of your daily commute
Draw a flow chart of your morning routine
Draw out the steps to your favorite recipe
Diagram the user interface of your favorite app
Draw the view from your window
Diagram the features of your most and least favorite
tech devices and show why
Create a chart of your monthly budget
Create a contour line drawing of your favorite plants
Create a map of your garden
Diagram your family's emergency evacuation plan
Create a bubble chart showing your levels of education and training
Create a mind map of your 5-year plan
Create a map of your neighborhood
Create a flowchart showing the life cycle of a chicken

Create a chart showing you're most to least favorite modes of transportation
Create a map of all the places you've lived and where you'd like to live in the future
Create a diagram of your family tree
Create a diagram showing the parts of a skateboard, scooter, or bicycle
Create a map of your home, office, or favorite hang-out
Create a mind map for the syllabus of the last course you took
Create a flowchart showing how to make coffee, tea, or toast
Create a timeline for completing your next project
Create an org chart for your business or organization
Draw 5 simple characters from history, your favorite book, or
favorite movie
Create a flowchart showing how to make a paper airplane or paper doll
Diagram the steps to your favorite dance
Draw out the communication flow in your organization

Want to learn more about creating simple visual charts, maps and diagrams, using size, color and hierarchy to add meaning and developing your own icons to build your visual vocabulary?

Our AVT's FOUNDATIONS course is designed to give you the foundational tools to become a great visual thinker.

Visual Garden Innovation

Sat, 07 Aug 2021 17:46:05 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 2 No. 16 August 7, 2021

Vegetable gardens are a lot of work.

Vegetable gardens are a lot of work. That's the takeaway my kids offered up at the end of our second season of attempting an organic, raised bed vegetable garden in our side yard. With some prompting, we identified a few of the rewards from the effort and talked about how we might improve our garden to require a little less maintenance and yield more of what we love.

" Let's make our garden plan visual ," we agreed. It helped us focus and find more joy in the work. I'd like to share the process and the simplified planning tool that came out of the conversation in case it helps you think of new ways to simplify your garden planning, space organizing or whatever else you might be occupied with this season.

Let's make a simple, visual garden plan.

First we talked about " lessons learned ." Last year, the sunflowers were amazing – as tall as both kids stacked one on top of the other and flowers bigger than our heads. The tomatoes had much more flavor than any purchased at the store. Of course, we had more beans, basil, hot peppers, kale and cilantro than we could eat. Drying and freezing were fun projects, too, but the kids were less than excited about eating most of these crops. One of my boys did discover that he loves kale cooked until well softened and doused with a bit of soy sauce.

There were a few crops, however, that didn't do very well, much to the kids' disappointment. We had huge pumpkin leaves and vines cluttering up the yard, but the pumpkins were tiny or non-existent. The corn, too, seemed to steal all the sunlight from the shorter plants, but only the ornamental corns produced, and even those were not very impressive. The carrots looked huge on top, but revealed only short, deformed "aliens" when picked. We determined that the soil in the beds was probably not deep enough to grow full-sized carrots.

Before we even began planting this year, we took action . We added more soil to the beds and made visual maps to think visually about sunlight, plant supports and spacing.

Try this Simple Planning Process now to start planning your fall or 2022 garden, or apply the same principles to another project of your choosing. Download the free template to get started.

Step 1 - List it out. Make a list of what plants (or whatever items are in your project). Use color, vary your lettering, and add some icons to make your list visual.

Step 2 - Praise. In a second column, add what worked well in the past - what plants did well and what's your theory why? By acknowledging what worked well, you will have a starting point for the next cycle.

Step 3 - Lessons learned. In the third column, add what was less than ideal (and again, your theory why).

Step 4 - Draw a map (or 2 or 3). Decide what is important to you, and record one idea per map. For example, I drew 2 maps. On the first map, I indicated areas that tend to receive more vs. less sun and water and where I would place plant support structures. On the second map, I planned where each plant would go. You might want to include a key or icons to keep your maps simple. Measure your beds and supports to be sure you'll have enough room when the plants mature, but keep your sketch quick and loose, and don't worry if you have to make multiple edits. You might even want to cut out shapes for each plant so you can move them around on the page until you are happy with the arrangement.

Step 5 - Take notes. What do you need to do and when? Take some notes, then add reminders to your calendar!

Of course, there are many more things to keep in mind to become a great gardener. My family and I have only begun to scratch the surface of gardening knowledge. Starting simple has made becoming better gardeners an attainable goal , and using our new visual tool has us excited. Now we have a way to keep track of what we did this season and document what happens. We hope to add to our learning and innovate to improve our results a bit more every year. Maybe next year we will learn more about companion planting to keep the insects at bay.

Want to learn more about how to use visuals for innovation?

Our AVT for INNOVATION course is designed to give you and your teams easy-to-learn, fast-to- implement visual tools to quickly innovate your products, goods, or services .

As an extra bonus you'll also receive free access to our Applied Visual Thinking FOUNDATIONS course, where you'll learn to build your visual vocabulary, use color and hierarchy and create simple maps, charts, and diagrams to start you on the path to becoming a great visual thinker.

It's time for a visual thinking check up!

Fri, 23 Jul 2021 03:48:05 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 2 No. 15 July 23, 2021

It's time for a visual thinking check up!

If you were with us at the end of 2020, you might recall our last newsletters
of the year were about selecting 3 words for the coming year. If you missed them, you can find those articles in our archive here and here .

I first started choosing a word or a few words for the year just over a decade ago after a particularly challenging season. The first year I chose JOY as my word of
the year. Then, as the year went by, I began to notice things about joy popping up everywhere. I read books and articles about joy, watched movies about joy, and played games that sparked joy. I visited my favorite book stores, libraries, museums, and art supply stores, often. I splashed around paint and ink just for
the joy of making a mess. I even created a flowchart about having more joy that still hangs in my office. I was hooked, and I've been choosing a word or two or
three every year since.

Take time to appreciate what's been happening.

At mid-year, I find it helpful to look back over the past few months and appreciate what I've been doing and noticing how my words of the year are making their way into my work, business, relationships, mental, physical, and emotional health, and finances. This year my 3 words are Courageous, Connected, and Thriving . When I chose these words at the end of last year, my main focus was on applying these words to business. But, as usually happens, I've noticed them seeping over into my personal life, relationships, and spiritual practice.

So far this year, I found myself signing up to speak regularly during Sunday church services. I've taken a visual listening class with Brandy Agerbeck, read several articles, and watched a few Ted talks about listening. I'm also reading a lovely little book called Improv Wisdom by Patricia Ryan Madson. These things have helped me be more present, more connected, and more courageous in my work, business, and personal life. I've also found myself regularly asking for more work, taking on several new projects, and reaching out to new people. All of this has helped me thrive mentally, physically, and financially. Taking stock of what I've been doing, what's shown up, and what's working helps me step up my game and apply my 3 words in even more creative ways.

Want to make the most of your 3 words for the next few months? Grab your free templates and
play along.

Step 1 - Notice - pull out your favorite pens or markers and some paper and create a simple mind map of a few things you've done, read, watched, listened to, created, worked on, or participated in the past few months. Extra credit if you include color, hierarchy and icons on your map. At first glance, things may not appear to be connected to your 3 word s; that's ok; we'll get to that shortly.
Step 2 - Appreciate - for each of the items you added to your mind map, take a few moments to appreciate how each of these things made you feel and how they may be connected to your 3 words . Using a different color, jot down your impressions on your mind map. For example, standing up and addressing our congregation for the first time in over a year absolutely made me feel courageous. When members thanked me for reading, I felt more connected to them and
our church family.
Step 3 - Innovate - grab a highlighter or a different colored pen and circle what you want to keep doing or do more of. Now take a few moments to jot down on your mind map what you might do differently to harvest even more goodness from your 3 words . For example, public speaking makes me feel courageous, so I may chose to join a public speaking group. Or, since learning more about listening has helped me feel more connected, I might craft an innovation to brainstorm when, where, and how I can apply my newfound listening skills.
Step 4 - Plan - create a simple timeline showing the steps you'll take to apply your innovation(s). Be specific! Note down what day and time you will do it, where you'll be, who'll be with you, what you want to do or learn, and how you want to feel. The more details, the better. Now schedule it and make a commitment to yourself to do it! Honoring your promises to yourself does fantastic things for your self-esteem. The more you do it, the easier it becomes.

Appreciating what's working and making a plan to cultivate new ways to bring your 3 words into your daily doings builds momentum as we move toward the end of the year so you can squeeze every drop of energy from of your 3 words .

Not familiar with mind maps, timelines, or crafting innovations?

Our AVT for INNOVATION course is designed to give you and your teams easy-to-learn, fast-to- implement visual tools to quickly innovate your products, goods, or services .

As an extra bonus you'll also receive free access to our Applied Visual Thinking FOUNDATIONS

course, where you'll learn to build your visual vocabulary, use color and hierarchy and create simple maps, charts, and diagrams to start you on the path to becoming a great visual thinker.

Visual Thinking is a Team Sport

183:831974313 (Sheri Kennedy) — Sat, 10 Jul 2021 18:56:10 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 2 No. 14 July 10, 2021

Taking a team from new to noteworthy is hard. Using visuals can help, because

Visual Thinking is a Team Sport

How does working visually help teams perform better? There are many answers to this question, but here are a few of my favorite ways.

