Communication is such a broad subject matter. It has so many intricacies that can be difficult to grasp and overwhelming to try to understand. But it’s also something that everyone uses differently in their day-to-day lives, even without their knowledge.
When people talk about communicating with others, they are often unaware that they are also dabbling in verbal and non-verbal communication or auditory and visual communication. A variety of factors can come into play when people communicate, and most of the time, these factors are unnoticeable.
The main benefit of knowing how other people communicate is that you can easily adapt to their needs and avoid miscommunication, which is one of the biggest reasons people disagree. By taking visual or social cues, understanding the non-verbal gestures, and utilizing communication tools, you can become a much better communicator without even trying.
This is important because communication is a tool used in every part of your life — whether it’s for school, work, or personal relationships. Knowing that you can use visual imagery, such as pictures, videos, shapes, colors, and other elements to bring your points across to your audience can be the last trick up your sleeve on any occasion.
The Different Types of Learning Styles
Humans are complex beings, but that’s what makes them beautiful. No two people are the same — not with how they look, how they act, and especially not how they learn to function in the world. To accommodate these differences, researchers have identified various learning types.
There are four common learning types, but of course, it’s not limited to that. The first type is visual learners who understand better when presented with pictures, diagrams, written instructions, and anything they can observe with their eyes.
The second type is auditory learners, who understand better when what they see is reinforced by what they hear. These people can follow verbal instructions better than written ones, and they may also prefer reading written texts out loud.
The third type is kinesthetic learners who understand better through application. These are people who prefer acting or sports instead of reading or watching because they apply what they are learning. Oftentimes, practice is a more effective way of learning as opposed to theories and abstract concepts.
The last type is reading/writing learners who understand better through written words. Although there is an overlap with the first type of learners, the main difference between these two is that visual learners require imagery, while reading/writing learners might only need words.
How are Visuals Effective Means of Communication?
Acknowledging that there are different types of learners can help you better as a communicator because you will know that communication is not a one-size-fits-all concept. Just as you learn through a combination of learning styles, it can be assumed that your audience is as well.
This is because most people learn and understand better with a combination of two or more learning styles. For instance, almost all learners benefit greatly from seeing visual imagery and what they hear or what they read. Visuals play a big role in communicating with the world and getting your points across because it bridges the gaps left to the imagination.
To become a great communicator for your audience, you should know how to use the power of visuals when speaking with others so that you can translate the emotions you want them to feel through your imagery. There are plenty of ways in which this feat can be achieved.
How Can You Use Visual Imagery to Tell a Story?
When a person tells a story to their friends, they tend to make hand gestures to emphasize their important points. Likewise, when a person presents a project proposal at work, they can use statistical graphs to strengthen their claims and include pictures that support their overall idea.
Those are only a few manifestations of how visuals play a big role in people’s daily lives. Business owners who sell products usually disseminate informative and eye-catching publicity materials created by their chosen graphic design agency to garner attention from their potential markets.
Even children’s storybooks use visuals to get their message across better while ensuring that kids will enjoy their books. Visuals are powerful tools when you know how to wield them in your favor. And when you realize the importance they hold in communication, you will also be able to communicate more effectively with whomever you need.
Knowing how your target audience understands and communicates with society will allow you to personalize your strategies for whatever purpose you may have — whether for business, work, school, or even your personal life.
