Reflection on Visualization as a Tool

Challenge:

I used the visualization tool at an environmental protection start-up within a group of

digital designers.  Our goals were to increase the amount of donations during events, as well as

increasing event attendance through social media.  The team was composed of a very diverse

group of individuals with various experiences and opinions of how to best go about achieving

these goals.  Unfortunately, we were working under a very limited time frame of four weeks, and

there were very strict company restrictions on what could and couldn’t be used in the process (to

uphold the standards of environmental protection as stated in the company’s mission).

Selection:

The visualization tool seemed to be the best tool to share our thoughts and build on each

other's ideas.  Visualization describes thinking that doesn’t use words or language to directly

communicate something.  The colors, typeface, and imagery used by a brand is their way of

representing themselves to an audience.  Although these visual cues play into how a brand may

want to appear overall, each individual may have a slightly different interpretation of that

imagery.  Prior to using the visualization method, we had many discussions that seemed never

ending.  As debates circled around the table, the same disagreements would arise.

Application:

Our team decided to put a large piece of paper at the head of the table, and each person

drew out their main ideas and plans for how to carry them out in columns.  Then, as we went

around the table, we slowly began adding onto and subtracting from each column.  We were

better able to understand the different approaches and determine what would and would not be

viable within our constraints.  By the end of the work session, every column was full, and we

continued to use this paper to alter our plans as the 4 weeks progressed.

Reflection on Visualization as a Tool

Insight:

The use of this tool led to so many ideas we went from not knowing where to start to

struggling to eliminate some.  There were so many potential solutions presented that we never

would have considered had we continued debating without the visualization.  Some ideas got

combined, and others were improved upon to the point that they became other projects entirely.

We split the main team into smaller groups and started working on the plans separately,

reconvening every few days to share progress and constructive criticism.  Unfortunately, there

simply wasn’t enough work force to complete everything that we wanted to, and some plans that

I felt had a lot of potential ended up getting scrapped for later.  This was a result of our personal

limitations, not the visualization tool.  The tool proved useful far beyond the planning stages,

helping to decide what projects to cut, as well as where to go from those points in the process.

Approach:

While our team was spread thin, I did not attribute our struggles to the visualization tool.

The initial progress we made while debating at the table was minimal at best.  After

implementing the paper for each person to present with drawing, the ideas started flowing

seamlessly.  Everyone was much more keen on giving their input and proposing their own

alternative solutions to problems.  For these reasons I would definitely use this tool again;

however, I would start with this tool from the beginning.  One of our biggest issues was using the

visualization tool after people had been arguing over specific concepts for a couple days.  This

meant that they were still thinking within the framework of the plan they supported prior to

seeing other options.  I predict that the initial debates would have been far more efficient had we

used visualization from the outset.


Reflection on Visualization as a Tool Challenge : I used the visualization tool at an environmental protection start - up within a group of digital designers . Our goals were to increase the amount of donations during events , as well as increasing event attendance through social media . The team was composed of a very diverse group of individuals with various experiences and opinions of how to best go about achieving these goals . Unfortunately , we were working under a very limited time frame of four weeks , and there were very strict company restrictions on what could and could n’t be used in the process ( to uphold the standards of environmental protection as stated in the company ’s mission ) . Selection : The visualization tool seemed to be the best tool to share our thoughts and build on each other 's ideas . Visualization describes thinking that does n’t use words or language to directly communicate something . The colors , typeface , and imagery used by a brand is their way of representing themselves to an audience . Although these visual cues play into how a brand may want to appear overall , each individual may have a slightly different interpretation of that imagery . Prior to using the visualization method , we had many discussions that seemed never ending . As debates circled around the table , the same disagreements would arise . Application : Our team decided to put a large piece of paper at the head of the table , and each person drew out their main ideas and plans for how to carry them out in columns . Then , as we went around the table , we slowly began adding onto and subtracting from each column . We were better able to understand the different approaches and determine what would and would not be viable within our constraints . By the end of the work session , every column was full , and we continued to use this paper to alter our plans as the 4 weeks progressed . Reflection on Visualization as a Tool Insight : The use of this tool led to so many ideas we went from not knowing where to start to struggling to eliminate some . There were so many potential solutions presented that we never would have considered had we continued debating without the visualization . Some ideas got combined , and others were improved upon to the point that they became other projects entirely . We split the main team into smaller groups and started working on the plans separately , reconvening every few days to share progress and constructive criticism . Unfortunately , there simply was n’t enough work force to complete everything that we wanted to , and some plans that I felt had a lot of potential ended up getting scrapped for later . This was a result of our personal limitations , not the visualization tool . The tool proved useful far beyond the planning stages , helping to decide what projects to cut , as well as where to go from those points in the process . Approach : While our team was spread thin , I did not attribute our struggles to the visualization tool . The initial progress we made while debating at the table was minimal at best . After implementing the paper for each person to present with drawing , the ideas started flowing seamlessly . Everyone was much more keen on giving their input and proposing their own alternative solutions to problems . For these reasons I would definitely use this tool again ; however , I would start with this tool from the beginning . One of our biggest issues was using the visualization tool after people had been arguing over specific concepts for a couple days . This meant that they were still thinking within the framework of the plan they supported prior to seeing other options . I predict that the initial debates would have been far more efficient had we used visualization from the outset .