graphic techniques

• During the design process, graphics are used to:

  • Generate and explore ideas
  • Test and refine ideas
  • Communicate ideas to others, designers, clients and customers
• • Annotated sketches are quick sketches with notes (annotations) added for further explanation.
  • They are used to get ideas down quickly with as much information needed to clarify the sketch.
  • They are used during the initial and exploring ideas stages of the design process.

  
• • Orthographic sketches include an elevation (front), end elevation (side) and plan (top) view of the product with dimensions added.
  • These are used to communicate with the manufacturer and show dimensions of each part of the product.
  • These are most commonly used in the planning for manufacture stage of the design process.

  
• • Oblique sketches are 3D and show the front view of a product with one side and top projected backwards at 45 degrees.
  • They help to visualise an idea more clearly.
  • These are used during the exploring and refining ideas stages.

  
• • Isometric sketches provide a 3D view of an object, showing all three dimensions and all three surfaces in one view.
  • These can be used to present ideas to other designers, customers and clients.
  • In the design process, they are often used during the exploring and refining ideas stages

  
• • One point perspective sketching is a type of 3D sketch where all lines connect to a single vanishing point.
  • Two point perspective sketching has two vanishing points and lets you sketch objects at any angle.
  • They are used to make sketches look realistic and to make objects look bigger or more impressive than they actually are.
  • They are used to present ideas to clients and customers.
  • During the design process, they are used in the exploring and refining ideas stages.

  
• • Exploded views show the separate parts of an object that make up its assembly. Items are spaced out so each can be seen clearly but are always in line with the connecting part.
  • Exploded views are used to show the manufacturer how the different parts of the product will fit together.
  • Assembled views show all the different parts of the product fitted together and show the manufacturer what the completed/assembled product will look like.
  • These are used during the planning for manufacture stage of the design process.

  
• • Sectional sketches shows the product as if it has been cut and a part removed.
  • It is used to show interior details of a product.
  • In the design process, it would be used during the exploring and refining ideas stages as well as in the plan for manufacture.
• • Sectional sketches shows the product as if it has been cut and a part removed.
  • It is used to show interior details of a product.
  • In the design process, it would be used during the exploring and refining ideas stages as well as in the plan for manufacture.

  
• • Scale drawings are used when it is physically impossible to create a drawing to full size as it is too big (buildings, cars, aeroplanes) or too small (microchips, nano sim cards).
  • They are used to better visualise proportion and work out sizes for assembly.
  • Scale drawings would be used when a designer is exploring their ideas.

  
• • A manual rendered illustration is a realistic drawing of the final product created by hand by the designer.
  • This would be used to present final ideas to a customer or client.

  
• • A CAD render is a computer generated model, digitally rendered to look as realistic as possible.
  • This would be used to present final ideas to a customer or client.