Shape Shift Map
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.
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