Visual Intelligence: Sharpen Your Perception, Change Your Life

Visual Intelligence is the text version of The Art of Perception workshop that the author has taught for fourteen years—using art to help medical students, police officers, business people, etc. to hone their powers of observation, analysis, and communication. Halfway through the introduction, I thought to myself, “That is the coolest thing I’ve ever heard of anyone doing with an Art History degree!” After completing the book, I am even more impressed. This program goes far beyond simply teaching you to be more aware of details. The four sections lead readers through seeing and assessing information, analyzing it for meaning (as objectively as possible), articulating that meaning to others, and adapting to real world situations.

As might be expected, this is a highly visual book. Illustrations are not so many as to be overwhelming, but sufficient to keep readers engaged and connected. Very few works of art are mentioned that are not also included in the images. The writing style is also full of imagery—friendly, conversational, informative, and bursting with detailed examples for every claim. Examples come from the author’s life, experiences of past workshop attendees, art history, and recent news events from around the world. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to more fully experience life.