WHAT IS A DIAGRAM?

A diagram is a drawing that communicates a specific idea or concept through abstraction.

DIAGRAM VS. SKETCH

A sketch is simply a drawing by hand. Sketches might be diagrams but might not be. A diagram shows a specific idea or function.

Diagramming is not only for final presentations. You can use diagramming to help develop or clarify a concept. Every project is different and so needs a different diagram. 

Diagrams let you show possibility, and show things that prototypes cannot.

DIAGRAM to develop ideas and communicate concepts

TYPES OF DIAGRAMS

Informational diagram | This diagram showing correlations between the change of the season and bird habits

Informational diagram | Is your projects about movement through space? Would flow lines help to communicate how your project works?

Informational diagram | Using maps as an underlay can help to show locations, relationships, and be a platform for information overlays.

Informational diagram | Do you want to communicate invisible forces? This diagram shows invisible phenomena- thermal map 

Story diagram | Often in the form of a storyboard with different panels

Story diagram | Can explain the background or purpose of a design or product

Use Diagram | Simple explanation of design functions and interactions

Use Diagram | Scale figures help to situate the interactions with users

Use Diagram | Can involve a combination of photograph, illustration, and text

Technical Diagram | Can be simple sketches of parts with labels

Technical Diagram | Exploded views can describe all the parts and the design's construction

Technical Diagram | Shows the relationship of parts to the whole