An architectural illustrator is an artist who creates
imagery
Imagery is visual symbolism, or figurative language that evokes a mental image or other kinds of sense impressions, especially in a literary work, but also in other activities such as. Imagery in literature can also be instrumental in conveying ...
for the design professional that accurately portray the details of an architectural project. These images are used to communicate design ideas to clients, owners, committees, customers, and the general public.
About
Architectural illustrators are hired to put complex concepts or objects into graphical form. The artist uses artwork to turn small details into visual renderings. This field is based on the plan, design, and construction of numerous structures. Illustrations created are typically two-dimensional and may include images or animations. Technical draftsmanship and precise use of visual perspective are often prominent features in architectural illustration, although within these restrictions some artists such as
William Walcot were known for a more fluid
impressionistic
Impressionism was a 19th-century art movement characterized by visible brush strokes, open Composition (visual arts), composition, emphasis on accurate depiction of light in its changing qualities (often accentuating the effects of the passage ...
style.
They help put plans into a more digestible format for individuals without architectural expertise and generally work as an intermediary between an architect and their client.
These architectural illustrations and models are often used during client presentations, fundraising events, sales pitches, and meetings regarding permits.
History
The act of using pictures in this way, conveying the form of a structure visually rather than just instructions or descriptions written down, was practiced as early as the 12th century.
In the 12th century most of the examples of architectural illustrations were of varying structures talked about in the
Bible
The Bible is a collection of religious texts that are central to Christianity and Judaism, and esteemed in other Abrahamic religions such as Islam. The Bible is an anthology (a compilation of texts of a variety of forms) originally writt ...
and were for the purpose of conveying what they were talking about when describing said structures.
More recently architectural illustrator associations have been founded in order to help publicize and support the hiring of architectural illustrators to help communicate potential ideas. Such associations have been founded as early as 1975.
Software
Computer based software such as
SketchUp
SketchUp is a proprietary 3D modeling software that is used to create and manipulate 3D models. It is used in architecture and interior design.
SketchUp is owned by Trimble (company), Trimble Inc. The software has a free web-based version, and ...
and other products produced by a variety of publishers can be used by architectural illustrators in creating architectural renderings.
Using these different software architectural illustrators can create a 3D environment for clients to digitally explore.
See also
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3d computer graphics
3D computer graphics, sometimes called Computer-generated imagery, CGI, 3D-CGI or three-dimensional Computer-generated imagery, computer graphics, are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data (often Cartesian coor ...
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Architects
An architect is a person who plans, designs, and oversees the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to provide services in connection with the design of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the buildings that h ...
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Architectural model
An architectural model is a type of scale model made to study aspects of an architectural design or to communicate design intent. They are made using a variety of materials including paper, plaster, plastic, resin, wood, glass, and metal.
Mod ...
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Architectural rendering
Architectural rendering, architectural illustration, or architectural visualization (often abbreviated to archviz or ArchViz) is the art of creating three-dimensional images or animations showing the attributes of a proposed architectural design.
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Illustrator
An illustrator is an artist who specializes in enhancing writing or elucidating concepts by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text or idea. The illustration may be intended to clarify complicate ...
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Watercolor
Watercolor (American English) or watercolour (Commonwealth English; see American and British English spelling differences#-our, -or, spelling differences), also ''aquarelle'' (; from Italian diminutive of Latin 'water'), is a painting metho ...
Architectural Illustrator Associations
The American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI)New York Society of RenderersThe Society of Architectural Illustration (SAI)
References
Illustrator
An illustrator is an artist who specializes in enhancing writing or elucidating concepts by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text or idea. The illustration may be intended to clarify complicate ...
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