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

  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
• Perspective sketching


  • Used to make sketches look realistic
  • Used to make objects look bigger or more impressive than they actually are
• Design process


  Used in 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
• • 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.