Use of Visual vs. Text

It takes the brain seconds to comprehend the meaning of a paragraph of text. However, hundredths of a second to process that same message through a picture or visual image. I recently came across this agency, La Comunidad, which answers the question, ‘why la comunidad?’ through the use of stick figures. Check it out! (You need to click on ‘the way we think’ and then ‘why la comunidad?’)

Making Information Understandable

While at DLD, I had the opportunity to hear Richard Saul Wurman speak. Wurman is an architect and designer, and a visionary in how to provide information to people in a way that is understandable. I highly recommend checking out one of his projects, 192021.

In an ‘easy on the eyes’ format, he describes how populations will be shifting to create supercities, and the argument that cities need to change in order to adapt to this shift in population. Another example of effective communication with a complex topic.

Visualizing Statistics

Unfortunately, this map is from 2002; however, it provides good visual comparing daily newspaper circulation country to country.

Worldmapper is based on the principle that given a 150-word document, it would take our brains a minute or two to read through the entire text; however, that same information in visual form can be processed at 100ths of a second. Our brains are hard-wired to process visual information at unimaginable rates. This map emcompasses some of these numbers:

• 507 million newspapers distributed daily worldwide
• In Japan, 566 newspapers circulated for every 1000 people
• In China and India, 56.6 newspapers circulated for every 1000 people
• Overall world average daily circulation is 2 newspapers per every 25 people.

These statistics are not applicable today, as newspaper circulation has declined (currently in Germany, 80% of adults subscribe to newspapers, 33% in France and 15% in the U.S.).

Nonverbal Cues Key to Truth

Tonya Reiman’s The Power of Body Language provides insight into the 93% of communication we usually take for granted. Citing both real world examples and scientific research in neuroscience, Reiman breaks down the microseconds of a situation in order to heighten our awareness of how we present ourselves as well as how others’ words may not fully portray their thoughts.

Although body language and nonverbal cues are not an end all and be all, they can provide some insight into what others are thinking.

Takeaways include:

• Check out which direction their feet are going. At a networking event and looking for a group to cut into? Look for an individual who has his or her feet facing outward of the circle. They’re likely not fully engaged in the conversation at hand.
• Nervous for an interview and your palms are sweating (hey…it’s nerves…it happens)? Run your hands in cold water (as cold as you can stand it) for about 60 seconds. It will cool your body temperature down for at least a couple of minutes - long enough to get past the ‘Hello, nice to meet you!’ introductory handshakes.
• It’s best to converse with a man standing slightly sideways on his right hand side, but stand in front of a woman when speaking to her. Men prefer to be approached from the side, while women prefer to be approached from the front.
• Mirror another’s stance. We have what’s called mirror neurons. They exist in our brain and allow us to empathize. As humans, we are naturally empathetic individuals. While it more natural for some than others, feeling another’s pain, yawning when someone yawns, folding over when we see someone punched in the gut, and simply mimicking another’s actions is a part of who we are. We are attracted to those who we see are like ourselves. If in an interview setting, it can be beneficial to mirror another’s stance. (for example, if someone is crossing their arms, you cross your arms). Of course, this should not be done in a distracting manner.
• It’s best to appear symmetrical and balanced. Our brains prefer shapes that are well-proportioned. It is easier on our eyes if we see another individual whose legs and feet are on the floor and not crossed. It’s also best if, when standing, our arms are at our sides, and not crossed in front of us.