Technical Illustrator

Job overview
With the burgeoning availability of complex and sophisticated manufactured products, there is a growing need for technical information to be presented in a form that is acceptable to both experts and lay people.

One of the most efficient ways of doing this is to use technical illustrations  produced by professional technical illustrators.

What do people do in this job?
Technical illustrators prepare visual images to communicate factual information of any kind.

Subjects covered range from the most complex power station or aircraft, to everyday items such as cameras, calculators or televisions.

Regardless of the type of illustration or the subject matter, technical illustrators must produce visual images that are technically accurate.

Even though the work of different illustrators may vary slightly in style and presentation, they do not have the freedom to produce works of art comparable to those of either graphic artists or other artists.

Most technical illustrations are prepared in line form using pen and ink, but technical illustrators must be able to work in various mediums, using many different techniques.

These techniques include the use of an airbrush to produce the most realistic images.

What kinds of people are suitable for this career?
Technical illustrators must have a keen interest in general aspects of engineering and electronics and a fascination for finding out how things are put together and how they work.

They must also have an interest in learning the many drawing and painting methods that can be used to create images of technical subjects.

As the work is often highly detailed and time- consuming, extreme patience, dedication and accuracy are needed.

Technical illustrators must have the ability to work as individuals or as part of a team.

What qualifications are needed?
Good school-leaving results in art or technical drawing, followed by a tertiary diploma in these subjects.