Visual Storytelling
Processes and structures become vivid and clear!
Illustration is more than just decoration. In a world dominated by the attention economy, we sometimes feel overwhelmed by the complexity of the data and information that affects us every day.
It is not only in today’s professional world that it is essential to continuously learn new things and develop further. Visual storytelling is a method of illustrating facts and putting them into an understandable, emotionally accessible context.
The hero’s journey – a brief theoretical insight
We humans are connected by stories, all of which are based on a narrative structure that is essentially known as the hero’s journey(Joseph Campbell).
The hero’s journey is a mirror of human experience and also of mental development processes. It can be found as a basic structure in almost all traditional and modern stories.
We are heroes and face the challenges of our world. We encounter all kinds of feelings along the way, from fear and overcoming it to fighting spirit, hope and courage. At the end of a process, redemption, realization and happiness await.
Symbols and visual metaphors
Whether elaborate illustrations, spontaneous hand drawings or clear, simple logos: We humans read visual codes that speak to us more intuitively, spontaneously and emotionally than written texts. There is a lot of power in images! We illustrators know how to use visual language systematically and apply it to your goals so that everyone feels addressed.
Techniques and fields of application
Form follows function is a design principle from the Bauhaus. Whether visual storytelling is implemented as an infographic, illustration, animated film or graphic recording depends on the context, the logistics and the objective.
Strategic visualization
Strategic visualization includes the following formats:
In corporate communications, strategic visualization helps to provide orientation, motivation and an overview of how a corporate goal can be achieved step by step.
All participants are picked up emotionally and enter into a relationship with each other. The joint process creates awareness of stumbling blocks, potentials and an overview of systemic connections.
Strategic visualization is developed in a joint creative process in which you as the client are directly involved. The content of the visualization is developed with the help of a joint brainstorming session. The following questions are discussed in several accompanying discussions reflecting on the progress of the image:
Why do we want to achieve this goal?
What is the initial situation?
What needs to be changed in order to get started?
What strategic steps are necessary?
What can we expect on the way to achieving our goal?
How will I recognize when we have reached our final goal?
As awareness is raised, the image “matures” in several stages of revision. New creative ideas and solution approaches are born in the ongoing, lively process, which flow in step by step until the result is achieved. In this way, organizational development and strategic visualization intertwine. By reflecting on the image together, all participants enter into a constructive exchange.
Bild als visueller Botschafter
Miriam Barton ist es auf beeindruckende Weise gelungen, die Transformation unseres Landkreises vom Braunkohlerevier hin zu einer Region im Wandel künstlerisch einzufangen. Ihr Wimmelbild transportiert nicht nur unsere Orte, Projekte und Perspektiven – sondern verortet uns auch im Kontext der Region – es erzeugt Identifikation, Gespräch und Begeisterung.
Was uns besonders beeindruckt hat: Mit viel Gespür für Details, mit Kreativität und einem tiefen Verständnis für regionale Besonderheiten hat Frau Barton ein Werk geschaffen, das sowohl innerhalb des Landkreises als auch darüber hinaus für großes Interesse sorgt.
Wir freuen uns sehr über diese gelungene Zusammenarbeit und sind stolz darauf, dass dieses Bild nun als visueller Botschafter unserer HE-rzkammer wirkt!
The psychology in
Strategic visualization
We live in turbulent times.
We humans want security and stability – but the world is changing – and ever faster! It is not without reason that the current attitude to life is referred to as VUCA (acronym for volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity), or even BANI (acronym for brittle, anxious, non-linear, incomprehensible).
What added value does strategic visualization offer?
Employees’ uncertainties need to be recognized and resolved. Complexity can be broken down and made manageable through visualization. What innovations and changes are needed and how can we tackle them? What resources do we have, what connects us and gives us strength? What roots us, where do we want to grow, what is “our nature”? How do we make friends with new digital and dynamic work processes so that we can work together efficiently and survive on the market? How are we effective and present?
Strategic visualization helps to clarify these essential questions.
Explainer Animation
Animations are particularly suitable for social media communication or on websites.
Complex topics can be communicated quickly and easily. The collaboration takes place in several steps. The conceptual process with the help of a storyboard, in which the plot and image sections are planned, is important. How do image and voiceover, movement and music interact?
I create an individual, sensual experience that is entertaining and appeals to the target group!
I can draw on many years of experience for the implementation, including 9 years working for ZDF Mainzelmännchen Inserts Produktion. Since 2012, I have designed, illustrated and produced numerous short, creative explanatory videos. For more extensive projects, I work together with my colleagues from informotional.studio.
Danke für die tolle Kooperation
Die DUH arbeitet sehr gerne mit Miriam Barton zusammen. Ohne sie wäre unser erfolgreiches Projekt „Mainstreaming Naturkapital Deutschland“ mit seinen kommunikativen Herausforderungen zu Zeiten des Pandemie-Lockdowns so nicht möglich gewesen. Ihr Graphic Recording für einen Kreativworkshop war wichtige Vorbereitung, ihre beiden Video-Clips dann unverzichtbares Element erfolgreicher digitaler Seminare und der weitergeführten Webseite Startseite – Natur ist unser Kapital (natur-ist-unser-kapital.de). Danke für die tolle Kooperation, die viel Spaß gemacht hat!
Illustration
Illustrations are images that are created for an applied context, they always solve a practical problem. Illustrare means to illuminate – illustrators shed light on something, explain and clarify it.
Sensitive illustrations communicate in a multi-layered way and get to the heart of complex topics with an apt image. Visual language works at a low threshold and is a powerful tool for addressing people from different contexts. Diversity in illustration is a matter of course.
Depending on the objective, a hand-drawn style or a graphic representation may be appropriate.
Aushängeschild für die Arbeit von TERRE DES FEMMES
„Seit über 40 Jahren engagiert sich TERRE DES FEMMES gegen Gewalt an Mädchen und Frauen. Unsere über 40 MitarbeiterInnen setzen sich gemeinsam mit unseren ehrenamtlich Aktiven für ein gleichberechtigtes, selbstbestimmtes und freies Leben aller Mädchen und Frauen weltweit ein. Durch öffentlichkeitswirksame Kampagnen, Veranstaltungen und Lobbyarbeit sensibilisiert TERRE DES FEMMES die Öffentlichkeit und Politik für geschlechtsspezifische Gewalt und Diskriminierung.
Um unsere Ziele zu erreichen und unsere Arbeit zu visualisieren, arbeiten wir seit Jahren immer wieder gerne mit Miratrick zusammen. Miriam Barton entwarf zahlreiche Illustrationen für große Kampagnen und langfristig ausgelegte Projekte. Ihre Arbeiten sind dadurch, nicht zuletzt dank ihres einzigartigen Stils, zum Aushängeschild für die Arbeit von TERRE DES FEMMES geworden.“
