How to stand out with visuals:
My visual journey started 2 years ago.
I’ve got many viral hits and have helped others do the same through my course and community.
If building an audience by explaining ideas visually sounds interesting, this thread is for you.
I’ve got many viral hits and have helped others do the same through my course and community.
If building an audience by explaining ideas visually sounds interesting, this thread is for you.
Step 1: Bust the limiting belief.
Don't look at visuals as fancy art.
Treat it as a vehicle for effective communication.
Don't look at visuals as fancy art.
Treat it as a vehicle for effective communication.
“But I don’t know the design tools”
The abundance of tools and tutorials out there is insane.
Take Figma (a free tool that I use for my visuals).
Search ‘Figma basics’ on YouTube and start to make things.
Don’t want to go digital? Pen and paper work as well:
The abundance of tools and tutorials out there is insane.
Take Figma (a free tool that I use for my visuals).
Search ‘Figma basics’ on YouTube and start to make things.
Don’t want to go digital? Pen and paper work as well:
Step 2: Gathering ideas is key!
“Creativity is just connecting things.” – Steve Jobs
It’s hard to explain ideas visually if you try to start from a blank page. To produce good stuff consistently, you need to have a lot of notes.
Pay attention. Increase your awareness.
“Creativity is just connecting things.” – Steve Jobs
It’s hard to explain ideas visually if you try to start from a blank page. To produce good stuff consistently, you need to have a lot of notes.
Pay attention. Increase your awareness.
What ideas to capture:
2.1. Be a curious consumer.
Books, blogs, audiobooks, podcasts, socials. Create a high-quality information diet for yourself and pay attention to interesting ideas.
2.1. Be a curious consumer.
Books, blogs, audiobooks, podcasts, socials. Create a high-quality information diet for yourself and pay attention to interesting ideas.
2.2. Snap pictures for analogies.
When it comes to visuals it’s super helpful to take pictures of interesting things you notice. For example, I took pictures from this drum roller, and later I made this:
When it comes to visuals it’s super helpful to take pictures of interesting things you notice. For example, I took pictures from this drum roller, and later I made this:
2.3. Feelings, emotions, and struggles.
It’s not only about ideas, tricks, and tips. Feelings, struggles, and noticing your behavior can be a starting point for your next viral hit. This was mine while reflecting on some struggles I faced as an aspiring creator.
It’s not only about ideas, tricks, and tips. Feelings, struggles, and noticing your behavior can be a starting point for your next viral hit. This was mine while reflecting on some struggles I faced as an aspiring creator.
2.4. What questions do you have?
I’m sure there are moments when you have questions you would like to know answers to. Five minutes ago I noted down ’How to train bias towards action?’ Going on a journey to find the answer for this question can open a lot of great content ideas.
I’m sure there are moments when you have questions you would like to know answers to. Five minutes ago I noted down ’How to train bias towards action?’ Going on a journey to find the answer for this question can open a lot of great content ideas.
Step 3: Acknowledge feeling & create relatability.
Don’t illustrate only advice or simply represent data and concepts. Here’s one example how to acknowledge feeling and create relatability:
Don’t illustrate only advice or simply represent data and concepts. Here’s one example how to acknowledge feeling and create relatability:
Step 4: Is it clear and to the point?
No fluff and clever nonsense. People are drawn to clarity and away from confusion. It should create "aha" moments in a second or two.
No fluff and clever nonsense. People are drawn to clarity and away from confusion. It should create "aha" moments in a second or two.
Step 5: Is it elegantly articulated?
Visuals almost do this by default. We can take well-known ideas and represent them in a novel way. This will create a feeling of “huh, smart, i’ve never seen something like this”.
Aim for that feeling.
Visuals almost do this by default. We can take well-known ideas and represent them in a novel way. This will create a feeling of “huh, smart, i’ve never seen something like this”.
Aim for that feeling.
Step 6: Amplify ideas.
Are we adding more meaning and punch to our idea? Don’t be lazy; push a bit further but remember not to break other steps along the way. In the below example, ‘Do we want this?’ is where we amplify the idea.
Are we adding more meaning and punch to our idea? Don’t be lazy; push a bit further but remember not to break other steps along the way. In the below example, ‘Do we want this?’ is where we amplify the idea.
Step 7: Respect your audience's attention.
If you want people to engage, follow and share your work, do your best to be high signal and low noise.
Think - how are you showing up online Would you follow yourself? Would you share this with a friend?
If you want people to engage, follow and share your work, do your best to be high signal and low noise.
Think - how are you showing up online Would you follow yourself? Would you share this with a friend?
If you are into this type of stuff and don't want to do it alone, you can join Explain Ideas Visually Course & Community: ozolinsjanis.com
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