TRANSFORMING DENSELY WRITTEN TEXT INTO STRIKING VISUALS: MY STEP-BY-STEP METHOD

Have you ever spent hours writing an important text - a presentation, an article, a brochure - only to realize that your message isn't getting across?

Your audience tunes out, your key idea gets lost, and in the end... your content fails to make an impression.

Sound familiar? You're not alone. The problem is often not what you say, but how you say it.

Today, I'm sharing with you my complete method for transforming a wall of text into a visual that makes an impression.

WHY VISUALS MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE?

When we bombard our audience with dense paragraphs, we are asking them to make a considerable effort. The result: they tune out, skim over the text, or forget it.

Our brains process images 60,000 times faster than text.

A good visual, on the other hand, does the work for them. It prioritizes information, guides the eye, and anchors the message in the memory.

MY 5-STEP METHOD

Step 1: Break it down to rebuild it better

First rule: don't jump straight into creating.

I always start by analyzing the existing text with three simple questions:

• What is the main message? (If you had to choose just one sentence, what would it be?)

• What are the three key ideas? (No more than that, otherwise you dilute everything.)

• What do I want my audience to feel or do afterwards?

I highlight, I take notes, I simplify. At this stage, 80% of the original text often disappears. And that's perfect.

Step 2: Choose the appropriate visual structure

Not all messages are conveyed in the same way.

I choose my structure based on the objective:

• Process or step → Timeline, flow, journey

• Comparison → Tables, before/after, versus

• Hierarchy → Pyramid, level diagram

• Relationships → Connected diagrams, mind map

• Numerical data → Graphs, statistical infographics

The idea is to give your audience's brain a “framework” for organizing information. Without structure, everything goes haywire.

Step 3: Simplify the language (really)

Now that we have our framework, we can rephrase.

I look for:

• Long sentences: one idea = one short sentence

• Technical jargon: if your grandmother doesn't understand it, rephrase it

• Passive phrasing: use “We create” instead of “It is created by us”

My tip: I read aloud. If I stumble, it means I need to simplify.

Step 4: Visual hierarchy

This is where the magic happens. I play with three elements:

• Size: Title = large. Details = small. Logical, but often poorly executed.

• Color: A consistent color code naturally guides the eye. I use a maximum of three colors: one main color, one for accents, and one for secondary information.

• Space: White space is not your enemy; it's your best ally. It allows you to breathe, separate ideas, and create rhythm.

Step 5: Test and adjust

Before finalizing, I do the “fresh eyes” test:

I show the visual to someone who is unfamiliar with the subject and time them. In 10 seconds, this person should be able to tell me what it's about. If they hesitate or get it wrong, I start over.

I also check the 3-30-3 rule:

• 3 seconds: the subject is understood

• 30 seconds: the main ideas are grasped

• 3 minutes: everything has been taken in

MISTAKES TO AVOID AT ALL COSTS

Even with the best method, some pitfalls are persistent:

• Overload Information: Trying to say everything = saying nothing. Make drastic choices.

• Decorative icons: An icon should convey meaning, not just look pretty. Otherwise, it's visual noise.

• Fancy fonts: Two fonts maximum. One for titles, one for body text. Period.

• Lack of contrast: Light gray on a white background is elegant but unreadable. Readability comes first.

THE REAL SECRET: EMPATHY

Beyond technique, what really makes the difference is putting yourself in your audience's shoes. What really interests them? What will be useful to them? What will make them take action?

A powerful visual is not a “beautiful” visual. It is a visual that serves its audience.

That makes their life easier. That saves them time.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN IN PRACTICAL TERMS?

Let's take a concrete example.

I recently worked on a LinkedIn article for Atlantic Bone Screen as part of World Osteoporosis Day.

The challenge? Explaining the complex pathophysiology of the disease to scientists in a tone that was rigorous, clear, and engaging.

The context: A dense subject (bone remodeling, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, different types of osteoporosis) that could have resulted in a wall of text that was difficult to digest.

The solution: I structured the information into several visual levels:

• A modern, eye-catching visual with overlapping geometric shapes to capture attention

• A central infographic using the visual metaphor of a scale (the femur in balance) to explain the mechanism of bone resorption/formation

• Thematic images interspersed throughout to give rhythm to the reading and accompany each type of osteoporosis

The result: Rigorous scientific content made accessible and memorable. The message got across, credibility was reinforced, and expertise was demonstrated.

That's the transformation I'm talking about.

👉 Discover the complete project : "LinkedIn article for World osteoporosis day"

SO WHAT NOW?

If you recognize yourself in this problem, if your messages are lost in the crowd or misunderstood despite their relevance, it may be time to rethink the way you communicate.

The good news? You don't have to do it alone.

That's where I come in: with my background as a scientist, I understand your communication challenges from the inside out. I know what it's like to deal with complex concepts, to have to simplify without compromising accuracy, to explain to peers and non-experts alike. It's this dual role—as a scientist and a designer—that allows me to translate your expertise into visuals that speak, make an impression, and convert, without ever sacrificing the rigor or precision of your message.

👉 Want to know more? Let's talk. “Contact.”