Lots of Pictures

I’d like to thank Guy Kawasaki for his How to Change the World: The Art of Visual Thinking post and introducing me to Dan Roam’s The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures. If the posting doesn’t inspire you to read the book, take a look at the book’s slick web site http://thebackofthenapkin.com/ for a another perspective. In addition to all the glowing reviews out there, I’d just like to add a few of points that may hit closer to home for all those folks out there engaged in Geographically Distributed Development (GDD):

1. Not all developers are born public speakers. Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of working with some brilliant folks – from coders to architects. However, there are times when this talented group of people can’t seem to net-it-out. They’re so immersed in their code, or, diagrams, that its difficult for us less savvy folk to get the point. Now even if you never share your picture (which based on my own experience is a giant leap of faith), the exercise of attempting to draw it has huge benefits. With each iteration, you not only clarify the physical image but you clarify the one in your “mind’s eye” – which in the end simply improves your code, or, detailed diagrams
2. Not everyone’s mother tongue is English! Pictures transcend language. So look upon your creations like the Egyptians looked upon their hieroglyphics.
3. Not everyone can draw. True. Neither can I. But I still read the book and benefited from it. It’s easy to read – lots of picures!

So read the book anyway and post your thumbs-up, or, thumbs-down comments here, or, on my postings featuring my creations 🙂