Yes, the image below is part of my living room bookshelf. It runs along one entire wall and is floor-to-ceiling, holding most (but not all) of the business books I’ve read and collected over the years.

Among the volumes are the works of these 7 visual thinking heroes. Each has influenced my work and the larger conversation about visual communication.

I share them to inspire and lead you to their books, YouTube playlists, and social media channels.

[Note: I’ve linked their books to Amazon listings, but no affiliate fees or tracking are involved. Browse as much as you like!]

⭐️ 𝗘𝗱𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗧𝘂𝗳𝘁𝗲

​Tufte is known as “the Leonardo da Vinci of data” for his expertise in information design and data visualization. His work is a cornerstone for understanding how visual representations can enhance the communication of complex information. Check out his 1983 classic, The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, and others. His comprehensive website features an online video course of his popular in-person seminar, books, and other resources. Tufte also has a 234-acre tree farm with 100 of his sculptural artworks in NW Connecticut.

⭐️ 𝗗𝗼𝗻 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻

​Norman, Director of The Design Lab at the University of California, San Diego, is known for his user experience (UX) design work. He explores how visuals and language interact to create intuitive and user-friendly designs (or not). Norman's work on human-computer interaction (HCI) has been foundational in understanding how people interact with technology, especially computer interface design. Look up his classics, The Design of Everyday Things and Emotional Design: Why We Love (or Hate) Everyday Things.

Norman is also known for pointing out the incongruity of everyday design. The image below is an example — a door that says “push” but has a handle indicating the opposite. As a nod to Norman’s thinking about this phenomenon, these are often called “Norman doors.”

⭐️ Brandy Agerbeck

I’ve mentioned Agerbeck’s work before, especially the online workshops she gives through her company, Loosetooth.com. (Check out Brilliant, coming in mid-June.) Her book, The Idea Shapers, is essential for visual communicators. She demonstrates that drawing is your best thinking tool and shares 24 visual thinking concepts. Together, they create a master toolset to help you become more clear and confident in analyzing and sharing your ideas.

⭐️ Dan Roam

​Roam pioneered the use of simple drawings to solve problems and sell ideas with pictures. He’s written several influential books, including The Back of the Napkin, which shows how anyone can use basic visuals to clarify and communicate their thoughts. Roam's approach emphasizes that visual thinking can enhance understanding and collaboration, making it a powerful tool for visual storytelling.

⭐️ 𝗡𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗗𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲

​Duarte is a communication expert specializing in presentation design and public speaking. Her work focuses on combining visuals and words to create powerful presentations. She’s written several books, including the popular slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations, and Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences. She’s also the CEO of a communications agency that helps companies craft compelling presentations.

⭐️ 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝘁 𝗠𝗰𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱

​McCloud is a comic theorist — yes, it’s true! And once you read his work, you’ll see comics differently. He has written a three-book series, and the first, Understanding Comics, explores how comics work as a medium, discussing elements like time, space, and visual storytelling. (Even if you’re not a comics fan, all three books are great.) McCloud is also a popular speaker and seminar presenter. Check out his YouTube videos on comics and visual communication, including his TED talk and a more recent conversation on visual storytelling at Harvard’s Radcliffe Institute.

⭐️ Sunni Brown

​Brown's work stands out among visual thinkers because she emphasizes doodling to enhance creativity and mental processing. In her book, The Doodle Revolution: Unlock the Power to Think Differently, and hands-on workshops, she combines design thinking, gamification, and cognitive psychology. Brown embraces the distinctive and universal act of doodling — and the fun of play — to unlock creative insights. She has a delightful spirit, and her TED talk on doodling has more than 1.6 million views!

I hope this collection has inspired you. As you can see, these seven thought leaders come from various fields and highlight how words and images work together in communication. To me, this blend of disciplines is one of visual thinking’s biggest strengths.

❤️ My favorite visual delights

Here are this week’s gems from around the Web to help you build visibility, credibility, and authority:

📧 4 Easy Steps on How to Get Paid Through an Email
​Ramit Sethi, author, podcast host, and host of Netflix’s How to Get Rich, shares four simple emails on how to ask for payment for work that is due you. Use these templates — ranging from polite to nuclear — and never sit in impatient frustration again.

↔️ Why People Fail to Make Important Choices
​Making important decisions can be hard — especially for solopreneurs. If you’ve ever put off making a decision, here are some insights into what may be going on — and how you can move past the mental quicksand.

📊 64 Types of Charts, with Tutorials and Examples
​This is one to bookmark. The FlowingData site has an entire area devoted to 64 types of charts, along with tutorials, guides, and examples. A goldmine for visual communicators.

Thanks again for being a SOLO reader and coming along on this journey of visual exploration.
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See you next week,