Blog - Verbal to Visual

What We Build

I’ve recently realized that the visual thinking programs that I run are about three things: 1. Building Skills We gather together for the purpose of building visual thinking skills, to …

The Three Shifts

To become a visual thinker requires three shifts. The first shift is from consumption to creation. This is the decision to not just passively take in new information, but actively create …

Models Bridge the Gap

You know that feeling of anxiety that you get when you take on a project that’s outside your realm of expertise? You don’t know what tools, materials, or skills you …

Establishing a Rhythm: Shipping Creative Work Consistently

I’ve been thinking lately about what it takes to develop, produce, and ultimately ship creative work. In my case, the specific creative work I focus on is making videos like …

Make More Mistakes: The Role of Discomfort in Learning

How do we get better at getting better? That’s the core question behind Adam Grant’s book Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things. In one section of the book …

A hand-drawn diagram titled 'MOMENTUM' featuring two main elements. On the left, there's a Venn diagram with three overlapping circles labeled 'PURPOSE', 'PUZZLE', and 'PIECES'. On the right, there's a larger wheel or circular diagram resembling a wagon wheel with multiple spokes (drawn as pencils). Around this wheel are labeled arrows and text including 'SHORT PHRASES', 'QUICK SKETCHES', and 'RELEVANCE & RESONANCE'. The image is being drawn by a hand holding a black marker visible in the frame.

Maintaining Momentum in Visual Thinking Projects

Have you ever found yourself stuck in the middle of a creative project? You’re deep in the details, trying to make sense of all the individual components while desperately trying …

A simple hand-drawn diagram showing three interconnected concepts represented by stick figures sitting on oval shapes. The ovals are labeled 'PROBLEM-SOLVING TOOL' at the top, 'LEARNING TOOL' on the left, and 'COMMUNICATION TOOL' on the right. Each stick figure has a simple facial expression, and arrows connect between them. Two hands are visible in the image - one gesturing on the left and one holding a marker on the right, suggesting this is being drawn in real-time on a white surface.

The Sketch Trifecta: Three Powerful Applications of Visual Thinking

Visual thinking is a versatile skill that can transform the way we learn, solve problems, and communicate. When I think about the applications of visual thinking skills, three specific types …

A whiteboard sketch showing concepts from 'The Extended Mind' book by Annie Murphy Paul (visible in the corner). The sketch includes several illustrated concepts: 'Auditory Hook' with wavy sound lines, 'Visual Hook' with an eye symbol and arrow, 'Proprioceptive Hook' with a hand symbol, 'Human's First Language' showing hands and the word 'UP!', and 'Cognitive Offloading' in a cloud bubble. There's also a drawing of a hand making a peace sign with dotted lines above it labeled 'Enhanced Memory'. Two hands are visible in the image: one holding a marker and one resting on the whiteboard.

How Hand Gestures Help You Think

In Annie Murphy Paul’s fascinating book The Extended Mind, one of my favorite chapters explores how we can use our hands as both a thinking and communication tool. Today, I …

If You Can Write, You Can Draw

Are you held back from visual thinking because you’re afraid of drawing? You’re not alone. Visual thinking – the practice of using drawings and diagrams to understand information, tackle complex …

The 5 Kits: Tools for Visual Thinking

In order to engage in the work of visual thinking – of making marks to make meaning – all you really need are two things: something to write and draw …