Sketch Diagrams - Useful Technique for Design Review

Yaron Galperin
Nielsen-TLV-Tech-Blog
3 min readMar 7, 2023

Have you ever wondered about what are the benefits of using a sketch diagram? What can be achieved by using a sketch tool?

I would like to begin by sharing a brief fairy tale that highlights the significance of utilizing sketch diagrams.

Once upon a time, there was a faraway island rumored to have a treasure worth millions of dollars. Many treasure hunters had attempted to find it, but none had succeeded. The rumors suggested that the treasure was hidden deep in the dense jungle, protected by puzzles and traps.

One day, a group of friends decided to try their luck and embark on the adventure of finding the treasure. They knew they needed to be well prepared, so they created a sketch diagram of the island and the jungle. The diagram helped them plan their route, avoid potential hazards, and stay on track.

As they explored the jungle, the group encountered many obstacles and puzzles. However, they solved them quickly and moved on, thanks to the hints and markers on their sketch diagram. They found themselves crossing rivers, climbing mountains and even crawling through narrow caves.

Finally, after days of searching, the group found the treasure. It was hidden in a secret chamber beneath the temple. The treasure was vast, and they knew they had struck gold. The group felt grateful for the sketch diagram, which had helped them every step of the way.

In the previous section, there was a demonstration of the importance of using a sketch diagram and how it promotes achieving the goal, and success in the mission.

The reason I think a sketch diagram is essential for a design review and come with great benefits and will impact the quality of the work:

  1. Collaboration - Sketch diagram is great for collaboration, as it can be easily shared and understood by others. It allows team members to quickly communicate ideas and get feedback from each other, which can improve the overall quality of the design.
  2. Identify potential problems - Sketch diagram can help identify potential problems before they become bigger issues. By creating a rough visual representation of a design, it’s easier to see where things might not work or where there are potential conflicts or usability issues.
  3. Clarity - Sketch diagram is often simpler and clearer than more detailed designs or wireframes. Its focuses on the most important aspects of a design, which can make it easier to understand and communicate.

I highly recommend two excellent tools.

Excalidraw is a virtual collaborative whiteboard tool that lets you easily sketch diagrams that have a hand-drawn feel to them.

diagrams.net/draw.io is an open source technology stack for building diagramming applications, and the world’s most widely used browser-based end-user diagramming software.

In summary, using a sketch diagram in your design review process is essential for improving collaboration, identifying potential problems, and providing clarity. By incorporating sketch diagrams into your workflow, you can streamline your design process and produce better outcomes.

Thank you for giving your valuable time to this article. I hope you enjoyed it while reading.

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