A picture is worth a thousand words

By Katie Buchanan

‘A picture is worth a thousand words’ is a well-known cliché, but in the case of a diagram perhaps this is somewhat of an understatement for two reasons; firstly I question whether some readers would read the thousand words in the first place and secondly, I believe that some complex processes or concepts cannot be adequately expressed in words.

For these reasons, I consider drawing to be one of the most effective tools that a User Experience Consultant has at their disposal. As well as communicating data, drawings can also be used in capturing and recording data, therefore I would define them as the following:

Communicating data: The fidelity of drawings can range from a quick free-hand sketch to a detailed infographic, both of which can be just as valuable depending on the circumstances. A free-hand sketch is most effective in communicating an early concept or idea since it gives the impression that it is still in a changeable state. Also, an infographic can be used to communicate a final vision or concept in a detailed form. One of the key benefits of this deliverable is that it can be mounted to walls rather than the vision being hidden in a closed 100 page report gathering dust on an individual’s desk.
Recording data: Graphic facilitation is a technique where a dialogue is recorded by immediately drawing up the important themes, issues and insights. It is particularly powerful in a focus group or co-creation workshop where those involved can see what they are talking about, translated into a tangible visual form. This can help to create focus and a shared understanding.

At the heart of user experience is the creation of simple, clear and effective products/services and to me, a drawing is often the simplest, clearest and effective way to communicate a message.