Diagram Generator for Flashcards

Purpose

Generates publication-quality diagrams optimized for educational flashcards in the Artifact Foundry. Automatically selects the best visualization tool (Python matplotlib or Mermaid) based on the type of diagram needed.

When to Use This Skill

Activate this skill when:

• Creating new flashcards that need visual aids
• Replacing ASCII art with professional diagrams
• Adding visual explanations to complex concepts
• Improving existing flashcard visualizations
• User mentions: "add diagram", "visualize", "create chart", "draw", "illustrate"

Tool Selection Decision Tree

Use Python (matplotlib) When:

Data Visualizations

• Bar charts, histograms, scatter plots
• Line graphs, function curves
• Distribution plots (normal, binomial, etc.)
• Statistical diagrams (CDF, PDF, power curves)

Scientific/Mathematical Plots

• Function curves with annotations
• Coordinate systems with transformations
• Side-by-side comparisons
• Heat maps, confusion matrices

Complex Custom Graphics

• Venn diagrams with overlapping regions
• Probability spaces with shaded areas
• Conditional probability visualizations
• Any diagram requiring precise positioning/styling

Learning-Friendly Features Needed

• Mathematical formulas in labels
• Precise annotations and arrows
• Color-coded regions with legends
• Professional publication quality

Use Mermaid When:

Flow and Process Diagrams

• Algorithm flowcharts
• Decision trees (logical, not ML trees)
• Pipeline diagrams
• Step-by-step processes

Relationship Diagrams

• Graph structures (nodes and edges)
• Network diagrams
• Dependency graphs
• State machines

Conceptual Hierarchies

• Tree structures (abstract representation)
• Class hierarchies
• Organizational structures
• Taxonomy diagrams

Advantages

• Text-based (version control friendly)
• No rendering step needed
• Easy to edit inline in markdown
• Renders in GitHub/VSCode
• Lower barrier for user modifications

Implementation Standards

Python (matplotlib) Pattern

"""
Brief description of what this diagram illustrates.
Educational purpose: [explain the concept being visualized]
"""

import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
from scipy import stats  # if needed

# 1. Setup figure with consistent sizing
fig, ax = plt.subplots(figsize=(10, 6))

# 2. Generate/plot data with clear variable names
x = np.linspace(start, end, points)
y = function(x)

# 3. Style for educational clarity
ax.plot(x, y, linewidth=2.5, color='#3498DB', label='Descriptive Label')
ax.fill_between(x, y, alpha=0.3, color='#3498DB')

# 4. Clear labels and annotations
ax.set_xlabel('X Label (units)', fontsize=12, fontweight='bold')
ax.set_ylabel('Y Label (units)', fontsize=12, fontweight='bold')
ax.set_title('Clear, Educational Title', fontsize=14, fontweight='bold', pad=15)

# 5. Add educational annotations
ax.annotate('Key Point',
           xy=(x_point, y_point),
           xytext=(x_text, y_text),
           arrowprops=dict(arrowstyle='->', lw=2, color='#E74C3C'),
           fontsize=11, fontweight='bold')

# 6. Grid for readability
ax.grid(True, alpha=0.3, linestyle='-', linewidth=0.5)

# 7. Legend if multiple elements
ax.legend(loc='best', fontsize=10)

# 8. Save with high quality
plt.tight_layout()
fig.savefig(output_path, dpi=300, bbox_inches='tight', facecolor='white')
plt.close()

print(f"✓ Diagram saved to: {output_path}")

Mermaid Pattern

```mermaid
graph TD
    A["Clear Node Label<br/>Additional info"] -->|"Edge Label"| B["Next Node"]
    B -->|"Condition"| C["Outcome"]
    B -->|"Alternative"| D["Other Outcome"]

    style A fill:#3498DB,stroke:#2874A6,color:#fff
    style B fill:#E74C3C,stroke:#C0392B,color:#fff
    style C fill:#27AE60,stroke:#229954,color:#fff
```

Mermaid Diagram Types:

• graph TD - Top-down flowchart
• graph LR - Left-right flowchart
• graph TB - Top-bottom (alias for TD)
• flowchart - More features than graph
• sequenceDiagram - Sequence diagrams
• classDiagram - UML class diagrams
• stateDiagram - State machines

Color Palette (Colorblind-Friendly)

Use these consistent colors across all diagrams:

COLORS = {
    'primary_blue': '#3498DB',    # Main elements
    'primary_red': '#E74C3C',     # Contrasting elements
    'primary_green': '#27AE60',   # Positive/success
    'primary_orange': '#F39C12',  # Warning/attention
    'primary_purple': '#9B59B6',  # Special cases

