Visual Storytelling – a thing of the past by Michel Guillet.
From the post:
I spent quite a few summer vacations as a kid getting dragged around Europe visiting castles and churches. It is definitely an experience that I’m more thankful for now than I was at the time. One of the things that I loved most, even as a child, was seeing the stained glass windows. I have strong memories of being in Notre Dame in Paris and watching the light come in at dawn or staring at the Chartres Cathedral windows for minutes without moving.
As a boy, it wasn’t the history, the architecture or an admiration of the faith involved to build these churches. Those were concepts beyond my ability, knowledge or frankly interest at the time. What I have come to realize only in the past couple of years is that the windows were meant for me. At the base level, I needed something that could grab my attention and hold it. What I have discovered is that from this standpoint, I am no different than the illiterate masses of the Middle Ages or Renaissance. (emphasis in original)
Michel proceeds to make the art of Chartres Cathedral a lesson in data visualization and graphic presentation.
A very powerful lesson.
Does your interface treat communication with users as important?