Diagramming as Practice (Book, version 1.0)
Introducing the Diagram as Practice Framework
I have introduced the Diagramming as Practice Framework in a previous article. However, the article didn’t share details of my writings about the framework.
This article offers a Table of Contents for a possible book. I also designed a cover for it.
A Brief of Diagramming as Practice
The Diagramming as Practice Framework is an outcome of the D as Diagramming project (Phase I).
In a previous article D as Diagramming: The Mind as Play Metaphor, I introduced an epistemological integrated framework for understanding mind, meaning, and experience. The framework uses four conceptual spaces to curate various theoretical approaches together.
The above diagram shows four conceptual spaces which are named the “Architecture” space, the “Relevance” space, the “Opportunity” space, and the “Activity” space. Each conceptual space refers to a set of similar theoretical approaches.
For the diagram framework, I selected the following practical perspectives:
- Cognitive Representation
- Cultural Significance
- Ecological Situation
- Mediating Instrument
I also adopted a meta-diagram “Stage” to represent the above four perspectives and other ideas. The core of the Stage meta-diagram is an Object of Knowing with three nested circles which represent nested layers: Layer 3 [Layer 2 (Layer 1)]. For example, I consider “Diagramming for Knowledge Curation” as an Object of Knowing for the D as Diagramming project, its nested conceptual structure can be understood as Explicit Knowledge [Diagramming (Tacit Knowledge)].
The second component of the Stage meta-diagram is five states. In fact, you can use Steps, Phases, Types, Categories, etc for your own frameworks. You can also use four, six, or other numbers. For the D as Diagramming project, I use five basic forms of social practices: Think, Count, Present, Talk, and Curate.
My primary interest is in developing knowledge frameworks. Though diagrams are used in various types of social practice and fields, I personally focus on knowledge building, academic creativity, epistemic development, and similar intellectual practices.
I wrote a series of articles to discuss the four perspectives. The below list curates these articles into a possible book with a Table of Contents.
Chapter One: The Mind as Play Metaphor
- 1.1 An Aha Moment
- 1.2 A Metaphor: Mind as Play
- 1.3 An Epistemological Framework
- 1.4 Architecture: What is it actually?
- 1.5 Opportunity: How can I do with it?
- 1.6 Relevance: How do you understand it?
- 1.7 Activity: What can we do together?
- 1.8 Method Matters
- 1.9 Is Mind a Product or a Process?
Chapter Two: The Diagram as Practice Framework
- 2.1 A Meta-diagram
- 2.2 Diagrams and Knowledge Frameworks
- 2.3 The Diagramming Practice
- 2.4 Four Perspectives
Chapter Three: The Cognitive Representation Perspective
- 3.1 Develop a unique conceptualization
- 3.2 Develop a unique visualization
- 3.3 Match Visualization with Conceptualization
Chapter Four: The Cultural Significance Perspective
- 4.1 Alfred Schutz on Relevance
- 4.2 iART Framework for Relevance
- 4.3 Relevance and Diagramming
- 4.4 Intrapersonal Relevance and Diagramming
- 4.5 Interpersonal Relevance and Diagramming
- 4.6 Transactional Relevance and Diagramming
- 4.7 Collective Relevance and Diagramming
- 4.8 Collective Relevance: Cognitive Invention
- 4.9 Collective Relevance: Symbolic Invention
- 4.10 Frame, Unframe, Reframe
Chapter Five: The Mediating Instrument Perspective
- 5.1 The Conceptual Space of Activity
- 5.2 The Landscape of Activity Theory
- 5.3 The Activity Checklist
- 5.4 The Mediating Instrument Perspective
- 5.5 The Means-End Spectrum
- 5.6 The Past—Present Evolution
- 5.6.1 Darwin’s Changing World View
- 5.6.2 Project N: Understanding Mental Processes (2010–2020)
- 5.6.3 The Development of Ecological Practice Approach (2018–2021)
- 5.7 The Part — Whole Curativity
- 5.7.1 Diagram-in-use: The Innovation Design Approach
- 5.7.2 Product Field: Shapes of Innovation
- 5.7.3 Diagram Network and Diagram Blending
- 5.8 The Ambiguity — Precision Dynamics
- 5.8.1 Peter Senge: How to make sense of a diagram
- 5.8.2 Visually Enhanced Therapy: Using Diagrams in Psychotherapy
- 5.8.3 Misdiagramming and Contaminated Mindware
Chapter Six: The Ecological Situation Perspective
- 6.1 The Conceptual Space of Opportunity
- 6.2 The Opportunity Formula
- 6.3 Affordance as Opportunity
- 6.4 Typology of Space Affordances
- 6.5 Physical Space Affordances
- 6.6 Graphic Space Affordance
- 6.6.1 Peiphen’s Stickman and their Playground
- 6.6.2 From Value Proposition to Impact Canvas
- 6.6.3 English, Chinese, and Graphic Space Affordances
- 6.7 Digital Space Affordances
- 6.7.1 Miro v.s. Medium
- 6.7.2 Google Images and Knowledge Creator Brand
- 6.7.3 ResearchGate and Diagram Digitization
- 6.8 The Opportunity of Objectification
- 6.8.1 Turning a diagram into a symbol
- 6.8.2 Turning a diagram into a canvas
- 6.8.3 Turning a diagram into a digital application
- 6.9 The Opportunity Space
Chapter Seven: A Model of Knowledge Curation
- 7.1 The D as Diagramming Project (Phase 1)
- 7.2 A Model of Knowledge Curation
- 7.3 A Canvas for Knowledge Curation Mapping
- 7.4 Theoretical Approaches
- 7.5 Conceptual Spaces
- 7.6 Practical Perspectives
- 7.7 Integrated Frameworks
- 7.8 Operational Heuristics
- 7.9 Practical Phenomena
- 7.10 Connecting Theory and Practice
Chapter Eight: Diagram and Design
I also edited a possible book titled Diagram Blending: Building Diagram Networks. You can find the introduction here and the Table of Contents here.
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