In the latest Knowledgebase Ninjas episode, Dennis Dawson, a Staff Technical Writer at Ripple, journeys through the history of visual storytelling in technical documents. From his early forays with tools such as Slideshow Magician and Mac Draw to intuitive platforms today like PowerPoint and Google Slides, Dennis demonstrates that simple animations do more than explain; they empower, engage, and captivate.
But it is not really about tools. Dennis talks about the simplicity and originality that make visuals memorable. Drawing inspiration from children’s art resources, like Ed Emberley’s books, or working closely with design teams for brand compliance, his advice is this: visuals have to say something; they have to connect, not merely beautify. And if you want to enhance your skills further, he insists on continuous learning with Nancy Duarte’s Slide: ology as one resource.
If you are willing to take another look at how visuals can change technical documentation, this episode will give you a pool of insights for your next project. Don’t miss it!
Click here to listen to the complete podcast episode