What is an explanatory image and how does it help you to convey complex content?

In an increasingly complex business world, it is crucial to communicate information clearly and understandably. An explanatory image is a visual communication tool that presents complicated issues in a clear and easy-to-understand way. It condenses information into an image that can be immediately grasped. In this guide, you will learn how an explanatory image works, how it differs from an explanatory video, and why it can be a valuable addition to other visual communication methods such as business illustration or information graphics.

What is an explanatory image?

An explanatory image is a visual representation that aims to explain complex topics, processes, or information in a clear and concise form. It combines graphic elements, text, and symbols to tell a story or make a concept understandable. Explanatory images are particularly useful when it comes to making abstract or complex topics accessible to different audiences.

Unlike an explainer video, which uses dynamic animations and sound to convey information, an explainer image is a static medium. It still offers a high density of information and can be explored by viewers at their own pace.

Why is anexplanatory image important?

The importance of an explanatory image lies in its ability to make information understandable at a glance. Here are the main benefits of an explanatory image:

1. Reduce complexity: An explanatory image helps simplify complicated concepts and reduce them to the essentials. This makes it easier to understand and remember topics.

2. Efficiency in communication: A well-designed explanatory image conveys the key messages of a topic within seconds, which is particularly beneficial when communicating important information.

3. Flexibility: explanatory images can be used in different contexts, be it in training, presentations, in the onboarding process of new employees or to explain business processes.

4. Clarity and focus: The visual representation highlights the relevant information, which specifically directs the target group's attention and reduces misunderstandings.

5. Better understanding: Studies show that people absorb visual content better and remember it for longer. Explanatory images thus increase the understanding and memorability of the information conveyed.

How does an explanatory image differ from an explainer video?

While both explanatory image and explainer videos are designed to explain complex content, there are some key differences:

Explanatory image: Static visual representation based on an image. It is particularly well suited for use in printed materials, training courses or as a poster that always remains visible.
Explainer video: Dynamic, often animated videos that tell a story over a period of time. An explainer video can add additional layers of communication through movement and sound.

Both formats have their advantages and often complement each other in a company's internal and external communication. While the explanatory image provides a permanent reference, explainer videos can create emotional bonds and tell deeper stories.

Explanatory image in the onboarding process of new employees

The onboarding process is a crucial phase in integrating new employees into a company and familiarizing them with the processes, company culture and their tasks. This is where explanatory images play an important role as they help to make the onboarding process efficient. They provide a clear and easily accessible way to convey important information at a glance.

Benefits of an explanatory image in the onboarding process:

1. Quick orientation: Explanatory image give new employees an immediate overview of the most important company processes without having to read long documents.

2. Consistent communication: An explanatory image ensures that all new employees receive the same information and misunderstandings are avoided.

3. Memorability: Visual content stays in the memory longer, making the onboarding of new employees more effective and sustainable.

4. Interactive training: Explanatory image can be integrated into digital onboarding platforms and supplemented with interactive elements to promote the learning process.

How business illustrations and information graphics complement the explanatory image

An explanatory image is part of a broader spectrum of visual communication tools, which also include business illustrations and information graphics. While an explanatory image is often focused on the visual explanation of a specific process or topic, business illustrations and information graphics can present broader contexts or more specific data.

Business Illustration:

A business illustration is a visual representation that is often used to explain a company, its values or services. It can be part of an explanatory image or used on its own to build emotional connections and convey a more comprehensive picture of the company's vision. A business illustration is particularly suitable for artistically representing company mission statements, visions or processes.

Information Graphics:

Information graphics (also called infographics) focus on the presentation of data, figures and facts. They are particularly useful for presenting statistical information or complex relationships in an understandable and visually appealing way. An infographic could, for example, be part of an explanatory image when the aim is to put figures and facts into an explanatory context.

Explanatory image: The creation process

Creating an explanatory image requires both strategic thinking and creative design. Here are the steps involved in the explanatory image creation process:

1. Goal definition: First, you need to define the goal of the explanatory image. What information is to be conveyed? Who is the target audience? What is the core message to be conveyed? This helps determine the focus of the explanatory image.

2. Collect and structure content: The next step is to collect and structure the relevant information. This is where it is decided what content will be included in the explanatory image and how it is linked to each other.

3. Concept and storytelling: A good explanatory image tells a story. This phase determines how the content will be presented visually. The concept includes the graphic elements that will be used as well as the layout and structure of the image.

4. Visual design: This phase involves creating the graphic elements and developing the image design. This includes creating icons, symbols, text and diagrams that visualize the concept.

5. Feedback and adjustment: Before the explanatory image is finalized, feedback rounds should be conducted to ensure that it communicates the desired messages clearly and effectively. Adjustments are made to optimize the image.

How Dialogbild can help as an agency

Dialogbild is a specialized agency that helps companies make complex information understandable through explanatory images, business illustrations and information graphics. Our experience and expertise enable us to develop customized visual solutions that are precisely tailored to your needs and target groups.

Our services include:

Creation of individual explanatory images: We develop customized explanatory images that are specifically tailored to your company processes or products.
Visual communication for the onboarding process: Our explanatory images help new employees to find their way around the company more quickly and understand the relevant processes.
Business illustrations and information graphics: We offer a wide range of visual solutions that support your communication and present complex data in a simple way.

