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Visual communication is a tool used to represent information graphically. Not only does it help in sharing information in less time but also improves comprehension.
People are keen to consume information presented in the form of an image, chart or infographic. This is one of the reasons behind Instagram’s popularity. As an image and video sharing app—both forms of visual communication–Instagram offers quick and convenient information sharing.
Visual communication has become the norm across industries. Another example is Buzzfeed’s Tasty, a food network with visually-appealing cooking videos.
Read on to discover how this form of communication can be used to streamline interactions and information sharing in the workplace.
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What Is Visual Communication?
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Types Of Visual Communication
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Build A Presence With Visual Communication
What Is Visual Communication?
Visual communication is representing information in the form of graphics. It helps to communicate important or relevant data and statistics quickly and easily. In a professional setting, examples of visual communication are presentations, bar graphs and charts.
Here’s an example:
Tia is a marketing analyst responsible for a new ad campaign for sustainable packaging. She decides to model a prototype with the help of the product team. Along with the prototype, she creates a dynamic presentation to represent data and her findings.
Not only was Tia able to give a comprehensive presentation to the client but also secured the account! Her approach to visual communication set her apart from her competitors. The client was able to understand the ‘what’, ‘why’ and ‘how’ of her idea. She successfully conveyed that the client would be saving money on this and winning over an eco-conscious customer base.
Visual communication can help you present your ideas in a more attractive way that’s easy to understand.
Types Of Visual Communication
You’ll find several types of visual communication that you can rely on to present your ideas or business strategies. Some organizations have shifted to a more advanced form of creating their annual reports that are packed with visual aids. From animated videos to complete e-books, there’s no limit to what you can add.
Here are some popular methods to present information visually:
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Presentations
Creating a slide deck or presentation slides is a trusted method to present information and data with the help of graphics. This is especially helpful when you’re working with text-heavy data. Presenting information in the form of bar graphs, pie charts or tables helps the audience understand what you’re trying to convey. Imagine reading out an entire annual report in a meeting! Soon enough, most of the audience will have lost interest. Visual aids are an effective companion to help you share critical insights.
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Brochures
Offering brochures and downloadable resources will help you reach out to your customers. For instance, if you’ve launched a new service, a brochure identifying its features and outcomes for the consumer will help spread the word. You can make it interactive and link it to your website for increased traction. Strategies such as these help you stand out in a sea of competitors. For instance, with artificial intelligence slowly descending on us, organizations have to make provisions for it. It’ll help to adopt new and improved strategies of communication.
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YouTube Videos
Most organizations are active on YouTube as a means to share more information about their products. The idea is that a two-minute video can teach you more about a product than pages and pages of a report. It’s also a marketing technique to reach a wider audience. Customers can then interact with the organization directly via comments and share what they think of their product or service. The videos often use animation and images to make their point.
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Animated Graphics
Motion graphics are a fun way to share information. They’re easy to grasp and follow, making sure that no information is lost in translation. You can incorporate motion graphics into your presentations as well. Many people working in creative roles have now turned their resumes into dynamic websites with animation. You can interact with the page, creating a complete user experience. Initiatives such as these help them leave a lasting impression on the audience.
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Custom Images And Vectors
Stock images are commonly-used for blogs and websites. But you can create your own vectors (computed graphic) or create custom images for niche content. Prioritizing quality over quantity is effective in helping sustain competition. If you want to make a mark as an employee, you have to come up with novel and creative ideas to communicate with others in your team. If you’re giving a presentation with custom vectors or images, you’ll likely be remembered for your effort.
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Infographics
Infographics are popular visual communication tools. They’re a combination of ‘information’ and ‘graphics’. If you have to explain a concept or a framework, it’s more effective to create an infographic. It helps readers understand the concept easily. For instance, you could use a cyclical graphic to explain a process or a hierarchical graph to define a system.
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Social Media
One of the most popular methods to share information today is social media. Facebook and Instagram ad campaigns are part of every marketer’s toolkit. A meme with a four-word copy can tell you more than you’d imagine—and it attracts attention. These are avenues where you can unleash your creativity. Whether it’s memes or gifs, you can use these forms of communication liberally to interact with your audience. For instance, Netflix’s social media managers use short clips or images from movies, etc., to engage with their customers.
These are some of the popular visual communication tools used today. You can use several others like stock images, which are widely popular, storyboards or illustrations. Visual communication skills will help you connect with others, stand out and build a personal brand. Read on to discover how!
Build A Presence With Visual Communication
Visually-represented information inspires change, motivates and drives people to act. If they won’t read a 100-page report on the butterfly effect, they’re more likely to engage with a short clip that explains the concept. But most of all, you’ll be remembered for taking the initiative to bring in new forms of communication.
Build your personal brand by adopting unique and purpose-driven methods to share information and insights. In a competitive environment, how you approach work can be different from others and this is what’ll set you apart.
Here are some ways that visual communication will help you build your brand:
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Find Your Signature Voice
When you use unique methods to convey your ideas, you’ll find it easier to identify your signature voice. Instead of mimicking others and their methods, you’ll make a conscious effort to come up with your own. This way, you’re able to experiment more and play around with ideas for something that’s never been done before. Your peers will find it easier to recognize your style.
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Express Your Vision
Using visual aids to accompany your presentations, emails or even a pitch at work will help you express your vision with clarity. You’ll get a good understanding of the information, helping you explain it better. The more you’re able to learn, the better you’re able to teach. Especially if you’re a team lead or a manager, expressing your vision with graphics, images and illustrations is interactive, fun and a lot more engaging.
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Persuade Your Audience
Your audience will engage and respond more if you use a visual communication tool. A presentation is usually followed by a question and answer round where audiences can ask queries or raise concerns. This leads to healthy discussions and brainstorming. You’ll likely persuade your audience with ease by using tools that evoke emotion and are accessible. Communication is ultimately an exchange of ideas–what you present to your audience determines how they’ll interact with you.
Sometimes, words aren’t enough to explain your ideas or thoughts. Visual communication can help you reach a wider audience with different needs. It helps simplify complex information and storytelling. If you’re dealing with a topic that’s particularly dry, visual communication can add the spark you need to make it more appealing.
Harappa’s Building Presence course will teach you how to build your personal brand. Our personal development course introduces key frameworks such as the Signature Voice to help you balance your voice for self and others. It’s critical to communicate compellingly in the workplace to get your point across at once. Learn to express your vision by clearly articulating your ideas and plans.
Visual communication is the way forward when it comes to idea-sharing. It’s also a good way to repurpose what you know and explain it in better ways. Expand your thinking and adopt modern strategies to communicate with others at work.
Explore Harappa Diaries to learn more about topics related to the COMMUNICATE Habit such as What is Mirroring, The Importance of Personal Development & Tips for Personality Development and create a good first impression.
