A study into the understandability of technical illustrations shown from different height perspectives and camera positions

The study set out to determine the ease with which people without any specialised knowledge of visual communication or information design can understand technical images shown from different height perspectives and camera positions, with the aim of helping technical illustrators visually demonstrate physical orientation in procedural actions. The study was carried out as an in-class and homework activity by junior level students on an undergraduate degree in computer science at a Japanese technical university. The study participants were asked to look at body images shown from different height perspectives (waist and chest height) and camera positions (front, 1/3rd side, side, 1/3rd back, back) of a man holding a ball and throwing a ball, select matching overhead images and then rate their confidence in their selections. Overall, the study participants achieved high levels of accuracy in matching the body and overhead images and self-reported relatively high overall confidence in their choices. Specifically, the study participants found it slightly more difficult to match body and overhead images shown from the side camera position, and slightly easier to match body and overhead images shown from the back camera position, than the other camera positions (front, 1/3rd side, 1/3rd back). These findings could be useful in helping technical illustrators think about how to visually demonstrate physical orientation in procedural actions. Nevertheless, the results are preliminary and further work needs to be done to confirm them.