AUTONEUM VALUES

Autoneum is an international company that produces innovative acoustic and thermal management solutions for the automotive industry. Headquartered in Switzerland and with a global presence in over 20 countries, Autoneum offers a wide range of products to improve the comfort and safety of vehicles.

The company was founded in 2011 and has established itself as a leading supplier in its field. With a dedicated team and a strong focus on customer service, Autoneum strives to build long-term partnerships with car manufacturers and meet their needs in the best possible way. ...

BASF Schwarzheide GmbH

BASF Schwarzheide GmbH is an industrial beacon in Lusatia and has been part of the BASF Group since 1990. More than 2,000 employees produce chemical specialties at the production site in southern Brandenburg. The product range includes polyurethane base products and systems, crop protection agents, water-based coatings, engineering plastics, foams, dispersions, laromers and, from 2022, battery materials. The site is growing and has set itself the goal of CO2-neutral production in the future and piloting the integration of renewable energies. ...

QUALITY FOR LIFE

THE MISSION STATEMENT

AL-KO Therm provides for a perfect climate with individualized, economic and ecological concepts. The enterprise is a specialist in ventilation equipment which is characterized by the latest technology, quality, reliability and consistently meeting customer requirements. It has developed sophisticated high tech facilities with the best room air quality in office buildings or hospitals and precisely controlled air in production facilities as well as for effective solutions for large commercial or leisure complexes. The most attention is given to the development of energy-economical technology for environmental discharge and cost reduction. ...

MISSION STATEMENT: VISION & VALUES

COURAGE, SUSTAINABILITY, HONESTY, PRIDE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

How do we manage to deliver our vision and strategy to our employees, to bring everyone to a common understanding and to embed them into the (future) work to ensure that our bank is aligned as stable, successful and future-proof? How do we manage to deliver the path of our vision and strategy with the same content into our house, without losing important integral facts, or rather, to create room for interpretation through a new choice of words? These questions gave us the idea to translate our formulated vision and strategy into a picture-based language, true to the adage: “a picture says more than 1,000 words.”

What is an explanatory image?
An explanatory image is a visual representation that explains complex information, processes or concepts in a simple and understandable way. It combines graphics, text and symbols to convey content quickly and clearly. An explanatory image is static and is ideal for visually communicating topics that should be understood at a glance.

What is an explanatory image suitable for?
An explanatory image is suitable for:

Explaining complex processes: e.g. company processes, product launches or technical systems.
Onboarding new employees: Introduction to work processes, company culture and responsibilities.
Presentations: Visualization of business models, strategic plans or training content.
Marketing and customer communication: Clear communication of product benefits or services.

What is an explanatory image suitable for?
An explanatory image is suitable for:

Explaining complex processes: e.g. company processes, product launches or technical systems.
Onboarding new employees: Introduction to work processes, company culture and responsibilities.
Presentations: Visualization of business models, strategic plans or training content.
Marketing and customer communication: Clear communication of product benefits or services.

How does an explanatory image differ from an explainer video?
An explanatory image is a static, visual representation that summarizes all information in one image. An explainer video, on the other hand, is dynamic and uses animations, sound and time to convey a story or information. Explainer images are often useful as a permanent reference, while explainer videos create more emotional connection through movement and storytelling.

What are the benefits of an explainer image in the onboarding process?
An explanatory image makes the onboarding process easier by providing new employees with visual orientation:

Quick overview: An explanatory image conveys important information at a glance.
Efficiency: Complex processes and structures are presented in a simplified and understandable way.
Standardization: All new employees receive the same uniform information.
Memorability: The visual representation makes content better understood and remembered longer.

What is the difference between an explanatory image and a business illustration?
An explanatory image focuses on communicating processes or topics and explains a concept step by step. A business illustration can be broader and visually represent company values, missions or products in an artistic way. Both are useful tools for visual communication and can complement each other depending on the context.

How long does it take to create an explanatory image?
The time it takes to create depends on the complexity of the topic and the scope of the content. The process typically includes goal definition, information gathering, concept development, design and feedback loops. An individual time period is determined in consultation with the explanatory image agency.

How does Dialogbild help you create an explanatory image?
Dialogbild offers tailor-made solutions for creating explanatory images. We help you to convey complex content clearly and in a visually appealing way. Our experts ensure that the content is effectively structured and that there is a creative design that optimally conveys your message. We take your individual requirements and goals into account.

Can explanatory images be combined with infographics?
Yes, explanatory images and infographics can be combined excellently. While an explanatory image visualizes the logical sequence of a process or system, information graphics can complement this by displaying detailed data and statistics. This combination offers a comprehensive and in-depth information experience for the viewer.

How can an explanatory image be used in digital training or e-learning?
An explanatory image can be used in digital training and e-learning programs to explain complex topics or to serve as visual support in interactive modules. It can be integrated into courses as a visual learning aid or used as stand-alone training material.

How does an explanatory image support internal communication?
An explanatory image improves internal communication by visually presenting complex processes and information. This increases comprehensibility, reduces misunderstandings and facilitates collaboration between departments. Employees can refer to the explanatory image at any time as a clear and understandable reference.

What is an explanatory image and how does it help you to convey complex content?