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Using Illustrations in Technical Communications
This document discusses using illustrations in technical communication. It begins by outlining the purpose and types of illustrations such as sketches, technical drawings, photographs and video. It then discusses how to choose and create different types of illustrations. The rest of the document provides examples of different illustrations and tips on developing illustration skills, including drawing everyday, using storyboards, carrying cameras, learning illustration software, and working with graphic designers.
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Using Illustrations in Technical Communications
- 1. Using Illustrations in Technical Communication ASTC Conference – October 2011 Charles Cave
- 6. Purpose of my talk Purpose of my talk • Types of illustrations – sketches technical Types of illustrations sketches, technical drawings, photographs, video • How to choose How to choose • How to make illustrations • Get your feedback and ideas charles.cave@ir.com
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- 11. Callout two step lookup Callout – two step lookup Letters Callout – 2 step lookup
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- 13. Callout with structure Callout –with structure
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- 19. Drawings Vs Vs Photographs g p
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- 35. Icon Libraries Visio or Powerpoint Icon Libraries– Visio or Powerpoint
- 39. Uses of Illustrations Uses of Illustrations • Show finished result (cookbook) Show finished result (cookbook) • Label components (call out) • Show steps i Sh in a process ( i (origami) i) • Demonstration (cookbook) • Visual index (bird field guide) • Visual identification (spices, birds) Visual identification (spices birds)
- 40. Types of Illustrations Types of Illustrations • Sketches (hand drawn/scan, tablet) Sketches (hand drawn/scan, tablet) • Line art (scan) • Vector art (Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape) Vector art (Adobe Illustrator Inkscape) • Technical drawing (Visio, 2D or 3D CAD, Dia) • PowerPoint – D P P i t Drawings and Smart Art i dS tA t • Screen captures (Snagit) • Photographs • Video – YouTube ‐ Camtasia
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- 42. Line Art Line Art • Drawing by hand scanner or camera Drawing by hand – scanner or camera • Drawing by computer • File sizes il i • Easy to update
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- 46. Powerpoint ‐ SmartArt Smart Art
- 47. Seasons Summer Spring Autumn Winter
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- 49. Photographs • Camera, tripod, lighting, Image editor – Photoshop, GIMP (software) • Composition, backgrounds p , g • Difficulty of updating or recreating • All the steps can be seen at once ‐ All the steps can be seen at once overview • File size – image size, compression (JPG)
- 50. Image Files Image Files • JPEG format • I Image size – width and height i idth d h i ht • Compression
- 51. Video • Camera, tripod, lighting • Composition, backgrounds, action • More effort to update or recreate p • Quicker to create than showing steps • User can pause, rewind and replay User can pause rewind and replay
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- 53. How can you develop your skills? How can youdevelop your skills?
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- 55. 2. Storyboards 2. Storyboards • Sketches to show just enough information Sketches to show just enough information
- 56. 3. Carry digital/video camera always 3. Carrydigital/video camera always • Photograph what you write about it Photograph what you write about it • Video record demonstrations and procedures
- 57. 4. Learn to use drawing s/w 4. Learn to use drawing s/w • Powerpoint – Shapes Smart Art Photo effects Shapes, Smart Art, Photo effects • Visio – Symbol libraries • Dia – O i Open Source program like Visio S lik i i • Open Office ‐ Draw • Inkscape (free equivalent Adobe Illustrator) p www.inkscape.org g
- 58. 5. Befriend your Graphic Designer 5. Befriend yourGraphic Designer www.designcrowd.com g www.freelance.com www.elance.com
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