Navigating Complexity: Physical Objects as Communication Tools

Explaining an abstract idea can feel easy—until you put pen to paper. In this episode, our host sits down with Stephen P. Anderson to unpack the craft of turning complex concepts into clear, memorable visuals. Together they dig into the challenges of sketching an org chart, mapping a process, or nailing a scientific metaphor—and ask what really separates a helpful illustration from a confusing one. 

You’ll hear them explore: 

• Why visualizing a concept (not just data) often stalls once you start drawing
• Whether effective illustration relies on a repeatable method or innate talent
• How to test if you’ve chosen the right metaphor—and what happens if you haven’t
• Ways visual collaboration can pull teams out of creative ruts
• How embodied cognition reframes our approach to concept visualization 

By the end, you’ll have practical, psychologically informed questions to guide your next sketch—so your ideas land the way you intend.