A Picture Really Does Paint A Thousand Words

A picture really does paint a thousand words, it is often said and it is one of those things that just about everyone can relate to.

The big question is why? It is one of those strange English language-idioms. I guess in my mind it is about broadcasting an idea by using a single image, in this scenario, it conveys the meaning or essence more readily than a written description.

The interesting thing, is and the penny drop moment for me looking at the image above, it does paint a picture, a story. Viewing an image, the emotions or memories invoke a whole story line it maybe from observations or from times past or from the text that you are reading, it does create either in our heads or hearts.

If we add an image to some written content it really adds value especially if it is congruent with the theme if the text. On the flip side of the coin, where the image doesn't flow with the words in the content, it doesn't fit, it kind of detracts from the message.

"At the end of the day, the message or instruction is the only thing that counts, I kind of realized at that moment, content is a mixture, where the written word is but one vector."

Today was one of those out of the blue learning experiences, I have folks coming from overseas and the standard procedure is to always to have a vehicle ready for visitors to use, it is one of those now who borrowed that one last and more to the point where on earth is it vehicles, well a few phone calls later and it was tracked down along with a broken drivers side door handle, the part is available but the technician who can fix it and make it work is still on holiday. Not a problem, I am not sure what we did before YouTube and Google. I watched some videos and downloaded some how-to diagrams and we are good to go. It may be the way my brain works but if I can see in a visual diagram then I can usually figure out how it goes

A visual is really worth a thousand words never thought of it like that one before. .

See the difference, a simple presentation, but it stands out and grabs your attention. So images convey emotion and visuals like this one can convey instruction or present ideas in an easy to understand way. I would have used the diagram but it is covered in oil, I think you may get the point.

I have not thought about it like this before, I think that we can fall into the trap of making the words we write work very hard, I know that is one of my faults.

There is a value-add way where we are working smarter not harder, giving our words a little breather, I think that I will be trying to show folks by using more visuals.

So rev up your content using well-written text, enhanced with images and now my very new friend visuals.

Combining the notion of telling and showing.

I think there is some mileage in this one.

Alex.