Design tools

• Flow charts can be used to show steps, decisions and outputs in a process
• A flow chart can be used to create a simple diagram of all the steps and decisions needed to produce the output required
• Each step in a flow chart are set out in a sequence
• Flow charts start with a 'start box' and end with an 'end box'
• Components of flow charts include, start points, end points, connecting lines, input/output, processes and decisions
• Mind maps are based round a central idea (central node) and branch off into different nodes (sub-nodes)
• Mind maps are also known as spider diagrams
• Mind maps show links between different ideas
• Nodes in a mind map are connected by lines
• Components of mind maps are nodes, sub-nodes, keywords, colours and images
• Visualisation diagrams are rough drawings or sketches of what a final solution will look like
• Components of a visualisation diagram include, text, font, labels, annotations, colours, themes
• Wireframes are to plan what is being designed - focuses on what the product will do rather than what it'll look like
• Wireframes help people understand the outline
• A low-fidelity wireframe includes boxes by showing the positions of basic content and images with no specific details. They use basic shapes, image placeholders and generic text
• A high fidelity wireframe- shows the product in more detail. Including, fonts, colours, images, text, and logos. Usually created using a software
• Flow charts

  Adv. - Useful for simple diagrams, does not need a specialist to understand the chart, can show steps in an order

  Disadv. - can become complicated if a lot of decisions can be shown, cannot be used to create visual diagrams
• Mind maps

  Adv. - easy to add ideas, can help focus on the ideas and links between them, show dependent ideas

  Disadv. - difficult for others to understand
• Visualisation diagrams

  Adv. - simple to produce, non technical, ideas can be shown clearly, ca clearly be lay out

  Disadv. - can lack detail, lack of technical details can cause issues, confusion and misinterpretation
• Wireframes

  Adv. - the size of the elements can be changed, changes can be made efficiently, components can be moved around

  Disadv. - interactive features cannot be shown in low fidelity, high fidelity can becomes over designed.