Visual verbs: Using arrows to depict the direction of actions in procedural illustrations

Krull, Robert; Sharp, Michael

doi:10.1075/idj.14.3.01kru

Article published In: Information Design Journal
Vol. 14:3 (2006) ► pp.189–198

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Visual verbs

Using arrows to depict the direction of actions in procedural illustrations

Robert Krull

Michael Sharp

Published online: 8 December 2006

https://doi.org/10.1075/idj.14.3.01kru

Arrows, when used to depict the direction of movement in procedural illustrations, may be ambiguous with regard to the actual direction in which movements should occur. This ambiguity results from problems in translating threedimensional space to the two-dimensional display planes of the printed page and the computer monitor. We discuss sources of the ambiguity and possible solutions.

Keywords: illustrations, arrows, procedures, three-dimensions, actions

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