Unfolding the Napkin

1. Visual thinking is a powerful problem-solving tool accessible to everyone

If we can draw a square, a circle, a stick figure, and an arrow connecting them, we can draw any picture in this book.

Everyone can think visually. Despite common beliefs, visual thinking is not reserved for artists or designers. Our brains are hardwired for visual processing, with nearly 75% of our sensory neurons dedicated to vision. This makes visual thinking a natural and powerful tool for problem-solving and communication.

Visual thinking has universal applications. From strategic planning to project management, financial analysis to marketing, visual thinking can clarify complex ideas and reveal hidden solutions. By translating abstract concepts into simple pictures, we can:

• Identify patterns and connections more easily
• Communicate ideas more effectively
• Remember information more vividly
• Generate creative solutions more rapidly

Overcome the "I can't draw" mindset. The goal of visual thinking is not to create beautiful artwork, but to convey ideas clearly. Simple shapes and stick figures are often more effective than elaborate drawings. By focusing on the message rather than artistic merit, anyone can harness the power of visual thinking to solve problems and communicate ideas.

2. The 6x6 rule: Six ways to see problems, six pictures to solve them

There are only six kinds of problems out there, and they all share the same six pieces; identify those and your problem is half solved.

Break down complex problems. The 6x6 rule provides a framework for dissecting any problem into manageable components. By identifying which of the six problem types we're dealing with, we can choose the most appropriate visual tool to address it.

The six problem types and their corresponding visual tools are:

1. Who/What - Portrait
2. How Much - Chart
3. Where - Map
4. When - Timeline
5. How - Flowchart
6. Why - Plot

Apply the appropriate visual tool. Once we've identified the problem type, we can use the corresponding visual tool to explore and communicate solutions. For example:

• Use a portrait to clarify who is involved or what something looks like
• Create a chart to show quantitative relationships
• Draw a map to illustrate spatial relationships or conceptual connections
• Develop a timeline to demonstrate chronological sequences
• Design a flowchart to explain processes or decision trees
• Plot multiple variables to uncover underlying reasons or trends

3. SQVID: Unlock your imagination and tailor visuals to your audience

The SQVID is a manual five-speed transmission for our imagination: shift from "qualitative" to "change" and you can almost feel your brain changing gears.

Activate your imagination. The SQVID framework provides five questions to spark creative thinking and generate multiple perspectives on a problem:

• Simple vs. Elaborate
• Qualitative vs. Quantitative
• Vision vs. Execution
• Individual vs. Comparison
• Change vs. Status Quo

Tailor visuals to your audience. By adjusting these five "sliders," we can create visuals that resonate with specific audiences:

• Executives may prefer simple, qualitative visions of change
• Managers might need elaborate, quantitative execution plans
• Technical experts often require detailed comparisons

Enhance problem-solving flexibility. The SQVID encourages us to explore multiple angles of a problem, leading to more comprehensive solutions and better communication with diverse stakeholders.

4. Simple hand-drawn pictures are more effective than polished presentations

The more human your picture, the more human the response.

Embrace imperfection. Hand-drawn pictures invite interaction and engagement. Their unpolished nature encourages viewers to contribute ideas and improvements, rather than simply accepting or rejecting a finished product.

Avoid the pitfalls of polished presentations:

• Finished-looking visuals can shut down discussion
• Highly polished work may discourage honest feedback
• Overly professional presentations can intimidate or alienate audiences

Foster collaboration and creativity. Simple, hand-drawn visuals:

• Demonstrate that ideas are still in development
• Encourage audience participation and input
• Create a more relaxed, collaborative atmosphere
• Allow for real-time adjustments and iterations

By using hand-drawn visuals, we tap into the human desire for connection and shared problem-solving, leading to more productive and engaging meetings.

5. Combine the 6x6 rule and SQVID to create a visual thinking codex

This is the "visual-thinking codex": a diagram of diagrams that shows us how to easily create more than forty simple pictures of almost any idea.

Expand your visual vocabulary. By combining the six basic picture types from the 6x6 rule with the five SQVID questions, we can generate a wide range of visual options for any problem or idea.

The visual thinking codex provides:

• A comprehensive toolkit for visual problem-solving
• Guidance on selecting the most appropriate visual for any situation
• Inspiration for creating variations on basic visual concepts

Adapt visuals to different contexts. The codex allows us to:

• Start with a basic visual type (e.g., a map)
• Modify it using SQVID questions (e.g., simple vs. elaborate)
• Create multiple versions tailored to different audiences or purposes

By mastering the visual thinking codex, we can become more versatile and effective visual communicators in any business context.

6. Use appropriate drawing tools for personal, participatory, and performance meetings

There are three sets of business drawing tools we're going to look at, one for each of the three kinds of meetings we typically engage in: "personal" meetings with ourselves or another person, "participatory" meetings intended to generate discussion among a few people, and "performance" meetings where it's us in front of a crowd.

Match the tool to the meeting type. Different meeting contexts require different drawing tools to maximize effectiveness:

1. Personal meetings:

   • Use small, portable surfaces like napkins, notepads, or personal whiteboards
   • Encourage experimentation and quick iterations
   • Easily save ideas by taking photos with a smartphone

2. Participatory meetings:

   • Utilize large, visible surfaces like wall-mounted whiteboards or flip charts
   • Provide space for multiple contributors
   • Consider digital tools for remote collaboration, such as smart boards or screen-sharing software

3. Performance meetings:

   • Leverage technology like tablet PCs and projectors
   • Create live, dynamic presentations by drawing in real-time
   • Engage audiences through the act of drawing, not just the finished product

Adapt to changing work environments. As remote work and global teams become more common, consider digital tools that allow for collaborative visual thinking across distances. However, always prioritize ease of use and accessibility over technological complexity.

7. Start with simple visuals and elaborate based on audience expertise

Our audience's willingness to look at an elaborate picture is directly proportional to its experience with the subject.

Gauge your audience's familiarity. Before presenting visual information, assess your audience's level of expertise with the subject matter. This will help you determine the appropriate level of detail and complexity for your visuals.

Follow the simplicity principle:

• For novice audiences, start with simple, high-level visuals
• As audience expertise increases, gradually introduce more detailed and complex visuals
• For expert audiences, begin with elaborate visuals to establish credibility

Build visual complexity strategically:

1. Start with a basic framework that all audience members can understand
2. Add layers of detail as you explain concepts and engage in discussion
3. Use the SQVID framework to adjust visual complexity on-the-fly based on audience reactions

By tailoring visual complexity to audience expertise, you can:

• Avoid overwhelming novices with too much information
• Prevent boring experts with overly simplistic presentations
• Engage all audience members at their appropriate level of understanding

This approach ensures that your visual communication is both accessible and informative, regardless of the audience's background.

Last updated: October 29, 2024