Exploring the future of design: Defining technical illustrations, to help create them with AI

Previously, we tested very loosely if AI can help create technical illustrations. We looked at the basic tools many people use daily and that most people have access to. It was clear from that article that these tools aren’t mature enough to fully (or even partly) replace a designer. But we’ve all heard that bad prompts = bad output. And, many of us are aware that there are other AI tools that are more focused on graphics.

In this article, together with our colleagues at Sigma Technology Hungary, we’ll look at better defining what technical illustrations are and what is considered when making them, so that we can better understand how to train AI so it too can help create better illustrations.

Sigma Technology’s technical illustrators and creative designers deliver visual content for our customers and partners, with a personal touch for the specific project from idea to final solution. We provide graphic design, motion graphics and 2D animations, technical illustrations, 3D animations, training videos, interactive demos, e-learning, and UI/UX.

How are technical illustrations defined?

Technical illustrations?are visual communication tools used to explain complex technical concepts, processes, or objects in a clear and precise way, making it easier for people to understand how something works or how it is put together.?

Some of the more generic requirements for technical illustrations are the following:?

• Accuracy: The illustration must accurately depict the object, process, or system, often following specific dimensions, proportions, and technical specifications.?
• Clarity: The goal is to make the information as clear as possible, avoiding unnecessary artistic elements. Technical illustrations often use clean lines, labeled parts, and simplified forms to enhance understanding.?
• Viewpoint and perspective: Different views such as exploded views (which show how different parts fit together), cross-sections (cutaways to show interior components), and schematic views (simplified representations focusing on function) are commonly used.?
• Annotation, labels: Labels, arrows, and notes are frequently added to provide additional information or explain specific components or steps.?
• Using the right medium and providing the right colors and quality to ensure reusability: Technical illustrations are made using digital tools such as CAD software, vector-based drawing programs, or 3D modeling software.?Customized coloring is usually minimal, and mostly grayscale, which helps with clarity and reusability. However, straying from the norm, can help make technical illustrations a USP.
• Vector images: Vector images are precise, easier to edit, have a smaller file size, and can be easily scaled without the loss of quality.

Criteria of high-quality technical illustrations and how we deliver this today

Most technical illustrations today are drawn in vector applications by a graphic designer. During this process the graphic designer uses the style instructions provided by the customer and several other sources as input for the images. These can include a variety of images and descriptions with different fidelity. We often work from old, outdated images, images with bad quality, hand-drawn sources, and descriptions of what an image should look like.

The designer needs to use not only their professional knowledge of the drawing tools and styles, but their judgment on how much a source can be trusted. They ask follow-up questions or point out inaccuracies?, and fine-tune the output until there is a consensus that this illustration can be approved for use.

Now that we understand more about what technical illustrations are and the process behind creating them, we can start to look at how AI produces graphical content and the main differences between human-created content and AI-created content and if it is possible for AI to create usable technical illustrations.