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diagram-design/references/type-pyramid.md
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Cathryn Lavery 53bd8dde0f Initial release: diagram-design v1.0
Thirteen editorial diagram types (architecture, flowchart, sequence,
state, ER, timeline, swimlane, quadrant, nested, tree, layers, venn,
pyramid) as self-contained HTML files with inline SVG.

Progressive disclosure: lean SKILL.md points to per-type references.
Neutral stone+rust default skin, first-run gate that prompts users
to customize the style guide from their own website, URL-based
onboarding, annotation-callout primitive, sketchy filter variant,
live gallery at assets/index.html.
2026-04-16 13:30:53 -05:00

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Pyramid / Funnel

Best for: hierarchy of needs, prioritization ranks, value pyramids, conversion funnels, content importance stacks.

Two orientations — pick one

  • Pyramid (point up) — narrow apex = most important / rarest / most valuable. Base is broadest / foundational.
  • Funnel (point down) — narrow end = conversion (smallest group). Top is widest / audience.

Don't mix orientations on one diagram.

Layout conventions

  • 4–6 layers. Each layer is a trapezoid built from an SVG <polygon> with 4 points.
  • Consistent layer height (56–72px).
  • Widths decrease linearly from base to apex (pyramid) or top to bottom (funnel). When showing real funnel data, widths must be honest (proportional to count/percentage).
  • Each layer has:
    • Name label centered inside the trapezoid — Geist 12–14px 600.
    • Sublabel below or beside the name — Geist Mono 9–10px.
    • Side annotation (right or left) — optional. For funnels: drop-off percentage here (−40%).
  • Fill: subtle graded tints OR all paper-2 with hairline dividers (cleaner). Pick one.
  • Stroke: 1px hairline between layers; outer silhouette 1px muted or ink.
  • Coral on ONE layer only: apex of pyramid, conversion layer of funnel, or critical bottleneck.
  • Optional left-margin axis arrow + Geist Mono label (rarer ↑, drop-off ↓).

Anti-patterns

  • 7+ layers (illegible — compress or split).
  • Pyramid for non-hierarchical data (use a tree or bar chart).
  • Dishonest widths (fake equal spacing when drops are unequal).
  • Coral on the base layer (dilutes the "apex = rare" signal).

Examples

  • assets/example-pyramid.html — minimal light
  • assets/example-pyramid-dark.html — minimal dark
  • assets/example-pyramid-full.html — full editorial