If you're like most people, you probably think of project managers as the folks who make sure all the individual pieces of a project come together on time and on budget.

But did you know that successful project managers are also becoming increasingly skilled at using visual storytelling techniques to keep their teams focused and motivated?

In this blog post, we’ll discuss what visual storytelling is, why it’s becoming so popular, and how your team can start using it today. Stay tuned!

Visual storytelling: not just for designers

When we look back into history, what is the type of communication humans first created to record their achievements, processes, and stories? Drawings on walls, right?

This is also what kids do when they have access to pencils: they try to draw, learning how to express themselves through colors and shapes.

Visual storytelling is about that: translating complex ideas, for instance, processes, feedback, and scenarios, into simple, but very significant, visuals.

It’s a technique used in Design for many years as it has a lot of benefits for the assimilation of a message. Let’s take a look at them.

The advantages of visual storytelling

Some of you might have heard the phrase: “A picture is worth a thousand words”. That’s because our brain can process images 60,000 times faster than text, and 90 percent of information transmitted to the brain is visual.

So, why are we still creating so many boring presentations with infinite bullet points? We can list several benefits of using visual storytelling daily right away:

• Creating a deeper connection within the team by humanizing complex thoughts with images
• Making team members feel they are heard when they view their suggestions in meetings drawn for everyone
• Better assimilation of processes for everyone when visualizing them symbolically
• Encourage the participation in feedback or scenario moments with the help of murals, templates, or whiteboards

Start using visuals - it’s really easy

Visual storytelling is for everyone, and we can prove it!

You can start by sketchnoting - a technique to create schemes of ideas through handmade drawings. It can be as simple as possible, but in a way that you (and others who might be the receptors of your message) can understand afterwards.

But even if you never had drawing skills or don’t want to make the effort of starting drawing, it’s still possible to create your own visuals.

You can take advantage of Drawify, an online tool where you are able to find a huge variety of drawings created by a community of visual storytelling experts from all around the world. You can combine them, customize the colors, size, and position, and use them anywhere.

Templates are also available, which you can customize and add your own information.

Want to try Drawify? Register for FREE and enjoy!