System Diagramming Basics

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©Tim Sheiner 2013 All rights reserved 1 System Diagramming Basics IXDSN210: Systems Tim Sheiner

description

A very short overview of the critical steps and components of a successful system diagram.

Transcript of System Diagramming Basics

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©Tim  Sheiner  2013  All  rights  reserved 1

System  Diagramming  Basics

IXDSN-­‐210:  SystemsTim  Sheiner

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Agenda

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The  pointBenefits  and  limitaCons  of  diagramsThe  reference  bookProcessConvenConsAnnotaConDecoraCon

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of  system  diagrams?

What  is  the  point

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CommunicaCon.

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System  Diagrams  as  a  tool

Benefits•O#en  actually  worth  one  thousand  words•Help  you—the  designer—definitely•Ac:vate  visual  and  spa:al  cogni:ve  machinery

LimitaCons•Not  dynamic•Help  others—not  the  designer—maybe•Can  become  an  end,  rather  than  a  means

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A  Reference  Book:  Communica:ng  Design

The  good  things•Dan’s  POV:  read  chapter  2!•The  informa:on  architecture  of  the  book•The  examples•The  detail  (well  explained  trees)

The  less  good  things•systems-­‐specific  ar:facts  not  covered•The  physical  format  of  the  book•The  detail  (obscures  the  forest)

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suggested  order  of  operaCons  for  construcCng  diagrams

Process

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Diagramming  Process1

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1. [Make  a  list  of  the  pieces]2. Sketch3. Move  to  final  medium4. Color  sparingly5. Use  conven:ons6. Label,  label,  label

7. [Collaborate]1. Share2. Revisit  Inputs

8. Iterate1. Explore  a  different  approach2. Move  stuff  around

1adapted  from  CommunicaCng  Design,  pp  18-­‐19

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Process:  Sketch

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Process:  Place  the  Objects

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Process:  Make  Connec:ons

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Process:  Refine

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The  diagram  AND  the  learning  are  the  valuable  outcomes

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~3  hours

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Diagramming  Conven:on

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1. Follow  conven:on2. If  there  is  no  relevant  standard  to  follow,  apply  a  standard  of  

consistency

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//  diagramming  conven:on

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If  !(relevantStandard)  {internalConsistency;

}

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of  following  an  ad  hoc  internal  standard...

An  example

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Diagramming  Conven:ons

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Diagramming  Conven:ons

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rectangle  =  plug-­‐in  logic

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Diagramming  Conven:ons

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rounded  rectangle  =  controller  logic

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round  =  API  type  object

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Diagramming  Conven:ons

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Diagramming  Conven:ons

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brackets  =  sub  system

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Diagramming  Conven:ons

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brackets  =  sub  system

layer:  use  of  different  bracket  styles  conveys  an  actual  difference

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Annota:on

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Text  associated  with  the  illustraCon  and  intended  to  clarify  its  meaning.    A  common  kind  of  layer  applied  to  info  graphics.

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Notes

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notes

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Key

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key

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Call  out

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this  is  a  call    outand  this  is  a  leader  line

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Decora:on

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Imagery,  embellishment,  shading  or  any  kind  of  non-­‐textual    marks  applied  to  an  illustraCon  to  improve  its  communicaCon  value.      Oben  subject  to  abuse.

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Examples  of  Decora:on

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Advice

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Master  your  tools.

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Advice

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Maximize  data-­‐ink  raCo2.  

pixels  devoted  to  non-­‐redundant  informa:on

total  pixels  of  graphic

2Tube,  The  Visual  Display  of  QuanCtaCve  InformaCon,  p.  93

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Advice

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Keepitsimple,stupid.

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Fin

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