Using Icons in Org Charts

In an age where information overflows from our screens, and must be consumed in seconds, icons have become a popular way to communicate. An icon, simply defined, is a sign that resembles something. Organisational charts have been around since the mid-1800s and offer a visual snapshot of a company’s structure from a high level. Today, sophisticated org chart software allows users to drill down into the various subsections of a chart for a more detailed analysis. Icons can be incorporated into the modern org chart to communicate more effectively.

Some of the advantages of using icons in org charts:

●Internationally recognisable, the icon breaks down language barriers that may exist within an organisation.

●Eyes are instantly drawn to icons. Rather than reading through the text, the icon can instantly communicate a category of information.

●If used consistently across the organisation, icons can promote recall among employees and strengthen company branding and identity.

●Clutter is reduced on charts by replacing words or phrases with simple visuals.

Moving to an icon based org chart can help users quickly sift through charts for the information they need. The ability to represent various data points with icons and symbols, as in the example above, can be a time saver when information is needed on the fly. With workforces more dispersed than ever, the org chart continues to be a powerful tool to keep an organisation united.