Communicating Visually in an Engineering Context
Use visual resources to share or exchange technical information. Communication in engineering involves knowledge of all areas of the competence model: technical, educational and ideation, as well as those related to the audience and its environment. Communicating by visual means requires understanding how to convey information visually and verbally, taking into account the specific audience.
Communication also means knowledge of visual grammar and syntax as well as knowledge of visual vocabulary. This means having knowledge of the basic components of visual technical language and visual standards, signs and symbols
Visually we can present this as:
EXPRESS
Implement, execute or put into service an idea of an engineering design. It means to implement an idea for an external representation. Also to communicate the final creation of a component/assembly, taking into account that is perceivable to others. So, design intent expression is a main goal for this competence. Express the Design intent on engineering drawings and function of machines.
Examples:
- Express an engineering idea in the form of a sketch, a detailed drawing or a 3D model.
- Creating orthographic views of imaged designs.
- Generating Concept sketch.
- 3D modelling.
- Drafting.
- Study the different views required to describe an object, including the need to section it.
SHARE
Share ideas/concepts, narratives, or arguments with visual media. Exchange visual technical information. Make visual information and visual forms perceivable for others in a specific format.
Examples include:
- Sharing through digital visual technologies.
- Digital format public presentation (e.g. powerpoint).
- Prepare group work with classmates using graphics.
- Draw a sketch in a meeting so show an idea.
DESCRIBE
Describing perceived Design intent on engineering drawings and function of machines and engineering elements. To describe something technically is to express and register it appropriately. Identify the prominent characteristics of an engineering design.
Skills, abilities and knowledge related:
- Knowledge of drawing standards, including symbology and drawing conventions
- Visual association
- Graphic expression
Examples Include:
- Drafting of a complex assembly
- Sketch of a mechanical design