The intent of this series is to explain the Technical Illustration process so illustrations can be produced that meet one’s desired expectations and clearly communicate our ideas. Typical concerns for our consideration include budget and deadlines within a project, and the quality and effectiveness of the media itself. Our previous article on the Technical Illustration process served as an introduction to the craft, as an explanation for the necessity of this media in today’s corporate world, and as an orientation to the variety of Technical Illustration options available. This article serves as a guide for the process, and lists the information needed to produce illustrations or renderings.

The Technical Illustration process constitutes a small percentage in the project’s overall design process, but it is an important component. This process can begin during any stage of the project’s design schedule. The level of effort required to produce a rendering varies, depending upon the stage in which it is produced. For example, producing renderings during the concept stage of a project requires more interaction with project team members than producing illustrations once the final design of a project is complete. Renderings developed “early on” offer assistance in the development of a concept, where those developed after the design stage reflect the completed design. Regardless of when a renderings is produced, the process seems to follow the same routine-information gathering, model development, scene creation, pre-final rendering, final rendering and post production. (more…)

Technical Illustrations provide a powerful form of communication, allowing both the technically and non-technically minded to appreciate and understand the basis of design. They present a realistic image prompting discussion of various aspects of the project, rather than a mere description of it. Illustrations play an important role throughout the project life-cycle: the proposal, feasibility study, conceptual design, public hearings, garnering support, preliminary design, funding and final design. Additionally, these illustrations become quite nostalgic once the project is completed and archived.

Familiarity with the Technical Illustration process enables us to produce images that not only meet our expectations, but accurately communicate our ideas. This is the first of a series of articles on Technical Illustrations that will provide a walk-through of the genre, its necessity in today’s industry, the variety it offers, and the tools with which to incorporate this technology into our everyday approach to securing new projects and planning those we may already manage.

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