Diagrams is an international and interdisciplinary conference series covering all aspects of
research on the theory and application of diagrams. Recent technological advances have enabled
the large-scale adoption of d- grams in a diverse range of areas. Increasingly sophisticated
visual represen- tions are emerging and to enable e?ective communication insight is required
into how diagrams are used and when they are appropriate for use. The per- sive everyday use
of diagrams for communicating information and ideas serves to illustrate the importance of
providing a sound understanding of the role that diagrams can and do play. Research in the
?eld of diagrams aims to improve our understanding of the role of diagrams sketches and other
visualizations in communication computation cognition creative thought and problem solving.
These concerns have triggered a surge of interest in the study of diagrams. The study of
diagrammatic communication as a whole must be pursued as an interdisciplinary
endeavour.Diagrams 2008 was the ?fth event in this conf- ence series which was launched in
Edinburghduring September 2000.Diagrams attracts a large number of researchers from virtually
all related ?elds placing the conference as a major international event in the area. Diagrams
is the only conference that provides a united forum for all areas that are concerned with the
study of diagrams: for example architecture - ti?cial intelligence cartography cognitive
science computer science education graphicdesign historyofscience human-computerinteraction
linguistics logic mathematics philosophy psychology andsoftwaremodelling.Weseeissuesfrom all
of these ?elds discussed in the papers collected in the present volume.
