Thread by Janis Ozolins
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- Mar 24, 2022
- #Creativity #ContentCreation
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Don't give up on being a content creator before trying to communicate ideas with visuals (no design background required):
First, busting the myth:
You don't need to be a designer.
We're not trying to re-create Mona Lisa.
We're communicating ideas with simple lines, shapes, and words.
Plus, tools and tutorials are so advanced with easy-to-understand UX that the "I CAN'T DRAW" excuse has no place.
You don't need to be a designer.
We're not trying to re-create Mona Lisa.
We're communicating ideas with simple lines, shapes, and words.
Plus, tools and tutorials are so advanced with easy-to-understand UX that the "I CAN'T DRAW" excuse has no place.
For example, @FerraroRoberto has no background in design and he did not have the intention to do visuals. He bought my NFT as an act of support which led him access to my course and now he's having fun and absolutely killing it:
Another rockstar who did not know much about design 3 months ago: @AlexMaeseJ. He picked up the iPad and went for it. Now he's approaching 14k subs. Generated millions of views, and is doing freelance left and right.
Now let's dive into why I'm so bullish on this content creation format, especially if writing and filming did not work out for you as it was the case for me. My story here:
1. Most of the work is brainstorming.
While a big part of writing and youtubing is sitting down and doing the work.
Visuals are different.
The biggest part of the work is ideation and brainstorming. Most of us love that and you don't need to be glued to your computer to do it.
While a big part of writing and youtubing is sitting down and doing the work.
Visuals are different.
The biggest part of the work is ideation and brainstorming. Most of us love that and you don't need to be glued to your computer to do it.
So, for me when it comes to visuals:
40% of work is noting down ideas while I listen to books & podcasts, etc.
40% is taking those ideas and thinking about them and trying to figure out how I could communicate them.
20% is sitting down and designing them.
40% of work is noting down ideas while I listen to books & podcasts, etc.
40% is taking those ideas and thinking about them and trying to figure out how I could communicate them.
20% is sitting down and designing them.
2. Easy to be consistent.
Due to the fact that we don't need to be glued to our computers, we can make these on a regular basis (even if we're busy parents with a day job).
Finishing a piece of content regularly is great for motivation, momentum, and a consistent feedback loop.
Due to the fact that we don't need to be glued to our computers, we can make these on a regular basis (even if we're busy parents with a day job).
Finishing a piece of content regularly is great for motivation, momentum, and a consistent feedback loop.
3. Perfect format if your credibility is low.
If you write a blog post or make a youtube video it's not easy to get views for your work. Especially if you're new to the game.
Visuals can communicate ideas fast so there's no feeling of "ugh, reading this will take a lot of time"
If you write a blog post or make a youtube video it's not easy to get views for your work. Especially if you're new to the game.
Visuals can communicate ideas fast so there's no feeling of "ugh, reading this will take a lot of time"
Meaning, it will be picked up on socials fast... the initial exposure is a bit harder but after a certain threshold good visual ideas spread regardless if you're 1k or 100k account. I've seen this to be true over and over.
Example from 2 days ago from @jankaite: 
4. Visuals that communicate are in high demand and they bring results.
Pick an industry and start to communicate those ideas with visuals.
It might be the same idea but through thoughtful visuals, it will feel fresh and novel.
Pick an industry and start to communicate those ideas with visuals.
It might be the same idea but through thoughtful visuals, it will feel fresh and novel.
I think this communication format is not broadly discovered and there is a BIG market for it.
If you'll be good at explaining ideas visually - attention and opportunities will come your way.
If you'll be good at explaining ideas visually - attention and opportunities will come your way.
Having fun & loving the process leads to great work which leads to results.
It's been a common theme in the Explain Ideas Visually Community.
Here's examples with visuals that have generated thousands and millions of views (if you like my work you'll love theirs):
It's been a common theme in the Explain Ideas Visually Community.
Here's examples with visuals that have generated thousands and millions of views (if you like my work you'll love theirs):
You can find much more thought-provoking stuff on @saba_yazdani profile. This one on habits:
@itsprasa and his attention to detail is exquisite:
@victor_bigfield makes the most amazing metaphors and also simple stuff that resonates with people:
Simple and to the point stuff by @eneskartall:
Clever, beautiful work by @tracytangtt. The message is so on point that we often forget:
When I took this lesson more seriously 1.5 years ago I noticed significant improvement. Check out work by @MentalWeapons:
Wise man sharing great ideas and also saving the planet with his content. Check out @jeffkortenbosch:
@jeffkortenbosch also wrote a Medium piece his journey from 0-50 visuals. Thank you @dvdlindenberg for getting Jeff onboard. ♥️ jeffkortenbosch.medium.com/0-my-first-50-visuals-646a5517c8ec
My @wngpod brother @AlexLlullTW is your guide for many things but especially if you're into being a creative, freelancer, etc.
@AidanYeep makes killer work and he pushes me to level up my quality. Here is a killer work from 2h ago:
Brilliant metaphors and thought-provoking ideas. You can find a lot of them on @moina_abdul profile:
@junhanchin makes killer work (consistently):
Add great reminders wrapped in simple visuals to your feed from @jorge__hc:
More thought-provoking stuff from @harshdarji_4:
@andymewborn will make you laugh with relatable stuff. He's amazing:
@BeniGurkay a newcomer in Explain Ideas Visually Community is starting strong with this idea I wish I would come up with:
This whole thread might sound like a sales pitch for Explain Ideas Visually Course + Community and to some degree it is.
But don't think for a second that you NEED this course, iPad, or any other fancy stuff to become great at explaining ideas visually.
But don't think for a second that you NEED this course, iPad, or any other fancy stuff to become great at explaining ideas visually.
I wrote this thread most importantly because I believe in the message I wrote in the first tweet.
"Don't give up on being a content creator before trying to communicate ideas with visuals"
I'm glad I gave visuals a shoot and so do many others I have mentioned above.
"Don't give up on being a content creator before trying to communicate ideas with visuals"
I'm glad I gave visuals a shoot and so do many others I have mentioned above.
We talk about being a content creator through writing, videos, or podcasting.
When it comes to visuals it's somehow mushed up in this idea that it's only for designers... It's BS.
It's a big market out there and you can participate in it even if you can't draw a straight line.
When it comes to visuals it's somehow mushed up in this idea that it's only for designers... It's BS.
It's a big market out there and you can participate in it even if you can't draw a straight line.
Here is a thread where you'll find a bit of my process and other useful stuff:
If you're interested you can join Explain Ideas Visually Course + Community.
It will help accelerate your progress if you think communicating with visuals is something you might like.
Stories from alumni and all the details at: janis.studio/course
It will help accelerate your progress if you think communicating with visuals is something you might like.
Stories from alumni and all the details at: janis.studio/course
p.s. we also have feedback sessions: 
