Kate Eunson
- Jun 2, 2022
- 2 min read

Visual content is easier to understand, ever wondered why? A2D2 reveals 10 compelling reasons!

If you think about the content or information in your daily life that you find more interesting or that you tend to engage more with, what do you find it is that draws you in?

What types of content do you find easier to understand?

What types of information do you remember longer?

The resounding answer supported by data from multiple studies and examples found across the internet, is that visual information is by far the most powerful!

Afterall, "A picture tells a thousand words."

A background of meshed circles with a bright gradient colour scheme of orange, blue and yellow. Icons representing the importance of visual content (an eye, a head with a heart & cog symbol inside and an exclamation mark) are in the middle of the circles.

Here's why:

Symbol image of an eye with 6 arrows all pointing at it signifying visual info coming in

We are surrounded by visuals in our daily lives and close to half of our brain is used for visual processing!

Symbol image of a head with an exclamation mark in the brain area signifying grabbing attention

A visual will grab attention quicker than text.

Symbol image of a concept linking to an eye linking then to a tick signifying info making sense

Images are easily comprehended and help chunks of information make sense.

Symbol images of cog inside a cycle of arrows flowing to a lightbulb with a tick signifying faster processing

Images are processed faster in the brain than text so the underlying message makes meaning quicker.

Symbol image of a head with an arrow coming out from the brain next to a clock signifying long-term memory

We remember information better when it is supported by visuals as it 'sticks' in our long-term memory.

Symbol image of 4 faces showing happy, sad, concerned, not impressed signifying emotional reactions

Images result in stronger reactions increasing our engagement with content and therefore better retention.

Symbol image of winding arrow heading to a cross and straight line heading to a tick signifying simplification

Concepts can be shown in more simplified ways through visual representation.

Symbol image of circles connected in a framework signifying concepts forming links

Images activate or build on our prior knowledge and the brain easily organises and links concepts.

Symbol image of an eye overlaying a circle and data signifying scanning information

Visuals unclutter our focus which makes scanning or skimming information easier and discourages distraction.

Symbol image of a lightning bolt in a clock signifying 'faster'

Symbols communicate ideas faster than words and images!

Symbol image of a head with an up arrow and 2 cogs winding together on the top of the head signifying less cognitive load

There is less cognitive load on the brain when viewing visuals.

Some amazing facts & figures that confirm the power of visuals

Text: The human brain can process entire images that the eye sees for s little as 13 milliseconds. Image: Cartoon head cut open to expose brain.

Text: When an image is seen for as little as 13 millisecond before the next image appears, a part of the brain continues to porcess the images longer than the amount of time it was seen. Image: Cartoon girl lying flat with hair spread out images of content flowing through her hair.

Text: People following directions with text and illustrationsw do 323% better than those following directions without illustrations. Image: Cartoon of 2 boys sitting on a bench working on laptops. One without images and a question mark as his thought, the other with images has a smiling face as a thought.

These colourful visuals were sourced from a blog that offers a case study, making a case for visuals over text in powerful business communication, learning, and memory recall.

Want to see more?

Interactive and animated images have proven even more engaging than static visuals so head on over to check out this epic and immersive infographic for one final convincing visual experience.

Kate Eunson, founder of Attention 2 Detail & Design (A2D2) is currently working on an exciting membership opportunity to help parents, through the use of visual tools, to confidently implement positive strategies, communicate consistently to calmly resolve conflict and experience more positivity in their relationships with the young people in their lives.

Follow A2D2 Facebook to stay informed.