How can 2D graphics improve communication in remote work?
Remote work has become a common practice for many professionals, but it also poses some challenges for effective communication. How can you convey your ideas, emotions, and feedback clearly and creatively when you are not in the same physical space as your colleagues or clients? One possible solution is to use 2D graphics, such as diagrams, sketches, icons, and emojis, to enhance your messages and presentations. In this article, you will learn how 2D graphics can improve communication in remote work, and how to develop your skills and tools to create them.
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Angela BirchallDon’t let your precious memories of pets, people or places fade away, I can capture them in permanent artworks that you…
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Ben RoweDesign & Innovation Director at TAG Live® | Global Suppliers of Live Entertainment to the Leisure and Tourism Industry.
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2D graphics are visual elements that represent information or concepts in two dimensions, such as width and height. Examples of 2D graphics include charts, maps, logos, cartoons, and stickers. In remote work settings, 2D graphics can be incredibly beneficial for communication. They can capture attention and interest, making your messages more memorable and engaging. Furthermore, they can simplify complex or abstract ideas, making them easier to comprehend and articulate. Additionally, they can express emotions and tone, making your messages more human and empathetic. Finally, they can reinforce or contrast verbal or written communication, making your messages more clear and persuasive.
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2D graphics definitely add interest to communications compared to masses of text but the keyword in the initial description is "professional". You must ensure the graphics you use are as professional as possible - not difficult with all the high-tech programmes we have today. We get so used to chatting with friends using emojis that they are often used automatically in any written communication. They are as bad as child-like sketches which you would not use if you were doing a formal presentation in a professional capacity. Using 2D graphics of a high standard that convey important information is certain to capture interest and be more memorable for all the right reasons and not leave someone asking: "did your 2-year-old do the graphics"!
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When it comes to remote work, using 2D graphics, like storyboarding, is a real game-changer for making sure your message is crystal clear. I've personally found that using storyboarding to explain complex business rules to my remote coworkers has been a hit – they really get it. Visual aids, in this case, break down those tough concepts into a series of images or diagrams, making remote communication much more engaging and easier to grasp, especially when face-to-face chats aren't an option.
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I personally believe that the emotions and tone aspect is almost of highest importance. In a remote working setting, we miss these a lot and graphics can give us some feasibility and sense of belonging much easier than simple numbers and text. Further, since we loose in a remote setting the strength of gestures to highlight or lowlight certain things, graphics can give us this partly back.
Creating effective 2D graphics for remote work requires developing certain skills, such as visual literacy, which involves interpreting and creating visual messages with shapes, colors, fonts, and symbols. Graphic design is also important, as it involves applying principles and techniques of visual communication like layout, hierarchy, alignment, and contrast. Additionally, creativity is necessary to generate original and innovative ideas through brainstorming, sketching, and prototyping. Finally, you must have the ability to use tools and platforms that enable you to create and share 2D graphics, such as drawing apps, presentation software, and online collaboration tools.
When creating effective 2D graphics for communication in remote work, it is important to consider your audience, purpose, medium, and limits. Think about who you are communicating with, what their needs and preferences are, and how they will perceive your 2D graphics. Consider what you want to communicate, what your main message and goal are, and how your 2D graphics will support them. Additionally, think about how you will deliver your 2D graphics, what format and size they will have, and how they will fit with the rest of your communication. Lastly, consider what resources and time you have available, what challenges and constraints you face, and how you can overcome them.
To inspire you to create your own 2D graphics for communication in remote work, here are some examples of how other professionals have used them. A project manager used a flowchart to illustrate the steps and dependencies of a complex project and shared it with the team using a cloud-based tool. A marketer used a collage to showcase the different customer segments and personas and presented it to the client using a video conferencing app. Additionally, a teacher utilized a comic strip to explain a difficult concept in a fun and relatable way, sending it to the students via an email newsletter. Lastly, a designer employed an icon set to highlight the key features and benefits of a new product, uploading it to the company website.
If you're looking to improve your skills and tools for creating 2D graphics for communication in remote work, there are a number of resources you can explore. For example, there are online courses on visual literacy, graphic design, and creativity available on platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Skillshare. Additionally, blogs and podcasts from sources such as Canva, Buffer, and The Futur offer useful tips and insights on topics such as 2D graphics, communication, and remote work. Books and ebooks from authors like Dan Roam, Nancy Duarte, and Jason Fried also provide practical guides and examples. Lastly, there are easy and powerful tools and apps that enable you to create and share 2D graphics like Adobe Illustrator, PowerPoint, and Miro.
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📚 Online Courses: Explore visual literacy, graphic design, and creativity on Coursera, Udemy, and Skillshare. 📰 Blogs & Podcasts: Find tips and insights on 2D graphics, communication, and remote work from Canva, Buffer, and The Futur. 📖 Books & Ebooks: Dive into practical guides and examples by Dan Roam, Nancy Duarte, and Jason Fried. 🖌️ Tools & Apps: Create and share 2D graphics with ease using Adobe Illustrator, PowerPoint, and Miro. Elevate your remote communication with compelling 2D graphics! 🚀🎨
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