Communication Patterns

Part I. Visual Communication

Visual elements in software architecture and design communicate key information. Your audience’s eyes are naturally drawn to these elements, which may be the only thing they look at in any detail. Despite this, little guidance or training is available on creating diagrams and visuals (except notation-specific courses, such as ArchiMate), especially on how to effectively and successfully communicate your message to your audience.

Visual literacy, the ability to understand and create visuals, is a skill architecture and software training courses are missing. I wrote Part I to fill that knowledge gap. These patterns and antipatterns guide you to create diagrams that serve your audience’s needs and produce the outcomes you want. You will learn to strike a balance between the need for information and for accessibility.

For any diagram or visual you create, Part I offers many patterns that you can apply to successfully convey your message to your audience and get what you need in return.