Visualization

Challenge & Selection

Working under the Ministry of Education and Science once I was visiting a country-wide event  held by the Republican Alliance of Students. This alliance consists of students from all the  universities of our country and its mission is to create conditions for the effective implementation  of the intellectual, creative, spiritual and innovative potential of the student youth in the country.  The main goal of this movement is the solution of legal, socio-economic and everyday problems  of students and active participation in the formation of an independent state. I was invited as a  representative of the Ministry and was supposed to make a speech on current trends in the area of  higher education as well as address some relevant questions and motivate participants. Is the  presentation about the condition of the higher education system was not problematic for me, so the  part of my presentation where I had to motivate, inspire and praise students caused me a lot of  confusion and worries.

Since school years when I was a learner, I have understood that visualization is a super powerful  tool for catching the attention of listeners and making the whole presentation more alive and  interesting.   It is used when words are not enough to express your vision and opinion. Thus, I  decided to make my speech alive and to show what exactly I felt.

Application

This event lasted two days and, fortunately, I was presenting on the second day. It is worth  mentioning that I am a big fan of photography and video-making and that is why there is always a  video camera with me on all the trips. So, during the first day of this conference where the President  of this movement, as well as some key actors and stakeholders, presented, I took a lot of videos. I  captured the most enthusiastic and inspiring moments – among which there were some when  students asked interesting questions, debated, expressed their feelings, etc. In the evening of that  day, I made a several-minutes video clip with the most expressive footage.

Then, the nest day when I was presenting, I first asked to show this video just before my speech.  To say that students were surprised and happy to see themselves is probably to say nothing. They  loved it!

I started my presentation about current trends in the education system in our country with the  followings words: “Look at this video, at these enthusiastic people on it. These are you. You are  our future and you should be proud of yourselves. Stay fair and honest, open to new perspectives  and respect academic integrity…” After my presentation, many students came to me and said that  this was the first time when a person from the Ministry could understand and motivate them. I was  super happy.

Insight

The most important insight I have gained is that it is crucial to adapt to current realities – time,  place and people. I felt that the audience I was talking to was different – and that is why decided  to take a different approach to them. Another lesson is that visual support is essential. Always and  everywhere. It may look different and change per different conditions. However, it is necessary to  make people listen to you and not just listen but also understand and feel the interest in what you  are speaking about. Even a formal PowerPoint presentation at the Ministry can be interesting and  have some visual effects.

Approach

I am sure that all the tools of design thinking can be used in the different situations of our life. It  is up to you which one to choose and how to adapt it. For example, in my routine life, I often use  Mind Mapping at work if I need to understand something. I have asked for a marker board in my  office and draw there the tasks&deadlines of our department. Also, it is an interesting way to make  your speech powerful if to start it with a real and touching story – this is how storytelling works.  To sum up, once you have started using design thinking in your life – it is impossible to stop.  Moreover, the more professional and interesting its manifestation becomes.


Visualization Challenge & Selection Working under the Ministry of Education and Science once I was visiting a country - wide event held by the Republican Alliance of Students . This alliance consists of students from all the universities of our country and its mission is to create conditions for the effective implementation of the intellectual , creative , spiritual and innovative potential of the student youth in the country . The main goal of this movement is the solution of legal , socio - economic and everyday problems of students and active participation in the formation of an independent state . I was invited as a representative of the Ministry and was supposed to make a speech on current trends in the area of higher education as well as address some relevant questions and motivate participants . Is the presentation about the condition of the higher education system was not problematic for me , so the part of my presentation where I had to motivate , inspire and praise students caused me a lot of confusion and worries . Since school years when I was a learner , I have understood that visualization is a super powerful tool for catching the attention of listeners and making the whole presentation more alive and interesting . It is used when words are not enough to express your vision and opinion . Thus , I decided to make my speech alive and to show what exactly I felt . Application This event lasted two days and , fortunately , I was presenting on the second day . It is worth mentioning that I am a big fan of photography and video - making and that is why there is always a video camera with me on all the trips . So , during the first day of this conference where the President of this movement , as well as some key actors and stakeholders , presented , I took a lot of videos . I captured the most enthusiastic and inspiring moments – among which there were some when students asked interesting questions , debated , expressed their feelings , etc . In the evening of that day , I made a several - minutes video clip with the most expressive footage . Then , the nest day when I was presenting , I first asked to show this video just before my speech . To say that students were surprised and happy to see themselves is probably to say nothing . They loved it ! I started my presentation about current trends in the education system in our country with the followings words : “ Look at this video , at these enthusiastic people on it . These are you . You are our future and you should be proud of yourselves . Stay fair and honest , open to new perspectives and respect academic integrity … ” After my presentation , many students came to me and said that this was the first time when a person from the Ministry could understand and motivate them . I was super happy . Insight The most important insight I have gained is that it is crucial to adapt to current realities – time , place and people . I felt that the audience I was talking to was different – and that is why decided to take a different approach to them . Another lesson is that visual support is essential . Always and everywhere . It may look different and change per different conditions . However , it is necessary to make people listen to you and not just listen but also understand and feel the interest in what you are speaking about . Even a formal PowerPoint presentation at the Ministry can be interesting and have some visual effects . Approach I am sure that all the tools of design thinking can be used in the different situations of our life . It is up to you which one to choose and how to adapt it . For example , in my routine life , I often use Mind Mapping at work if I need to understand something . I have asked for a marker board in my office and draw there the tasks&deadlines of our department . Also , it is an interesting way to make your speech powerful if to start it with a real and touching story – this is how storytelling works . To sum up , once you have started using design thinking in your life – it is impossible to stop . Moreover , the more professional and interesting its manifestation becomes .