Comparison and Contrast

Compare and Contrast

When I am asked to compare and contrast, I often think back to my days in elementary school where I was taught how to make a Venn diagram (invented by John Venn in 1880).  These diagrams have two circles, exactly the same size, placed next to each other but with some overlap going on to create three compartments for words.  It is used for comparing two different topics or subjects, so one side of the circle is one subject’s unique characteristics, the other side is the other subject’s, and the middle section created from the overlap of the two circles is left for the similarities between the subjects.   

the basic Venn diagram

The Venn diagram has such a simply design but it is the perfect visual aid for young children to learn how to compare and contrast.  I know that this blog post was meant to focus on comparing and contrasting design, but I wanted to study the actual design of comparison and contrast.  More complicated Venn diagrams can have three circles, or even more if they can fit.  It is an easy way to illustrate logic, statistics, probability, and computer science, along with the basic qualities of a subject.  I think that this diagram is a perfect design; it is functional both in organizing thoughts and helping reach a conclusion.  This is what design is about, simplicity at its finest.