The Design Psychologist | Psychology for UX, Product, Service, Instructional, Interior, and Game Designers How to Visualize the Invisible: Metaphors, Models, and Meaning (with Stephen P. Anderson)
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Jul 21, 2025 Stephen P. Anderson, a design leader known for the Mental Notes card deck, shares insights on transforming complex ideas into clear visuals. He discusses why visualization challenges often arise during the drawing process and whether effective illustration stems from method or talent. The conversation explores how metaphors impact understanding, and the power of visual collaboration in overcoming creative blocks. Anderson also highlights the role of embodied cognition in refining our approach to concept visualization, offering practical tips for better clarity in communication.
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Redesigning Medical Info Sheet
- Stephen P. Anderson redesigned a complex medical info sheet for his diabetic son to make it understandable at age 4.
- He applied simple graphic design and icon use to clarify vital information for everyday use.
Embodied Cognition Explained
- Cognition extends beyond the brain to include our bodies and environment, a concept called embodied cognition.
- Interaction with physical objects aids thinking and decision-making in ways pure mental effort cannot achieve.
Associations Underpin Understanding
- Understanding is fundamentally built on associations formed from early physical interactions, even before we can speak.
- These associations serve as mental scaffolding for analogies and metaphors used in communication.