Flip to the same page quicker. In the fast pace of today’s workplace, the more readily people understand each other, the faster they can reach consensus. Who doesn’t love the quick, efficient meeting, right?

Minimal translation needed. Diagramming an idea lets everyone see what’s on your mind… and his mind, and hers, and theirs, too. Is your team international? Visual thinking is a language as ancient as early man. No matter what cultures are on your team, visuals aide communication.

Everyone has a say. Well-balanced teams have a mix of personality types, expertise and perspectives. Some team members may be too introverted to speak up or reluctant to ask questions for fear of sounding ignorant or sparking controversy. Testing and questioning, however, are vital to the success of any project. How, then, can you make sure all those voices are heard? Build in time for reflection and silent methods for people to provide their input in addition to verbal conversation.

But how do I start?

If you've ever tried to start a new team from scratch, you may have been surprised to discover that it didn't happen as smoothly as expected. If you were expecting everyone to simply focus on the goal, you may have learned that this is not enough to get everybody working together in sync. Whether your goal is winning the game, accomplishing the task, or finishing the project, it is helpful to know about the common stages that most teams go through before hitting their stride and achieving maximum efficiency.

Bruce W. Tuckman created the most commonly used framework in the mid-1960s. He names the stages Forming, Storming, Norming and Performing . Some also like to consider an Ending stage before the team disbands or moves on to the next goal. Here are the stages of team development represented visually.

Let's look at each of these stages of team development, then see how you can use a visual template as a discussion starter for your group . These stages should not be used to judge your team, but rather to check in to where your team might find itself at a particular moment with regard to a current goal.

Tuckman 4 Stages of Team Development + Ending

Forming. New team members will have lots of questions about what the group is tasked with, how they will organize to get the work done, and their roles, to name a few. Anticipating many of these questions in advance and designing a thoughtful project kickoff can head off many issues before they arise. Building trust is essential during this phase.
Storming. As team members become more comfortable with each other, they may also become more vocal about issues, questions about goals or roles, or conflicts that surface. This is when team trust will be tested. The team may need to revisit goals, roles, tasks, and/or timing to get the project back on track.
Norming. In this phase, the team seems to find a rhythm to working together. The tone of discussions and conflict resolution generally shifts to productive and jovial. Seeing measurable progress fuels productivity.
Performing. Once the team reaches the performing stage, productivity is high and the team truly enjoys working together. Recognizing and celebrating successes becomes a regular occurrence. The team may even be asked to document what works for them in order to inspire others. Remaining at this level requires an ongoing commitment to incremental improvement and learning and a periodic revisiting of norms and goals. The team needs to be prepared to revisit earlier stages.

Ending . Teams that have completed their goal may need to move on to a new project. In this case, marking this closure is important. A team member moving on may also prompt a need for some kind of honoring of the team as it was, and an honest conversation about the changes to come.

Download the free AVT Team Development Template to kick off a team discussion.

Have each team member independently circle all of the words and phrases in the circle that they think are working well for the team.
Similarly, ask team members to star all the words and phrases they think the team needs to work on .
They can also add their own ideas to the areas outside the circle using words, images and/or diagrams .
Depending on the size of your group, have one on one, small group or large group discussions to compare notes .
In an all-team discussion , talk about which stage had the most circles (things working well)? Which stage had the most stars (things to work on)? This data may indicate where your team is in the development cycle and identify its current learning edges.

Keep in mind that all human development, both individually and within groups, is not a linear path. There may be moments of going forward, then back, such as when a new person joins a team or a new system is introduced. At these points, the group may find itself in an earlier stage until the new person or system is folded into the team's revised norms. Using visuals can help communicate team structures, systems and roles quickly and effectively.

Want to start a conversation with your team about your growth curve?

Grab your copy of the free AVT Team Development Template and pass it around.

Want to learn more?

Our AVT for INNOVATION course is designed to give you and your teams easy-to-learn, fast-to- implement visual tools to quickly innovate your products, goods, or services . New Paragraph

Change Requires INNOVATION

Fri, 25 Jun 2021 12:00:00 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 2 No. 13 June 25, 2021

Recently I had an opportunity to watch master motivational speaker Tony Robbins give a short talk. The thing that caught my attention was when he said, "If you don't like something, change it! Don't like your weight? Change it! Don't like your job? Change it!…" Brilliant advice, of course, he's right, and as anyone who has ever tried to make or break a habit knows, lasting change is not so easy.

But, as the old saying goes, if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten. Change requires you to challenge your thinking, try new methods, and do things differently. Creating effective, lasting…

Change Requires INNOVATION!

The first step in the AVT INNOVATION process is defining the problem you want to solve. One way to clarify a problem you're trying to solve is to define why you want to make the change. The leaders at WW (formerly Weight Watchers) have a saying, "Keep your why close by." Knowing why you want to make a change has two benefits, first knowing your why helps crystalize the problem you're trying to solve, and second, it provides an anchor to keep you on track when the going gets tough.

Borrowing a tool from the world of process improvement, asking 5 WHYS can expand your thinking about the change you want to make and why you want to make it. Once you know why, it's much easier to innovate your life, work, or business to create effective change.

Want to take a deep dive into your WHYS?

Grab a copy of the free template and play along.

Step 1: Name the change - write down the change you want to make. It could be anything. Some examples might be losing 25 pounds, changing jobs, reading more, spending less time on social media, moving more, getting more sleep, keeping a journal, learning to paint or dance, or sing. The list is endless, but narrow your focus and pick just ONE thing for now. Then, once you get the hang of innovating to create change, you can choose the next thing on your list or work on a bigger problem, product, process, or service.

Step 2: WHY #1 - ask yourself why you want to make this change, then write down the first thought that pops into your head. (Bonus points for using color or hierarchy to show relationship and add meaning and adding an icon or two). Want to remove 25 pounds? Why is that? What do you hope to gain from doing that? Want to change jobs? Why? What do you want to be different? Want to spend less time on social media? Why is that important to you at this time? What benefit would you have from reducing your social media consumption?

Step 3: WHY #2 - ask yourself why you want that. If you're going to remove 25 pounds to have more energy, why is that? What would having more energy do for you? If you want to change jobs to shorten your commute, why is that? What would you gain from spending less time commuting? If you want to spend less time on social media to develop a new skill, how would you benefit from that?

Step 4: Rinse and repeat - keep going until you've answered WHY 5 times.

Step 5: I nnovate - here's the payoff, look at your WHY's and plot an action plan. Start small and keep it simple. Ask yourself what the tiniest change you can make to get started is? Then schedule it, as entrepreneur and bestselling author Marie Forleo says, "If it's not scheduled, it's not real."

Step 6: Iterate - after you've run your innovation for a few days or weeks take a few minutes to think about what you could tweak to improve your innovation. Could you change the time or day or duration? Perhaps you could add or remove something. Maybe you could substitute a different material, activity or process.

You'll find drilling deep into your WHYS gives you a broad range of ideas to innovate and helps you create change. For example, if your final, why looks something like this - I want to remove 25 lbs. to have more energy to play with my kids. Perhaps the problem you can innovate is incorporating more active playtime with your kids into your daily routine.

The benefits of this approach are you don't have to wait until you remove the weight before you spend more time playing with your kids, the extra activity will help your weight loss journey, and kids are great for holding you accountable to ensure you get in more playtime. That's a WIN-WIN-WIN and much more fun and productive than trying to force yourself to stick to your diet now so you can play with your kids later.

So if you don't like something, change it and start by asking 5 WHYs.

Want to learn more?

Our AVT for INNOVATION course is designed to give you and your teams easy-to-learn, fast-to- implement visual tools to quickly innovate your products, goods, or services .

PS: Download a free copy of the handout and try your hand a drawing a few characters. Use them to bring your visual thinking to life!

Customer-Obsessed Innovation!

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 22:41:35 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 2 No. 12 June 10, 2021

Here at AVT, we believe the Customer is King and making their journey with your company seamless and delightful is the way to earn and maintain customer loyalty. We also know that innovation is the lifeblood of every organization, large or small. Marry these two together, and you're on your way to...

CUSTOMER-OBSESSED INNOVATION!

But you don't have to take our word for it. Many successful companies, including L.L. Bean and Amazon, use customer feedback to innovate daily.

L.L Bean, one of the oldest names in outdoor gear in the U.S., takes a unique approach to collect customer feedback. They provide select customers with a journal to capture their thoughts, feelings, ideas, and impressions when they are out in the wilderness putting a product through its paces. They know collecting this kind of data is a goldmine of ideas for innovating and keeping their products best in class.

You and your organization may not make outdoor gear like L.L. Bean or strive to provide one-stop shopping for everything
from A to Z like Amazon. Still, every organization can benefit from collecting customer journey feedback and innovating its products, goods, or services.

The good news is it doesn't have to take a long time or cost a ton of money. You don't need to bring in an outside consultant or a major-league new hire .

Everyone at all levels can and should have these tools in their tool belt.

If you have something to write on and something to write with, adding few simple visual tools will give you and your team everything you need to begin your journey towards customer-obsessed innovation .

Want to jump in and start gathering customer feedback right away?
Download a copy of the free template and play along.

