So this, as you may know is an Ikea instruction manual. You may also know
that many people despise these instructions, in fact you might be one of
them. But these assembly diagrams are a key ingredient to IKEA's worldwide
success. Let me tell you why. Most of us have used or at least seen
one of these award-winning instruction manuals. They are distinctly recognizable—
simple black-and-white diagrams without words and a pointy nosed man. It's not
until you see other instruction manuals that you really start to appreciate IKEA's.
In 1956, Gillis Lundgren, IKEA's fourth employee, designed to built a
table, only to find it wouldn't fit in a station wagon. So he took the legs off,
put them in a box with the table top, and IKEA's first piece of flat packed
furniture was born. This flat packing model enabled IKEA to pass the assembly
costs on to its customers who then put together the furniture at home. At some
point, they had to come up with a way to clearly communicate to a global audience
how to put their products together. Their solution was to create an instruction
booklet that is purely visual. Instead of words, these manuals use diagrams, symbols,
and this goofy looking man to communicate. These wordless instructions
have become ideal for flat pack furniture and many other companies are
seeing the value of visual based instructions and following suit. This
visual approach brings clarity to even the most complicated furniture
assemblies and clarity isn't limited by words because diagrams are a universal
language. The value diagrams can create for a company or even an individual is
immense. They can visually communicate complex information with clarity and
ease. They are more effective than non-visual communication and reach a greater,
more diverse audience. It's part of the reason wordless instruction designs
are so successful. So whether you are building furniture, creating a network
infrastructure, or mind mapping an idea, visuals can be a key to your success.
What could the power of working visually do for you? Find out with Lucidchart.