Visual storytelling to us is the ability to use the power of visuals to help tell a story to make it more engaging, accessible and memorable. We do visual storytelling live at conferences in the form of graphic recording or live scribing. We turn content into visual stories in our studio through animation, illustration, explainer videos and the virtual digital scribing. We also train others in the power of visual storytelling in our visual storytelling keynotes, creativity keynotes and visual storytelling and graphic recording trainings.

A visual storyteller converts content usually audio content like speeches, keynotes, panels, fishbowls, podcasts, meetings etc into visually organised and structured content live in the room. Meaning a visual storyteller listens to what you say and draws it in a way that makes it clearer to understand, easier to engage with and easier to remember. With this ability a visual storyteller is then able to turn any boring content – text, documents, etc – into a visually stimulating story that is more concise, interesting and meaningful.

Visual storytelling is important because our brains are wired to think visually. Around 90% of the brain is used for visual processing. Our brains process visuals 60000 times faster than text and around 83% of all human beings are visual thinkers. Plus we have been telling stories for eons this is how our brain remembers, holds and retells information. Just ask anyone “what did you do on your weekend?” and they will tell you a story!

Graphic design is a form of visual storytelling or can be used as a form of visual storytelling but I wouldn’t say it is ‘visual storytelling’. Graphic design is a way to layout, design and form content so that it looks good, is cleaner and better to look at but it is more about style than storytelling. An awesome graphic designer will think about the objectives of their clients work much deeper and can tell a story with these design elements though.