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Subject:Re: Exactly which illustrations...? From:Jonathan Leer <jleer -at- LTC -dot- MV -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 16 May 1996 13:42:50 -0300
What we need is a way to prove to those who spend the bucks that better =
documentation produces a better return on investment.
Documentation is a cost. Until we can change corporate attitudes that =
documentation creates revenue, and that the better the document the =
greater the revenue, we relying stricting on an emotional sale to the =
managers with the purse strings. In today's competitive marketplace =
on-demand documentation is becoming the norm and the fastest turnaround =
time wins the contract.
Just a few comments,
Jon Leer
(from the trenches)
----------
From: Michael J Maloney[SMTP:mmaloney -at- EPIC-ISTI -dot- COM]
Sent: Wednesday, May 15, 1996 1:19 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list TECHWR-L
Subject: Re: Exactly which illustrations...?
>If you can't draw it and can't afford it, forget illustrations.
This is the wrong answer. Our first obligations is to the consumers of
technical information. If we can't afford to illustrate a document, =
perhaps
we can't afford to produce it at all.
The whole "afford" issue must be fought by writers and illustrators. If =
we
bring all technical communication down to it's most affordable level, =
we'll
end up with water.
As a technical communicator, I feel it is important to unite writers and
illustrators behind this concept. Putting illustrators out of work is =
one
gripe. However, my first loyalty goes to producing effective technical
communication. And in many situations, text should be accompanied by =
high
quality technical illustrations in order to be effective. Regardless of
extra cost.
At what point does a document lose its potential effectiveness due to =
lack
of visual information? At what point do both the product/service =
provider
and the consumer lose? And when should a writer or project manager =
demand
(through reasonable argumentation) that technical documents (usually =
written
for un-technical consumers) must contain a substantial amount of
illustrations in order to be functional?
If a customer offered you a budget of $100 to write an effective =
operation
and maintenance manual for a helicopter, would you take it? Well then, =
at
what point do you say NO to a budget that doesn't allow enough money for =
the
proper use of technical illustrations?
In a way, "you writers" are our (illustrators) only voice. We seek your =
support.
Michael J. Maloney
President, EPIC Creative Services
2230 Lyndhurst Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28203 USA
President, ISTI (International Society for Technical Illustrators) http://www.epic-isti.com/epic
Business Phone: 1-704-523-6907
Business Fax: 1-704-522-7504
Home Phone: 1-803-366-6763
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