Visual content makes it easier for readers to digest the information over traditional text. Visual tools like video, photos, presentations, graphs, drawings, and illustrations can summarize large chunks of data in neat and attractive displays versus small, cluttered print or email. Many offices have already made it a habit to communicate with clients using visual communication, but what some companies are missing out on are the benefits of visual communication within the office. Managers should note that the use of visual communication among employees increases engagement, understanding, saves resources, and could potentially reach a larger audience than previously. Here are 4  reasons why you should use visual communication in your office.

 

Visual aids are a huge step up from having to read long reports and mull over the tiniest details. Your employees are much more likely to appreciate skipping the eye soar to focus their attention on a visual presentation that is clear, concise, and aesthetically attractive. Interactive visuals, especially, will encourage employees to comment and share presentations if they find that the message is clearer and more helpful than the text that they’re used to. If designers can manage to come up with strong visuals (ones that are clever, witty, or profound),  you can almost guarantee that it’ll have people talking about in the office for weeks.

The majority of people are visual learners. Using visual communication in the office is a great way to make sure your employees are completely understanding whatever it is you want to communicate to them. Visual aids are great for summing up long-winded statistics and letting you really see the breakdown of large-scale numbers. Pie charts, for example, are a great way to parse out percentages when reviewing end-of-the-month performance. Charts and graphs are other useful tools that might better represent the company’s current financial standing. Seeing such visuals makes a strong imprint on the memory and encourages employees to ask questions about what they’re seeing.

Symbols have the ability to transmit information quicker than words. And they’re universal! With more people understanding your message, and at a  quicker rate, you’re likely to capture a larger audience than the one you might have been able to have presented a lengthy paper. And since symbols are pretty universal, you have the convenience of reaching a diverse audience without having to customize the message in different ways.  Symbols can be fun – make them memorable.

 

Visual communication can also save the office plenty of resources. The amount of time you spend creating a shorter, to-the-point message will probably be a lot less than if you were to write out pages and pages of documents. Not to mention, printing all those pages can take up time and material resources, especially when factoring in the cost of ink.

If visual communication is done well, employees will also understand concepts a lot quicker and be able to turn that into productivity a lot sooner. Not to mention symbols and signage allow you to communicate a lot of information without taking up too much space. Just remember,  visuals are fun, and with enough creativity, you only need little resources to produce memorable messages.

Sources:

Cancio, Kathleen. “4 Reasons Why You Should Use Visual Communication in Your Office”. https://www.hoopla.net, August 25th, 2015. Date of Access 11-1-2019