Step 1: Find a willing participant and start small. If this is your first go at mapping a customer journey or experience, you may want to use yourself and think through a recent experience you've had. Or you could ask a friend or trusted colleague to talk to you about a recent experience they've had. Then, once you've got the hang of it, go bigger and draft a favorite customer to provide feedback on their most recent experience.
Step 2 : Draw a simple character (in the center circle). Giving your customer a persona helps cement who you're talking to in your mind and allows the customer to feel seen and heard. Download a free how to draw simple characters handout below for a quick, easy formula for drawing simple characters.
Step 3 : Record the facts. Write down the person's name, title, and the customer journey or experience you'll be discussing together.
Step 4: Listen and capture key points. Asked your volunteer to describe their customer journey or experience to you. As they're speaking, capture the critical moments, including what they were thinking, seeing, saying, doing, feeling, and hearing. As you're listening, it's crucial to capture their exact words. If you're not sure you've captured something correctly, ask them to reiterate or clarify.
Step 5: Rinse and repeat. Find a few new participants and begin building a wealth of vital feedback.

The more you know about your customers, the better you can serve them and the easier it is to choose which product, good, service or process to innovate . You'll be amazed at what you can learn from listening to your customers. You may discover something you thought was working, like that loud background music is offputting instead of energizing. You may find out the buy now button is getting lost amid other less critical information in the checkout process. Perhaps you'll learn that color you've staked your brand on feels cozy and inviting to someone but perhaps not to your ideal customers.

The more you understand your customers, the better you can innovate your products, goods, or services to surprise, delight, and amaze them.

Want to learn more?

Our CUSTOMER JOURNEY MAPPING and INNOVATION courses are designed to give you and your teams easy-to-learn, fast to implement visual tools to quickly gather customer journey feedback . Then use that knowledge as a gateway to innovate your products, goods, or services.

PS: Download a free copy of the handout and try your hand a drawing a few characters. Use them to bring your visual thinking to life!

CREATIVITY Part 3: Creativity and INNOVATION

Fri, 28 May 2021 06:49:57 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 2 No. 1 1 May 28 , 2021

Here at Applied Visual Thinking, we believe that everyone is creative , that creativity is essential for innovation , and that visuals make both creativity and innovation easy and fun .

How do I know you are creative? I know you are creative, because you're human . It's what helps us survive and thrive (see Part 1: Creativity, Resilience and My Phoenix Moment ). If you solve problems, you are creative. If you figure out how to fit groceries into a bag, you are creative. If you grow plants, cook, parent, organize furniture or make spreadsheets, you are creative. See what I mean?

Creativity in a work context could be described as the prolific generation of ideas. It also has a lot to do with keeping an open, curious, non-judgmental mindset. You may or may not think of yourself as an "idea person," but in fact, your perspective is essential to the success and growth of your organization, group or volunteer work. Only you see the world through your particular lens ( see Part 2: Creativity and Perspective ). Using visuals can make the expression of ideas more readily understood by a broader audience. This saves time and avoids misunderstanding in the long run.

How does creativity connect to INNOVATION ?

Innovation is the real-world application of creativity, and the world is clambering for people with these skills. McKinsey & Company says, "Companies that harness creativity and data in tandem have growth rates twice as high as companies that don’t."

To my mind, if creativity is a way of being, innovation is a way of doing . It takes a creative orientation to generate ideas, but it is a whole other matter to put an idea into action. Add to that the challenges of failure, change and unexpected surprises and you have innovation! The good news is, there are tools and methods for practicing innovation, and a lot of these lend themselves nicely to visual thinking .

If the mere idea of coming up with ideas gets you jazzed and you want to up your game to be a more effective and visual innovator , we have great news for you! We are so pleased to announce the launch of our latest course, Applied Visual Thinking for INNOVATION .

AVT for INNOVATION
is live!

In this course you will learn to generate, capture and organize a large volume of ideas visually with the purpose of addressing a clearly stated need. Equipped with these skills, you will design a new or revised product, service or system you can quickly, clearly and confidently share with others, articulating in a visual way how your idea will make the world a better place .

Pizza Creativity

Here's a fun way to whet your appetite for creativity and innovation done visually.

Let's say I am invited to dream up a new pizza offering at my favorite local pizza place. I know I want pepperoni and mushrooms, but I want to push my idea further.

SKETCH it. First I make a simple drawing or icon of my pizza so I can visualize what it might look like.
DIAGRAM it. Next I make a labeled diagram of the key ingredients. alternatively, I could have diagrammed how to make it.
HAIKU it. Third, I write a haiku about the joy my pizza brings (3 lines of 5-7-5 syllables). Other options here might be to free-write for 2 minutes or make up an ad or jingle.

More ways you might translate, improve upon or add to your idea:

Grab the nearest OBJECT and force a CONNECTION to your idea.
Look at random images (magazines, wall art, or online image search) for a SYMBOL of your idea.
Make your idea out of FOOD .
Make your idea in 3D using recycled materials.
When you think about your idea, does a particular ANIMAL come to mind?
Is there something from NATURE that sparks an idea?

Free INNOVATION mashup template.

Here's another fun way to exercise your creativity and innovation muscles and practice your visual vocabulary and hierarchy at the same time. Download the free template and play along!

Step 1 – Peruse the items in the 3 columns on the template - Quality, Thing and Function. Add more ideas of your own. Push yourself to use a variety of icons and lettering styles.
Step 2 – Choose one of the prompts from each column, add them together, and see what wild ideas you can come up with! See what happens when you choose randomly vs. thinking about your choice in relation to something you are working on.

Column 1 – QUALITY (creaky, slick, energetic)
Column 2 – THING (paintbrush, shoelace, rock)
Column 3 - FUNCTION (steadies tippy tables, calms babies, dries wet hands)

Example: "an energetic shoelace calms babies" could lead to an idea for a do-it-yourself mobile to hang over a crib.

CREATIVITY Part 2: Creativity and Perspective

Sat, 15 May 2021 11:00:00 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 2 No. 10 May 15, 2021

There is no lotus without mud. It takes CREATIVITY to notice that the lotus flower pushes its way up through mud to become a beautiful blossom. Taking on the PERSPECTIVE of the lotus flower is the kind of big mind-shifting idea that can lead to INNOVATION . Lots of great ideas have come from the observation of the structures, organization and properties found in nature. Are you, like many adults, of the belief that creativity is best left to "the professionals" who do that for a living, or are you someone who relishes an opportunity for creativity? At Applied Visual Thinking, we believe EVERYONE IS CREATIVE .

Creative thinking builds resilience, and visual thinking makes creativity easier and more fun.

A healthy, strong plant absorbs needed nutrients from all its leaves. Similarly, your new thinking, creativity and perspective are vital to your organization. Learning how to communicate your thinking using visuals will spark conversation and perhaps bring to light gaps and areas for improvement. Where to start?

Be a model of resilience.

It's easy to feel out of control when an unexpected change hits. Here's how the process of turning life's surprises into resilience-building opportunities looks to me now that I have weathered a few. Becoming a model of resilience means demonstrating how to shift your perspective embracing change as an opportunity for innovation.

AVT Creativity - Resilience Model (Part 2)

Here's how:

Change , transitions, and major life events happen. Choose to act rather than submit to the change and fall apart.
Seek a new perspective on the situation by getting some distance from it (physically or in your mind).
Get creative. The fear and helplessness that can come with surprise changes lead to stress and ill-health. These feelings are valid, and applying a creative response (see our free Resilience template in Part 1 of this Newsletter) can provide a safe outlet for them, clearing the path for more solution-oriented ideas.
Innovate. An immersive creative response to change usually prompts ideas to fix whatever isn't working. These are the seeds of INNOVATION . Taking action to proactively change what isn't working.
Assess what worked well and what could be improved. Return to seeking a new perspective, and repeat the above process as many times as you wish.

To be truthful, there isn't really an "end" to innovation . INNOVATION becomes a way of life once you discover how fun and satisfying it can be!

How can I keep myself ready for anything?

Train your brain to be more flexible. One way to do this is by practicing one of my favorite creative thinking techniques - SHIFTING YOUR PERSPECTIVE . Some of these will help you literally see things differently, which can sometimes shake up your perspective just enough to give you good ideas to solve whatever you may have been wrestling with. Others may help your team with a mini energy boost.

Shift your perspective.

Follow these perspective shifts with a thought-provoking question such as, "If you could snap your fingers and make one thing better, what might it be?"

See if any of these strategies give you insights into what you might need to change, identify gaps, or give you wild ideas to try. At a minimum, they might prompt some laughter , which is also a wonderful resilience technique.

Let's Draw!

Step 1) Draw some lines and dots for the middle. Add some upside-down V-shapes for petals.

Step 2) Add a zigzag shape over the middle and curved lines below for the inner petals.

Step 3) Add another row of zigzag petals at the top and curves below.

Step 4) Add one more row of V-shapes or zigzags below the flower for the lower petals, and add a broken oval around the blossom. Make a v-shaped cut-out to turn the oval into a lily pad.

There's your lotus flower on a lily pad!

COMING SOON! Applied Visual Thinking for INNOVATION ! Make sure you are on our list to receive the launch announcement and available discounts.

