Sabrina David

More Than Words

Bachelor of Design Illustration Packaging Social Design Community engagement User-centred Education

Imagery Cards

Words aren’t always easy to find when asked even the simplest ice breaker questions. Often we need something more than just a glossary of words to communicate how we think and feel. More Than Words Imagery cards provide us with an array of images to help us find some representations that resonate, and access personal realities that are normally hard to do without imagery. They open the way for creative conversations and powerful explorations of deeper, meaningful experiences.

More Than Words Imagery Cards are a valuable resource for teachers, counsellors, social workers, parents, and for anyone who is just seeking to create opportunities for personal reflection, self-awareness and understanding.

After having been involved in children’s and youth work for many years, you come to quickly realise that young children and teenagers can be very reserved and hesitant to speak, even if you’re simply wanting to know how their day is. So it’s fascinating to hear how images could inspire natural responses and conversations from even the most reserved beings. Many people undermine the importance of communication, especially in young people. Encouraging a person to simply express anything, makes a huge positive impact on their mental and emotional health.

With the support and guidance from various youth workers, children’s workers, social workers, and counsellors– I’ve narrowed down a final set of 100 images, consisting of common universal images, each inviting a variety of responses and feelings, open to free interpretation.

Similar card sets in the market consist of many images that are not of great significance to New Zealand’s culture. This was a chance to introduce culturally-significant imagery, creating a space where users (especially those of Maori and Pasifika background) within Aotearoa can feel represented and included.

Also included 8 ‘sensitive’ cards that can be indicated by its red back, consisting of images such as a ‘cigarette’, ‘alcohol’, and ‘scales’. They’ve been classified as sensitive due to its images being possible emotional triggers in users, especially those of young age. The inclusion of these images is critical to encourage honest, genuine, and tough conversations. They can be included/excluded from the set to suit the setting and user(s).

More Than Words Imagery cards are a valuable resource for teachers, counsellors, social workers, parents, and for anyone who is just seeking to create opportunities for personal reflection, self-awareness and understanding.