What is Visual Thinking?
Sometimes we think too much! There is so much focus on facts, figures, process, rules and cooperation that we don’t "Visually" listen to our natural instincts and hunches about what to do. Visual thinking is the practice of using visuals to enhance your ability to solve problems & complex issues, enhance communication style, and learn the technique of no boundaries in creative brainstorming.Visual Thinking is using visual aids in the thinking processes to stimulate higher levels of innovation and creativity. Visual thinking is also a paradox in that it’s also about learning to stop "thinking" to allow visual ideas and imagination to flow naturally.
From early civilization we have found that from the cavemen, to the aborigine and from the Egyptian hieroglyphics that natural instincts led these people to document their history in visual drawings that represented their stories and thoughts.
In business and in life we use extensions of all kinds of devices such as flip charts, whiteboards, color coded day-timers, projectors, pictures, graphic designs, colors and much more as visual aids to stimulate our thinking and enhance conscious and subliminal communication.
Some people may doodle or draw thumb nail sketches to help clarify their thoughts about something or use objects to illustrate a point.
Children naturally express their creativity and expressive side without thinking just by being inspired by the sight of tree or a flower. All these are aspects of visual thinking - representations of thoughts that can be seen.
What is beginning to change with the arrival of the "technology age" is that more complex and subtle thought processes are being explored and methods that permit constant changes to be made are extending the scope.
Simply put, we are exploring and stimulating parts of the brain that have been dormant and once awakened can provide new levels of innovation and creativity.
All of these examples are aspects of visual thinking - representations of thought that can be seen.
Visual Thinking Programs
- Improves the growth and awareness of observation abilities
- Develops stronger thinking, listening and communication skills
- Stimulates the brain to improve the ability to innovate and articulate
Visual Thinking with Art Observation
This program facilitates groups of people who work together or who work in teams. A specific piece of artwork is selected to be used based on the level of visual and critical thinking needed. A picture of the artwork is projected onto a large surface or screen and a series of open ended questions are posed. All individuals are required to respond.The facilitator leads the discussion in a way that observations are described in a neutral tone and technique.
- The observations are then backed up with evidence and ideas
- Contrasting and complementary observations are considered
- Everyone has the opportunity to consider the viewpoint of others
- Many interpretations are revealed
- The technique of Visual thinking is then applied to a workplace problem or opportunity
Visual Think Games
These sketching games and exercises will immediately improve individual and team decision making, critical thinking skills and stretches the imagination.- Word-think
- Picture-think
- Imagination Tank