Diagrams and Meaning

How can diagrams have a meaning?

• They are not pictures of anything.
• They are not a language.
• They use structural correspondence.
• They follow conventions of some expert community.

Metaphor in Diagrams

Can physical metaphor help us with abstraction?

A more abstract problem

Metaphorical abstract operation

A metaphorical language

Example program

Types of Meaning

Semantic Context

Semantic Elements

Landmarks in Abstract Space

Iconic symbols

Meaningful ink

Jacques Bertin

In Semiologie Graphique (1967), Bertin described the visual variables of graphic design.

Demonstration of visual variables

Power of Abstraction

Borrowed from Scott McCloud.