10 Uncommon (Yet Powerful) Graphics

Are you bored with the same old graphics? Are you tired of stock photos, puzzle graphics, bar charts, and flow charts? In this article I will share ten seldom used graphic types that have proven extremely successful at communicating a host of concepts.

By now you know the benefits of using graphics:
... improves learning 200%—University of Wisconsin
... takes 40% less time to explain complex ideas—Wharton School
... improves retention 38%—Harvard University
... communicates up to 60,000 times faster than text alone—3M

You replaced your text-heavy, boring slides and pages with clear, compelling graphics. Unfortunately, some of your graphics are overused or fail to capture the essence of your idea or solution. (How many times have you seen a temple graphic—which looks like the Parthenon—in a presentation, proposal, or marketing document?)

Let’s look at new ways to present your content visually, amplify the power of your materials, and increase your success.

1. Bridge Graphic
This graphic is a metaphor depicting the connection or transition between two actions, concepts, or entities. A bridge connects two separate pieces of land. It crosses over rough water or highways to allow vehicles and pedestrians to safely pass. A bridge graphic is a perfect way to show two companies transitioning into one. Operational flow, process solutions (overcoming the risky waters), system integration, and many other concepts can be succinctly communicated using a bridge graphic.

2. Chain Graphic
Chain graphics show "linked" actions, concepts, or entities. Alternatively, chains illustrate restraint or security. Instead of a Venn diagram, what about a chain diagram? Instead of showing linked concepts with boxes and lines, show a chain of departments, processes, or people to convey the same idea. Use a lock to show a (secure) connection between actions or departments. Or just overlay the chain on top of items to demonstrate security.

3. Conveyor Belt Graphic
This graphic is a metaphor that depicts a repeatable linear process. Conveyor belt graphics are a great way to show forward movement in a process such as assembling a product, recruitment and training steps, lifestyle enhancements, course overview, or system development.

4. Dashboard
Dashboards present multiple metrics–potentially using multiple graphic types—in one consolidated format. It is a “holistic” view of information. On multiple slides you have pie carts, a map, a line chart that all relate to each other. Why not put these objects on one introductory slide to help your audience reach a desired conclusion? (You can then delve into the specifics of each piece on the subsequent slides.)

5. DNA Graphic
This graphic illustrates the synergy of multiple actions, concepts, or entities. Together they combine to create a new, better solution (and breath new “life” into the project). The strands of the DNA can represent two key concepts (like a software tool and a corporate process) with the chromosomes connecting the two via common elements (like activities needed to combine the strand content).

6. Dome Graphic
A dome graphic looks like a “snow globe” illustrating the containment of elements. The dome graphic is great at communicating protection and security. Generally, you combine a “stacked graphic” (shown here) with the dome to show levels in a system, process, or methodology and how the levels relate to one another in a secure environment—the dome.

7. Fishbone Diagram
This graphic shows all factors that have an effect on a problem or objective. (Think cause and effect.) The small bones can represent categories, strategies, processes, and departments that join at the spine to create the final outcome.

8. Peg Graphic
This graphic shows the interconnectivity of actions, concepts, or entities to create a unified whole (think Legos®). Use a peg graphic for systems connecting and interacting with one another, building of a process, or departments coming together to form an improved or upgraded solution.

9. Pipe Graphic
This graphic metaphor represents the isolated flow of elements. Instead of using a flowchart, use a pipe graphic to represent concepts like consolidation, synthesis, or combination. Inversely, a pipe graphic can illustrate dispersion or diffusion. Pipe graphics are versatile and can communicate a wide variety of concepts.

10. Road Graphic
This graphic is a metaphor depicting the path between the “as is” or “before” state to the “to be” or “after” state. Like the bridge graphic, a road graphic can show transition and a connection for a process or system. A road graphic is perfect for demonstrating a “future state” or a long-term goal that is “down the road.” It could also be used as an ending to a presentation to illustrate the goal reached at the end of the process.

The above graphic types are the tip of the iceberg (to use a visual metaphor). Go to BizGraphics On Demand and find thousands of graphics that better communicate your story.

The next time you’re face with creating a graphic, why not try something different? Consider these graphic types and how you can communicate your ideas in new and fresh ways—and give your audience and clients something to see that they will always remember.

You and your organization spend a lot of time and money making graphics. It is a shame if your effort is wasted, because you chose the wrong visual. When it comes to clear, compelling visual communication there are two critical steps to help ensure your success. The following is an example of how to use this two-step process...

You need to show a “DDI” process (or any process) but you have no reference graphic or obvious starting point. What should you do?

Step1:
Determine your ultimate goal for showing a “DDI” process. For example, is it to simply communicate the steps in the process or is it to show how the “DDI” process is a superior solution? I call this step determining the primary objective. In my experience, most business graphics—more than 80%—fail because the author of the graphic has not determined the correct primary objective.

Recently, I supported an IT proposal. My client (we’ll call them ABC Company) needed to show that their solution achieved their future client’s goals, which we later determined were lower cost, increased network speed, and greater uptime. Unfortunately, the engineer tasked had not formalized his primary objective. His approach was to develop a network diagram. Below is an example of a generic network diagram similar to the graphic used. (The graphics in this article contain no original information but the concept is similar enough for this example.)

The engineer, who was very familiar with the future client’s current network, noted, “By restructuring their network, they would lower costs, reduce risk of down time, and increase overall speed.” He was on the right track but knew it was unlikely that their future client would link his graphic with their specific goals. Upon further discussion, we determined that ABC Company was doing more than restructuring their future client’s network architecture to achieve these goals.

Uncovering the primary objective usually results in a completely different graphic. Let’s take a look at an example of the resulting graphic approach.

Step 2:
When faced with developing a graphic with specific content you want to find examples of graphics that show the same concept. "What should I do to show a 'DDI' process?" was posed to me by a user of my book, Billion Dollar Business Graphics. She could not find an example of a “DDI” process graphic in the book; however, she did find similar concepts like flow charts, cyclic processes, and step-by-step graphics. That is exactly where she needed to begin.

Start with graphics that share the same concept. This step eliminates the “blank page syndrome.” Leverage a graphic with a similar primary objective and tailor the content and graphic elements to meet your needs.

Still stuck? Go to Google (choose “images”) or BizGraphics On Demand, type in your concept in the search field, and see what pops up. Use something you find as a starting point but remember to uncover your true primary objective first.

Download clear, compelling graphics and tailor them in PowerPoint 2007 for use in PowerPoint, Word, Adobe products, and other software. Save 10% (on credits) or get 10 free graphics (for subscriptions), if you buy your credits or subscription for BizGraphics On Demand before October 15th. Go to BizGraphics On Demand now and enter the following code when you purchase your credits or a subscription: SCEZINE9.

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Do you need clear, communicative, compelling design for your presentations, proposals, marketing, website, and multimedia? Then contact the graphic experts at 24 Hour Company now for a free consultation!

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