CREATIVITY Part 1: Creativity, Resilience and My Phoenix Moment

Mon, 03 May 2021 21:49:42 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROE S . Vol. 2 No. 9 Ma y 3 , 2021

Creative thinking is not a luxury, it's a necessity. Expressing yourself and your ideas authentically shouldn't be leisure time activities, they are essential to maintaining good health. These are two lessons I learned the hard way during the 2-year period I refer to as my " phoenix moment ." It all turned out OK, and I built up a sturdy suit of resilience armor , but it was the hardest time of my life.

Within 2 years, every major thing on my wish list came true. That's how I came to believe in THE POWER OF MAKING THINGS VISIBLE .

If you can "see it" (write it, map it, draw it…) you can make it happen . I flew to North Carolina, learned to drive stick-shift and drove my brother's old Jeep home. I rented half a 9-room farmhouse on a working vegetable farm, and landed another long-term contract.

No sooner had I unpacked my kitchenware in my new digs, however, than I received news that I had a serious medical diagnosis. When my world as I knew it burst into flame and burnt down to the ground, I had no choice but to sweep up the ashes and keep going.

Then I discovered that CREATIVITY leads to RESILIENCE.

On the recommendation of a colleague, I attended a creativity conference attended by an amazing mix of artists, architects, facilitators, coaches, consultants, organization development and leadership professionals. Organizers Andre and Judy DeZanger have since become friends and mentors. I began to learn a bout the connections between the body, mind and our interactions with the world and how these impact health from the amazing array of presenters . All of these workshops were delivered in such engaging, creative ways, they felt like play. These were "my people" and I began to feel seen, valued and heard.

Most importantly, I began to grow some resilience muscles . I started to value my own voice, my own ideas, vision and creativity as worthy contributions, and understand how to put these tools to use in my life and work. I realized that I had been holding back my authentic, creative, change-maker self at work, and it was making me feel terrible.

Resilience is finding your balance to weather the storms of change. Here are the first few steps of what this process looks like to me now, looking in the rear view mirror. The remaining steps will be covered in our next newsletter. Does this model feel familiar to you in your life and/or work?

AVT Creativity - Resilience Model (Part 1)

Change , transitions, and major life events happen.
Some changes happen that are out of my control , like a layoff, accident or loss of a family member.
Some change is overall positive, perhaps even my own choice , like a marriage, return to school, or leaving one job for another.

I might take one of two paths, depending on how resilient I am feeling at the time. I can fall apart (no, thanks!) or I can look for a helpful perspective on the situation (yes, please!) such as taking a walk to clear my head, or having a friend remind me that I have support and resources in case I need them. Perspective helps interrupt the hopeless feeling that leads to the fight or flight reaction.
Sir Winston Churchill said toward the end of WWII, "Never let a good crisis go to waste." As soon as I can see that the situation is not so dire nor imminent, I find creative ways to explore the opportunities that might present themselves.

Enough about me. Grab your RESILIENCE TEMPLATE and start building those muscles.

To use the template, fill in each section in whatever order the ideas come to you.
Use a combination of words, shapes and icons to practice your visual vocabulary.

The CHANGE – Name the change that's shown up, whether in or out of your control
What I KNOW to be true – Record some verifiable facts about the situation
What I THINK is true – Add what you think, feel, or have been told
WHO I can contact for PERSPECTIVE – You don't have to go through this alone! List helpful people, local and national groups and organizations and websites.
HOW I will get Creative – Make an intention to learn about yourself and take charge of your future. Write, list or draw what you will DO – learn about something, read something, make a painting, write a poem or song, buy a journal, or schedule weekly "me time" for example.

In the next newsletter and in our upcoming course Applied Visual Thinking for INNOVATION, we'll explore further the link between creativity and perspective, two essential principles for successful INNOVATION. Are you ready to be a catalyst for innovation? AVT for INNOVATION is coming soon! Make sure you are on our list to be the first to know when it is released!

Innovations for Life!

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 01:02:07 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 2 No. 8 April 16, 2021

We're hard at work building our next course Applied Visual Thinking for INNOVATION which we'll be launching soon. It's got us thinking about innovations large and small and wondering what you do when you have a problem? Do you enjoy wrestling with the problem until you find an answer? Do you ask for help? Do you get frustrated easily or enjoy looking at the problem from many angles? At Applied Visual Thinking, we believe that if you can describe a problem, then visuals can help you solve it.

Some of the most useful innovations are everyday solutions dreamed up by people open to creative problem solving. Here are a few of our favorite "innovations for life" (otherwise known as "life hacks") and the simple icons they inspired. We hope these solutions and icons will help excite and inspire you to look for simple innovations and apply your visual thinking skills to share them.

Innovation for Life!

Burnt-on mess in your favorite pan? Cover the bottom with water, heat to boiling, then turn off the burner and sprinkle in a generous amount of baking soda. Let sit until cool. Clean up easily.
Toothpaste doesn't just make your teeth shiny. It can make your silver jewelry sparkle, too, in a pinch. Be gentle and don't use it on gemstones, antique or expensive pieces.
Most stains are no match for a scrub of white bar soap. An alternative is dish soap. Tough stain on a white item? Soak overnight in a bucket with the bar of soap.
Use a carabiner to attach your mask or keys to your purse or tote bag, no more digging for your lost keys or mask!
Losing the start of a roll of tape is never a problem if you stick a paper clip to it!
Spear an Oreo with a fork before you dunk it. No more milky fingers!

Enough examples.

Grab a copy of the handout or some paper
and a pen or a marker.

Let's Draw!

Step 1) Pick a life hack - challenge yourself to come up with something completely unique. For example using an old hoodie to create snuggly to carry your pet hamster with you when you go for a walk or troll the internet for some fun ideas to illustrate.

Step 2) Consider the things involved - we're going to apply our visual thinking skills to draw out a simple icon of each object.

Step 3) Use your visual alphabet - break each object down into simple shapes based on Dan Roam's Visual Alphabet.

Step 4) Simplify the drawings - eliminate extra details to simplify the objects into very simple visual vocabulary icons. Strive for something you can draw in less than 15 seconds!

Step 5) Show the action - arrange your icons to tell the story of your life hack. Do you attach one to the other? Are they stacked, bent or folded? Rubbed, cut or stuck together? Drawing the icons in relationship to each other will help tell your story.

Step 6) Annotate - visual thinking is not just about drawing pictures. Adding lettering, arrows and symbols can help your viewer easily understand your life hack so they can use it too.

That's it, you now have a fun life hack you can easily share with other people!

Drawing life hacks is a great way to jump start your v isual problem solving skills and start you on your journey to
becoming a great visual thinker. Want to learn more about the visual alphabet and visual vocabulary ? Check out our FOUNDATIONS course .

Till next time have fun drawing and practice, practice, practice! Take a picture of your work and share on social media. Tag us with #appliedviz.

Drawing Figures The Easy Way!

Fri, 02 Apr 2021 18:27:02 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 2 No. 7 April 2, 2021

We're adding a new feature to our newsletter. Starting this week from time to time, we'll be taking a break from our regular newsletter format to have some drawing fun, which by the way, is an excellent way to...

Build Your Visual Vocabulary!

You may wonder what I mean by visual vocabulary . Think of visual vocabulary as the building blocks for visual thinking . A great
visual vocabulary contains simple icons representing:

People
Places
Things
Actions
Concepts
Metaphors

A working knowledge of the different types:

Charts
Map
Diagrams

Pair these with:

Connectors
Containers
Arrows
Visual Hierarchy

and you'll be well on your way to expressing
your ideas visually.

Enough theory.

Grab a copy of the handout, some paper
and a pen or a marker.

Let's Draw!

Step 1) Draw a carrot - Not the kind Bugs Bunny is so fond of; a tapered triangular shape is all you need.

Step 2) Add a dot - Keep it small. Typical humans are around 7 heads tall. If you stacked a bunch of heads, the
average human would be about 6 heads high from shoulders to feet.

Step 3) Put them on the ground - Add a horizon line and a quick squiggle for a shadow.

That's it, you can now very quickly draw people!

Here are a few tips.

Draw a few carrot figures together for a crowd, keep the heads on the same plane to keep things in perspective.
To show a sense of distance, make the closest figures larger and lower on the page while still keeping the heads
on the same plane.
Add a few more strokes, if you want to show legs, arms, hands, feet, or hair.
Adding a few background details can provide a sense of place or action to help communicate your idea.

Drawing people can be fun, fast, and easy. Try drawing the carrot figures from the handout, then make up some of your own. After you've drawn several different carrot figures pick out your favorite two and fill a page with them!

For extra credit, give your favorite carrot figures identities.

Think about the people you often encounter in your work or personal life. Depending on how you spend most of your time,
they could be:

Family
Friends
Clients or Customers
Team Members
Colleagues
Executives
Board Members
Staff
Patients
Faculty
Students
Parents
The list can go on and on and on.

Next to your favorite carrot figures, jot down a list of people you see in a typical day, and then tape it up where you can see it. For the next week, practice drawing your favorite carrot figures every time you're taking notes. Soon it will become second nature to draw people when you're taking notes or trying to communicate an idea.

Building your visual vocabulary can start you on your journey to becoming a great visual thinker. Want to learn more about the building blocks of visual thinking ? Check out our FOUNDATIONS course .

Till next time have fun drawing and practice, practice, practice! Take a picture of your work and share on social media.
Tag us with #appliedviz.

Explore Your Happy Place!

