Key Elements for Designing a Flow Chart--Take folding paper crane as an example

• Main Authors: Chen Chuen-yan, 陳春延
• Other Authors: Thzeng Chi-Shiung
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2002
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/73934275359824804085

碩士 === 國立雲林科技大學 === 視覺傳達設計系碩士班 === 90 === The development of various tools has brought a lot of convenience into human’s life. And the development of technology has even transformed our life into the digital century. To design a product with an emphasis on its function and diversity, the production flow chart has become an essential tool for the whole process. However, there is always a subtle gap between how the flow chart was made and how was it interpreted by the readers. This research is designed to identify this gap and explore possible solutions through a series of experiments. The first step is to select a paper folding technique, which is at most demonstrated in the paper-folding learning books. The “paper crane” turns out to be the one. “Paper crane” is demonstrated in 18 books with 14 different flow charts. However, the steps of folding a paper cranes listed in these books are at most 19, and at least 8 steps. This difference results in a problem of inaccuracy and inconsistency in steps, and deserves an in depth analysis. As a result, two “folding paper crane” flow charts, one with literal explanation and the other without, are designed to test the folders. Folders with and without folding experience are tested respectively. Time and difficulty stops are also marked, with an attempt to find out if there is any deficiency in the two flow charts. After that, a modification and a second test are made. Finally, the findings of these experiments are examined to come out some principles for designing a flow chart. The findings of this research are: (1) Diagram with various perspectives is easier to understand than the diagram with front view only. (2) Concise and well-situated diagram is very helpful (3) Too many diagrams will confuse user, and result in time waste. (4) Symbol can be used to enhance user’s comprehension and decrease the quantity of diagrams. (5) Symbol is used to make it easier for user to understand and learn, and it’s applicable to the whole process. (6) Use different symbols for different indications; avoid too much alike symbols. (7) Motion like symbol is easier to understand than the standstill symbol. (8) Within one diagram, the sequence of symbol must be marked clearly. (9) The diagram should clearly indicate the direction of the object. (10) The diagram should take the direction of next step into consideration. (11) Add and enhance the diagram on the most difficult steps (12) The diagram should focus on the key movement of operation. (13) Use concise, easy to understand words in the literal explanation