In the field of rapid visualisation, there are only two books I would often recommend to others:For left-brainers, i.e. people who are naturally logic-oriented:
Get hold of 'Thinking with a Pencil' by Henning Nelms;
For right-brainers, i.e. people who are naturally creative &/or imagination-oriented:
Get hold of 'Rapid Viz' by Kurt Hanks;
Both books cater to all those who wish to use a simple drawing as a tool for thought & communication.
They explain how to draw &/or sketch quickly as well as how to use graphic illustration as a thinking tool & as a means of organising & presenting ideas on paper. This, in a nut shell, is essentially the process of rapid visualisation.
The only difference between the two books lies in their approach to the process
, even though both have a free-hand style.'Thinking with a Pencil' has a more structured approach, with a slant toward technical drawing. It has almost 700 technical illustrations.
In contrast, 'Rapid Viz' has a more free-form or creative approach, with a emphasis on speed & simplicity. In essence, it's more wholistic in terms of the process. It has some 900 illustrations & is also packed with ideas, games, puzzles & exercises to guide the reader.
As an engineer by training, I have owned the first book since the late sixties, & the latter book since the early eighties.
During my engineering days, the first book has been my field guide.
I have found that both books are written for the novice in mind. They provide easy-to-follow step by step instructional approach to the practical strategies of seeing, thinking, & drawing.
For me, they are the only two true classics in the field!
[Extracted from the 'Optimum Performance Technologies' weblog.]
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