Professional and Technical Writing/Instructions/Visuals
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[edit] The Value of Visual Instructions
Visual instructions may or may not include text. It often varies depending on the intended use of the instructions. Visual instructions serve to clarify a concept that is difficult to explain using only words. Graphics may be used to show how something looks, how something is done or constructed, show trends or relationships, or simply organize information. Graphics are useful since almost everyone (including children and others of a different language) can understand visual instructions, it eliminates the cost of having to translate and print text instructions in multiple languages.
[edit] Business and Marketing:
- Minimize language barriers
- Speed learning curves
- Minimize human variability
- Increase instruction use rate and comprehension
- Reduce product returns
- Decrease assembly time- increase customer satisfaction
- Ease tech support
[edit] Academia:
- Make abstract ideas visible and concrete
- Connect prior knowledge and new concepts
- Provide structure for thinking, writing, discussing, analyzing, planning, and reporting
- Focus thoughts and ideas, leading to understanding and interpretation
- Help students to clarify thoughts, organize and analyze information, integrate new knowledge, and think critically
[edit] History
Graphics have been used for communicating a message or story long before written text. Examples include maps, trail markings on trees and cave paintings.
Maps are a prime example of using graphic space to represent real space.
[edit] Common Problems with Visual Instructions
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While there are a number of benefits of visual instructions, there are also some drawbacks. One of them is that some graphics can be unclear, and this can confuse the intended audience if the process is very detailed and requires pieces that look identical. There are also certain graphics that not everyone understands. If you work in a field that employs specialized graphics, use these graphics only when communicating with readers in your field who will understand and expect them.
