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

French company Nheolis manufactures a range of beautiful, compact, efficient and sculptural wind turbines. What I like about sustainable design is the constant innovation–the ongoing reassessment of the problem and development of new and unconventional solutions.

This cutaway illustration reveals the typical inner workings of a wind turbine: drive shaft, gearbox, brake and generator.

Labels: cutaway, phantom, technical illustration, technology, type

Posted by James Provost, July 8, 2009 ·

Los Vesparados: Art of the Scooter opens tomorrow in Minneapolis, MN. My contribution fuses technical illustration with the style of vintage travel posters. Prints will be available for purchase at the show, and from ImageKind. The show features an impromptu scooter show, vintage scooter memorabilia, mod tunes and lots of great artwork. If you're in Minneapolis, definitely check this one out.

Labels: cutaway, editorial illustration, event, exploded, in print

Posted by James Provost, June 12, 2009 ·

Poraver takes post-consumer glass that can't be recycled, grinds it up, adds water and an expanding agent, and bakes it at 900°C. The resulting tiny lightweight beads can be added to just about any construction material to increase insulative properties, reduce weight, replace virgin resources, and contribute to LEED credits.

With such a broad range of applications, illustration is the ideal medium to bring them all together in one image. Interactivity allows the viewer to explore the different uses up close, creating an immersive environment for the communication of information.

See the finished interactive module I created for Poraver for use at their trade shows.

Labels: architectural illustration, cutaway, industrial, interactive, motion graphics

Posted by James Provost, May 9, 2009 ·

I put together this video showing my process for creating an illustration for Open Mind Magazine, reducing 15 hours of work to about two minutes. The illustration deals with Building Information Modeling (BIM), the new generation of CAD software that lets architects design the entirety of a building in one workflow.

See the final architectural illustration.

Labels: architectural illustration, cutaway, in print, motion graphics, portfolio, technical illustration, tutorials

Posted by James Provost, May 4, 2009 ·

After seeing my Cult of Done Poster, compulsive Maker extraordinaire Bre Pettis asked me to collaborate on MakerBot, a low-cost, modular, open-source 3D rapid prototyping printer kit. The build-it-yourself robot prints physical objects designed in 3D software using extruded molten plastic. Builders are encouraged to share the objects they design via Thingiverse and even contribute to the development and improvement of MakerBot itself!

My contribution to the project was of course the visuals. Together we developed an identity and imagery for MakerBot - a bold, playful retro-futuristic reality where a lunar office worker can email his son at home on Earth a toy he designed, and his son can remix and share it with friends.

To learn more, check out MakerBot Industries.

Labels: cutaway, exploded, robotics, technical illustration

Posted by James Provost, April 1, 2009 ·

The New York Times has a slideshow of the work of artist-turned-med-student Satre Stuelke, who takes CT scans of everyday things - from a toaster to an iPhone, to Barbie, to a Big Mac. His aim is to get people to "think about how things are constructed."


Images like this are captivating, they satisfy some innate curiosity we have about the things around us. This is what I try to accomplish in my technical illustration - visually communicating information with a captivating image.

Labels: 3D, cutaway

Posted by James Provost, March 25, 2009 ·

Cult of Cars blog Jalopnik has profiled legendary automotive illustrator Yoshihiro Inomoto.

With very little formal training, Inomoto began his career in 1952, long before the convenience and accuracy of computers, working in pencil and acrylic paints. Through his career he created highly detailed cutaway illustrations for Mazda, Nissan, Honda, Ferrari, Bugatti and publications like Automotive Quarterly.

These cutaways peeled away layers of stamped metal to reveal the latest technological developments in the automotive world, as well as inspiring the next generation of automotive engineers and technical illustrators.

Labels: automotive illustration, cutaway, phantom, product illustration, technical illustration

Posted by James Provost, February 14, 2009 ·

The Vancouver International Boat Show opens today, so I thought I'd create a micro-site that highlights some of my marine illustration.

I'll be heading over shortly to check out the latest in marine technology and snap a few photos.

Labels: cutaway, instructional illustration, marine, portfolio, product illustration, technical illustration

Posted by James Provost, February 4, 2009 ·

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 ·

New to the site is a phantom illustration of a cordless circular saw featuring the next generation of rechargable batteries. Nanophosphate lithium-ion batteries are said to recharge in minutes rather than hours, have ten times the life cycle and double the capacity of current rechargable batteries.

These batteries are currently being tested in consumer electronics, hardware and automotive applications and are expected on the shelf in the next 18 months. This technology will power products that are greener, more affordable and longer-lasting.

Labels: cutaway, industrial, phantom, portfolio, product illustration

Posted by James Provost, October 20, 2008 ·

I recently illustrated a series of architectural cutaways for the article A Change of Plans in the August issue of Alberta Venture Magazine. Drawing inspiration from architects Rem Koolhaas, Frank Gehry and Daniel Libeskind, the conceptual structure is used to explain Building Information Management (BIM) software, which aided in the design and construction of Calgary's EnCana Corporation office tower, or the Bow by Foster and Partners.



Update: View the finals here. A Change of Plans

Labels: architectural illustration, cutaway, in print

Posted by James Provost, August 13, 2008 ·

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 ·

Recently completed a cutaway illustration of an 80-foot flybridge megayacht and its cabin.

Technical illustration allows for the communication of a vast amount of visual information. In this case, the entirety of the vessel - inside and out - can be presented in a single image. The quality of design, materials and finishes can be emphasized. At the same time, distracting details such as bilge pumps and thrusters can be diminished or omitted to maintain clarity.

To capture the same amount of information with product photography would require numerous shots from various angles, each diminishing valuable layout space - and more importantly - diminishing the viewer's attention.

Labels: cutaway, marine, portfolio, product illustration, technical illustration

Posted by James Provost, March 22, 2008 ·

Plas-Tech is a one-stop plastic component design & manufacturing company. They came to me with a problem; their equipment enables them to manufacture virtually anything, but their customers work in very specific industries. Together we developed a package that communicates the breadth of their capabilities, as well as demonstrates specialization in their customers' markets.

See an interactive tour of their facility and target markets in the Motion Graphics Portfolio.

Labels: architectural illustration, cutaway, industrial, interactive, portfolio, technical illustration

Posted by James Provost, December 7, 2007 ·

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