diagrams are a graphic way of giving information. if you were going to talk about your project, what would you say? take what you were going to say and make it graphics (a diagram).

that's one type of diagram a least...

You may be doing this already, but develop them first on paper before you go to the computer. Diagramming can be a really useful tool and when done right, will tell the story of an idea. Start with the most basic principle(s) and build on from that.

yes I put them down on paper first, my problem is they are not very exciting. I need stronger ideas and I just cant think of any

skewed lines, line weights, and some hatches

All you need is love... to make diagrams.

Just use a whole bunch of shapes, circulation arrows, lines and bullshit and you have yourself a diagram.

Diagrams are like urban sidewalks, they are there but no one uses them if there is a quicker way. They cut through the grass.

Just do something half-assed. No one will know the difference.

my method, diagrams are my presentations. It really helps you to move from the general to the specific when you present your design. I.e. diagrams > plans > sections > vignettes; obviously other people have completely different methods, but this works really well for me.

Essentially, a good way to start the diagram process is to think in a manner of, "how could I exemplify (or sell) my ideas in the clearest manner". For instance, think about the most fundamental elements in your building, i.e. materiality, light, transparency, organization, etc... but don't be so dull about those diagrams, describe why light is so important that it has to be shown in a diagram, what is your organization achieving spatially, sequentially, volumetrically...

Good luck.

your diagrams should be an abstract representation of your ideas, they should be a composition of language which you freely feel confortable to be most expressive. If your instructor demands for you to create them in a computer he has failed to be an instructor; as a student you should be exposed to different media to best express your ideas, you can use basicly everything your mind can interprete......................................listen find your inspiration, what is that makes your mind blow out ideas, and how do you express them becomes very subjective. Do you paint? Do you like charcoal sketches, do you draw, do you write, do you like photography........from these means you will be able to utilize a formal expression which conveys your ideas.......remember a computer is a tool and should be used to assemble your ideas which have been expressed through your subjective means of communication.

Look up the work of Edward Tufte, should be in yr school library.

http://www.edwardtufte.com/tufte/books_vdqi

Buy:

Diagram Diaries - Eisenman (gorgeous models and drawings)

Hadid - El Croquis probably the best value

Miralles & Pinos - El Croquis


I'd start there. Study and understand the diagrams and abstract representations. Diagrams are an art form, approach them with an attitude that they #1 demonstrate an idea and #2 capture some beauty or inspire new thoughts.

One of my instructors showed us this website:
http://big.dk/ - And that is 50% of what I do in design, is diagram.
take a look at what B.I.G. do with their diagrammatic driven designs.
Also check out "Yes is More" by Bjarke Ingalls group.

There are so many diagrams in landscape and arch work that look like total bs. I think diagrams are used just as much today to confuse the audience or client into thinking the project is complex and heady, when the designer really may very well have just played in autocad and revit until they got something cool out.

I like the first response though. Diagrams should just show what the place or building is, what it does, how it's built, how it interacts in a readily accessible graphic format. To me, that's the key 'readily accessible,' not jargon. If you cant explain your work in simple language, you probably don't have a very strong design thesis.

very cool thanks for the tips and the websites guys

Larchinect, this is just a warm up exercise for the semester and we are diagramming Corbusier's five points of architecture. The design thesis is very strong and the explanation is obvious but my reason for this thread is not that I can't come up with ideas, I feel like my diagrams are a bit lacking, and by that I mean they are boring to look at. I figured my some abstract inspiration would help me create something a little more striking

maybe you could have a look at other structures to inspire and motivate you, usually that helps me when I struggle to come up with my own creative ideas :)

You need to have confidence, to persevere and eventually succeed. Remember, reading snatches

"Good artists borrow, great artists steal" (Picasso)


That was the first lesson I learned (Design 1) and held onto. Remember that, and you'll be just fine.