Illustration can be a great element to integrate in designs, with its “subtle charm and strong decorative quality” (Key 1899, 14). I believe however that the form illustrations take needs to be determined by the manner in which users interact with them. The form of illustrations used in the online environment may need to be different from the form of those used in publication design. Designs in the online environment need to function well within the technical constraints and rapidly communicate and persuade, because the behaviour of users:
“...(if we’re lucky) is glance at each new page, scan some of the text, and click on the first link that catches their interest or vaguely resembles the thing they’re looking for.” (Krug 2006, 21).
I’m currently studying an Applied Masters in design, and my central research question is how to create effective illustrations for use in the online environment. This blog will chronicle some of my investigations, experiments, and findings.
The coelacanth illustration I’ve shown here is a close up of the first illustration I produced for use in a web-site design.
References
Key, M. 1899.The Passing of the Poster. Brush and Pencil 4(1): 12-19. JSTOR. http://www.jstor.org/stable/25505393 (accessed August 1, 2011).
Krug, S. 2006. Don’t Make Me Think! Berkeley: New Riders.
