It’s easy to make a dull diagram, and it’s hard to understand one. A lack of colors, shapes, and rules can defeat the purpose of a diagram, bringing confusion rather than comprehension. 

In our training lab “3 tips for creating wow-worthy diagrams,” we outline the requirements of a truly effective diagram: clarity, consistency, and contrast. Want to take your Lucidchart diagrams to the next level? Continue reading below for a sneak peek at our free course. 

Clarity

Every diagram has a starting point, and it's important to let readers know where that is. For instance, mind maps start at the center, whereas flow diagrams often start at the top of the leftmost side. 

Like the starting point, the framework of the diagram must be clear. Giving shapes enough space, aligning them, and connecting them with non-overlapping lines brings direction to your diagram. A clean and understandable diagram is the result.

Consistency 

The human eye is trained to find patterns, which helps us quickly comprehend what we’re seeing. The patterns in diagrams let us make sense of the flow and purpose of the diagram more easily. And the more complex a diagram is, the more important the consistent pattern is.

Elements you should keep consistent in a diagram include:

Fonts (use only 1-2)

Font size for each shape

Bolding, italics, underlining

Brand and company colors

Contrast

Looking at a sea of the same color won’t help you differentiate the various parts of your diagram. But using contrast does. Varying colors, fonts, shapes, and lines draw viewers’ attention to more important elements while also making your Lucidchart diagram more visually pleasing. 

Spicing up your diagram is important, but it should be done in moderation. Overwhelming viewers with colors and shapes will do more harm than good. 

Check out the training lab

A wow-worthy diagram can balance contrast and consistency while maintaining clarity. 

Now that you understand the essence of a wow-worthy diagram, learn about how to apply it in our training lab “3 tips for creating wow-worthy diagrams.” Upon registration, you will have free access to videos and guided practice, letting you master these diagramming skills.