You’ve probably heard of visual thinking before, but you may not know exactly what it is. Visual thinking is a way of learning that focuses on processing information using visual aids. This can include anything from mind maps and flow charts to diagrams and infographics.
Visual thinking has become increasingly popular in recent years as we move towards a more digitally-driven world. With the advent of smartphones and tablets, we now have access to a wealth of information at our fingertips—which can be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it’s never been easier to find the answers to our questions. On the other hand, it can be overwhelming to sift through all of the data that’s out there. That’s where visual thinking comes in. When done correctly, visual aids can help us make sense of the deluge of information and find the answers we’re looking for quickly and easily.
The Benefits of Visual Thinking
Many benefits come with using visual aids to process information. For one, it can help you learn and remember new information more effectively. Studies have shown that we typically remember only 10% of what we hear, 20% of what we read, and 30% of what we see. However, when we combine all three senses—hearing, seeing, and doing—that figure jumps up to 70%. So if you want to remember something you’ve learned, it’s better to try and process it in as many ways as possible—including visually.
In addition to helping us learn and remember new information more effectively, visual aids can also help us communicate our ideas more clearly. Have you ever tried to explain something verbally only to have the person you’re talking to give you a blank stare? We’ve all been there. Trying to communicate an idea using nothing but words can be difficult, especially if your listener isn’t familiar with the concepts you’re trying to explain. However, when you add a visual aid into the mix, things become much clearer. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words—so an infographic or diagram can oftentimes do a better job at explaining complex ideas than verbal explanations alone.
Finally, visual aids can help us stay organized and on track. If you’re working on a project with multiple moving parts, it’s easy for things to start feeling overwhelming—but using visual aids can help you keep everything straight in your head (and on paper). Flow charts, mind maps, Gantt charts…there are all sorts of helpful tools out there that can help you organize your thoughts and make sure you don’t forget anything important along the way.
Conclusion
As digital natives continue to enter the workforce en masse, businesses are starting to pay more attention to methods like visual thinking that cater to their employees’ strengths. However, even if your company hasn’t yet caught on to the trend, there’s no reason why you can’t start implementing some basic visual thinking techniques in your own work-life! Trust us—your future self will thank you for it. You can start by trying our MindMapper mind mapping software. Try it for free today, and see how this innovative visual thinking app can help you master information more quickly than ever before.