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- Why Visuals Don't Feel Easy (Yet)
Hello, Visual Communicators! 👋
🧘 Mindful Design: Why Visuals Don’t Feel Easy (Yet) |
🧘 Mindful Design
Why Visuals Don’t Feel Easy (Yet)
If you’ve ever sat down to create a visual and thought, “Why does this take me forever?”, you’re not alone.
I’ve been there too.
Years ago, when I was an art director at a small, high-volume housewares company, the demand for visuals never stopped. No matter how fast I worked, I was always behind, and everything felt harder than it should.
Then something occurred to me.
I wasn’t slow, I was lost.
The creative process is a desert:
shifting dunes, burning heat,
the scorpions of self-doubt,
and the feeling that the next oasis is always just out of reach.
And I was stumbling through it, unequipped and with no map to guide me.
And if you’re thinking, “But I am slow,” that’s completely expected.
Most beginners move slowly not because they lack talent, but because they’re wandering without knowing what to do next!
When the terrain is unclear, every step feels uncertain.
But once clients start using a system that works for them, everything changes.
They’re navigating, not guessing.
The pace feels natural.
The problem isn’t you, it’s the missing map.
Where Most People Get Stuck
Without a system or map, it’s easy to:
• mix visual thinking with production
• use tools in the wrong order (or the wrong tools entirely)
• follow advice that doesn’t fit your situation
• take steps you never needed to take
• skip steps that would have kept you from going in circles
And the cost adds up quickly:
lost time,
lost confidence,
lost momentum.
The Good News
Visual communication is a learnable skill.
With a clear map, your tools, steps, and processes, everything speeds up.
A good system gives you:
• a clear starting point
• the right tool at the right time
• faster results
• visuals you’re proud of
And most importantly:
the journey becomes not just doable,
but an adventure you’re excited to take.
What part of visual communication feels the most overwhelming, and what do you wish felt easier? I’d love to hear your experience if you’re open to sharing. Just respond to this issue.
💡 Insight
A bad system will beat a good person every time.
💭 Fresh Idea
Your Year in 5 Shapes
Want an easier way to plan 2026? Start by looking at 2025.
And you don’t need fancy drawings to do that, just five shapes you already know how to draw. Here they are:
● Circle — A Meaningful Moment
A moment that stayed with you, big or small.
▲ Triangle — A Challenge
Something sharp, difficult, or draining you faced.
→ Arrow — Something That Moved You Forward
A decision, habit, or action that created momentum.
♥ Heart — Something That Mattered Emotionally
A connection, relationship, or moment of care.
★ Star — A Highlight or Win
Anything that made you proud - tiny or major.
How to Use Them
Grab a piece of paper & scissors.
List 8–12 moments from your year.
Give each moment a shape.
Draw & cut the shapes with short labels beside them.
Rearrange them until patterns start to emerge.
What to Look For
Which shape appears the most?
Which shape appears the least?
Where do the arrows point?
Which circles (meaning) connect to stars (wins)?
Which triangles (challenges) led to new boundaries?
What emotional thread do the hearts reveal?
And whether you’re just starting or already fluent in visual thinking, these six shapes create an immediate, meaningful snapshot of your year.
How did it go? Did anything surprise you? What will you do differently next year?
👀 Keep Your Eyes Peeled
I am rolling out a little something special in the coming weeks. In the meantime, I’d love to hear your thoughts about this issue or whatever else is on your mind! Just hit reply, I respond to every email.
💛 Thanks for Joining!
It’s great to have you here. Stay tuned for more visual communication insights, tips, and insider secrets. Until then, keep creating!
Eva 📚👁️💬
PS. If this was forwarded to you, feel free to sign up here to join:
https://learn-visual-communication.beehiiv.com/