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 15:28:40 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 2 No. 6 Mar 19, 2021

I openly admit to being a movie buff. One of my earliest movie memories is seeing Yellow Submarine at the big movie
house in our neighborhood. It had once been a grand movie palace. By the time I went to see Yellow Submarine there,
a lot of the shine had worn off or been covered in sticky movie candy residue, but that didn't matter to me; I loved
going there. That simple trip started my love affair with movies. I still love them, any movie (except gory ones), any time,
any place. The big screen, the comfy seats, the popcorn smell, the actors, the story, the dialog, becoming immersed
in the story. Going to the movies is one of my…

Happy Places!

We all have them, places where the chatter in our brains dials down, where time slows down, where we become fully absorbed in the present moment. Applying a little visual thinking to your happy places and what they have in common can help you access those happy feelings more often.

This week we're going to use a Venn diagram to analyze a few of our happy places. According to Wikipedia, "A Venn diagram
is a widely-used diagram style that shows the logical relation between sets, popularized by John Venn in the 1880s."

To create a Venn Diagram, you just need to draw a few overlapping circles. Each circle represents a set of information; the intersections contain information that
the sets have in common. Not familiar with Venn Diagrams? Check out our FOUNDATIONS course.

Grab your pens and some paper or your template, and let's dive in.

Step 1) Do a little brainstorming - Think of at least 3 places where you experience that happy feeling. Jot down some notes about each of your happy places.

Where is it?
What are the sights, sounds, and smells of that place?
Is it dark or bright? Warm or cool? Quiet or loud?
Is it full of other people, or is it mostly empty?
Is it jammed full of exciting stuff, or is it spare and minimalist?
What do you do in each place? Are you sitting, standing,
or moving around?
What is your fondest memory of that place?

Want to take a
deeper dive into
your happy places?

Grab a template
and play along.

Step 2) Create a Venn Diagram - Draw a set of overlapping circles, one for each of your happy places, then give each
ring the name of one of your happy places.

Step 3) Plot your information - This is the fun part! Using your brainstorming notes begin listing attributes about
each of your happy places. If the feature is:

Unique to one happy place, add it to the correct circle
Common to more than one happy place, add it to the
intersection of the two circles
Common to all of your happy places, add it to the center
where all of the circles overlap

Keep going until you run out of ideas. If you run out of space in an intersection add the ideas along the side and connect
with an arrow. For extra credit, use color, icons, connectors, and containers to give your diagram some pizzazz, show
meaning, and make connections.

Step 4) Take a step back - Look at your diagram from a distance. What do you notice? Do the intersections spark any new ideas? Are there other places that might have many of the same attributes, somewhere that might become a new happy place?

Step 5) Schedule a visit - Here's the payoff! Schedule some time on your calendar to visit a potential new happy place in the next week. Even if you can only spare 20 minutes, relish spending time there, notice how you feel in the space. Pay attention
to the things that capture your imagination. Notice if you have that happy feeling. If you do, know that you can come back again anytime you want to experience that happy feeling.

Here's the free icon of the week, draw a few star figures and put yourself in the middle of your happy place.

Remember to practice, practice, practice. Take a picture of your work
and share on social media.
Tag us with #appliedviz .

Learning & Teaching With Visuals

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 20:22:27 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROE S . Vol. 2 No. 5 Mar 05 , 2021

This one is for the teachers. And we are all teachers . Presenters, parents, leaders, managers, volunteer coordinators, coaches… and especially life-long learners (this is where we all come in, I hope!) have to flex our teaching muscles in some way. Why?

As Aristotle said, "Those who know, do. Those that understand, teach." In today's fast-paced world, perpetual learning is a requirement for anyone striving to remain relevant in the workplace, stay connected, and increasingly even manage household technology.

"Those who know, do. Those that understand, teach." — Aristotle

How? How can we keep up with learning when sometimes it's all we can do to keep the clothes and kitchen clean and make sure there is more than one food group represented in the fridge? Here's the good news, and it won't come as a surprise. Visuals are your secret weapon for learning and teaching.

Good notetaking is a skill. It can be an art, too, but it doesn't have to take a lifetime to learn. I know that for me, when I capture key info quickly and in a visually organized way, I remember it better, even if I don't refer back to the notes. They become part of my muscle memory.

When I was in grad school, we learned about Neil Fleming's model of four learning styles – visual, auditory, reading-writing and kinesthetic. Howard Gardner's multiple intelligence theory expanded the model to seven learning styles – visual (spatial), aural (auditory-musical), verbal (linguistic), physical (kinesthetic), logical (mathematical), social (interpersonal) and solitary (intrapersonal). It was amazing to me to realize that we literally think differently, because we process information in different ways.

Newer neuroscientific research has revealed, however, that when it comes to taking in information and remembering it, we are all visual people . According to the Visual Teaching Alliance, 90% of the information that comes into the brain is visual. In 2016, researchers at the University of Waterloo found that drawing simple pictures significantly increased the ability to remember information.

So what? Visuals are NECESSARY for both learning and teaching. Teachers need to learn to leverage visuals, and students need to learn how to "read" different kinds of visuals in thoughtful, sometimes critical ways. Both teachers and students would do well to learn how to use visuals as a COMMUNICATION TOOL to verify that the other understands what we are trying to say. Finally, in today's ever-changing world of work, expectations of continuous skill-building and collaborative workplaces means that everyone will HAVE to get comfortable wearing both learning and teaching hats.

The 3-Step Learning Process

Try this simple process whenever you need to teach someone a new skill.

This works for simpler things like how to use a vegetable peeler and more complex skills like how to edit a website.

Step 1) Watch me once with no questions, the second time pausing for questions.
Step 2) Your turn. I'll talk you through it.
Step 3) On your own this time. I'll keep quiet unless you ask (or there is a real risk of injury or damage).

If you lead a group or project, you need to teach. Visuals can help. Here's a basic lesson plan template you can use as a starting point for planning anything you may need to teach. Make it simple, add visuals and colorful text, and let this double as your agenda!

Here's how to draw some SENSES icons to go with your lesson plan.

Remember to practice, practice, practice. Take a picture of your work and share on social media. Tag us with #appliedviz .

My Visual Thinking Ace In The Hole

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 22:06:13 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 2 No. 4 Feb 19, 2021

My Visual Thinking Ace In The Hole!

Want to jump in and
give it a try?
Grab a pen and some
paper or download the template and play along.

Step 1) Give it a name - In the middle of your page, write down the topic you want to explore and draw a bubble around it.

Step 3) Do a brain dump - This is the fun part . Using short phrases, let your mind go free and dump everything you know about each topic in spokes around each W.

W HO - These all the people involved. Planning a big event? They could be the hosts, guests, caterers, florists, entertainers, security, etc. Working on a new innovation or a project? They could be the team members, suppliers, subcontractors, the people who will benefit from or be impacted by the innovation or project, the community at
large, etc.
W HAT - These are all the things involved. For your event, they could be the invitations, food, music, seating, gifts, etc. For your innovation or project, they could be the product, technology, materials, facilities, tools, documentation, etc.
HO W MUCH or HO W MANY - These are the quantifiable numbers you need to consider. They could be your budget, guests, team members, available time, ROI, etc.
W HERE - These are the places you need to explore or connect with. They could be the venues, locations, branches, departments, teams, etc.
W HEN - These are the dates you want to nail down. They could be the event date, when contracts need to be signed, when deposits are due, when you need to send out invitations, when you need to present your innovation or your project deliverable is due, etc.
HO W - These are the steps you need to take. This could be the process you need to follow, the journey you want to
take, or the tools you'll be using, such as a vision map, process flow chart, or software application.
W HY - This may be the most important one. Why are you doing this? What is the vision or the desired outcome?

Step 5) Take a 2nd pass - Come back to your map and add any new insights or information that may come to mind.

Draw some fun figures to go with your WHOs

Innovation Inspiration

183:831974313 (Sheri Kennedy) — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 19:18:56 GMT

The Art of Applied Vi sual Thinking

There are a zillion tools for Innovation, but how do you know which to apply when? How to remember which tools you have in your toolkit? In the heat of the moment, when changes to your industry, technology or life as we know it create extra pressure on you and your team to dig deep into your innovative solutions drawer and pull off a "win," where can you turn for inspiration?

As an artist, I wrestle with this challenge with every project. I love the idea of "slow and steady wins the race," but to be honest, I need a looming deadline , a do-it-before-someone-else-does idea, or a critical moment to fully release my creative juices. The problem is, if the heat is too high, I sometimes choke on the smoke and have a hard time seeing my way to the starting line.

Over time, I have stumbled across a few strategies that help me get past the chokepoint and down the exit slide toward some kind of finish line. I often return to these strategies when I work with a group facing a similar challenge.

My innovation process goes something like this:

1.) Settle down and breathe. I can't help anyone if I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Meditation, a quick stretch, a cup o' tea, relaxing music, staring at a photo of a place I love, whatever gets me to my "happy place" but doesn't take so long that I lose my productive window of time.

2.) Turn the firehose on myself. Whether the project is a new subject to me or old, I deluge myself with stimuli about it in every format I can find. If I'm looking to create a logo, I research other logos in the industry, look for videos, icons and speakers on related topics, search the shopping websites for products related to the industry and see what the manufacturer's logos look like, and draw, draw, draw. I start a folder and dump everything I like into it so I can scroll through, add to and solicit more ideas from my client team, friends and family. I had one client who sent me a photo of a pillowcase he liked, which influenced the style of the final logo. It's an idea immersion .

