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Criterion
A paper-based illustration representing Context Canvas with its core stages and visible working result.
Product Discovery
Context Canvas
Paper illustration for Design Studio
UX Design
Design Studio
A paper-based illustration representing C4 Model with its core stages and visible working result.
Architecture
C4 Model
Purposedifferent
When an environment of users, systems, and constraints is hard to grasp, it puts the context compactly on the table. It creates a clear reading of influence, boundary, and dependency.When several designs need to be quickly put in relation to each other, it makes ideas visible and comparable. It encourages early variants instead of long upfront debates.The C4 Model makes a system legible across several resolution levels, from context down to code. It suits situations where different audiences need to understand the same architecture from different altitudes.
Complexitydifferent
LowMediumLow
Timedifferent
45-90 min1-3 h1-4 h
Participantsdifferent
3-103-81-5
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshopWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Context canvas, Open questions, Shared context notesSketches, Concept Directions, Design DecisionsContext Diagram, Container Diagram, Component Diagram
Tagsno overlap
ContextFramingRequirementsCanvas
SketchingCollaborationIdeation
ArchitectureCommunicationVisualization
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Often compared together

Methods with strong topical overlap with the current selection, not yet in the comparison.

Architecture Communication Canvas method illustration showing its working structure
Architecture
Architecture Communication Canvas
Architecture Inception Canvas method illustration showing its working structure
Architecture
Architecture Inception Canvas
Paper illustration of Design Charrette with its method-specific working model.
Innovation
Design Charrette