Another way to make it easier to create metaphors using the out of context technique is by combining it with another approach: blending.

Imagine placing a roller coaster in an unexpected setting, on someone’s head. 

Instead of simply placing it on top, we blend it into the head so that the integration feels more seamless and natural.

Now, let’s take a moment to appreciate how powerful the out of context technique really is. In this case, it helps us visually express a person’s thoughts or emotional state. 

We are transferring the qualities of the out-of-context element to the object or person it’s applied to.
Speaking of which…
What keyword or short phrase would you associate with this image?

Thank you,
Dario Paniagua
Visual Thinkers Coach

Another way to create metaphors using the out of context technique is by dressing the subject of an image in a completely absurd way for the situation they’re in.

This immediately grabs the viewer’s attention.

Remember, we can never predict what meaning our audience will assign to an image, but we can anticipate what questions they will ask. In this case, they’ll likely wonder: Why is a medieval knight surfing a wave?

We don’t know what meaning they’ll give it, but one thing is certain, they’ll create a mini story in their minds to make sense of the absurdity.

Thank you,
Dario Paniagua
Visual Thinkers Coach

Another way to create metaphors using the out of context technique is through substitution. 

Instead of changing the setting where we typically see an object, we replace one element with another.

For the substitution to work, there needs to be a connection between both elements.

In this case, the snake takes the place of an ear, but also adopts its shape.

In fact, the form and position of the object we use as a substitute play a crucial role. We see a snake, but we also see an ear, even though the ear isn’t actually there.

When you use substitution, you're taking things out of context while adding a new layer of meaning.

What keyword or short phrase would you associate with this metaphor?

Thank you!
,
Dario Paniagua
Visual Thinkers Coach

The 'out of context' technique allows us to create surreal situations. 

Sometimes, to place an element out of context, we can play with exaggerating its size, making something absurdly large or unusually small and then placing it in an improbable setting.

In this case, the bird on the power lines is disproportionately tiny compared to the woman using her dental floss.

Another detail to notice: here, the 'out of context'  is also based on the 'blending or joining' technique. The wire where the bird is sitting is also the floss the woman is using. A single element becomes two things at once.

Now, what does this absurd scene mean? Whatever you want it to mean.

When we don’t assign captions to our images, we leave space for the audience to create their own interpretations.

What does this metaphor mean to you? Can you describe it in a single word or a short phrase?

Thank you,
Dario Paniagua
Visual Thinkers Coach

Have you noticed the musical note inside the hole of the guitar?

Most people miss it. Why? Because no one spends too much time examining our images. 

Attention spans are shorter than ever, and what isn’t noticed in the first few seconds often gets overlooked entirely. 

But that’s okay. 

What matters first is having a strong concept that’s immediately understood. 

Once that’s in place, you can add additional details, knowing they’re not crucial for the initial impact.

Now, let’s return to the main image. As you can see, I’m continuing to explore the theme of cages. Here, without altering the object itself, we’ve transformed it into something entirely new.

Who is the person inside the guitar?

Why is the musical note part of their face?

What does it mean for someone to be trapped inside a musical instrument?

If your audience asks even one question while engaging with your image, their attention span increases, and your creation won’t go unnoticed.

This is just one of the many techniques I teach in m...

Are We Slaves to Time?

Have you ever felt trapped by your schedule? By the endless cycle of dates, meetings, weeks, and years that seem to rule our lives? It's a feeling many of us share, and it’s what inspired this visual metaphor.

This image sparks a compelling question: how can we visually communicate the concept of being enslaved by our own time?

Visual metaphors like this one rely on our ability to see everyday objects in new and unexpected ways. They’re powerful tools for storytelling, capable of conveying complex ideas with a single glance. In this case, the calendar, something we associate with organization and productivity, becomes a symbol of confinement.

Turning Objects into Cages

The secret to creating effective visual metaphors lies in observation. Nearly any object can be transformed into a cage if we play with its structure and meaning. Of course, some objects lend themselves to this transformation more naturally than others.

Here are two key tips to help you ex...

When you think you've explored everything, remember not to overlook the small elements.

Usually, we focus on the big picture, but it's the tiny, often unnoticed details that can make the biggest difference in our visual thinking process.

Everything around us is composed of both large and small elements, and by paying attention to these smaller components, we can uncover new perspectives and connections.

Think about it: what if we zoomed in on a tiny detail, making it the centerpiece of our exploration?

By enlarging and magnifying it, we allow ourselves to see things in a new light, opening up possibilities that we might have missed at first glance.

The key here is the power of shapes and connections.

Visual thinking is about relating one thing to another, no matter how different they seem at first.

Once we recognize the underlying connection between shapes, we can find metaphors that relate to seemingly unrelated objects or concepts.

This approach opens up a world of creative oppo...

One of the key techniques for creating metaphors is taking ordinary objects and using them in unexpected ways.

In this case, I’ve used a cage.

A cage is often associated with limitations and the deprivation of liberty.

But here’s the twist: by applying the "substitution" technique, I’ve added a new layer of meaning. Instead of simply presenting a cage,

I’ve replaced something people naturally expect to see int this scene: a backpack.

This shift changes the narrative.

Now, we’re not just talking about restriction but also about the burden or emotional weight this boy is carrying, symbolized by the tiny version of himself inside the cage.

When we understand the subtle meanings of everyday elements, we can craft metaphors that go beyond words, delivering symbolic messages and telling mini-stories.

Thank you,

Dario Paniagua
Visual Thinkers Coach

Here’s another tip for your #Inktober challenge:  

Remove!  What if, instead of showing what you want to depict, you don’t show it?  

This is called 'drawing attention through absence'.  

It may sound strange, but when we omit something people expect to see, we actually draw more attention.  And here is another tip:

You can add an extra layer of meaning by replacing that absence with something else.

In this case, you’re introducing two levels of disruption: the removal of an expected element (like a violin), and its replacement with something unexpected (a tongue).

Try this removal-and-replacement approach in your next #Inktober2024 drawing!  

Thank you,

Dario Paniagua
Visual Thinkers Coach

Do you know what message I wanted to convey by drawing this scene?

None.

This drawing was not born with any specific message intention, only as an exercise to explore shapes and embrace the absurd.

But here's the interesting part: although there was no intention to create a message, if I ask each of you what it means, you will find a meaning.

By the way, think what keyword or short phrase would you associate with this image.

Remember, shapes are everywhere. Negative space can help us find recognizable shapes and build messages with them.

The metaphor here is in putting an object out of context. If the speech bubble were outside the figure, it probably wouldn't have the same meaning it has now, as, in this scene, it is placed in an unexpected and disruptive location.

Metaphors are lovers of the absurd.

Don't forget that advice because it will help you create much more symbolic images.

If you're interested in learning Visual Thinking through metaphors, leave me your details on my ...