Technical illustration is a little known field. After all, the vast majority of these illustrations go unnoticed in everyday use. From industrial graphics to diagrams showing us how to assemble furniture, these illustrations are everywhere, but when their job is done right, we don’t even realize what’s inside.
People who work in the field of technical illustration create extremely accurate renderings of just about anything that requires precise interpretation. This includes machinery, scientific instruments, plants and animals, maps, and many other topics. The important part is making sure the drawing is as accurate and “readable” as possible; flights of fancy or artistic interpretation are not a good option. in this type of illustration.
Technical illustration has traditionally been done in black and white, usually with pen and ink. However, modern illustration is likely to be generated using a computer program and may involve the generation of complex three-dimensional images in addition to more conventional line drawings. Technical drawings in the modern world can also be presented in the form of animation, such as video, or combined with web design.
The method used will be the one that best serves the purpose of the technical illustration. For example, industrial graphics are now more often rendered in 3D, as it more easily shows the details that need to be understood. For devices with moving components, animation may be required, while traditional line drawings remain the method of choice for assembly instructions and brochures.
Technical illustration has some basic goals that are more important than anything else. The subject must be accurately illustrated and the image produced in such a way that the result is visually appealing, yet clear and easy to understand. Technical illustrations that simply look good, rather than convey information, are useless to the viewer and can cause errors later on.
Every project presents its own unique problem, especially those with limited resources and references. However, a good technical illustration professional can use industrial graphics to explain a topic that would be extremely difficult to convey using words alone. Diagrams, 3D visualizations, exploded views, and other illustrations can be a vital tool in getting the point across to the viewer, no matter what the topic at hand.
It is extremely important for anyone working with industrial graphics or any other form of technical illustration to have a good understanding of detail and to be able to reproduce it as accurately as possible. Errors or inaccuracies defeat the purpose of the illustration and can end up being very costly in the long run. Without precision, any illustration is much less useful.
For anyone working with diagrams, technical information, or complex devices, technical illustration is an important element in getting the message across. It may not be flashy or obvious, but without it, many things would be much more difficult to understand. Technical illustration isn’t too glamorous, but it’s extremely useful and important to people in all kinds of industries, including yours.