Visual Grammar

Why Visual Grammar?

• Visuals communicate sixtimes more effectively than words alone.

• A lack of common rules for visual communication limits the use of visualsin business.

Consider Written Communication

• Standards are used so that documents are universally understood

Consider written communication.

Everyone can read a business

document because it’s written

following accepted rules.

Similar Rules Are Needed for Visuals

Global Visual Grammar Rules

1. The Consistency Rule

2. The One-Page Rule

The Consistency Rule

• The appearance of equivalent shapes, lines and text in a visual should be consistent (i.e. the same).

The One-Page Rule

• The visual must fit on one page (or screen) and the text must remain readable.

The One-Page Rule

• If the visual is too big, break it up into smaller visuals

Visual-Specific Rules

Flowcharts Mind MapsOrg Charts

Flowchart Rules

• Flow is from left to right and arrowheads show the direction of flow

Flowchart Rules

• Decisions are represented as a split in the path, like a decision tree

Flowchart Rules

• Return lines connect the bottom of shapes and do not cross

Flowchart Rules

• Flow may wrap into multiple rows but is always left to right

Organization Chart Rules

• The hierarchy flows down the page, with the head position at the top and reports underneath, the bottom levels with no reports are shown in a columnar style; higher levels with reports are shown in the horizontal style.

Organization Chart Rules

• The bottom levels with no reports are shown in a columnar style; higher levels with reports are shown in the horizontal style.

• Assistants are shown on the lines that connect managers with subordinates.

Organization Chart Rules

• Shapes are either all the same size or shapes at the higher levels are larger than shapes at the lower levels.

Organization Chart Rules

• The text in the shape first labels the position and then the name of the person serving in this position on the next line. An organization chart is a display of positions first, people second.

Mind Map Rules

• 3 Types of Mind Map:

Radial Right ColumnarLeft Columnar

Mind Map Rules

• Topics are ordered from top to bottom, starting with the left column and then moving to the right column.

Mind Map Rules

• The level of indentation of the topic from the main topic is shown with a color/outline change so that the hierarchy is more easily visible.

The Visual Processor

The Visual Processor

SmartDraw applies Visual Grammar rules for you, automatically as you create your visual.

Demo

• To watch a video about Visual Grammar, visit:www.smartdraw.com/visual-grammar/

• To watch the SmartDraw Guided Tour video, visit:www.smartdraw.com