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.
Use when
- Use when 1 — sequence, cause, download/click targets, map flow
- Use when 2 — Excel or Google Sheets
- Use when 3 — PowerPoint
- Use when 4 — lab reports and poster boards
- Use when 5 — Meta, Google and retail print
Avoid when
- Avoid when 1 — every object has an arrow — then none of them mean anything
- Avoid when 2 — 3-D, dual axes, rainbow scales
- Avoid when 3 — Undated numbers, undated time series
- Avoid when 4 — Four charts on one slide
Audiences
- Work — PowerPoint
- Ads — Meta, Google and retail print
- School — lab reports and poster boards
Arrows & connectors: honour a shaft plus a head that assigns sequence or cause, and switch when every object has an arrow — then none of them mean anything.