The document discusses how visuals can be used effectively at work. It provides examples of how employees at XING have used visuals such as drawings, diagrams and visual notes. These visual techniques have helped convey complex information more easily, engage participants in meetings and brainstorming sessions, and change how some colleagues view the work of the UX team. The document encourages spreading the "visual virus" and provides tips for using visuals successfully at work.

1. Watch out!
High risk of infection:
the “visual virus” at work.
Britta Ullrich
Senior UX Manager
May 16, 2013

2. About my multiple personalities…
Senior UX Manager
I do qualitative research to find
out what makes our users tick,
what their needs are, and how
they rate XING.
2

3. About my multiple personalities…
Senior UX Manager
Singing Bowls
I give sound massages to enhance
relaxation, in particular among
people that tend to get tangled
up in their thoughts.
3

4. About my multiple personalities…
Senior UX Manager
Singing Bowls
Visual Facilitator
I teach adults basic drawing skills
that they can use at work!
My vision is to spread the visual
virus all over the world!
4

5. What’s in it for you…
1. Understand why visuals
work @ work
2. See some hands-on examples
3. A treasure chest of secret tips

6. You might be asked…
Drawing
at work?
YES!
Source: customsouthparks.com

7. Why visuals work @ work…
# Holistically active

8. Why visuals work @ work…
# Holistically active
# Info overload

9. Why visuals work @ work…
# Holistically active
# Info overload
# Globalization

10. Some hands-on examples…

11. Some hands on examples …
“I add post-its for planning and
flexibility.”
Susanne, Senior HR Manager &
Agile Admirer

12. “I use visuals as a time schedule
to navigate through the meeting.”
Sandra, Team Lead User Care

13. “It’s about being fast –
mistakes happen.” ;)

14. “It was our 1st anniversary using Kanban – an
appreciation & a great laugh for the team.”
Friederike, Community Manager & Agile Kanban Coach

15. “This picture was a present and motivator for the team!”
Susanne, Senior HR Manager & Agile Admirer

16. “Promoting the option to take part in our regular
in-house Agile workshops worked really well.”
Susanne, Senior HR Manager & Agile Admirer

17. “The participants appreciated
the hand-drawn certificate for
our internal Agile workshop.”
Sabrina, Project Management
Student

18. “We were under pressure to meet
deadlines and had to present to the
whole department.”
Daniel, Team Lead User Care

19. “We didn’t want to bore our
colleagues with PPT slides. ”
Ulrike, Director User Care

20. “Hand-made drawings are more personal
and help the audience to remember the
story!”
Timm, CPO

21. “The new testing concept was
understood really quickly.”
Britta, Sr. UX Manager

22. “Visual card sortings work well
for intuitively ordering our
process.”
Zita, Interaction Designer
“It’s great for breaking
down complex processes.”
Patrick, Product Manager

23. “It’s important to differentiate
between different target groups.”
Faye, Marketing Manager

24. “Easy to draw, but has a lot more
impact than just writing down the
words.”
Leonie, Visual Designer

25. “We tried to find a picture that
summarized our team values.”
Julika, Frontend Engineer

26. Some hands on examples …
“This picture explains the exercise
much better than words can.”
Susanne, Senior HR Manager &
Agile Admirer

27. “Visual notes on my iPad help me to
remember the most important facts!”
Eva, Jr. Manager User Insights

28. Some hands on examples …
Visual brainstorming sessions
spark our imagination!

29. Some hands on examples …
XING’s visual dictionary
in Confluence

30. Some hands on examples …
Even XING’s door signs
have been “infected”

31. A treasure chest of secret tips…

32. A treasure chest of secret tips…
# Visual Alphabet

33. A treasure chest of secret tips…
# Visual Alphabet
# Equipment

34. A treasure chest of secret tips…
# Visual Alphabet
# Equipment
# Shadow & Effects

35. So what?

36. It changed the way we work…
“I focus even
more on
storylines.”
“I now draw a lot, which
makes my work so much more
enjoyable.”
Communication Designer
CPO
“My moderation style has been
turned on its head. It’s great fun
for everyone inv0lved,
including myself.”
Senior Human Resources Manager & Agile Admirer

37. And it changed the way my colleagues
think about UX…
“I still admire people who can
sketch in real time.” :-)
CPO
“I am even more
impressed by what
they do.”
Team Lead Community Management
“I was impressed with the UX
team’s competence (not that I
doubted it before ;-)) and it gave
me more insights into the kind
of work they’re involved in.”
Senior Manager Quality Assurance

38. Food for thought…
Visuals @ work…
1.
…enhance understanding, focus, & memory!
2.
…are not about art but ideas – draw quickly!
3.
…increase fun and appreciation levels!

39. Cheers!
Questions?
Britta Ullrich
Senior UX Manager @ XING
Visual Trainer @ VizWorks
About.me/brittaullrich
Twitter @Sabrittas