What is Technical Illustration?
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Technical communication is the means to convey information that helps people interact with technology and solve complex problems. Any communication is mostly associated with texts, but tables, charts, drawings, photographs and other graphics are as important as written text. It means that technical communication is provided in the form of technical writing and technical illustration. But what technical illustration is about?
Technical illustration belongs to the broad field of technical communication, and defines technical information delivered through the means of visual aid. Its general aim is to effectively convey information via the visual channel to the target audience.
Technical illustrations generally describe and explain information to a non-technical audience. Therefore, visuals should be accurate in terms of proportions, and provide accurate impression of the described object.
In order to establish effective communication, text and visuals should be properly arranged on a page or computer screen, because pieces of technical communication require to be visually appealing, easy to understand and navigate.
Technical illustrators work with design teams and technical writers to create different technical graphics. These specialists produce images, diagrams and schematics to convey concepts and mechanical objects of various technical objects. Generally, these graphics are used to explain technical information for non-technical audience.
In order to get a position as a technical illustrator, one need to have an associate’s degree or courses taken in art, sciences, computer graphics and design or engineering. There are also training programs designed for technical illustrators, that teach computer graphics, visual design, technical terminology and computer-aided design (CAD).
According to the target audience, technical illustration can be broken down into three categories:
A Universe that obeys the laws of relativity and is filled, isotropically and homogeneously, with matter and/or radiation, cannot be static. It must expand or contract, dependent on what’s inside it and in what amounts. Image credit: E. Siegel / Beyond the Galaxy.
Source: https://clickhelp.com/clickhelp-technical-writing-blog/how-does-single-sign-on-work-guide/
Technical communication, whether it is technical writing or technical illustration, all about effective delivery of information to the target audience. Therefore, in order to make your communications useful and persuasive, remember to constantly think about your readers.
It is obvious, for example, that instructional illustrations for LEGO are much simpler than those in user manuals describing how to set up an internet router. In case of LEGO, instructions heavily rely on the visuals as long as they are aimed at both children and adults, and require no bulky descriptions. Installation guide for an internet router is supposed for adult users with advanced knowledge in computing, therefore these illustrations may contain complex terminology and specialized symbols.
Feel inspired to switch to technical illustration? Or maybe you already have some experience in the field? Please, share with us in the comments below.
Good Luck with your technical illustration!
ClickHelp Team
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