This is how the big picture emerges

At the beginning of a big picture, there is always one central question: What do you want to achieve with the image? A big picture is not just created to visualize content. It should help to make complex topics understandable and provide orientation. Typical goals include, for example: • Explaining the new strategy to employees in an understandable way • Making a transformation or change tangible • Making complex processes or relationships visible • Explaining complex services, solutions, or added value to customers in an understandable way • Conveying relationships and benefits at a glance in B2B sales • Creating a common understanding across departments or organizations Often, an initial content board is created in this early phase. It serves to structure the most important topics and key messages of the later big picture. The content board helps to clarify central questions: • Which main areas should the image show? • Which messages are particularly important? • Which topics belong together? This creates an initial content map for the image. We often accompany our clients from an early stage. Sometimes a strategy has already been clearly formulated – in other cases, content is developed in parallel with the creation of the big picture. Especially when it comes to strategy or transformation topics, this process helps to structure content and develop a common view of the topic.

Based on the briefing and the content board, the next step is to create an initial image structure. In a further coordination meeting, we discuss with the project team • which topics should be visible in the image • how these are connected • what visual logic makes sense for the image Together, we examine various possibilities for structuring the topic. Some big pictures are based on processes, for example, while others are based on stages of development or an overarching metaphor. This step also involves creating the visual world—the visual framework in which the story of the image unfolds.

Once the structure of the image is in place, work begins on developing the individual scenes. Depending on the complexity of the topic, several coordination meetings now follow—usually between three and five project meetings. During these meetings, the individual areas of the big picture are developed step by step: • Central scenes • Important content and messages • Connections between different topics Coordination usually takes place with a small project group on the customer side, usually three to five people. They represent the most important perspectives in the project. Depending on the organization, an extended circle is also involved, for example: • Management or board of directors • Executives • Employee representatives This feedback is then incorporated into the further development of the image.

A Big Picture is most effective when it is actively used. That's why we meet with our clients to discuss how the image can be used within their company. Typical applications include: • Strategy kick-offs • Management events • Employee events • Workshops and discussions • Onboarding new teams • Presentations and internal communication Many companies use their Big Picture over a longer period of time—for example, as posters, in presentations, or in digital formats. You can also find an overview of typical applications and formats on our page on Solutions and Formats.

A big picture does not emerge overnight. It develops step by step – from the initial clarification of objectives, through the content board and several coordination meetings, to its implementation in the company. The real value comes not only from the finished picture, but also from the joint development process. It helps teams to structure complex topics, bring together different perspectives, and develop a shared view of strategy, transformation, or performance. Our reference projects also show how companies use their big pictures in practice and which topics are visualized. reference projectsshow how companies use their Big Pictures in practice and which topics are visualized.