3.) Sort and sift. The part of the process that can (and perhaps should) take the most effort is the part where I spin all that great straw into gold . This involves work, rework and iteration. The first solution is never the best. Maybe the fifth will be, or the tenth, twelfth or twenty-seventh. That can be the hard part to explain to a client, and a good reason to return to Step 1 regularly. It's also a good reason to make sure the client is prepared to seek the final solution in layers, narrowing down the direction gradually.

4.) Push it. This is where I try to push beyond my default ideas to some that might be more unexpected, unique or unlike my usual style. For this, I turn to prompt tools that I know like "SCAMPER" or seek or invent new prompts.

5.) Beta test. There's the idea and the reality. It's always good to road test any new idea before it goes live. I have two golden rules that I try to keep whenever possible.

a. Never make major decisions after 10 pm, especially financial ones.

b. Put a night's sleep between editing and publishing.

It's amazing how many potential blunders a fresh eye can catch.

I hope that at least parts of my process will resonate with you. Feel free to steal, modify, rinse and repeat. Whatever your areas of interest, occupation and community, your ideas are welcome, needed and, in fact, essential . Whether sharing your latest life hack with a neighbor or designing a better solar panel, innovation makes our world a better place. One idea at a time.

How to make your own "Fortune Teller"
using the SCAMPER tool to get your ideas flowing…

If you are inventing, improving or imagining a new anything, this handy dandy tool can help you shake up your habitual ways of thinking and crank out a lot more idea clay to model.

SCAMPER is an idea generation tool. The letters stand for

S ubstitute.

C ombine.

A dapt.

M odify.

P ut to another use.

E liminate.

R everse.

These concepts are attributed to Alex Osborn, best known as the inventor of brainstorming. Bob Eberle, developed the mnemonic SCAMPER .

First, download and print the Fortune Teller template (p.1) and trim around the square.

To fold:

With printed side down, fold in half along dotted lines to make 4 squares. Unfold.
Fold corners into center.
Turnover. Fold corners in to center again.
Fold in half in both directions again as in Step 1. Unfold.
Insert fingers under each open corner, pushing center points together. Done!

To use your Fortune Teller , choose one of the numbers on the outside, 1-4. Open and close your fingers that many times. Choose one of the numbered SCAMPER tools you see inside. Lift the flap to reveal your fortune!

The best advice I ever received!

Thu, 21 Jan 2021 18:28:10 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 2 No. 2

Jan 22, 2021

Recently a long-ago conversation with my then boss has been replaying in my mind. At the time, I was a Project Manager for a giant tech company; during my annual review, my boss told me, "I want you to take on something where you might fail." At the time, I couldn't imagine why she would want me to fail at something. Fast forward a couple of decades, I realize now that may have been…

the best advice I ever received!

I don't recall what project she had me take on or even if it failed or succeeded. I remember that willingly doing something that might fail opened up new possibilities, new ideas, and new innovations that I
would never have attempted otherwise. The exciting thing is embracing
the possibility of failure works no matter what you want to do.

No one has ever built a great business without some setbacks or created
a masterpiece the first time they picked up a paintbrush or a hammer
and chisel. No one ever wrote a best seller the first time they sat at the keyboard or had their very first film go on to be a blockbuster without jumping some hurdles. It took Seinfeld years to find an audience and become a huge hit. Babe Ruth, baseball's Sultan of Swat, led the American League in strikeouts five times. Bill Gates was a Harvard dropout who became the world's youngest self-made billionaire.

Lately, I've heard many people discussing what they would do if they knew they could not fail. I say, what can you try that might fail? Give it a go, embrace the failures, learn from them, rinse and repeat. Soon, you'll be on your way to Failing Fast Forward . All the little failures, struggles, headaches, and hurdles are where deep learning happens . Applying a little visual thinking can help you make the most of your experiences.

Want to give it a try?

Grab a template and play along.

Pick your passion. What are you going to try? We suggest starting with something small, creative, process-driven, easily repeatable, and outside of your comfort zone .
I find drawing a Celtic Knot particularly challenging. We've included a step out below
if you want to give it a try. Doodling, not your cup of tea? We've also included a list of other suggestions to the right.
Reduce the risk. Consider how you can make it less daunting, less time consuming, less expensive, or less precious. If you are painting something for the first time, don't invest a ton of money in new paint and brushes; instead, use whatever you have on hand. Want to try creating some unique visual thinking icons? Don't go buy a fancy precious sketchbook, just grab some old newspaper and a giant Sharpie. Want to give your first speech? Don't sign up for a Ted talk. Join a Toastmasters meeting and take a turn at table topics.
Do the work. Now that you know what you want to tackle and how you'll reduce the risk, you have to show up and do it. To make it easier, do a mise en place, that's French, meaning to "put in place." Get your supplies ready, put some time on your calendar, turn off the distractions, and give it a go.
Don't judge mid-process. When your not-so-friendly alter ego shows up and begins to tell you why you should quit while you're ahead, use my favorite Love and Logic tactic. Nod your head knowingly and in your most empathic voice say "Iiiiiii knoooowww, Thanks for your concern, but I got this." and keep going.
Think like a scientist. Appreciate what worked and analyze what could work better. With the kindness of your favorite teacher, pick out what worked and appreciate it. What would happen if you did more of that? How could you use it somewhere else? Then, as precisely as you can, describe what hung you up. Once you figure that out, create a flowchart of how you'll do it differently next time. This is the good stuff;
write it all down! New to flowcharts and applying visual thinking? Sign up for our FOUNDATIONS course .
Rinse an d Repeat and repeat and repeat and repeat. Remember this is Fail - Fast - Forward , give it another go, and another and another until you're happy with the results. If you truly pay attention, you'll learn something from each attempt you can use later on.
Share your work. The hard part is done, now here's the payoff. When you share your work with no expectation of anyone else liking it, the fear of failure can no longer haunt you. Sharing your work says here it is, love it or leave it. There are many places to share your work in the internet age but don't think you have to put everything on social media or create a blog just for your work. It doesn't matter where you share it, just that you love and appreciate it enough to let it breathe and be seen.

Not sure where to start? Try one of these fun
Fail Fast Forward challenges.

Flip a pancake
without a spatula
Hand toss a
pizza crust
Memorize your
favorite poem
or book passage
Write a haiku, a
song or a joke
Draw a single
frame cartoon
Learn to do a
simple magic trick
Ride a skateboard
to the end of
your street
without falling off
Hit a golf ball
100 yards
Ride a unicycle
Make a basket
from center court
Bowl a strike
Cook a
perfect soufflé
Crack an egg
with one hand
Learn to juggle
3 balls
Create a kairn
(balanced rock structure)
Draw a blind
contour self portrait
Draw a perfect
circle freehand

Try drawing a Celtic knot.
It's tricky but
oh so satisfying.

Vision for the Future

183:831974313 (Sheri Kennedy) — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 06:45:23 GMT

The Art of Applied Vi sual Thinking

The future is uncertain. That is a statement that has always been true, and is especially resonant now for most businesses large and small, teams and individuals. The good news is, if you can draw a PICTURE of a POSITIVE future, you and others will undoubtedly find that positive aspiration easier to imagine as a reality. Once you’ve mapped out your POSITIVE PICTURE , you can use visual tools to STREAMLINE the process for how to arrive at the end goal.

“Streamlined,” “positive” and “picture” are the 3 words I've decided to focus my 2021 goggles on, thanks to Deb's " Let's put on our 2021 goggles! Part 1 " 2-part December Newsletter. As I made my lists of words in the various aspects of my life in need of focus, I realized that these words resonated across multiple categories. The word "positive," for example, refers to the kind of client work I will agree to do as well as volunteer efforts, donations, social and other media choices I aspire to make. "Picture" means I want to "put my money where my mouth is" by using visual tools to think, plan and track my more complex projects. I hope to waste less time and energy by mapping out the each project and "streamlining" to only essential steps.

One easy way to clear the mental clutter and find your focus on the future is to turn it into a Vision Map . This story starts with your company's current situation, and illustrates the story up to some point in the future to which you aspire. This map captures the essence of what will be better in the world because of what you do.

If you've taken the Applied Visual Thinking for CUSTOMER JOURNEY MAPPING course (if you haven't yet, you simply MUST! ), you might wonder about the similarities and differences between a Customer Journey Map and a Vision Map. While both map out the story of an experience, the purpose of a Customer Journey Map is to zoom in close and improve the customer's experience with an existing process, while a Vision Map is meant to take a birds-eye, broader perspective view and look toward a brighter horizon than might currently exist.

Here's how to create a VISION map with your team.

First , what kind of story will your team tell? Click HERE to download a free Visioning template, or use this as a springboard to create your own template.
Next, add headers using words and/or icons to represent the Key Elements of your story. Tell the story as if it has already happened. Believe it is possible.
We Are Here / What stage of growth have we reached?
Accomplishments / What have we done well?
Resources / What do we have access to that may help?
Challenges / What do we need and need to do better?
Our Vision / What do we aspire to do and for whom?
Finally, c reate icons for each of your key elements. For example, how might you represent "Vision"? An easy go-to icon is an eye. There are a zillion ways to draw eyes. To get started finding your way of drawing eyes, download this freebie, starting with the 7 b asic shapes in Dan Roam's Visual Alphabet .

