---
title: A Pro's 4 Steps To Make Powerful Visual Metaphors
description: Read our blog to learn how to engage your audience, finding new and innovative ways to present your ideas with visual metaphors and video content.
image: https://blog.videoscribe.co/hubfs/nicolas-gras-r1cu0Uj13Iw-unsplash.jpg
---

[![VSD\_LOGO\_SMALL](https://blog.videoscribe.co/hs-fs/hubfs/VSD_LOGO_SMALL.png?width=250&height=53&name=VSD_LOGO_SMALL.png "VSD_LOGO_SMALL")](https://www.videoscribe.co/)

- [Home](https://www.videoscribe.co/en/)
- [Using VideoScribe](https://www.videoscribe.co/en/using-videoscribe/)
- [Pricing](https://www.videoscribe.co/en/pricing/)
- [Blog](https://blog.videoscribe.co/)
- [About](https://www.videoscribe.co/en/about/)
- [Help](https://support.sparkol.com/knowledge)
- [Login](https://www.videoscribe.co/en/login/)
- [Try for free](https://www.videoscribe.co/en/free-trial/)

- [Home](https://www.videoscribe.co/en/)
- [Using VideoScribe](https://www.videoscribe.co/en/using-videoscribe/)
- [Pricing](https://www.videoscribe.co/en/pricing/)
- [Blog](https://blog.videoscribe.co/)
- [About](https://www.videoscribe.co/en/about/)
- [Help](https://support.sparkol.com/knowledge)
- [Login](https://www.videoscribe.co/en/login/)
- [Try for free](https://www.videoscribe.co/en/free-trial/)

1. [Home](https://www.videoscribe.co/)›
2. [Blog](https://blog.videoscribe.co)›
3. [Storytelling](https://blog.videoscribe.co/tag/storytelling)›
4. A Pro's 4 Steps To Make Powerful Visual Metaphors

# A Pro's 4 Steps To Make Powerful Visual Metaphors

Posted by [Emily Bartlett](https://blog.videoscribe.co/author/emily-bartlett) on February 1, 2022

![Emily Bartlett](https://blog.videoscribe.co/hubfs/EmilyBartlett.png)

**Images are a powerful communication tool in presentations. But clichéd metaphors spoil the effect. Here, in 4 easy steps, is how professional illustrators form original and striking metaphors that drive their message home, leaving their audiences seriously impressed.**

If you’re using images in your presentations, you’re already doing something right. However, the same old clichés are used in presentations over, and over, and over. How many times have you seen a lightbulb represent an idea?

We think you can do better than that. Whether you are using VideoScribe or just a plain ol’ fashioned flipchart, you can drastically improve what you do with them to impress your audience.

Let’s say, for example, you want to talk about 'improving your intelligence' in your presentation. This is what usually gets bunged in:

![1](https://s3.amazonaws.com/sparkol-www-uploads/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/1.png)

Clichés are clichés for a reason. They say basically what we want them to. But they can be better. Loads better.

Here’s how you can learn from professional graphic designers and illustrators to drastically improve your visual metaphors.

 

## 1. Make a big, messy chart

Think about the words. Separate them. Find other words and phrases that are synonymous with them. Now draw what makes you think of those things.

![2](https://s3.amazonaws.com/sparkol-www-uploads/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2.png)

 

## 2. Merge the images together

Combine the images in all the ways you can think. Ask yourself how they can fit together; where they are similar. Experiment a bit.

![3](https://s3.amazonaws.com/sparkol-www-uploads/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/3.png)

Bonus points if you can make the negative space around one of the pictures look like the other picture (like the last image – a plant within a brain).

 

## 3. Be a tease

Think about the timing of what you are saying in relation to the drawing. Revealing the next part of the image at the right time in your presentation looks really cool.

Imagine that you’re saying, 'build up your brainpower,' or, 'care, nurture and proper feeding will help your intelligence to grow'. Imagine how this would look animated alongside it:

![4](https://s3.amazonaws.com/sparkol-www-uploads/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/4.png)

The audience will think, 'I get it!' – right where you allow them to see it, and not before.

This step would be ideal for an automated animation with a zoom function such as a scribe, but think outside the box if you are using a whiteboard or a flipchart – you could come up with something similar.

