I've noticed more and more notation standards appearing on the scene. In so many ways these standards offer many advantages and benefits to those that use them. But this begs the question, "Is there a possible downside?" I think the answer is yes. I feel that understanding the downsides and guarding against them allows you to have your cake and eat it too.

Notation standards are a language. There are symbols that evoke meaning to those conversant in the language. The standards have rules about how to combine the symbols. But just like English, or German, or Italian, having standard symbols with rules about their use does not make for understandable, impactful writing.  Other principles and skills are employed to take the written word  to another level.

Lesson?

The best whiteboarders have an excellent command of the standards of their choice while also applying good principles of visual communications. They make good use of visual space, color, size and many other tools we talk about on this blog. Doing so, these masters take a "grammatically correct" drawing and make it an effective, impactful tool that builds shared understanding and inspires action.

Do you have some examples of masterful drawings in spite of notation standards? How about the opposite? Please join our discussion on this topic by adding your comment below.