When learning in the field of architecture, there is a strong emphasis put on graphic communication (one example is the parti diagram).  When ideas are simplified into a graphic format, there are a number of benefits.  First, there tends to be less confusion about what is being discussed.  With words, issues of connotation/denotation, personal meaning, and semantics can easily cause confusion person-to-person.  Second, it forces the communicator to be clear about what is more important and less important, even to the extent of removing the less important from the discussion.

Objectives
Many years ago, I thought those in design profession leaned towards graphic communication.  Now, I understand the majority of people appreciate graphic communication in some circumstances.  I employ the skill of graphic communication for number of reasons including education, consensus building, and trust building.  For education, it can help boil down complex topics to the most salient bits.  For consensus building, it can help individuals agree more quickly on certain elements and identify where areas of disagreement are, which then become the focus.  For trust building, it demonstrates that the communicator has all information on display, which is a subtle, yet powerful, method for trust building.

Examples
A few examples of my graphic communication can be found in presentation format for various purposes including 1) education on Mobility Management for the Georgia Transit Association conference in 2013, 2) explaining the purpose behind the Simply Get There online trip planning project in 2014, and 3) clarifying the legal, financial, and policies of transportation funding at various levels of government for a committee.