Theater remains one of the key pursuits in the social, cultural, and political lives of human beings. The ongoing experimentation and evolution of theater continues to hold its own as a key human achievement in the domain of the performing arts. Every manifestation of civilization on this planet has certain elements of theater (and theatrical activities) woven into its cultural life. The enactment of a story (and the subsequent drama, sound, and fury) on an elevated stage continues to exert a deep fascination in the hearts and minds of audiences. The modern format of an on-stage drama hinges on the composition of various elements on the stage; this denotes “the placement or arrangement of visual elements or ‘ingredients’ in a work of art, as distinct from the subject.” Such placement finds an echo in modern analytical frameworks, one of which comprises linear illustrations, known as flowcharts. Logic, careful thought, and a concerted attempt at organization represent different aspects of the animating spirit that powers the elements of a flowchart.
Lines and shapes are the predominant motifs that dominate the visual elements of a flowchart. The linearity inside such diagrams emerges on two planes; the first involves the general impression recorded by the human eye upon perusal of a flowchart diagram. This conveys an overwhelming linearity, or multiple layers thereof. The second plane denotes the linearity that emanates from the connecting lines, which occupy spaces between various stages inside a flowchart. Observers note the linear arrangement of the stages allows the flowchart to generate a unique linear signature unrivalled by other forms of illustration. Meanwhile, shapes represent the punctuations that add momentum to the visual act of examining such a diagram. These elements of a flowchart are crucial because they allow the diagram to contain (and project) meaning that spurs comprehension. The various manifestations of shapes include a wide range of regular and irregular geometrical representations, each with its own special meaning.
The illusion of depth is one of the functions that renders certain layers of meaning to an illustration. Among the elements of a flowchart, depth remains vital because it elevates the diagram from the mundane confines of a single dimension. In term of designing a flowchart, depth emerges when creators add sub-stages inside a diagram. These child stages emerge from a parent and describe the inner workings that lend heft to the workings of a system or process. The depiction of sub-stages is instrumental in framing our understanding of sections (or a segment) of an illustration. Additional significance stems from the observation that certain diagrams may depict a process in a few primary stages. The description of sub-stages inside these primary stages may confer larger meaning, which completes the flowchart. These micro elements of a flowchart (so to say) remain essential visual markers that impart substance to the form projected by an inter-linked illustration.
Angled, diagonal lines produce drama and reinforce the validity of the visual elements of a flowchart diagram. These lines may emerge in the course of constructing a flowchart, or may be added for emphasis – when designers of flowcharts seek to underline certain actions on the canvas. Typically, angled lines emerge from diamond shapes inside a flowchart. The positioning of two lines, set apart at 45 degrees, denotes alternative outcomes from a decision point. In a different scenario, the use of diagonal connectors may signify complexities set inside a process, wherein remotely-set stages interact with each other to generate a certain outcome. In addition, angled lines may signify a sharp reduction in the momentum of a process when the outcomes of multiple stages converge on a single processing point. Flowcharts that depict the functioning of a modern retail operation may portray an instance of such reduction, wherein different actions converge on a database icon for further processing. Further to this, said elements of a flowchart, when depicted in stark colors, generate high levels of drama as they describe on-canvas connections, thereby demolishing the tedium imposed by monochrome illustrations (and imparting new meaning to the concept of linearity).
Inclusiveness is a cherished ideal that animates certain concepts in modern political thought. In a wider sense, it is defined as “the quality of covering or dealing with a range of subjects or areas” in contemporary parlance. Flowcharts have emerged as paragons of inclusiveness because designers position a variety of shapes inside said diagrams. These shapes include quadrilaterals, trapezoids, rectangles, parallelograms, squares, circles, diamonds, and the rhombus. Each shape has entered the lexicon of orthodox design by denoting specific meaning; it also accelerates visual momentum inside flowcharts. Certain observers aver each of these shapes comprises lines set in different directions, thereby reinforcing the concept of linearity at a micro level inside said diagrams. Further, these varied elements of a flowchart respond to a peculiar grammar that remains unique to the act of flowcharting. For instance, diamonds are positioned to denote decisions inside a depicted process, while rectangles with rounded edges signify the start and end of a process.
An intelligent creator of flowchart diagrams can deploy color as part of attempts to orchestrate the elements of a flowchart. Colors can raise the visual aesthetics of said illustrations and augment the meaning transmitted by text. The imaginative use of hues, colors, and visual tones also elevates a mundane diagram into an engaging, visually attractive work that captures the attentions of readers. In line with this, a designer can deploy deep tones of black to spotlight certain key stages inside a flowchart. Mild shades of green can signify actions inside a process, while red (or a shade of ochre) can signal key decision points. In addition, a designer can create legends for each illustration in a bid to help readers decode this aspect of elements of a flowchart. The careful placement of colors represents a huge leap in terms of driving the evolution of the modern flowchart diagram. Further, creators that work with digital media can utilize the detailed palettes of color made possible by the high resolution screens incorporated into modern display mechanisms.
Modern science informs researchers that hollow space occupies the innards of the atom. Startling as it sounds, empirical observations and laboratory experiments have confirmed said fact. In a similar vein, the creation of a modern flowchart is an experiment in molding and shaping space. Therefore, space emerges as one of the primary elements of a flowchart that pervades the proverbial length and depth of such diagrams. For instance, designers may choose to stack stages on the left side of a canvas and utilize the remaining expanse to demonstrate the creative use of space. The effects can be varied: design critics may bemoan the obvious deviations from orthodoxy, while excited readers may hail said illustration as the work of creative genius. In addition, a creative approach may alter (or accentuate) the various shapes of stages inside a diagram. This technique spotlights panache on the part of the designer, while allowing readers to explore design trends that define the cutting edge in flowchart construction.
The foregoing paragraphs have explored certain elements of a flowchart with a view to inform readers and reviewers on the various uses of space, shapes, and colors. Experimentation remains the key theme that animates such efforts and must remain the defining motif in these areas of creative design.
