If you’re looking for some inspiration, I stumbled across this amazing paper model creation of an Audi A7 by graphic designer Taras Lesko.
The time-lapse video shows from start to finish his process in building the large scale Audi A7 completely out of paper. It’s quite impressive!
If you want to see more from Taras Lesko, on his website under Personal Work he also has another video of the creation of the Forza 3 Audi R8. Enjoy!
Every week I get an email update from The Little Chimp Society, an illustration news website where members can log on and post tidbits about exciting projects they have been working on.
Typically the work is more editorial/fine arts in style, but today I was inspired by a great magazine cover that delves into the realm of technical illustration.
Guitar Aficionado Cover
MDI Digital has created this cover for Guitar Aficionado magazine. This piece has been selected as a finalist in the American Society of Magazine Editors Best Cover of the Year Awards as well.
Cudos to those over at MDI Digital who worked on this amazing cover! If you want to see more work created by this company, check out MDI Digital‘s website.
We all know that Toyota in the passed year has had many issues with the safety of their vehicles. I came across the following advertisement (among others) that they now have playing to help get back consumer confidence in their vehicles.
If you would like to see a full version of the advertisement, visit http://www.toyota.com/safety/videos/safety-features.html#
It’s great to see the use of technical illustrations in any media form and for large corporations as it brings exposure to our specialized art form. BUT, does the use of the exploded views in this advertisement work?
I think not. There are so many other ways that I could think of to utilize a tech illustration to show how Toyota has improved their vehicles to ensure safety. Perhaps showing the specific mechanical technologies (ie. braking system) that have been improved and how they affect vehicle performance when stopping.
In the longer version of the ad they address the 5 accident avoidance technologies with an exploded view of each (ie. anti-lock brake system). Unfortunately, I find the use of the technical illustrations in this advertisement reflect a more “wallpaper” effect than being useful in supporting Toyota’s case for change in safety measures.
What do you think? Do you have other ideas of how Toyota could win back consumer confidence by using technical illustrations?
While working on a recent freelance job, I stumbled upon a great website, MY Ink BLOG, with some realistic texture tutorials for grass, wood, stone and water. Andrew Houle, the creator of the site uses various filters in each of these tutorials to achieve the desired results.
Specifically, the following are the texture tutorials:
Creating a Realistic Water Texture in Photoshop
Creating a Realistic Wood Texture Using Photoshop
Creating a Realistic Stone Texture Using Photoshop
Create an Awesome Grass Texture in Photoshop
The site has a great selection of Photoshop tutorials as well as so many other resources for Illustrators and Designers, that could be valuable in future. Make sure you check it out!
Do you know any good websites for creating textures or have any “tricks” you use to save time on your illustrations?
Self promotion is one of the most challenging marketing tools as a freelance technical illustrator. First, you need to have a great idea, then illustrate it well and find time to stop procrastinating and get it done!
I find that inspiration for new illustration ideas can be found through so many different resources. One of my favorite ways to gain inspiration for working on promotional pieces is through TED.com.
TED Talks
TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) brings experts in these three areas together in a yearly conference to spread their ideas and innovations. The conference allows innovative speakers a limited amount of time to passionately discuss their area of expertise.
The website TED.com has great videos that are an inspiration to the work that I do. From a technological standpoint, certain speakers make me question many things and how they work in the world today. I always find inspiration to illustrate new technologies, or new ways to look at design. I enjoy listening to the speakers as I work on my illustrations.
Categories on TED.com include technology, entertainment, design, business science, culture, arts and global issues. Some speakers are humorous, some serious. But all of them have an inspirational message if you are open to it!
What are some websites that you use to find inspiration to motivate you?
Creating and maintaining a library of reference images is a very valuable resource for a Technical Illustrator.
Auto Show Inspiration
Last weekend I had a great opportunity to spend some time photographing and sketching new reference materials for a library of images that I have created. I attended the 2010 Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, which is still running until February 21st. I also went out to see the Body Worlds Exhibit at the Ontario Science Centre which hosted a sketch night, allowing artists to draw the numerous pieces on display.
Both were extremely different types of shows, however both related to the work that I do as a technical illustrator – specifically from a reference-building standpoint.
At the Auto Show I was able to take 350+ images of all types of vehicles. However, at Body Worlds all I could create for new reference were drawings that I did there, and it allowed me to view the subject matter closer than I would if I just snapped a photo. Photos and drawings are great reference resources!
There are many great benefits to creating and maintaining one’s own reference library:
I always believe that the best reference material is the actual thing, but when you can’t get it, controlling your own reference photography is the next best alternative.
Do you keep a reference file? What do you include and how do you organize it? Let us know in the comments!