TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Clipart in technical documentst: opinions needed From:Kathleen Walsh <kathleen -at- QANTEL -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 21 Feb 1996 17:13:41 -0800
I need some opinions about using clipart in technical documentation.
I don't mean graphics like screen dumps, flow charts, or diagrams.
I mean clipart (sometimes cartoon like). For example, the ones
the writer put into the review I received:
sherlock holmes silhouette next to the word Troubleshooting
phone next to the title "Call Accounting"
curtseying maid next to "Call Accounting with Maid Status"
I have 2 concerns:
1. that the document will look too busy with a clipart next to every
minor heading (as under PBX, I've got 7 sub-heads, only some of which
currently have clipart).
2. that it will distract from the seriousness/technical nature of the
document. We've put these graphics in newseletters and even marketing
and sales documents, but this is a technical reference manual explaining
how to install and use various interfaces with our Hotel package.
If you could reply by email (as well as posting if you wish), I would
appreciate it.
