Visual thinking has been reshaping how I work, learn, and collaborate—and it’s not just about drawings.
Past
A few years ago, I picked up The Back of the Napkin after an Improver recommended it. I’d always enjoyed drawing—even if only stick figures—but the book gave me tools to sketch ideas in ways that moved conversations forward. I began using drawings during sprint planning, reviews, and refinements. The difference was noticeable: shared understanding came faster, and collaboration improved. What started as frustration (“people don’t get what I’m seeing”) turned into a bridge between thought and communication.
Present
Recently, I’ve been diving into the idea of verbal vs. object vs. spatial thinkers, sparked by Temple Grandin’s book Visual Thinking. It clicked when I realized why some talks resonate differently depending on how people “see” or “hear” ideas. I even prototyped a small tool that takes Grandin’s questionnaire and maps thinking styles onto a spectrum. It reminded me: we’re rarely just one type—we blend words, images, and patterns.
This insight is shaping how I approach teaching, coding, and even music. When I refactor code, I don’t just “read” it; I see patterns. When I write, I lean on words. When I compose music, I move blocks around abstractly. Knowing that mix gives me more flexibility in how I solve problems.
Future
I’m curious about where this goes next. Could we build tools that reframe ideas for different types of thinkers? Imagine an app where you input text, and it shows what a verbal, object‑visual, or spatial‑abstract thinker might perceive. Maybe even VR experiences where you step into someone else’s mental lens. Food for thought.
Here’s the full post on Visual Thinking Reflections.
From the archive
- Designing for Humans, Not Just Users — Why human-centered thinking requires more than user stories or personas; it asks us to design with empathy and context.
- Nine Years at Improving: A Journey of Alignment, Growth, and Community — Reflections on nearly a decade at Improving: how thought leadership, community, and alignment have shaped my path.
Try this: Next time you share an idea, ask yourself—am I shaping it for visual, verbal, or abstract thinkers?
Until next time,
Claudio
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