James Provost Illustration
Information Matters.
Communicate it visually.
Specializing in technical & scientific illustration, James Provost Illustration reveals hidden value and evokes new perspectives.
For samples, view the
Technical Illustration Portfolio
Maker's Bill of Rights Illustrated
Way back in 2005, Mister Jalopy proposed an Owner's Bill of Rights, a maker's memorandum requesting repairability for the products around us. It became a manifesto for the maker community, a modus operandi for open sourcers and forward-thinking manufacturers.
I'm not the most capable maker - maybe only a tinkerer. But if something breaks I jump at the chance to take it apart, see how it works and try my best to repair it (what's the worst that can happen?). If the repair is a success, I've saved the world from having to produce another widget.
Repairability equals sustainability. That's what I like about this manifesto. And that's why I've illustrated it.
Labels: communication, creative commons, editorial illustration, infographics, technical illustration
Posted by James Provost, July 14, 2009 ·
Questions About Technical Illustration
I've been receiving questions from a number of people curious about technical illustration. For the benefit of anyone else who's interested, here's some of the questions and answers:
What does a technical illustrator do? What is technical illustration?
"Technical illustrators create highly accurate renderings of machinery, instruments, scientific subjects...technology, cartography, or virtually any subject that requires precision interpretation."
- Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines, 11th Edition. pp. 196-197.
My goal is information & aesthetics: conveying information in a clear, concise, accurate and visually appealing way.
Tell me about yourself. How did you get into technical illustration?
Technical illustration feeds my innate curiosity about how things are made and how they work, my enthusiasm for computers and technology, and my urge to make images. In high school I took art, computer sciences and AutoCAD classes as well as dabbling with Photoshop, Illustrator and Flash in my free time, but didn't really connect the dots until Drawing Systems in my first year of college.
Four years later, I earned a BA in Illustration, Technical and Scientific from Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning.
As a freelancer this isn't necessary (but it helps), it all comes down to the quality of the work in your portfolio. However, some certifications and knowledge of specialized software may be required as an in-house technical illustrator.
Who do you work with? How do you find each other?
I work with art directors, creative directors, architects, engineers, scientists, entrepreneurs-anyone who needs information communicated visually.
My website is my primary means of advertising what I do. It includes my illustration portfolio, motion graphics portfolio, information about the service I provide and of course contact information. It is the hub of my online presence, and built so people can find me via search engines. I keep it constantly updated with fresh work and relevant news, in a blog format so people can subscribe if they want to stay updated. I also send out a quarterly email newsletter for those who prefer.
I use a number of social networking sites, such as Twitter, Flickr and LinkedIn. I also have portfolios and listings at various illustration-related sites such as IllustrationMundo and Behance. These let me connect with friends, colleagues, clients and prospects.
What is your process? How do you do what you do?
A brief explanation can be found here. I haven't done any tutorials at this time.
What software do you use?
Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop & Flash, currently learning Cinema 4D-constantly learn!
What was the most challenging project that you completed?
Every project is a unique problem to solve, but the most challenging projects are the ones where references and resources are limited. I really need to understand what I'm illustrating before I can start, and then have enough information to accurately depict it.
Do clients occasionally request illustrations that are technically impossible or too difficult?
If something is technically impossible, like showing both the top and bottom of something in one drawing for example, I explain the problem to the client and we work out a compromise - like splitting it into two illustrations. If something is too difficult to draw, it's usually because I don't have enough reference material to really understand what I'm drawing, so I request more information from the client. It's never been a problem.
Are you able to support yourself solely with illustration? Has the economy affected you?
Yes, I am a full-time freelance technical illustrator.
One of my instructors at Sheridan, the ever-fervent Larry Read, called technical illustration a "bullet proof career" for the diversity of subjects it covers. In periods of high growth one could illustrate consumer products, cars and houses. In periods of low growth, educational & training materials, health & medical products and entertainment & video games.
Being a solo freelancer helps too: low overhead, tax savings, constantly reinvesting in yourself and the business.
Hope that helps answer some of your questions! Thanks to Andy, Chris & Chad for the questions!
Labels: communication
Posted by James Provost, June 16, 2009 ·
Maker Faire Wrap Up
Maker Faire was a blast! Lots of amazing things to see and do. I saw some great presentations, did some tinkering of my own and took tons of photos. When I got back, I was inspired to do a DIY spot illustration series to capture the energy and creativity of everything I saw.
Labels: communication, editorial illustration, instructional illustration
Posted by James Provost, June 10, 2009 ·
Maker Faire 2009
This weekend I'm headed to San Francisco for Maker Faire, the world's largest DIY arts & technology festival. Looking forward to seeing Bre Pettis & MakerBot and Jared Boone & the Make:TV crew and their Episode Dispensor, both projects I helped out with some design & illustration work.
Hope to meet a lot of people, learn a thing or two, and get my hands dirty!
Labels: communication
Posted by James Provost, May 29, 2009 ·
Interactive Award for Air Canada Leaveless
Marketel has been recognized with an Applied Arts Interactive Media Award for Leaveless, Air Canada's environmental responsibility site. I provided illustrations for the site, in the style of safety brochures found on planes, to explain Air Canada's safety measures against climate change.
