Commenting on the importance of visual communication as a basic tool to the design professions, the office of Minoru Yamasaki Associates concluded, "An architect without these skills is like a pianist without a piano." In the complexity of today's global architectural practices, it cannot be expected that the registered architect, or even the architectural designer, can keep pace with the profession of architectural illustration. If architects are paying attention to the unavoidable main focus of their profession, they simply won't have time in one lifetime to acquire the necessary skills.

A career as an architectural illustrator combines the traditional skills of rendering with advanced computer graphics, on a project-by-project basis. The hand-drawn rendering reaches back to the Master Class practice, where a student converses and works creatively with a leading practitioner. High end computer graphics and virtual images lead us from today into an exciting future.

The original meaning of the word 'illustrate' was 'to enlighten intellectually, culturally or spiritually'. The notion of the illustrator as an illuminator is still current. A well-conceived illustration can be arresting and provocative; it can help create an image for a building or space; it can make a spatial statement of its own; and it can speak volumes to clients, building authorities and the general public.

Many factors contribute to the demand for architectural illustration. Today's global practices of architects, planners, landscape architects and interior designers rely increasingly on visualization services requiring artistic and CAD-based skills in space visualization, signage and environmental graphics, photography and modelling. The new technologies have increased opportunities for high quality performance; however, it remains important to communicate architectural solutions through a wide range of visual media in a manner that clients can comprehend. Consequently, career opportunities are found in architectural design/illustration offices, architectural firms, commercial or contract facilities planning; interior design firms, industrial and graphic design firms, art agencies and studios, and government and planning agencies.

A university degree program in architectural illustration will ideally explore a variety of attitudes about art, connect to aspects of architectural education and building technology, and lead the student through a sequence of courses, events and experiences that develop individual potential in terms of specific illustration practice. The curricula goal should be to prepare each student to enter the design/illustration profession as an eminently skilled, creatively aware and highly motivated illustrator.

With or without a senior thesis project and internship, it is essential that the program in architectural illustration emphasize the essential need for each student to create an outstanding portfolio to demonstrate the meaningful expression of creative ideas, talents and professional competence. The curriculum-centered artistic skills in graphic design, sculpture, architectural models and photography are ultimate communicated to leading global practices through a personal, creative portfolio.

The profession of Architectural Illustration challenges creative individuals who enjoy working with architects and other design professionals, who are interested in an increasing understanding of the design and building process, who recognize the value of high quality design, and who are proactive in applying a complete visual communications spectrum to achieve the design goals.

Professional societies, including the New York Renderers Society, the American Society of Architectural Perspectivists and the Society of Architectural Illustration in the UK, offer opportunities and expertise for continued growth and development.

Author
Neville Clouten, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Architecture and Design
Lawrence Technological University