    'secondary_blue': '#2874A6',   # Darker shades for borders
    'secondary_red': '#C0392B',
    'secondary_green': '#229954',
    'secondary_orange': '#E67E22',
    'secondary_purple': '#8E44AD',
}

File Organization

Directory Structure

interview-prep/flashcards/
├── probability.md
├── statistics.md
└── assets/
    ├── venn_general.png
    ├── pmf_pdf_comparison.png
    └── bayesian_updating.png (from Mermaid)

foundations/snippets/statistics/
├── venn_diagram_generator.py
├── distribution_visualizer.py
└── conditional_probability_visualizer.py

Naming Conventions

Python-generated PNGs:

[concept]_[diagram_type].png

Examples:
- venn_general.png
- pmf_pdf_comparison.png
- power_curve.png
- variance_comparison.png

Python scripts in foundations:

[concept]_[tool_type].py

Examples:
- venn_diagram_generator.py
- distribution_visualizer.py
- random_variable_visualizer.py

Best Practices for Educational Diagrams

1. Clarity First

• Large, readable fonts (title: 14pt, labels: 12pt)
• High contrast colors
• Sufficient whitespace
• Minimal text (let flashcard explain)

2. Consistency

• Same figsize for related diagrams: (10, 6) for comparisons, (8, 8) for single focus
• Consistent color scheme across topic
• Same DPI: 300 for all saved figures

3. Educational Value

• Show structure/relationships, not just data
• Include key formulas where relevant
• Annotate important points
• Use visual hierarchy (size, color, position)

4. Accessibility

• Colorblind-friendly palettes
• Not relying solely on color for information
• Clear labels (not just colors)
• High contrast (not pastel colors)

5. Version Control Friendly

• Prefer Mermaid for simple diagrams (text-based)
• Keep Python scripts for complex visualizations
• Comment generation code thoroughly
• Make diagrams reproducible

Common Diagram Patterns by Topic

Probability Flashcards

Mermaid:

• Bayes theorem flowcharts
• Decision trees for probability rules
• Frequency trees for medical testing

Python:

• Venn diagrams (overlapping circles)
• Probability distributions (PMF, PDF, CDF)
• Conditional probability (sample space restriction)

Statistics Flashcards

Python:

• Hypothesis testing (distributions, critical regions)
• Power curves
• Confidence intervals
• Test statistic distributions

Mermaid:

• Statistical test selection flowcharts
• Analysis decision trees

Machine Learning Flashcards

Mermaid:

• Model architectures (high-level)
• Training pipelines
• Cross-validation schemes

Python:

• Loss functions and optimization
• Decision boundaries
• Learning curves
• Confusion matrices
• ROC curves

Algorithms Flashcards

Mermaid:

• Algorithm flowcharts
• Recursion trees
• State machines

Python:

• Time complexity comparisons (bar charts)
• Space-time tradeoffs (scatter plots)

Integration with Existing Tools

This skill leverages existing visualization tools in:

• foundations/snippets/statistics/ - Reusable visualization functions
• Can import and use functions from these modules
• Builds on established patterns

Error Handling

When generating diagrams:

1. Test locally first - Run Python scripts to verify they work
2. Check dependencies - Ensure matplotlib, scipy, numpy available
3. Validate Mermaid syntax - Use VSCode preview or GitHub rendering
4. Verify paths - Ensure assets/ directory exists
5. Report issues clearly - If generation fails, explain what went wrong

Examples Reference

See examples.md in this skill directory for:

• Complete working examples for common diagram types
• Template code for quick starts
• Before/after comparisons (ASCII → Professional)

Workflow

When user requests a diagram:

1. Analyze the concept - What needs to be visualized?
2. Choose tool - Apply decision tree (Python vs Mermaid)
3. Check for existing patterns - Review examples.md
4. Generate diagram - Use appropriate pattern
5. Save appropriately:
   • Mermaid: Embed directly in flashcard markdown
   • Python: Save PNG to assets/, create reusable script in foundations/
6. Update flashcard - Replace ASCII/old diagram with new one
7. Verify rendering - Ensure it displays correctly

Success Criteria

A good flashcard diagram:

• ✓ Immediately understandable without explanation
• ✓ Enhances learning (not just decoration)
• ✓ Follows accessibility guidelines
• ✓ Matches quality of other diagrams in the set
• ✓ Uses appropriate tool for the concept
• ✓ Is reproducible (code available or Mermaid text)