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Graphic ProductsGraphic Media

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Learning objectivesL

earn

ing

Ob

ject

ives


the different types of graphic media

drawing and other equipment

using computers to produce graphic products

adhesives

cutting tools

3D components.

To learn about:


Coloured pencils allow you to render your work in a variety of shades and tones. They are very simple to use.

By using a variety of pencil shades and

tones, you can create 3D effects easily.

Graphite pencils come in a range of different hardnesses. 9H is the hardest, 9B is the softest, and HB is in the middle.

Hard pencils are excellent for technical drawing work as they produce sharper lines. Soft pencils are more suited to sketching and large-scale work.

There are many types of pencil available, including water soluble ones that can be blended

together with water.

Graphic media – pencils


Airbrushes use a low-pressure air supply to spray a fine layer of ink onto an area.

They are not complicated to use, but it can take a great deal of time to become practised enough to produce high quality results.

An area is masked off using a sticky film, and the ink is then sprayed on. You can build up layers and vary the amount of ink applied to produce a varied tone.

Graphic media – airbrush

Image courtesy of Royal Sovereign Ltd


Fine-liner pens (also known as technical pens) are used to produce fine, exact detail. They are often used in architectural drawings and when applying thick and thin lines to 3D drawings.

Fine-liner pens are available in a range of sizes. The size refers to the thickness of the nib. The most common sizes are 0.1 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.7 mm and 1 mm.

Graphic media – fine-liner pens


Felt markers are commonly used for rendering presentation drawings. When used correctly, they can give a very solid block colour.

There are two types available; water based and spirit based.

Water based markers dry very quickly and do not bleed on most papers. However, they often produce a streaky effect when creating blocks of colour.

Spirit based markers take longer to dry, enabling you to avoid the streaky effect, but they are more expensive.

Graphic media – felt marker pens


There are a wide variety of paints available, each having different properties and uses, and creating different finishes. Here are the ones most commonly used in graphics:

Spray paint – These are excellent for colouring models giving a solid, hard wearing finish. However, they can dissolve some model materials like polystyrene.

Acrylic – Acrylic paint is plastic-based. Acrylics are very versatile and can be used on a range of materials. They dry to give a tough, slightly glossy finish.

Watercolour – Good for background work. It is very difficult to apply water colours thickly, so the paper usually shows through.

Graphic media – paints


Graphic media


Drawing boards

You can get a variety of drawing boards in different sizes, the most common being suitable for an A3 sheet.

Ensure that the page is in line with the parallel motion attached to the board and then secure it with masking tape. Using set squares, you can produce very accurate drawings.

Set squares

A set square can have either a 90° angle, or a 60°/30° angle between its sides. 60°/30° degree set squares are used to draw isometric projections.

Drawing equipment

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Compass and dividers

A pair of compasses allows you to draw accurate circles in the size of your choice. Dividers allow you to measure distances between images.

Ruler

Rulers enable you to draw straight lines accurately. They are available in a variety of lengths.

Protractors A protractor is an exact half circle with degrees marked all the way around the edge. It allows you to measure and mark angles accurately.

Drawing equipment C

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French curves

Flexible curves

Flexible curves are used to help you draw custom curves. They consist of a slightly flexible outer covering with a piece of thick wire inside. You can bend it into any curve that you require, and then use it to reproduce the same curve again and again.

French curves are shaped pieces of flat plastic that can be used to draw a variety of standard curves accurately.

Drawing equipment

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Drawing equipment


There are other pieces of equipment that can be used to aid your drawing and graphic skills.

Light box A light box allows you to trace designs onto a surface that is usually opaque. It makes the surface more transparent by lighting it from underneath – this shows up any line drawings that you have done. You can then trace the image without the need for tracing paper.

Photocopier A photocopier enables you to enlarge or reduce images. This allows you to scale your images to fit a desired need.

Support equipment


CAD = Computer Aided Design

CAM = Computer Aided Manufacture

DTP = Desk Top Publishing

You can use a variety of software to enhance your designs and final outcomes to give a more professional finish.

CAD and CAM software and DTP


Here are some examples of work that can be produced using computer design software.

ProDesktop – this is a complex computer program that can achieve fantastic results. It can be used for many tasks, including rendered presentation drawings and producing technical information drawings.

Presentation drawing

Technical information drawing



2D Design

This is a simpler drawing program that allows you to draw 2D representations of designs.

Microsoft Word & Publisher

These two common programs are found on most computers. They allow you to design and manufacture graphic materials such as posters and flyers to a high standard.



