Good diagrams and infographics use the following structural design principles and conventions:

• The reading direction runs from top left to bottom right. Alternatively, another convention, such as clockwise rotation, is used to direct readers through the information.
• Alignment and spacing are used effectively to indicate sequence and hierarchy.
• Consistent styling is used for similar elements, and different styling is used for dissimilar elements.
• Colour is used meaningfully.
• Only content or detail that is directly relevant is included.
• Design elements are minimised so that the content, not the design, is visually prominent (eg borders around text frames are removed).
• Perspective, exploded or zoomed inset views are included, if required.
• Text snippets and labels are clear and easy to read.
• The legend is clear.
• Alternative text is used for accessibility, if published online.