Technical Illustration

Cutaway, instructional and process illustration that explains how things are built and used, for the Landmark Trust, Boehringer Ingelheim and Air bp.

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Showing how things work

Technical illustration explains what a photograph cannot. A cutaway can open up a building to show how it is put together, and a sequence of drawings can take someone through a task one step at a time.

For the Landmark Trust we drew illustrated cutaways of Llwyn Celyn, St Edward's Presbytery and Danescombe Mine for the documentary series Restoring Britain's Landmarks, and animated them to guide viewers through the restoration work. For Boehringer Ingelheim we illustrated each step of using a Respimat inhaler, with the device drawn accurately in every frame.

For Air bp we created a set of illustrations for internal presentations in the same style as the film we made for them, working through a list of scenarios with rough sketches for approval before the final artwork.

Good technical illustration also knows what to leave out. We decide with you what the viewer needs to see and what can be simplified, so the important parts stand out and the drawing stays easy to read.

Technical drawings do not have to feel cold. We keep them clear and precise, but drawn with the same care as the rest of our illustration, so they sit comfortably in a documentary, a presentation or a patient leaflet.

What you get

We agree the scope with you at the start. These are the things most of our technical illustration projects include.

  • Cutaways

    Buildings and objects opened up to show how they are made.

  • Step by step instructions

    Tasks broken into clear drawn steps that anyone can follow.

  • Process illustrations

    Sequences that explain how something happens, from a restoration project to the daily use of a device.

  • A consistent style

    Drawings that match your brand or an existing film, as with our Air bp set.

  • Ready to animate

    Artwork that can be brought to life, as the Landmark Trust cutaways were.

  • Files for print and screen

    Artwork supplied in the sizes and formats you need.

How it works

  1. Brief and references.

    We gather photographs, drawings, plans or the product itself, and agree the views or steps you need.

  2. Rough sketches.

    Quick sketches show each view or step for you to check.

  3. Check.

    Your experts confirm the details before we move to final artwork.

  4. Final artwork.

    We complete the illustrations in the agreed style, with a review round on the finished set.

  5. Deliver.

    Files for print, screen and animation, ready to use.

Questions buyers ask

What is technical illustration used for?

Anywhere a drawing explains better than a photograph, such as instructions, manuals, presentations, packaging, exhibitions and films that show how something is built or used.

What do you need from us?

Reference material such as photographs, drawings, plans or the product itself, plus a list of the views or steps you need. For Air bp we worked from a list of scenarios.

How do you make sure the drawings are accurate?

We work from your references and share rough sketches for checking before the final artwork, so corrections happen early.

Can you match our existing style?

Yes. Our Air bp illustrations were drawn in the same style as the film we made for them, so the presentations and the film look like one piece.

How many rounds of changes are included?

Review rounds are agreed at the start and built into the sketch and final artwork stages. The exact number is set out in the quote, so there are no surprises.

Who owns the illustrations?

Ownership and licensing are agreed in writing before work begins, so you know exactly how you can use the artwork in print, online and on screen.

Have something that needs explaining in pictures

Send us what you have, the product, the plans or the process, and tell us who needs to understand it. We will suggest the clearest way to draw it.

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