When it comes to transmitting ideas, whether to a general audience or a specific user, it is very important to have the right tools to ensure that the message you want to convey is clearly understood; it is much easier for someone to read a blog or a publication in networks if the content of these is well structured and written, but a very important feature that several often forget is the presentation of such content, and this is where the illustration shines as a tool to attract the public and focus ideas in a concrete way: It is no secret that it is much more comfortable to read an infographic than a block of text.
Illustration as an effective means of communication
The success of illustration as a communicative medium lies mainly in the simplicity with which it is possible to present complex concepts in simple visuals, so that the information becomes much easier to direct to the public and this in turn makes the message is transmitted more quickly and dynamically, thus generating engagement that catches the user keeping him focused on what is needed.
With the illustration it is also possible to give the user an extra guide in terms of navigation and opinion, it is easier for someone to understand a step by step if there are visual representations of what to recreate.
It should be emphasized that illustration is a medium that transcends language, it is a tool that ensures the transmission of a message to a receiver without the need for the receiver and the sender to share a common language; it is not for free that there is currently a list of symbols and icons of universal use and that, regardless of the place, its meaning is understandable. This is how making use of illustrations can help to access a global audience without depending on a translation, the illustration can generate attention on its own, so that the user wants to dig deeper into the textual message that may have to be translated.
Technology and tools for illustration
In addition, with the growth of technology in today’s world, companies and designers have several tools that allow the creation of illustrations, regardless of the graphic skills of individuals.
People with more experience and skill can opt for the use of specialized illustration software depending on the style or use to be given to it; for artistic and detailed representations Pixel illustrations are recommended while for subjects such as iconography, lithography and simple drawings it is better to use vector illustration for the easy reproduction and editing it offers.
Among the software available for pixel illustration are Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, Procreate, and even free options such as Krita. While for vector illustrations the most commonly used programs tend to be Illustrator or Corel Draw, although lately a free software called Affinity Designer is gaining popularity.
Options for non-illustration experts
Those who also want to make use of the advantages of using illustrations, but lack the ability to create them also have a variety of options to create and customize the images they want, thanks to the introduction of multiple artificial intelligences with generative capabilities, anyone with access to a computer has the means to create the graphic pieces. Among the best known tools are Midjourney, Dall-e, Flux and even Adobe, with the development of Firefly, has begun to include its own generative tool in its applications such as Photoshop and Illustrator.
The popularity of these tools is growing due to their ease of use, their wide repertoire of generative possibilities and their trial and subscription system: most of them will let you use most of their tools without having to pay, making them one of the most accessible options to the general public and small businesses.