I still remember a meeting a few years ago — a room full of brilliant minds, ideas flying left and right. Everyone was engaged, nodding along, taking notes. At the time, it felt like we were creating something extraordinary. But a few days later, I realized something: I could only recall fragments. The big ideas, the inspiring phrases, the energy — most of it had slipped away.
It’s not just me. Research shows that people forget nearly 80% of what they hear within days. Words, no matter how powerful in the moment, often fade.
That’s where visuals step in. A simple sketch, a metaphorical diagram, or even a thoughtfully drawn journey transforms ideas from fleeting to lasting. Suddenly, those abstract concepts become something you can touch with your eyes and hold in your mind.
It’s not magic. It’s human nature. Our brains are wired to understand images faster, to retain them longer, to make connections that words alone can’t. I’ve witnessed it countless times through my work at Marker.ae — in workshops, retreats, and innovation labs — where a single visual moment sparked understanding that pages of notes never could.
I remember leading a leadership retreat where the vision of a company’s future felt overwhelming when described in words. But as I drew the journey in real time — the challenges as mountains, the opportunities as bridges, the path forward as a winding river — the abstract became tangible. The room went quiet, then alive with recognition. Weeks later, leaders still referred back to that drawing, pointing to milestones and connections as if the visual had become a living map.
Visuals do more than preserve memory; they create a shared understanding. Words can mean different things to different people, but when you see ideas drawn out, everyone sees the same story. I’ve seen bilingual workshops where visuals bridged the gap between Arabic and English speakers, turning complex discussions into moments of clarity and inclusion.
And the beauty of visuals is how they endure. Unlike slides that get lost in inboxes, or notes that fade into forgotten folders, a well-crafted visual lingers. It hangs on walls, appears in presentations, guides new team members, and reminds everyone of the journey they’ve taken together.
At Marker.ae, our approach is simple but deliberate: listen deeply, translate essence into metaphor, ensure clarity across languages, and deliver outputs that continue to guide long after the session ends. Each drawing, each map, becomes more than a record; it becomes a companion for action, memory, and alignment.
In a world overflowing with words, visuals cut through the noise. They make ideas stick, spark understanding, and unite teams around a shared vision. That’s why, for me, visual storytelling is more than a craft. It’s a bridge between thought and memory, imagination and action.
Noumier Tawilah
Founder & Creative Director, Marker.ae
📩 hello@marker.ae
🌐 www.marker.ae
