When you need a quick visual shorthand for “idea” or “creativity” or “breakthrough” or any classic “a-ha!” moment, you go with the light bulb. Almost everyone doing visual communication does, and I’ve always been ambivalent about this. Check out my thoughts on this and other clichés in visual communication.
The term “visual storytelling” is relatively new, but the concept has been around a long time. Today the term “visual storytelling” is typically used in the context of business communications, journalism, and entertainment, and is associated with a wide range of visual arts.