Graphic Types

Graphic Types

1. Preliminary Graphics

   • These are the planning activities. They usually consist of: (see note attached).
     • -Market research -Thumbnails -Working roughs -Dimensioned sketches -Simple 2D and 3D sketches
   • Product: (see note attached)
     • -Orhtographic sketches -Pictorial sketches (isometric, 1 and 2 point perspective) -Pencil and marker rendering -Market research charts/surveys. -Models
   • DTP: (see note attached)
     • -Market research charts/surveys -Thumbnails  -Working roughs
   • Benefits
     • They are quick to produce.
     • They are a good way of recording ideas or designs.
     • They can be produced using cheap equipment: pencil and paper.
     • They can be quickly annotated to add information.
     • They are useful when communicating ideas to a client or colleague.
     • The can be produced 'on site'.
     • The form the basis for production drawings or DTP work.
     • The quality of the graphic is not as important as the clarity of the graphic and the information it conveys.
   • Disadvantages
     • They are not normally drawn to scale.
     • The are not normally dimensionally accurate.

2. Promotional Graphics

   • These graphics bring peoples attention to the product.
     • They will include illustrative graphics and written material.
     • They are used to advertise and sell the product.
   • They can include: (see note attached)
     • -Photographs -Animations -Websites -Packaging -Flyers -Models -Displays -Presentations -CAG environments -CAG rendering  -Brochures -Magazine covers
   • Benefits
     • They can appear 'less technical' than production drawings.
     • They tend to be more easily understood than production drawings.
     • They can be made to look more realistic than production drawings.
     • They can be used in promotional documents or videos.
     • They can show the customer what the product will look like.
     • They can have materials and lights applied to create visual impact.
     • They may be placed in a virtual environment to enhance realism.
     • They can be animated to create visual appeal.
     • They can be styled to appeal to a specific target market.
     • They can be made to look attractive in order to help sell the product.
   • Disadvantages
     • You can't physically handle a rendered model.
     • They can give a false impression of the product.
     • They require skill and knowledge to produce.

3. Production Drawings

   • The drawings contain precise information about object sizes, tolerances, etc.
     • They are likely to be dimensioned orthographic, exploded isometric, assemblies, exploded views, etc.
   • Product: (see note attached)
     • -Component drawings -Manufacturing drawings -Assemblies -Exploded views -Sectional Assemblies -Tool/part drawings -Parts lists
   • Construction: (see not attached)
     • -Site plans -Location/Block plans -Floor plans -Drainage  -Surveys -Wiring diagrams
   • Benefits
     • They can be used in promotional documents to show customers how parts assemble or the floor plan of a new building.
     • Electronic production drawings can be used to control manufacturing machinery - "computer aided manufacture" - CAM.
     • A library of reusable parts can be built up.
     • They are drawn to scale.
     • They are accurate.
     • They can be understood by all users, regardless of nationality or language.
     • The drawing standards used are now worldwide standards.
     • They can be easily dimensioned.
     • Technical detail can be shown using a number of drawing types.
     • They can show how components are assembled.
     • They are important when components are to be manufactured.
     • They are useful when surface developments are required to make packaging.
   • Disadvantages
     • Training or knowledge is required to produce them: drawing standards have to be learned.
     • They can be time consuming to produce.
     • Costly, specialist equipment is required: drawing boards and tools or computers and appropriate software.