Visual Storytelling : What Exactly is in the Image That Tells A Story ?
Selecting an image to support your message is a skill. Every Picture Tells A Story, but how?
Here is an image of Rosa Parks who was an activist in the civil rights movement best known for her pivotal role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
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Here are things you can tell by looking at this image.

Date – The clothes, sense of styling and black & white imagery gives us a sense that must have been in 50’s or around that time (exact date is Dec 1, 1955)
People – Rosa Parks and an unnamed white man.
Emotions – You can see there in annoyance in the white man’s face and Rosa Parks is firmly holding her spot.
The messaging is emotional. You can see how Rosa Park’s  contribution (or efforts) mattered. If you are selecting an image in for a corporate presentation, the two key things to keep in mind are
  • Do your pictures show or trigger an emotion?
  • Do they create a sense of urgency to act?
If the answer is yes, your selected picture is telling a story. Visual Storytelling plays a key role in ensuring your messages stick. Give it the importance and time it deserves.
If you’re not familiar with Rosa Parks’s story , it can be found here:
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Why the QR Code? The answer is in the request below we received from a regular blog reader.

"I attended your story telling course some time back. And I've enjoyed keeping up my knowledge with your blog. You may not have realised however, that the Whole of Government is implementing Internet Seperation. Hence I'm not able to access the links to read your articles. Could I suggest including a QR code in your emails so that I can use my mobile to scan it and gain immediate access to the article? It would be most helpful"