I've always been a visual person. Even before trying to make quilts. When ever I wanted some thing that I found in a sore or a magazine I would draft my own plans and build it. I SAVED A LOT OF MONEY OVER THE YEARS BY MAKING STUFF MYSELF.
Patterns are good for technical stuff but for the most part all I need is a picture and I'm good to go. That goes for sewing, furniture making, plumbing or electrical layouts, barns or sheds. Pretty much anything that is made, a person that learns visually can do it if they really want to.