Computer aided manufacture (CAM) – simple CAM devices, such as printers and vinyl cutters, enable you to manufacture flat, two dimensional objects.

A vinyl cutter

A router


You can also get more complex CAM devices such as routers and 3D laser printers that enable you to manufacture actual prototype models from designs done in programs like 2D design and Prodesktop.


There are a wide variety of adhesives available. Each one has been developed to meet a different need. The following two slides give us a bit more detail.

Glue Properties Example

Adhesives

Spray glue

Used in presentation work for mounting paper and photos. Relatively

weak adhesive.

A common one is ‘3G Spray Mount’. Allows

for repositioning.

‘Araldite’ is a common example. Epoxy resins

are expensive.

Made of a resin and a hardener. Hardens once mixed. Very strong. Can

join most materials.

Epoxy resin

PVA (Polyvinyl acetate)

Dries clear in about 3 hours, hardens in 24

hours.

Used a lot in schools for a variety of purposes, goes

by the name of ‘PVA’.


Glue Properties Example

Adhesives

Hot melt glue gun

Glue stick melts as it passes through the gun. Resets quickly.

Not that strong.

Used a lot in schools for a variety of purposes.

Acrylic cement

Some melt the top layer of acrylic, then the surfaces cool

together. Some add a layer between the materials.

A common example is ‘Tensol Cement’ which is

used to join acrylic to acrylic.

Polystyrene cement

Melts the top layer of high impact polystyrene – surfaces

then cool together.

Commonly used for model making. Sometimes called

‘Poly Cement’.

TapeUsually temporary. Can be single or double sides. Not that strong.

The most well known is ‘Sellotape’.

Adhesive plastic film

Similar to tape but is available in large sheets.

Known as ‘Sticky Back Plastic’.


Adhesives


When you are creating presentation work or manufacturing models, you will need to use a range of cutting tools. You must select the correct tool for the job, and use it with care and in the correct environment.

Scalpels and craft knives

These versatile cutting tools allow for intricate and accurate cutting, but must be used with great care. Blades come in a variety of shapes depending on their intended use.

A scalpel or craft knife must be used in conjunction with a cutting mat and a safety rule (if cutting straight lines).

Cutting tools

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Cutting mat

A cutting mat provides a safe working area when using a scalpel or craft knife. The surface is flat and allows the end of the blade to penetrate the top layer, though it cannot cut through the mat. The mat should always be on a table or flat surface, not on your lap.

Safety rule

A safety rule is different to a regular ruler because it is made from metal – this means it cannot be accidentally cut into. Some are not flat, but M shaped so that your fingers can rest within the centre ridge. This keeps them away from the blade.

Cutting tools


Scissors Often used to cut paper and card. For optimum use, the blades should be sharp. Fabric needs very sharp blades – paper scissors do not need to be as sharp.

Compass cutterA compass cutter works in a similar way to a pair of compasses, but rather than having a pencil to mark the circle it has a blade to cut the circle out.

Rotary cutter These work in the same way as a pizza cutter. A circular blade is mounted onto a frame, so as you cut the blade rotates. The cutter can also be attached to a board.

Cutting tools

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Fret saw – Fret saws are found in most workshops. They are small, electric, table-mounted, reciprocating (moving up and down) saws. They can be used on a variety of materials including model boards, balsa wood and styrofoam.

Die cutter – These work like a stamp – they have blades that are fixed into the required position. Static pressure is applied to cut out shapes from materials such as card.

Creasing bar – This is a bar attached to a board. You place your piece of card on the board, position the creasing bar correctly, and then score a line to create an accurate fold.

Cutting tools


Cutting tools


When you manufacture 3D models, create presentational material or produce design ideas, you can include components. Components are small devices that can be used in your design, for example for joining things together.

Fixings

Paper clips

Pins Staples

3D components

Binder clips


Additional Materials

Sequins

Cord

Feathers

Flock

Sawdust

Buttons

Fabric

You can use all sorts of things to add detail to your work.

3D components


Key pointsK

ey p

oin

ts


There is a wide range of graphic media for designers to chose from.

Drawing and support equipment can help you to draw shapes faster and more accurately.

Computers can be used to design and make graphic products.

There are many different types of adhesive – it is important that you pick the right one for your particular task.

Different cutting tools are used to cut different materials.

3D components can add interest to your product.

© boardworks ltd 2005 1 of 28 graphic products graphic media these icons indicate that teacher’s...

Documents

graphic media pencils

graphic products graphic

objectives boardworks

fineliner pens

types available water

graphic products adhesives

technical pens

hard pencils