October 2007 Question of the Month
October 7, 2007 – 11:46 amOne of our goals at VizThink is to start and sustain discussions in the community. To kick that off, we’re starting our Visual Thinking Question of the Month. Each month we’re going to post a new question out to the community. If you have a blog, feel free to post your response there and provide a permanent link to your post in the comments here. If you don’t have a blog, post your comments here.
October 2007 Question of the Month:
Many people, companies, and classes use the words “visual thinking”. How would you define visual thinking? What’s included? What’s not included?
Do you have suggestions for the November Question of the Month? Send them here.
4 Responses to “October 2007 Question of the Month”
What is Visual Thinking? I think it could cover an extremely broad scope, but I’ll take a stab at a personal definition. Visual Thinking is any non-linear representation of information either in hard copy, computer generated, or created in your mind that enhances your thinking. The only requirement is that you can “see it”. It could include color, images, art, movement, taste, smell, or sound. You might be able to touch it. Because our imaginations are limitless, so are the possibilities for Visual Thinking!
Jamie Nast — Author of Idea Mapping (John Wiley & Sons, September 2006)
By Jamie Nast on Oct 7, 2007
Visual Thinking to me is the ability to solve a problem by imaging it mentally. For example, when I am traveling, regardless of the mode, I never get lost because I always have a map image in my mind of where I am and where I am going. I developed this skill probably at an early age because of my childhood love of maps and it was futher enhanced when I became a pilot and the ability to read maps and always know where you are becomes a life saving event. So today, when I have a problem to solve I sit down and try to image the problem in some manner, which then enhances my ability to translate the image into words to explain the problem and its potential solution to someone else.
By herbert Rust on Oct 11, 2007
What is Visual Thinking?
For me it’s the art science of representation. Seeing the tangible and intangible nature of ideas in physical form. Exploiting all the senses but especially vision to cause powerful emotional attachment in the materialization of concepts and notions.
What is Included?
An outcome. One that has been visualized in whatever style or form that creates greater understanding, ownership and excitement. Artifacts that are an embodiment of the approach to capturing the process of thinking.
What isn’t included?
Solely text explanations or flat capture of complex notions and ideas.
By John Caswell on Oct 12, 2007
Visual thinking is thinking in pictures. Physicist uses it. How about chess players. The X & O of football and basketball.
Understanding and memory are enhanced with all accessories that stimulate all the senses. Maybe even intuition.
By edgar on Nov 24, 2007