Future-proof yourself, your team and your company. A little planning goes a long way.

Get started creating icons for your Vision Map by drawing a variety of eyes!

Let's put on our 2021 goggles! Part 2

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 23:27:17 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 1 No. 6

Dec 25 , 2020

First, let me wish everyone a joyous holiday season. No matter which holiday you celebrate this time of year, we want to wish you and your loved ones all the best. Last time we talked about….

Putting on our 2021 goggles! Part 2

In Part 1 of this article, I mentioned I first developed a habit of selecting a word of the year
(or two or three) about 10 years ago after a particularly challenging year. That first year my
word was JOY . I found new ways to experience more joy all year. I even created a flowchart
about having more joy.

... but the actions didn't follow until
I made it visual!

Sitting in traffic, I admired the beautiful mountains. After a hundred "But Why?" toddler questions, I praised my son's never ending curiosity. At the end of an exhausting day, I marveled at his lovely sleeping face. I believe visual thinking's real power is that it can change your actions.

If you'd like to put on some

new goggles for 2021

grab a template and play along.

Step 1) Brainstorm your actions . Pull out your 3 word sticky note from last time and write one of your words at the top of each section of the template. For each word, think of a few actions you can take to incorporate them into your life. Use the action statement framework "I am (dimension + word), when I (action statement)." Think of one or two real-life situations where you can take an action that expresses the word. For example, one of my words for 2021 is courageous, being an introvert one of my action statements might be, "I am socially courageous, when I talk to someone I haven't met before."

Armed with your words and your flowchart(s), your 2021 goggles are ready to go . Day by day, week by week, month by month, you'll find yourself embodying your three words. You will move closer to where you want to be, what you want to do, and how you want to feel in 2021 and beyond.

After you've created your flowchart(s) be courageous and draw a shield.

Let's put on our 2021 goggles! Part 1

Thu, 10 Dec 2020 17:43:36 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 1 No. 5

Dec 11, 2020

I think everyone will agree this past year has been challenging, to say the least. We've all faced challenges we never expected and couldn't have planned for— work from home, homeschooling, lockdowns, shortages, and many others. While we can't change the past, we can look forward. To do that, we need hope and inspiration, so…

Let's put on our 2021 goggles! Part 1

What do I mean by put on our 2021 goggles? Let me give you a little background. A little over a decade ago, I was coming off an exceptionally challenging year. That year included changing jobs, raising a 2-year-old (which, as every parent will attest, can be hair raising), and coming out of a particularly sticky bout of depression.

Come December, I had had enough and was ready to set my sights sites on something better. I wanted to feel better, be a better parent, and show up in the world better. That was the year I discovered New Year's goggles . I'm not talking about those giant funky glasses you wear on New Year's eve. I'm talking about a lens to view the coming year through — one that sets your sights on what you want, how you want to feel, and how you want to show up in the world.

That first year I knew I wanted more joy in my life...

By the end of that year, I had brought more joy into my life, so I decided to try it again the following year. I picked a new word for the new year and had the same results. That first year I choose one word, now I often choose two or three words for the coming year, and it has become a habit. It's a practice I look forward to, one that has profoundly affected my mental, physical, and emotional well being. It's a habit I highly recommend for everyone, especially after this most challenging year. It may sound hard, but in fact, it's fast, fun, and easy when you apply a little visual thinking .

If you'd like to put on some

new goggles for 2021

grab a template and play along.

Step 5) Percolate and ideate. Over the next two weeks, look over your three words a few times. Play around with the words. Replace any that don't feel just right. Keep going until you have three words that roll off your tongue with ease, that feel right to you, and encapsulate how you want to feel and show up in the world in the coming year — the ones that reflect the best self you want to become. When you have them just right, write them down on a sticky note and hold on to it until our next blog post on Dec 25th. In Part 2, you'll take those three words and create a flowchart to finalize your 2021 goggles .

After you have your three words take a break with a little drawing practice.

Thank You, Customer!

Sat, 28 Nov 2020 17:55:14 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 1 No. 4

Nov 28, 2020

'Tis the season to be thankful for all things big and little that make us smile. Topping my gratitude list this year are my customers. For beta testing, signing up for online courses, sending smile emojis and taking time to write feedback…

I thank you , customer!

One way I plan to show my thanks to YOU this year, Dear Customer, is by MAPPING YOUR JOURNEY so that I continue to improve your experience with Applied Visual Thinking . Read on for more tokens of my gratitude.

How can you pass the happy this holiday season? How about a good old-fashioned hand-written note? It's fun to receive mail that doesn’t ask anything of us, and a note that's signed by a real person stands out.

Imagine how much more longer your note will linger if it's accompanied by a drawing that makes your customer smile? Plus, the budget is easy to approve.

Make your own card.

If you want a fast, fun, simple way to make Thank You notes from scratch, click below to download the easy template and follow these steps for guaranteed success.

What you will need:

On the cover, write "ThankYou" using your thick marker.

A couple of pieces of standard white copy paper
Fancier paper if you like, enough sheets to match your mailing list
A thick marker or highlighter in a color, and a thinner black pen or marker
Envelopes (probably A2)
Stamps

Step 1: Print the template on standard copy paper to use as a model and for folding practice. First fold the longest edge in half with the printed side out, then star to star. With each fold, match the corners and run your fingertip or the back of a spoon along each fold to make them crisp and flat.

Step 2: Print the template on your fancy paper , or just use it as a reference. Fold in the same way, then unfold to write. Make sure your paper is oriented the same way as the model before you write.

Step 3: On the cover, write "Thank You" using your thick marker.

Step 4: Add one or more smiling faces to your letters using the black marker.

Step 5: Inside, draw a GRATITUDE icon like the one shown, or make one of your own. What does GRATITUDE look like to you?

Step 6: Pair your icon with a word or phrase written in your own neatest script. Done. Ready to address, stuff, stamp, and mail!

Did you know that showing gratitude is a great way to increase your own happiness and start a positive chain reaction? Click below to download your Thank You card template and show your customers you care!

Need to break up with procrastination? Try a Pomodoro!

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 20:48:10 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 1 No. 3

Nov 13, 2020

Procrastination can happen to the best of us. On a good day, you give yourself a gentle nudge or swift kick and get moving, but sometimes you need a little extra help.

What do tomatoes (pomodoro is the Italian word for tomato) have
to do with overcoming procrastination, you may ask, more than you may think. According to Wikipedia, "The Pomodoro Technique" is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s.

Ready to break up with procrastination?

Grab yourself a copy of the free template, and dive in.

Step 1: Fill in each quadrant with a portion of the task you've been avoiding. Have fun with it , use color and
hierarchy, add icons, give it some pizzaz!
Step 2: Give yourself something to look forward to at the end of each 25-minute interval by adding what you'll do on your breaks. It could be a cup of tea, a stretch, a snack, or a
5-minute power nap; let your imagination run wild.
Step 3: Set up your materials, and whatever else you need to work on your task, settle in, set a timer (any timer will do,
but if you have a tomato timer, all the better), and get to work. Once the timer goes off, take a short break and repeat until you've completed your pomodoro.
Step 4: Create another pomodoro with your next four tasks. Visualizing your next four tasks now will help you get a jump start on your next session. Don't forget to schedule time on your calendar for your next session. If it isn't scheduled,
it isn't real!
Step 5: Celebrate your success by giving yourself a high five and take a longer break

Don't have time to do all four quadrants in one sitting?
No problem, try planning your pomodoro over a few
days or a couple of weeks.

Progress breaks procrastination.

Breaking up with procrastination can be fast, fun, and easy with a pomodoro and a little applied visual thinking. Grab a free copy of the Pomodoro template and get ready to break up with procrastination.

After you finish your pomodoro take a break with a little drawing practice!

Make the scary not so scary!

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 21:55:27 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 1 No. 2

Oct 30, 2020

These are scary times for multiple reasons. It's true. What if we could find a way to make scary not so scary? What if, just for a day, we could be someone else, see other people as they aren't, and change our environment to look completely different and fun? Oh, wait. That's what Halloween is for! In this article, we'll explore three ways to chomp into some Halloween inspiration candy and siphon off some of the scary.

Emojis prompt empathy.

First, do you decorate your home, your office or yourself for holidays? You may not want to change your virtual background to a haunted house, but have you thought about dressing up your next team communication ? Nothing attracts attention like a visual, and of all possible imagery, faces hold the greatest appeal. This preference for faces goes back to infanthood. Emojis are fun, easy to draw faces that prompt empathy. That could be why emojis are so popular.

In your next team email, newsletter, agenda, or other communication, try your hand at adding "pumpkemojis" like the ones in the how-to. Apply an expressive face to a pumpkin, and you can convey concern, surprise, happiness or fright, for example. Try it and see what you observe — connection through laughter? Spontaneous conversations? Interpretation (visual literacy learning)?