 

## 4. Milk it

Finally, you could give these images one extra little push to make the most of them. What stories can you see in them? And what kind of message do they send? If you stumble on a good one and it fits with your story – use it.

![5](https://s3.amazonaws.com/sparkol-www-uploads/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/5.png)

People will think you’re incredibly clever, and all because you didn’t settle for a boring, cliched metaphor.

[Take a free trial of VideoScribe to bring your presentations to life.](http://videoscribe.co/?__hstc=118964182.289f2a822dd3d033c8f1f2acfb33f369.1572608792553.1578678031844.1578913144777.38&__hssc=118964182.9.1578913144777&__hsfp=2296077107)

 Topics: [Storytelling](https://blog.videoscribe.co/tag/storytelling)

[![VideoScribe](https://blog.videoscribe.co/hubfs/VSD-Triangle%20(1).png "VideoScribe")](https://www.videoscribe.co/en/free-trial)

## Start your 7 day free trial today

Instant access, no upfront payments, no risk

[![GET STARTED](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5474140/fedeff97-352f-4443-a1ed-2d842315ae4a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5474140/fedeff97-352f-4443-a1ed-2d842315ae4a)

### Subscribe to our blog

### POPULAR POSTS

- ![8 Powerful storytelling techniques for unforgettable presentations](https://blog.videoscribe.co/hubfs/janko-ferlic-sfL_QOnmy00-unsplash-1.jpg)
  
  [8 Powerful storytelling techniques for unforgettable presentations](https://blog.videoscribe.co/8-classic-storytelling-techniques-for-engaging-presentations)
- ![The 12 brand archetypes, and how to bring yours to life in video](https://blog.videoscribe.co/hubfs/brand-archetypes_landscape.jpg)
  
  [The 12 brand archetypes, and how to bring yours to life in video](https://blog.videoscribe.co/12-brand-archetypes-all-successful-businesses-are-built-on)
- ![65% of People Prefer Visual Learning, Is Teaching Keeping Up?](https://blog.videoscribe.co/hubfs/Screenshot%202022-06-14%20at%2011.09.04.png)
  
  [65% of People Prefer Visual Learning, Is Teaching Keeping Up?](https://blog.videoscribe.co/65-of-people-prefer-visual-learning-is-teaching-keeping-up)
- ![These 8 Christmas Movie Speeches Will Yank At Your Heartstrings](https://blog.videoscribe.co/hubfs/Christmas%20Movie%20Speeches.png)
  
  [These 8 Christmas Movie Speeches Will Yank At Your Heartstrings](https://blog.videoscribe.co/these-8-christmas-movie-speeches-will-yank-at-your-heartstrings)
- ![Why the First 10 Seconds of Your Video Matter (And How to Nail Them)](https://blog.videoscribe.co/hubfs/Why%20first%2010%20seconds%20video%20matter.png)
  
  [Why the First 10 Seconds of Your Video Matter (And How to Nail Them)](https://blog.videoscribe.co/first-10-seconds-video-engagement-tips)

### YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

![The 12 brand archetypes, and how to bring yours to life in video](https://blog.videoscribe.co/hubfs/brand-archetypes_landscape.jpg)

[The 12 brand archetypes, and how to bring yours to life in video](https://blog.videoscribe.co/12-brand-archetypes-all-successful-businesses-are-built-on)

 September 23, 2026

![Six Ways to Structure a Video That Explains Something Complicated](https://blog.videoscribe.co/hubfs/six-ways-to-structure-a-video-that-explains-something-complicated_landscape%20(1).png)

[Six Ways to Structure a Video That Explains Something Complicated](https://blog.videoscribe.co/six-ways-to-structure-a-video-that-explains-something-complicated)

 August 13, 2026

![The 5 essential elements of all good stories](https://blog.videoscribe.co/hubfs/etienne-girardet-EP6_VZhzXM8-unsplash.jpg)

[The 5 essential elements of all good stories](https://blog.videoscribe.co/the-5-essential-elements-of-all-good-stories)

 March 25, 2026

### COMMENTS

[![Sparkol\_Brand mark\_White\_RGB](https://blog.videoscribe.co/hs-fs/hubfs/Sparkol_Brand%20mark_White_RGB.png?width=150&height=69&name=Sparkol_Brand%20mark_White_RGB.png "Sparkol_Brand mark_White_RGB")](https://www.sparkol.com/en/)

