Our Illustrators have had many years of experience in the creation of many different styles of Technical Graphics and Diagrams that clearly communicate complex ideas and concepts.
In the context of Technical Publications, a few well-placed Illustrations can considerably reduce the amount of text required in a document.
Very often, illustrations are not only the best way to communicate a complex idea or process, but can also significantly reduce authoring time and subsequent translation costs.
Why Images, when 1000 words will do ?
It is no accident that big name manufacturers use diagrammatic instructions where they can.
Here is a photograph of a label taken from an Epson Printer, depicting the step by step process needed to replace an ink cartridge.
Not only would this procedure be complicated to explain in text form, as some of the parts don't have instantly recognisable names, but if it were to be translated into just five of the main European languages, the user would require the help of a microscope to read them.
The result they achieved by opting for diagrams is not only clear, concise and cheap to produce, it also works in any language, not just the five originally planned.
So why Illustrations and not Photos ?Isometric Black and White Technical Illustrations still provide the clearest means of displaying how a component is dismantled and re-assembled. They print well and are quick to update when a product is modified.
Below is an example of how an illustration can show an object with more clarity than a photograph.
The above example shows a white timer-plug. In the photograph, the lighter detail is 'bleached out' with light. Conversely the line illustration is not only clearer, but gives your product a more professional appearance.
Doubtless, with the correct lighting and exposures, a more professional photograph could be achieved, but would you have time to do this every time there is a slight modification to your product ?Instead you could just forward some GA Drawings or a CAD file to your publications department (or us) and they could probably make the necessary amendments in minutes rather than hours.
The same images were faxed, just to illustrate another reason line illustrations make more sense than photos. As you can see from the results below, the line image wins for clarity again.
