Some one-step how-to spot illustrations done for Canadian Family magazine’s Summer 2010 issue; How to eat the whole lobster, How to whistle with a blade of grass, How to make a jumpsie rope and How to raise an astronomer. Thanks to AD Colleen Nicholson who made this project a summer breeze.

Because the ferries had not yet been built, the illustration would be conceptual, emphasizing the design, assembly, disassembly and shipping processes. An inset map would help familiarize the reader with Lake Victoria. Here are the sketches I sent Marten:

Marten gave the green light to the second sketch, showing the rear of the ferry with a section of the bow cutaway and being loaded into a shipping container. Here is the final:

It should come as no surprise that I’m a huge fan of Mythbusters. I like their “failure is always an option” maxim, meaning if you have an idea you should try it out, what’s the worst that can happen?

While watching the program one day, I noticed something weird about their forklift — it moved sideways. It didn’t just turn on a dime, but actually moved perpendicular to the direction of the wheels. Upon closer inspection, they looked more like worm gears than wheels. The answer was just a Google away: The Mythbusters’ forklift is equipped with Mecanum Wheels, also known as Omni Wheels or Ilon Wheels. These wheels work by rotating independently, depending on the desired direction of travel.

I had an idea that this might make for an interesting motion graphic (above), since still images really don’t do this technology justice. So I tried it out (what’s the worst that can happen?)

When I started browsing for the best approach to learning guitar, the first page of every book, the first image on every site, the first video in every tutorial, was always an image like this:

Whether it takes the form of a drawing or marked-up photograph, this image is the standard starting point for learning to play guitar. Ignoring all other elements, the title and the image of the hand alone clearly communicate “to do this, do this.” To play the G chord, place fingers 1, 2 and 3 on strings A, E and e, in positions (frets) 2, 3 and 3, respectively.

The chord chart to the left abstracts this fingering map, representing the fingers, strings and frets in a simpler, more condensed form. It’s understood that these two images represent the same thing,”to do this, do this,” but without the fingering map the chord chart would mean nothing to the uninitiated.

The tablature (or “tabs”) on the right further abstract and condense the concept. We are presented with a column of our six strings with numbers representing the position (or frets) our fingers need to be in. The specific finger we use for each string/fret is taken for granted and omitted.

Whatever form it takes, this image is a technical illustration. It decrypts esoteric, specialized knowledge into general knowledge that any person could interpret and employ. With one image, I went from looking at a bunch of lines and numbers to music.

If recent projects are any indication, energy is a hot topic. From advances in sustainable production, to energy independence, to efficiency and control, the issues are boiling over and innovation is gathering steam. Above: Four solar energy technologies illustrated: photovoltaic panels, solar water heating, solar power tower and passive solar heating. Right: Cutaway illustration of a new horizontal drilling technique that increases yield and reduces equipment costs and surface disturbance.

Left: If the US’ annual energy consumption was converted to coal, it would fill a 1,000 mile-long train consisting of 100,000 cars. If that coal were to be dumped on Manhattan, a 23 square mile island, the pile would be 160 feet deep. If the entire world’s energy consumption were converted to coal, the pile would be 618 feet — it would reach the 60th floor of the Empire State Building. Wind power would account for 14 inches of the pile. Solar power, a mere 10 sheets of paper thick.

Below: Smart homes will manage energy usage, take advantage of off-peak energy, control appliances, produce energy and sell it back to the grid, and brief homeowners about their energy consumption, and encourage efficient living.

Top illustration for University of Minnesota’s Momentum Magazine. Bottom three for Missouri S&T Magazine. Big thanks to Art Directors Sarah Schmitz and Mindy Limback! ]]> http://jamesprovost.com/blog/energy-illustrations/feed/ 1 http://jamesprovost.com/blog/baby-its-cold-outside/ http://jamesprovost.com/blog/baby-its-cold-outside/#comments Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:08:00 +0000 James Provost http://jamesprovost.com/?p=687

Minneapolis-based Martin Ashal was charged with the task of communicating a broad range of thermal insulating access doors, viewports and wall panels for their client, an industry-leading manufacturer. The products are used in a variety of temperature- and humidity-sensitive applications, such as medical facilities, laboratories and clean rooms. The challenge was that the products are fully customizable, designed to meet each customer’s needs.

Under the direction of the talented Austin O’Brion, I created this series of icons to differentiate the product range by panel thickness and insulating ability.