Skip to main content
Version: Summer 2025 Forward with Her Program

Learn to Create Mermaid and Draw.io Diagrams to Enrich Your Papers, Documents, and Presentations

Course Introduction

In the digital age, excellent diagrams are key to conveying complex information. This course will teach you to master two powerful diagramming tools—Mermaid and Draw.io—and learn to use AI assistance to quickly create professional diagrams, making your academic papers, technical documentation, and business presentations stand out.

Watch the video walkthrough

The course overview video has moved to the centralized Video Tutorials page so you can find every video for this programme in one place.

Learning Objectives​

After completing this course, you will be able to:

Code-Based Diagrams​

Quickly generate flowcharts, sequence diagrams, Gantt charts, and other diagrams using Mermaid syntax

Professional Design​

Use Draw.io to create complex architecture diagrams, network topology diagrams, and business process diagrams

AI Enhancement​

Leverage Gemini CLI to automatically generate and optimize diagrams, boosting creative efficiency

Scenario Applications​

Master best practices for using diagrams in papers, documents, presentations, and other scenarios

Why Learn Professional Diagram Creation?​

Improve Information Communication Efficiency​

A picture is worth a thousand words. Excellent diagrams make complex concepts clear at a glance, greatly improving communication efficiency.

Essential Skill for Academic Research​

High-quality diagrams are an important component of academic papers, directly affecting the professionalism and acceptance rate of papers.

Career Competitiveness Boost​

The ability to quickly create professional diagrams is one of the core competencies of technical personnel and managers.

New Skills for the AI Era​

Combining AI tools for diagram creation puts you at the forefront of technology and multiplies work efficiency.

Course Content Structure​

This course is divided into the following modules:

Mermaid Basics​

  • Environment setup and quick start
  • Flowchart and sequence diagram basic syntax
  • Real-time preview and export Start Learning →

Mermaid Advanced​

  • Gantt charts, class diagrams, state diagrams
  • Git graphs, user journey diagrams
  • Style customization and themes Deep Dive →

Draw.io Professional Design​

  • Interface operations and tool usage
  • Architecture and network diagram creation
  • Template library and style customization Start Designing →

Scenario Applications​

  • Academic paper diagram standards
  • Technical documentation best practices
  • Presentation optimization techniques View Guide →

AI-Assisted Creation​

  • Natural language diagram generation
  • Diagram optimization and batch generation
  • Gemini CLI practical techniques Explore AI →

Practical Projects​

  • Academic paper diagram suite
  • System architecture documentation
  • Business plan diagrams Start Practicing →

Required Tools​

Essential Tools​

  • Browser (Chrome/Firefox/Edge)
  • Text Editor (VS Code recommended)
  • Gemini CLI (AI assistance)

Online Tools​

Optional Tools​

  • Draw.io Desktop
  • Node.js (local development)
  • Various IDE plugins
Recommended Learning Sequence
  1. Beginner Path: Mermaid Basics → Draw.io Basics → Scenario Applications → Practical Projects
  2. Quick Start Path: AI-Assisted Creation → Mermaid Basics → Practical Projects
  3. Professional Deep Dive Path: Complete all modules in order and finish all practical projects

Learning Resources​

Official Documentation​

Mermaid Documentation Draw.io Guide

Design Resources​

Color Scheme Generator Icon Library

Community Support​

Mermaid Discussions Draw.io Community

Start Learning​

Ready to enhance your diagram creation skills? Let's start with Mermaid basics and embark on a professional diagram creation journey!

Start Learning Mermaid Basics →