Time is more valuable than diamonds. That’s why you don’t want to waste it on meaningless activities, tasks that are too simple or not exciting enough for you. However, some people have the exact opposite opinion. They believe that time isn’t all too important. If you’d like to make an impression with this kind of people, you need to find a way to present your ideas and thoughts more compellingly. That’s why we’ve come up with the following article: we’re going to teach you how to make diagrams that mean something with A Diagram Maker!
What is a diagram? Diagrams can be used for different purposes; they may be simple illustrations or usage examples, or they may be actual infographics that convey a lot of information in just one picture. For example, infographics can be used to show the progress of certain processes over time. To give you an idea on how to use a diagram maker, we’ve prepared some examples and tips for you!
1) Make sure your data is relevant with A Diagram Maker
If you want to show how something develops over time, you’ll need data that pertains to the topic in question. For example, if you want to make a diagram showing how some products grew into popularity over time, you can simply use Google Trends or collect some statistics on your own.
2) Make sure the subject is relevant too
Similarly, before you start creating the diagram, you should also ask yourself if both your topic and data are relevant to your audience. You can do so by checking out who will read it. If it’s for an academic paper or study, the topic doesn’t necessarily have to be practical; however, if you’re creating one to present in a meeting with your client, you’ll have to choose a more applicable topic.
3) Choose the type of diagram you need for your purpose
Depending on what kind of information you’d like to show, there are various types of diagrams with various purposes. Some can be used as comparison tools, for which you can use a Venn diagram maker, others may be good for showing ratios and others still might be better at illustrating a process, like a flow chart.
4) Use color properly
Color is essential for diagrams. It helps to convey the meaning of certain shapes, lines, and titles; however, color can also confuse your audience. For instance, if you use too many colors, your diagram will need a lot of time to be understood. If you want to know which colors should be used in which situations and how they should look, you can check online tutorials or read books on color theory.
5) Make sure your mapping diagram is clear
You should always keep in mind that diagrams don’t have any verbal component, so they need to be self-explanatory. If there’s a possibility of misinterpretation, you should simplify the elements in question or add extra labels to clarify the picture.
6) Don’t forget to add a title and labels
A diagram isn’t complete without a title and punctuation; however, that doesn’t mean you should simply write these things down in plain English. Instead, you can use diagrams themselves to communicate this information. For example, if your diagram is about showing how a company is organized, you can use the company logo as a title. However, don’t go overboard with this; if you make your process flow diagram too complex and difficult to decode, it will become useless!
7) Create a workflow diagram that has practical purposes
The main reason why you create a diagram should always be in the back of your head. If it’s for an academic article or paper, you can go ahead and use any type of diagram that fits your topic. However, if you’re creating one to present to someone else, try to choose something that applies to that person’s needs.
8) Don’t forget about the data you’re presenting
Even though diagrams are usually self-explanatory, there is always a chance your audience won’t understand some of the details. That’s why it’s important to use numbers and punctuation correctly so that everyone comes away with the same information.
For ideas on how to present your diagrams, head over to Venngage.
9) Don’t make your diagram cluttered
It might be tempting to fit as much information as possible into a single diagram, but that’s a shortcut to disaster. You’ll end up with a crowded image that may not even provide relevant information at all. The same goes for the arrangement of elements; order them so they are easy to follow and understand.
10) Edit your work, over and over again!
Once you’ve finished creating a diagram, it’s probably not perfect yet; in fact, chances are there will be something wrong with it no matter how many times you look at it. Therefore, after finishing one version of the picture, always double-check to make sure nothing is out of place. It might be a good idea to ask a friend or a colleague to look at your work as well, just in case you missed something!
Takeaway
There are many ways that you can create diagrams depending on what kind of information you’d like to show and who will read it. Once the type of diagram is chosen properly, it’s important to add a title and punctuation correctly. If you want to make your diagrams easy to understand, use color properly, and don’t forget about the data you’re presenting. Finally, always read your work again before sending it out into the big world!
