Re: Issues with illustrations?

[Rick Lippincott <rjl6955 -at- gmail -dot- com>]

This is coming from a hardware point of view. Problems I see are:

* Too much reliance on photographs. Sure, photos are the easiest to
produce, but they're also the easiest to goof up. Contrast, focus, and
exposure all need to be right.

* No consistency in the way information is called out. Some use index
numbers tied to a table with the nomenclature, some use nomenclature
text in the illustration. Those that use text in the illustration can
become busy and difficult to read.

* Changes to the subject aren't always updated in the illustrations.
Object configurations change, but the writers aren't always able to
capture the changes in doc revisions. Nothing says "I wasn't paying
attention when I wrote this" like an illustration containing a view
that isn't actually of the product in question.

* Not enough illustrations.

--Rick Lippincott


On 2/5/15, Steven Jong <stevefjong -at- comcast -dot- net> wrote:
> I am collecting information for a presentation at the STC New England
> regional conference (InterChange). I am going to discuss current best
> practices and issues with illustrations in technical communication. What
> would you say are the current issues with illustrations? I would appreciate
> your input.
>
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