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Arrows & connectors

Direction is an argument — ads, slides and worksheets live or die on the arrow.

Arrows & connectors

Arrows & connectors encodes values as a shaft plus a head that assigns sequence or cause. Heraldic piles and map north arrows; modern CTA chevrons from 20th-c. print ads.

In reports, ads and assignments it fits sequence, cause, download/click targets, map flow. Skip it when every object has an arrow — then none of them mean anything.

This page gathers anatomy, fit, craft, failure modes and work / ads / school recipes for Arrows & connectors.

FormArrows & connectors
Since20th c.
Encodesa shaft plus a head that…
Best forsequence, cause,…
Avoidevery object has an arrow…
Studioshapes

Profile

Clarity
82
Persuasion
84
Density
22
Craft cost
16
School fit
88
Work fit
74
828422168874

Seven chapters

The idea

Direction is an argument — ads, slides and worksheets live or die on the arrow. History. sequence, cause, download/click targets, map flow.

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Anatomy

Direction is an argument — ads, slides and worksheets live or die on the arrow. Mark. sequence, cause, download/click targets, map flow.

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When to use

Direction is an argument — ads, slides and worksheets live or die on the arrow. Fit. sequence, cause, download/click targets, map flow.

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Craft

Direction is an argument — ads, slides and worksheets live or die on the arrow. Rules. sequence, cause, download/click targets, map flow.

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Mistakes

Direction is an argument — ads, slides and worksheets live or die on the arrow. Failure modes. sequence, cause, download/click targets, map flow.

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Studio

Direction is an argument — ads, slides and worksheets live or die on the arrow. Work. sequence, cause, download/click targets, map flow.

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Tools

Direction is an argument — ads, slides and worksheets live or die on the arrow. Software. sequence, cause, download/click targets, map flow.

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Frequently asked questions

When should I pick Arrows & connectors?
When the story is sequence, cause, download/click targets, map flow.
When should I avoid Arrows & connectors?
When every object has an arrow — then none of them mean anything.
Who invented or popularised it?
Heraldic piles and map north arrows; modern CTA chevrons from 20th-c. print ads
What does it encode?
a shaft plus a head that assigns sequence or cause
Is it OK in ads?
Yes if one claim is visible at a glance in Meta, Google and retail print; otherwise link to a full figure.
Will a teacher accept it?
Yes for lab reports and poster boards if axes, units and a source line are present.
Which tool?
Excel or Google Sheets or PowerPoint; export SVG/PDF.
How do I keep it accessible?
Do not rely on hue alone. Label directly and check greyscale.

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Boxes and arrows for a process — the assignment classic that still runs operations decks.

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💬 Callouts & badges

The shout on the layout — sale badges, comic balloons, numbered steps on a poster.

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📣 Ads & creative

Shapes that must work at a glance — badges, arrows, crops and a single number that sells.

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