What is an illustration :
We humans are visual animals. Some of us have really good image memory. Just by looking at old photographs or drawings, we would recall the entire event. So, why not make good use of it in the world of design, but here is the glitch- In the digital design world, we can use it’s like a full-fledged informative component using illustrations, with a minimal amount of content.
“The world ‘illustrate’ signifies clarifying, throwing light on something. An illustration is a visual concept for any interface. It’s a standalone component, which helps the user to relate or imagine better. It makes the interface quite relatable, understandable, and which can be easily recognized. The interface can be made better by an apt combination of illustrations and words to deliver the right message.”
If you the above illustration, you can clearly identify that it signifies a checklist. You can see the power of illustration from here, without even using a single line of text how perfectly the message is conveyed.
Why use an illustration:
There can be many reasons not to use them, but we hold our ground tight, so here are some reasonable ones.
Story Building: — who doesn’t like a story? They solve the purpose of targeting the audience’s imagination. They can think of thousands of real-time scenarios with an illustration. This creates a more personal connection and easy interpretation.
The X factor:– A good informative illustration can act as the X factor for your interface. They make your interface desirable. No, a person, even if they try, cannot ignore the ‘delight for the eyes’ experience.
The emotional connect: — jumping pizza slice in the food app. When used correctly, can generate a positive sense in the user’s mind, making sure they remain pretty indulged with the interface.
Recognized a Brand:– A good illustration can easily be linked to be brand’s image. When carved with information and style, and the user’s mind and stays in the long-term memory section of the brain.
Easier interactions:– they can guide the user while interacting with the interface with less involvement of text. They can be used as visual signs and becomes handy when used in a guided form.
Where can we use an illustration :
We did make our point very loud and clear visuals play a crucial part in the design. that’s how the human brain is designed. But how and where to use the illustrations? Marveling the entire UI experience is gained by practice and experience. Do not worry, we are here with few tips.
The major concept—illustration can be used right from the homepage. It helps to build a story for your application. It brings out the entire concept on which the product is designed and triggers a personal connection with the user. Imagine if this app where you are consuming the content just had text and no illustrations? Would it not have been bland?
The Mascot—Mail Chimp, Duolingo, and many more websites have a mascot that is your guide for the rest of the journey. A mascot is just a small character, that keeps you keeps you more engaged and is always there with all the answers to the issues, and guides you on the correct path. See just an illustration, but how it makes sure that the interaction process feels more real and alive.
Rewards and Promotion:— The badges, medals, trophies, certificates, when curated as illustrations on the interface, can make user’s feel like a winner. The experience itself keeps the user engaged and motivates them to explore the application further.
The gamification triggered can motivate the user to buy the application. So, yes, the correct use of illustrations can trigger an emotional and enjoyable experience.
Definition of a good illustration :
So we have used this term, ‘good illustration’ quite frequently in the last few topics, but what is a good illustration and how do we categorize it. It my illustration match the content? Are the chosen colors justifying the motive? Those sharp edges and fine strokes towards the end necessary? Can the user relate it to a real-world scenario? If yes, then kudos! You’ve created a masterpiece.
Oh my God! This is so pretty is not the only answer to our question, it’s way more than that.
Clarity and Accuracy – The idea should be focused, clear and informative too. If we are trying to replace a wordy paragraph with an illustration, it should come out efficiently. If not, then it just adds more to the visual noise.
Style and Color—Use colors, when required. If a grayscale, perfectly lined illustration is a fulfilling task, avoid making it complex by adding more colors to it. If added, the styles and colors chosen should not be a random combination. They should be in harmony.
There should be hierarchy present in the colors, hint—The combination of colors: Hues, Tint, tones, shade.
Altering Reality—Illustration should provide a sense of altering reality. a user should be able to relate to the entity in the existing world. Come on, an animation of a lighted log of woods does add the idea in our head—it’s more relatable and can help guide the user throughout the interface.
Reiterate—A masterpiece is never formed in a day. Take continuous feed-backs, make separate cope with every iteration. This becomes easy, if sometime later, you decide the first version is still better than the eighth. We have tools and applications like illustrator, CorelDraw, Procreate. Etc and many more, which makes life a lot less easy for an illustrator.
