How can visual communication enhance the message conveyed by a speaker? Cite a particular situation when it is best employ visual communication
Answers
Explanation:
The ability to communicate visually is an advantage in most workplaces, especially for managers who have to convey abstract ideas and performance metrics to an audience. Since data is such a driving force behind decision making, it is often much more effective to communicate visually, through charts and graphs, to deliver a more compelling message.
If you want to connect with your audience more effectively, a good place to start is understanding which visuals best suits your data, then determine if other graphic and style elements are necessary to support your message.
The ability to communicate visually is an advantage in most workplaces, especially for managers who have to convey abstract ideas and performance metrics to an audience. Since data is such a driving force behind decision making, it is often much more effective to communicate visually, through charts and graphs, to deliver a more compelling message.
If you want to connect with your audience more effectively, a good place to start is understanding which visuals best suits your data, then determine if other graphic and style elements are necessary to support your message.
Should I use a bar chart or a pie chart?
What colors should I use, and how many?
Are all the labels on the graph really necessary?
Learning Blog How Visual Communication Helps You Connect with Your Audience
How Visual Communication Helps You Connect with Your Audience
AUTHOR

Ewan Maalerud
Ewan is part of the Digital Customer Experience team for SAP Analytics Cloud, based in Vancouver, Canada. He’s passionate about data analytics and communicating the value of using data to optimize business outcomes.
KEEP IN TOUCH
Subscribe for the latest news, updates, tips and more delivered right to your inbox.
Subscribe to updates
CATEGORY
Insights
CONNECT WITH US

The ability to communicate visually is an advantage in most workplaces, especially for managers who have to convey abstract ideas and performance metrics to an audience. Since data is such a driving force behind decision making, it is often much more effective to communicate visually, through charts and graphs, to deliver a more compelling message.
If you want to connect with your audience more effectively, a good place to start is understanding which visuals best suits your data, then determine if other graphic and style elements are necessary to support your message.
Should I use a bar chart or a pie chart?
What colors should I use, and how many?
Are all the labels on the graph really necessary?
How the VARK Model aids in Visual Communication
According to educational theorist, Neil Fleming, there are four main types of learners. He created the VARK model, which is an acronym for the four main ways we learn best.
Visual
Auditory
Reading/writing
Kinesthetic
Visual learning is one of the top ways people learn. Flemming further identifies four ways to connect with visual learners.
Use charts, graphs, and diagrams to organize data
Draw the information you are trying to memorize
Use symbols or initials instead of words and numbers
Use colors to highlight different areas in your data
Visuals breakdown complex information into manageable pieces so that they are easier to absorb. This can also aid in understanding the ‘big picture.’
The Theory of Multiple Intelligences
The theory of multiple intelligences was developed in 1983 by Dr. Howard Gardner, a professor of education at Harvard University. Dr. Gardner’s theory identifies eight different types of intelligences:
Linguistic intelligence (words)
Logical-mathematical intelligence (numbers/reasoning)
Spatial intelligence (visuals)
Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence (movement)
Musical intelligence (music)
Interpersonal intelligence (people)
Intrapersonal intelligence (self)
Naturalist intelligence (nature)
While there is a cultural focus on linguistic and logical/mathematical intelligence, a large percentage of people use spatial intelligence in their everyday lives. A large percentage of people learn information best by seeing visuals such as pictures, maps, charts, graphs, or videos.
People with this learning style are much better at processing information when they can see an object, make plans in a spatial sense, sketch their ideas, or organize groups of information using different colors.
Visual Communication in the Workplace
Visual communication is key to conveying complicated information. Imagine you have a presentation and you need to explain a complex system and the need for a new business workflow. There are a few different ways you could convey your message.
Visually — Show a graphic, chart, or graph that illustrates the complex system and workflow
Aurally — Play a song or jingle that demonstrates your message
Linguistically — Email your findings and have your colleagues read it
Logically — Present a mathematical-style formula that explains your findings
Kinesthetic — Show how your proposed changes work in the natural world