Build Your Visual Communication Skills

Teresa Torres argues that product managers constantly communicate complex ideas to engineers, designers, sales, and customers, and that visual thinking is one of the most effective ways to do it quickly and accurately. She points out that schooling emphasizes verbal and analytical skills while neglecting visual ones, so most people underestimate their ability to draw or sketch. The good news, she says, is that you don't need artistic talent or formal training to improve. Simple habits such as keeping an idea log, using mind maps, and combining found images can build the skill. The piece is a short, practical call to make visual communication a deliberate part of product work.

01Key takeaways

• Visual thinking is a core PM skill because it speeds up clarifying requirements and aligning teams.
• You don't need artistic talent; crude sketches communicate ideas effectively.
• Keep a sketchbook and capture ideas visually throughout your day.
• Use mind maps and concept maps to practice thinking about ideas spatially.
• Combine free or licensed images to illustrate points when drawing feels hard, while respecting copyright.
• Practice consistently; comfort and quality grow with repetition.

02Key sections

Why visual communication matters for PMs

PMs act as the resident experts who translate complex product details across many teams. Pictures often convey requirements, designs, and data faster than words alone.

Overcoming the belief that you can't draw

People often dismiss themselves as uncreative, yet most once drew freely as children. Schooling trains logical and verbal thinking, so visual skills go underdeveloped.

Keep an idea log

Carrying a sketchbook to capture ideas as they come prevents good thinking from being lost. The author's own design-class experience showed that drawing more and using fewer words steadily improves skill.

Use mind maps and concept maps

These tools organize concepts spatially and use words while still exercising visual thinking, making them an accessible starting point for people who struggle with drawing.

Combine images and recommended reading

Mixing stock or found images is a low-barrier way to communicate, as long as copyright is respected. The article closes with three books on visual thinking, comics, and presentation design.

03From the post

“As product managers, we communicate with everyone: engineers, designers, sales, account managers, marketing, you name it. Our products are complex and we are seen as the resident experts. We clarify product requirements with engineers, help our sales team overcome objections, and assist our customer success team on getting the most”

04Frameworks mentioned

Summary and takeaways written by PM Atlas; quotes are short excerpts. © the original author.