Ikea directions and nonverbal instructions

So I got a new mattress and bed frame recently. The bed frame came from - where else? - Ikea. Great looking stuff for cheap! Of course, I dragged it home, opened the box, and gasped, horrified at the instructions:

Admittedly, the first pages of the instructions were good about telling you what you were supposed to have. But there were no words. Only pictures.

At first, I thought “How could you not have words?” But then I quickly realized how visual of a task this it - putting the long piece of wood against the shorter piece, and using one of this type of screw to fasten them. The adage “A picture is worth a thousand words” definitely applies. Looking at the picture below, you kind of have an idea of what you’re supposed to do:

But imagine if you were given words instead of that picture! “Place a screw (Screw B) in holes 2, 3, 7, and 8 - two behind the headboard and one at the footboard. Then, insert a half-moon fastening device (Device A) into the hole. Using the hex wrench, tighten a nut (Nut B) onto each screw.”

I’d much rather have the picture. Along with the fact that Ikea can include these directions with their furniture worldwide and not have to deal with translation, it’s a smart move. It utilizes our imagery and our mental mapping skills. We’re visual creatures, and this plays to our strengths. Well done, Ikea. If only I could actually put my bed together!