Well done Marketel and Air Canada!
Labels: aerospace illustration, communication, in print, interactive, motion graphics, recognition
Posted by James Provost, March 12, 2009 ·
Done is the Engine of More
I'm a guy who likes to get things done. I enjoy the journey, sure, but when you're done you can move on to something else. When I saw Bre Pettis' and Kio Stark's Cult of Done Manifesto, it struck a chord with me, so I whipped up this poster to illustrate their 13 concepts.
Labels: communication, creative commons, editorial illustration, infographics
Posted by James Provost, March 9, 2009 ·
Season's Greetings
I'd just like to take a minute to wish everyone happy holidays and say thanks for a great year. I'm sending out a holiday card and thought I'd share it here.
Green technology has been top-of-mind throughout 2008 - hybrid cars, solar panels and compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) were all trendsetting Google search terms. If that isn't evidence that innovation will help solve the problem of climate change, than perhaps Santa Claus' response is.
The technical illustration shows how Santa's new sleigh (and of course, his organically-raised, free-range reindeer) address the environmental issues of today. And for those of you who were naughty, don't expect coal - think carbon offsets.
Wishing you a coal-free holiday!
P.S. If you'd like to receive quarterly updates from me, please subscribe to my newsletter.
Labels: communication, cutaway, in print, infographics, portfolio, technical illustration
Posted by James Provost, December 12, 2008 ·
The Pen is Mightier than the Camera
In his article for The Boston Globe, Dushko Petrovich looks at the work of American wildlife illustrator John James Audubon and reveals why illustration remains the medium of choice for scientific reference.
"When we turn to a picture to identify a bird - or the human pancreas, or a Doric column - we want a likeness not of any particular instance, but of the category itself. Ignoring all the anomalies and idiosyncratic moments that cameras helplessly collect, a draftsman of Audubon's caliber is free to focus on what's essential or distinctive and distill those qualities - gathered from observing live birds, posing dead specimens, and studying skeletons - into an image that invites both recognition and classification."
Photographic technology with its gigapixels, high dynamic range, high-speed charge-coupled devices, high-definition video with infinite frame-rate, merely increases informational resolution—only illustration increases informational efficiency.
"Confronted with unprecedented quantities of data, we are constantly reminded that quality is what really matters. At a certain point, the quality and even usefulness of information starts being defined not by the precision and voracity of technology, but by the accuracy and circumspection of art."
Full article (via BenFry.com)
Labels: communication, scientific illustration, technical illustration
Posted by James Provost, October 6, 2008 ·
Philip Greenspun Illustration Project
I'll be participating in the Philip Greenspun Illustration Project, a project to fund the creation and improvement of illustrations for Wikimedia, the foundation that runs the free online encyclopedia, Wikipedia. This project is made possible by a personal contribution from internet entrepreneur Philip Greenspun, who acknowledges the importance and efficacy of visual communication. He and project coordinator Brianna Laugher were interviewed by the New York Times about the project. The resulting illustrations will appear on relevant Wikipedia pages, and be available freely through a Creative Commons license.
Labels: communication, creative commons
Posted by James Provost, August 14, 2008 ·
Information Matters: Postcard Promo
I've begun distributing a promo postcard, "Information Matters."
Using controversial subject matter, the taser device, it explores the importance of information, and the clarity with which it can be communicated visually, in compelling and provoking viewers.
The images used on the postcard can be seen (and zoomed) in the technical illustration portfolio.
If you'd like to receive a copy of this postcard, simply fill out this subscription form.
Labels: communication, cutaway, in print, infographics, phantom, portfolio, product illustration, scientific illustration, technical illustration, technology
Posted by James Provost, June 5, 2008 ·
Now You're Thinking With Portals
Inspired by illustrator Nate Williams, I've developed a new password-protected client portal system.
Powered by Blogger, a client's portal will include project briefs, delivery dates, sketches, roughs & comps and final files. This will allow me to keep clients constantly informed on their projects, and make available their files at their convenience.
Want to have a peek? Login here as user / password
Labels: communication, technology
Posted by James Provost, May 12, 2008 ·
7 Things to Know About the FCC's 700 MHz Auction
1. The 700 MHz band will be vacated by TV broadcasters
2. Broadcasters will switch to Digital Television (DTV)
3. The 700 MHz band will be used to build a new nation-wide wireless network
4. The new network will have more coverage and faster connections
5. The new network will be open to all devices
6. All devices will be open to third party software
7. The new network will be cost you less
Want to know more? Download the PDF:
7 Things to Know About the FCC's 700 MHz Auction 
Labels: communication, creative commons, industrial, infographics, portfolio, product illustration, technical illustration, technology
Posted by James Provost, April 18, 2008 ·
Related Sites
Colleagues & Associations
Sarah Jargstorf, Fred Hon, Tessar Lo, Rey Ortega, Chad Covino, Nataly Kim, Matt Hammill, Eshwin Dhir, Alexei Vella, Rosemary Travale, Paul Leli, Drawn