Thanks for joining us on The Visual Thinking Toolkit Newsletter, we're pleased to have you join us as we continue to explore the themes around visual thinking and culture.
This week's theme is a topic that is close to my heart: visual metaphors. Visual metaphors are at the core of visual thinking, and I'm excited to investigate them with you in this issue. I'll be sharing some insights about their deep historical roots, influence across disciplines, and how they shape our present thinking and creativity.
Pictures make us human
A painting created at least 51,200 years ago in the limestone cave of Leang Karampuang in the Maros-Pangkep region of the Indonesian island of Sulawesi portrays three human-like figures interacting with a wild pig (via REUTERS)
Our artistic heritage just got quite a lot older. The discovery of the oldest ever cave paintings a few weeks ago in Indonesia has changed our preconceived ideas about the history of art. Painted at least 51,200 years ago, scientists have found artwork showing three human-like characters interacting with a wild pig in what they believe to be the oldest-known accurately dated cave painting in the world. Hopefully you can make out these forms in the image above. The discovery emphasises the fact, as long-held belief has it, that Europe was not the source of cave art.
The symbolic imagery used by these early humans to portray their environment and experiences shows that we have always used visual metaphors. They have been an essential part of human expression for countless millennia. "The soul never thinks without a picture," Aristotle said, drawing attention to the inseparable bond between visual representation and thought. The ability of visual metaphors to effectively and concisely communicate intricate ideas is highlighted by this viewpoint.
“The soul never thinks without
a picture.”
Creativity and Visual Thinking
Visual thinking is fundamentally about the capacity to establish connections and discover meaning from visuals. Visual metaphors act as links between different concepts and provide fresh interpretations and discoveries. Our work with whiteboard animation—where we clarify difficult ideas by combining hand-drawn illustration with narrative storytelling—showcases this technique wonderfully. Combining visual, aural, and kinaesthetic components in our multi-modal method produces an immersive experience that improves memory and comprehension.
Look and Learn
The rich tapestry of visual analogues that the cultural landscape presents inspires and guides our work. Let's look at two examples from quite disparate fields.
“Well, yes. I believe that children’s souls are the inheritors of historical memory from previous generations. It’s just that as they grow older and experience the everyday world, that memory sinks lower and lower. I feel I need to make a film that reaches down to that level. If I could do that I would die happy.”
Deeper Meaning
Japanese animation maestro, Hayao Miyazaki’s films, such as Spirited Away and My Neighbour Totoro, are celebrated not just for their stunning visuals but also for their profound use of visual metaphors. In Spirited Away, the character of Chihiro’s journey through a magical world serves as a metaphor for personal growth and the transition from childhood to adulthood. The bathhouse, where much of the story takes place, symbolises cleansing and renewal, reflecting Chihiro’s transformation.
Augmented Reality
From this vantage point, visual thinking and creativity gain great advantage. Knowing that the media shapes our message helps us to use several visual techniques to express more profound meanings and connections. This approach is most effectively demonstrated by our work with whiteboard animation and multi-modal techniques. Rich, immersive experiences combining visual, aural, and kinaesthetic components improve knowledge and memory.
Navajo weavings are textiles produced by Navajo people, who are based near the Four Corners area of the United States.
In Navajo textiles, too, the complex weavings employ symbols and patterns to transmit stories and cultural legacy. The most common motifs in Navajo rugs include diamonds, stars, steps, and zigzags, which can represent anything from mountains, rivers, the Sun, and the Moon to spirits. The process of transforming the thoughts about what our senses perceive into simple symbolic representations is fantastically complex.
Useful approaches to problem solving
Visual metaphors are useful instruments for solving problems, not just artistic tools. Studies on including visual components in education indicate that comprehension can rise by up to 89% (University of Alabama, 2018). Visualising problems and possible solutions helps people and teams divide difficult problems into doable chunks, therefore enabling more creative ideas.
Make It Tangible
Visual metaphors enable teams to conceptualise and express abstract ideas, therefore promoting more successful outcomes and solutions.
Are you frustrated with your comms? Do you ever wonder if your organisation’s communications are hitting the mark? Find out with our Communications Scorecard Quiz!
If you could pin down the essence of truth, could you draw it? That’s the question that lingered in my mind after speaking with Dan Ariely for my RSA Animate documentary—a project allowing me to reconnect with some of the most compelling thinkers of our time.