### Company

[About us](https://www.videoscribe.co/en/about/)

[Using VideoScribe](https://www.videoscribe.co/en/using-videoscribe/)

[Help and Support](https://help.videoscribe.co/knowledge)

[Pricing](https://www.videoscribe.co/en/pricing/)

[VideoScribe Legacy](https://www.videoscribe.co/videoscribe-legacy)

[Security](https://www.videoscribe.co/en/security/)

[VideoScribe by Sparkol](https://www.videoscribe.co/en/who-is-sparkol/)

### Partners

[Affiliates](https://ui.main.com/merchant-profile-terms/18788)

[Resellers](https://www.videoscribe.co/en/resellers/)

### Legals

[Terms of use](http://www.sparkol.com/legal?__hstc=174690109.1bad370ff82786bc535d3bdf9bc915a2.1733304386981.1767788977555.1767789106068.1165&__hssc=174690109.3.1767789106068&__hsfp=425688717)

[Privacy policy](https://www.sparkol.com/privacy?__hstc=174690109.1bad370ff82786bc535d3bdf9bc915a2.1733304386981.1767788977555.1767789106068.1165&__hssc=174690109.3.1767789106068&__hsfp=425688717)

[Cookies](https://www.sparkol.com/cookies)

### Inspiration

[Templates](https://www.videoscribe.co/en/templates/)

[Our blog](https://blog.videoscribe.co/)

[Academy](https://www.videoscribe.co/en/our-academy/)

### Get in Touch

Sparkol Limited - UK

T: +44 (0)117 428 6117

 

Sparkol Limited - USA

T: 646-475-1630

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Emily Bartlett",
    "url" : "https://blog.videoscribe.co/author/emily-bartlett"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2025-03-18T11:55:06.985Z",
  "datePublished" : "2022-02-01T13:58:04.000Z",
  "headline" : "A Pro's 4 Steps To Make Powerful Visual Metaphors",
  "image" : [ "https://blog.videoscribe.co/hubfs/nicolas-gras-r1cu0Uj13Iw-unsplash.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://blog.videoscribe.co/a-pros-4-steps-to-make-powerful-visual-metaphors",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://blog.videoscribe.co/hubfs/VideoScribe-Logo%20(1)-min.png"
    },
    "name" : "Sparkol"
  }
}
```

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "Article",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Emily Bartlett"
  },
  "dateModified" : "October 1, 2026, 9:49:59 AM",
  "datePublished" : "2022-02-01 13:58:04",
  "description" : "Read our blog to learn how to engage your audience, finding new and innovative ways to present your ideas with visual metaphors and video content.",
  "headline" : "A Pro's 4 Steps To Make Powerful Visual Metaphors",
  "image" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "url" : "https://f.hubspotusercontent40.net/hubfs/5474140/nicolas-gras-r1cu0Uj13Iw-unsplash.jpg"
  },
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://blog.videoscribe.co/a-pros-4-steps-to-make-powerful-visual-metaphors",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://5474140.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5474140/VideoScribe-Logo%20(1)-min.png"
    },
    "name" : "This email is sent to you by Sparkol Ltd on behalf of The Sparkol Group: home to VideoScribe, Sparkol Studio & Sparkol Academy https://www.sparkol.com/legal. Sparkol Ltd. is registered in England and Wales with registration number 06762963"
  }
}
```

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BreadcrumbList",
  "itemListElement" : [ {
    "@type" : "ListItem",
    "item" : "https://www.videoscribe.co/",
    "name" : "Home",
    "position" : 1
  }, {
    "@type" : "ListItem",
    "item" : "https://blog.videoscribe.co",
    "name" : "Blog",
    "position" : 2
  }, {
    "@type" : "ListItem",
    "item" : "https://blog.videoscribe.co/tag/storytelling",
    "name" : "Storytelling",
    "position" : 3
  }, {
    "@type" : "ListItem",
    "name" : "<span id=\"hs_cos_wrapper_name\" class=\"hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field hs_cos_wrapper_type_text\" style=\"\" data-hs-cos-general-type=\"meta_field\" data-hs-cos-type=\"text\" >A Pro's 4 Steps To Make Powerful Visual Metaphors</span>",
    "position" : 4
  } ]
}
```