Graphic Jam
Inspired by a same-named activity created by Leslie Salmon-Zhu, co-founder of the International Forum of Visual Practitioners, Graphic Jam illustrates how words become more challenging to visualize as they become less literal.
The words computer and necktie, for example, offer immediate imagery. But words such as “strategy” and “justice” are more abstract and lend themselves to broader visual interpretations.
Visualizing abstract concepts helps exercise the visual part of our cortex—which accounts for 75% of our sensory neurons—and turns on parts of our minds that don’t get much action in a typical business setting.
This activity is best done with a small group, say about 5 to 15. If you have a larger group, you can break it in two to keep the size manageable. Make sure to allot about 30 to 45 minutes for this exercise.
Find a large, flat, white display area for this game. Give all players access to sticky notes and index cards.
Ask them to take 1 to 2 minutes to write words on the index cards that they have difficulty conceptualizing and drawing, like “quality” or “teamwork.” Ask for one word or phrase per index card.
Gather all of the contributions, shuffle them, and then draw one card and read it aloud to the group. Tape it up in the white space.
Ask the players to reflect on the word and draw a visual representation of it on a sticky note so that it can be posted on the wall. Give them 2 to 3 minutes to do so.
Have the players approach the white space and post their sticky note under the index card with the related word.
Repeat steps 3 to 5 until all or most of the words have been read aloud. If you draw repeat words or synonyms of previously drawn words, draw again until you get a fresh concept.
By the end of the game, you’ll have a gallery space of visualized concepts. Ask the group to spend time looking at how others interpreted the words.
To process, refer to the sticky notes and lead the discussion by asking what certain images mean and how the artist related that image to the word that was read aloud. Ask players to discuss which words were easier to visualize than others and why. Close by asking them how they might see visualization skills applied in their daily life and work.
