Try This, Not That: Beautiful.ai Flow Chart

A flow chart can seem complicated at a glance with its many components. When you’re staring at a blank slide, stumped on how to structure your own diagram, you might even opt for a different, more familiar chart altogether.

Don’t let its complexity fool you. 

If done right, flow charts are an incredible tool for simplifying complicated business processes in a clean, visual way.

A flow chart presentation slide

A flowchart is a diagram that shows the sequence of steps and decisions needed to perform a process. Each step in the sequence is noted within a diagram shape, and steps are linked by connecting lines and directional arrows. This format allows audiences to follow any process from beginning to end at a glance.

You might use Beautiful.ai’s flow chart for process documentation, auditing a process for inefficiencies or malfunctions, mapping algorithms, or showcasing a complex customer journey. 

Design tips to keep in mind for a flow chart

Generally speaking, when someone reaches for a flow chart as they're building a deck, they’re doing it with the intention of filling it with numerous steps or stages in a process. It’s an obvious choice for relaying a lot of information in a clear and concise way. Sure, a flow chart organizes your complex processes in a way that’s more digestible to the audience, but they can get messy. The more you add, the harder the flow is to follow, which defeats the purpose of the diagram. 

To help optimize your flow, here are the do’s and don’ts of a flow chart slide to keep in mind for your next presentation. 

DO'S

When designing a flow chart, these 3 tips will help you drive the most impact.

1. Do use icons

Icons can act as a cheat-sheet to help identify each stage in the process more quickly. Iconography also breaks up text-heavy slides, making the flow chart easier to read and more digestible. By adding icons, you can tell your audience exactly what you want them to know, and focus on, in the presentation.   

2. Do experiment with different layouts

In Beautiful.ai you can toggle between different variations of a slide to see what style looks best with your content. For information that follows a sequence, you can also try a process diagram, cycle or hub and spoke to see what makes the most sense for your story. 

3. Do add supporting visuals

Including a strong visual on a slide can be the difference between an engaged audience and one that starts thinking about what’s for dinner. When creating your flow chart, try adding a sidebar with a relevant image or video in the cell. The added visual interest will keep your audience focused which will increase retention after the fact. 

DON'TS

These are common pitfalls of a flow chart that you should try to avoid.

1. Don’t fill the slide with content just because you can

Less is more, and that rings true with a flow chart. Contrary to its robust design, you don’t need to include every little detail in your business plan or process. Instead, challenge yourself to consolidate your thoughts to the most meaningful details. 

2. Don’t be afraid to use color

A flow chart doesn’t have to be black and white. Experiment with background and text color, and font weight, to make the diagram more legible. You can also use an accent color and bolder text for the key takeaways so it pops on the slide. 

3. Don’t overcomplicate the flow

There might be a lot of steps in your process, but that doesn’t mean you need to include it all. If you overcomplicate your flow with too many components, it will make the slide look like it’s tangled in content. As a rule of thumb, your audience should be able to look at the slide and pull the main takeaways within 5-10 seconds.