Design Patterns for Software Diagramming
summary
Practical checklist for making usable diagrams: apply the C4 model to separate context/container/component, split mixed levels into multiple diagrams and reference them with numbered anchors like 2 → 2.1/2.2, use PlantUML and Mermaid or Structurizr so diagrams stay versionable, remove excess text into annotations and a legend, and limit palettes using a colorblind simulation (she cites 350 million color‑blind people and 1 in 12 men affected). Watch if you want concrete rules, tooling and examples you can apply immediately.
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chapters (19)
- 0:00Introduction
- 1:07Effective visual communication
- 3:35Style communicates in diagrams
- 6:26Know your audience
- 11:25Mixing abstraction levels
- 14:37Too many colors
- 17:10Unclear relationships
- 20:27Split diagrams up
- 21:08Remove excess text
- 24:41Color key
- 31:51Use a legend
- 36:53MLAH Hell
- 40:12Match diagram flow
- 43:47Show them the pirate ship enthralling with context
- 47:00When UML fails
- 50:10Mixing structure and behavior
- 51:38Representational consistency
- 53:43Visual balance
- 55:31Summary
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