Here's another idea. Are you nervous about having to make a presentation? OK. Let's get real. EVERYONE gets at least a little goosebump nervous before a presentation! Are you afraid the audience will feel like a Zoom room full of zombies? Try modifying the ol' "picture them naked" trick. Instead, imagine your entire audience is in Halloween costumes — actual cowboy, princess, superhero, zombie, cartoon character and vampire get-ups! You won't be able to suppress a genuine, contagious, big as a clown smile, guaranteed.

Third scary not scary idea. Is there a particular "ghoul" who scares you? Does the thought of having a conversation about a difficult topic with this person make your teeth rattle? What if there were a way to fearlessly approach conversations with bogeymen and women? Download the free Crucial Conversations template and try this simple process.

Crucial Conversations Process

Start from a positive assumption. You are both working toward the same ultimate goals to achieve the best possible outcomes. What are those SHARED GOALS ? List them.
Imagine. Picture the other person as a Halloween character that makes
them more likable to you. Draw them and yourself in costume in the
"THEM" and "ME" and boxes.
Put yourself in their shoes. If you were them, what PRIORITIES might you
go to bat for?
Connect. Take a minute or two at the beginning of the conversation to
connect on a personal level. Even a pirate has a heart in there somewhere.
Jot down a question or conversation starter in the "WHAT I NEED TO SAY"
list, and you might just find the conversation goes your way. Clearly state
your top priorities in this list, too, so you can be sure you both walk away
with treats.

Have a tough conversation you need to prepare for?
Grab a free copy of the Crucial Conversations
template and have some Halloween fun with it!

Need to get moving? Take the stairs.

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 21:06:16 GMT

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES . Vol. 1 No. 1

Oct 16, 2020

We all have them, a project we keep meaning to start or one that’s almost but not quite finished. One we’d like to get in motion but just don’t get around to.

Need to get moving? Take the stairs...

Awhile back, I had shoulder surgery which required several months of physical therapy. Sitting in the waiting area 3 times a week for months on end I began to find ways to entertain myself. One day as I was waiting, I noticed this sign and though it would make an interesting visual thinking model. So, I began to play with ideas for how I might use simple stairs as a visual metaphor.

Perhaps as a Project Kick Starter , with questions like…

Where are you now?
What you do want to achieve?
What 3 bold steps could get you started?

Or possibly as a Project Closer with questions like…

Where are you now?
What 3 steps could get you across the finish line?
How will you celebrate success?

Have a project you'd like to jump start or one you need to close? Grab a free copy of the Project Kick Starter and Project Closer templates and get started visualizing your next steps.

After you start or finish your project give yourself a thumbs up with a little drawing practice!

Introducing Applied Visual Thinking

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 13:37:40 GMT

Oct 06, 2020

When Debbie DeLue and I met in late 2018, we discovered that we shared the vision of a world where VISUAL THINKING becomes first nature to everyone.

There are a lot of wonderful methods out there for learning how to create simple visuals for business, and a lot of great teachers.* There are also a lot of excellent visual systems for managing complex business processes. These are most helpful for someone with a foundation in either the drawing or business process end.

But what if you complete a training and are left with the questions, “Now what? How can I use this TODAY?” We could relate to this feeling, and we knew we could bridge the gap by creating hands-on, immediately applicable courses that are accessible to everyone.

Applied Visual Thinking is the brainchild that emerged, AVT for short.

We've partnered with Dan Roam's best in class learning platform The Napkin Academy to bring new fast, fun, visual thinking courses to everyone because we believe…

Learning to work visually is within everyone’s reach
Learning these skills can and should be fast, easy, and fun
Learning to work visually is a vital 21st-century skill
Everyone, at all levels must be ready, willing, and able to contribute to the conversation

In a bit more detail, AVT IS …

…for solopreneurs, entrepreneurs, managers and teams to expand your tool kits in a wide variety of areas.

…a set of courses and tools designed to be fast, fun, practical, and easy to learn .

…the foundations of visual communication using words, pictures, and diagrams .

…simple practical lessons that can be put to use in many arenas from visioning to innovation, project management to process improvement, customer journey mapping to common business processes and beyond.

…accessible. No prior knowledge, skills, or fancy technology required!

…a gateway to many critical applications, such as…

simple ways to communicate complex information
captivating storytelling
more engaging meetings
nonverbal tools that increase input from diverse perspectives
more effective learning
those cool visual notes and charts you've seen others create

…your launching pad into the visual workplace. You know how to do your job. Applied Visual Thinking will help you and your team show what you know …with IMPACT.

All AVT courses

are divided into short, bite-sized morsels
are based on evidence-based learning models and 40+ years of expertise
prepare you to use your new expertise as soon as you finish each course

Like all proud parents, we hope you'll drop by and see the new baby. You can check us out and take a sneak peek at our first two courses, the first of many, at https://www.appliedviz.com/Courses . We look forward to hearing your success story when you learn to apply visual thinking to close gaps, avoid obstacles, build bridges, create change .

Best,

Sheri Kennedy and Debbie DeLue

Co-Founders, Applied Visual Thinking

www.appliedviz.com

*To learn more about the great work offered by other visual practitioners, please visit the International Forum of Visual Practitioners (IFVP). We are forever grateful to Dan Roam, Christina Merkley and Heather Martinez, among others for launching us into the field.

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

Visual Courage Part 3: Visual Thinking In High-Stakes Rooms

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

VISUAL COURAGE PART 3: Visual Thinking in High-Stakes Rooms

WHAT MAKES A ROOM "HIGH STAKES"

WHY VISUAL THINKING IS YOUR HIGHEST-LEVERAGE TOOL IN THESE ROOMS

GETTING READY: THE PRE-MEETING SKETCH

IN THE ROOM: THREE MOVES THAT ALWAYS WORK

WHEN THE ROOM PUSHES BACK

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITY: PREP FOR YOUR NEXT

HIGH-STAKES MOMENT

Visual Courage Part 2: Sharing Your Work

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

VISUAL COURAGE PART 2: Sharing Your Work

WHY SHARING FEELS SO EXPOSED

REFRAME: YOU'RE NOT SHARING ART. YOU'RE SHARING THINKING.

STARTING SMALL: THE COURAGE STAIRCASE

WHAT TO DO WHEN IT DOESN'T LAND

USING SHARING AS A FACILITATION TOOL

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITY: YOUR FIRST SHARE

COMING UP NEXT

Visual Courage Part 1: The Blank Page

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

VISUAL COURAGE, PART 1: Facing the Blank Page

Superhero Truth: Courage isn't the absence of fear. It's picking up the pen anyway.

THE THREE FACES OF BLANK-PAGE FEAR

VISUAL COURAGE IN ACTION: Facing the blank page

BLANK-PAGE COURAGE WITH YOUR TEAMS

Remember: Your job as a visual thinking leader is to make the room safe for imperfect, courageous marks.

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITY: The Courage Warm-Up

Tame Your Distraction Dragons with Visuals! Part 2

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

WAYS TO DEAL WITH DISTRACTIONS

WAYS TO WORK WITH DISTRACTION IN OUR WORK WITH OTHERS

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITY: Draw Your Distraction Dashboard

The Art of Coming Back

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The Art of Coming Back: Repair Discipline for Your Visual Practice

And here's a critical moment for your visual practice —not the stopping, but what comes after.

Five Ways to Practice Repair Discipline

Why This Matters Beyond Your Sketchbook

Your Turn

The Power of Getting Outside Your Comfort Zone

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The Good Kind of Uncomfortable: Growth Discipline for Your Visual Practice

Five Ways to Practice Growth Discipline

Why This Matters Beyond Your Sketchbook

Growth discipline in any area teaches you that discomfort isn't a sign you're doing it wrong. It's a sign you're doing it right.

Your Turn

Your visual thinking practice isn't asking you to be perfect. It's asking you to be brave enough to be bad at something new. That's where the magic happens.

The Power of Showing Up

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The Power of Showing Up: Maintenance Discipline for Your Visual Practice

Five Ways to Practice Maintenance Discipline

Why This Matters Beyond Your Sketchbook

Your Turn

WHERE DO YOU NEED TO JUST SHOW UP THIS WEEK?

The Just-Right Visual

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

Three Types of Discipline for Your Visual Practice

The Three Types

How?

Try This: The Three-Type Check

(2 minutes)

Your Turn

Let's Put on Our 2026 Goggles! Part 2

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

Reflect, Reset, & Realign: Preparing to Launch Your Fresh Start

Putting on our 2026 goggles! Part 2

... but the actions didn't follow until I made it visual!

If you'd like to put on some

new goggles for 2026

grab a template and play along.

After you've created your flowchart(s) be courageous and draw a shield.

Let's Put on Our 2026 Goggles! Part 1

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

Reflect, Reset, & Realign: Your Year-End Guide to a Fresh Start

Let's put on our 2026 goggles! Part 1

That first year I knew I wanted more joy in my life...

If you'd like to put on some

VISUAL COURAGE PART 3:
Visual Thinking in High-Stakes Rooms

VISUAL COURAGE IN ACTION:
Facing the blank page

Remember: Your job as a visual thinking leader is to make the room safe for imperfect,
courageous marks.

... but the actions didn't follow until
I made it visual!

When Discipline Becomes Love:
A Visual Thinking Approach

Want to jump in and
give it a try?
Grab a pen and some
paper or download the template and play along.

15-Minute Activity:
Map Your Sweet Spot

Want to jump in and
give it a try?
Grab a pen and some
paper or download the template and play along.