Explain Ideas Visually
Turn ideas into visuals people instantly “get.”
Abstract
Have you ever struggled to explain a great idea, only to watch it fall flat?
Too often our most valuable insights get lost in complexity or jargon, when what they really need is clarity. In this session, Janis will show you how to turn abstract concepts into simple visuals that people immediately get.
Then we'll hang out for 30 minutes of Q&A, so you can ask about your own ideas and how to make them land.
You'll leave this session with concrete techniques to make your ideas more memorable and persuasive—without needing to "be an artist."
Speaker Bio
Janis Ozolins
Janis Ozolins helps people explain ideas visually. His simple but powerful visuals are seen by millions every month, shared by thought leaders and creators worldwide.
Just a few years ago, Janis was an aspiring online creator struggling to find traction. Then he stumbled into visual communication, and everything changed. Six months later, he left his corporate job, and today his work has grown an audience of 220,000+, led to collaborations with Shaan Puri, Naval Ravikant, Ana Lorena Fabrega, Dharmesh Shah, Matt D'Avella, Julian Shapiro, and Steven Bartlett.
Now Janis spends his time creating, freelancing, and teaching others how to turn complex thoughts into simple visuals that resonate. He also leads a course and community where he shows people how to explain their own ideas visually.
Watch the Session
Session Summary
This presentation offers a comprehensive framework and practical guide for effectively explaining ideas visually, challenging the notion that one must be a skilled designer or artist to succeed in this domain.
The Core Philosophy: Concept Over Aesthetics
Janis' fundamental premise is that explaining ideas visually is not fancy art, but merely another language. He asserts that anyone can create powerful visuals, provided they focus on the core message. Early in his own career, his visuals were “tremendously ugly,” demonstrating that initial aesthetics are secondary to conceptual strength. The key insight is that ideas and concepts are the “meat” of the communication, not the colors, fancy sketches, or tools used.
The Master Checklist: Six Principles of a Good Visual
Janis outlines six interconnected principles—a “Master Checklist”—that he uses to evaluate and refine every visual he creates. He stresses that Clarity is the “top dog,” the most crucial element, as everything else fails if the concept is confusing.
- Clarity: Is the message unambiguous? Ask a friend: “Do you get this?” People avoid confusion and are drawn to clarity. Clever is fine, not at the cost of clarity.
- Speed: How quickly can the audience digest the idea? Fast visuals earn scroll-stopping attention and offer a quick win.
- Flow: Does the viewer’s eye move logically? Arrange elements intentionally (top-to-bottom, left-to-right) to guide consumption.
- Novelty: Is it fresh rather than overused? Format choice can elevate plain ideas into something novel.
- Resonance: Does it emotionally connect (“This is so me”)? Acknowledge common struggles to build resonance.
- Amplification: Does it add punch and power, making the idea more thought-provoking? Skip only if the core idea’s novelty is already high.
The Creative Process: A Messy Cycle
Janis' process is non-linear and “messy,” bouncing between generation and refinement.
- Generating Text Elements: Start from a simple idea (quote, feeling, thought) and brainstorm surrounding text elements: feelings, data, comparisons (before/after), advice/takeaways.
- Generating Visual Elements: Map text to visual forms: templates, metaphors (stairs, icebergs), charts, geometric abstractions, contextual frames (calendars, to-do lists).
- Overcoming the Drawing Barrier: If you feel you can’t draw: trace. Photograph an object (e.g., dominoes) and trace its outline. AI can generate simple sketches to trace.
Best Practices and Execution Insights
- Prioritize Clarity over Cleverness: Never sacrifice immediate understanding.
- Iterate and Ship: Perfectionism kills momentum. Concept first; styling later. Parallel ideas prevent getting stuck.
- Amplify, Don’t Repeat, in Captions: Captions should add context or a takeaway, not restate the obvious.
- Font Size for Mobile: Must be readable on a phone without zooming.
- Filtering Information: Too many elements? Split into multiple visuals. Ask: “What do I want my audience to feel or understand?”