What is Isometric Illustration?
What is Isometric Illustration? This is one of the most common questions people are new to the concept. Isometric Illustration refers to a three-dimensional view of an object projected on a two-dimensional surface.
The term is derived from the Greek words iso and metron, which mean “equal measure.” Basically, all three views are drawn with the same scale.
Isometric illustrations are created by using lines at 30-degree angles to create cubes. The result is a cube with an exaggerated perspective of depth that makes it appear as if you can reach inside the object and touch it.
At its core, isometric art is how artists render 3-dimensional objects on a 2-dimensional plane to create realism. It has been used for years by architects and engineers, and many artists have found that it can be a great way to give a strong sense of depth to their drawings or illustrations.
With its distinct perspective, isometric art is a unique style that many people find confusing. But once you know the basics, it’s easy to create realistic illustrations of 3-dimensional objects.
Isometric art uses an angle of 60° and a set of three axes to render objects on a 2-dimensional plane. These three axes are labeled as X, Y, and Z. Before drawing, determine how each object will be viewed. You can either decide on your own or use a reference image for help.
What are the three views of the Isometric Illustration?
There are three standard views of Isometric Illustration: the Bottom View, the Left Side View, and the Rear View. Now let’s talk about those in more detail!
You may be wondering about the three views of isometric Illustration. They are called the bottom view, the left side view, and the rearview. Each has its unique perspective. The bottom view is an excellent angle for focusing on an object’s details so that you can get a good idea of its shape and features. The left side view lets you see how an object would look from more than one angle at once, which can help you make more informed design decisions as you work on your project.
The isometric rearview is excellent if you plan to show something in a three-quarter profile. It’s a lot like the top-down view, but it lets you see further down into your piece, which can be a nifty trick for when you want to highlight something at the bottom of your work.
The most common way to draw in the isometric perspective is to remove roughly along the lines of the three axes, but not actually on them. This will give your drawings a sense of mood without actually being there.
Moving forward, here are some of the essential tips for beginners.
3-D objects can be visually represented in 2-D
Isometric projection is a way to represent three-dimensional objects in two dimensions, but you might also call it 3D in 2D. Pretty cool, right?
What is isometric projection, and how do we use it?
It’s a way of creating images of three-dimensional objects on paper or a computer screen, using techniques similar to methods used by artists and architects for centuries. This way, we can create drawings of buildings or other three-dimensional objects that look like they’re popping out of the page at you.
We do this by drawing the lines of an object from different angles to make the thing look like it has depth. We also add shading, shadows, and other effects to make it look more realistic and help your brain interpret what it’s seeing.
Adobe Illustrator is the most convenient tool for creating isometric illustrations.
If you want to work on isometric illustrations, there’s no easier way than using Adobe Illustrator. Though it’s a tool that’s most often used for 2D graphics, you can create a label-like illustration that will make your products pop off the page in just a couple of steps.
For a quick and easy way to draw an isometric illustration, you should use the geometric method.
Isometric drawings are way easier than you think, though! They’re created by making shapes out of lines and then rotating them around. The simplest way to create a 3D-looking illustration with an isometric technique is to draw rectangles and cubes and then stack them to create 3D shapes and objects. Then rotate those shapes around at different angles, so each side looks different.
Look for inspiration and keep practicing.
First, look for inspiration anywhere you can find it. Find pictures of isometric objects that inspire you, whether they’re geometric shapes like cubes and spheres or things like buildings and landscapes. Then, take note of their proportions—how big do those shapes feel compared to the other bodies around them? Start with simple shapes and objects, then try drawing more complex ones.
We recommend using pencils (not pens) if you’re practicing on paper because the lines will be easier to erase later if you make a mistake. Also, make sure you’re using a ruler or a straightedge of some kind—it doesn’t have to be fancy!—to help keep you on track as you draw. And be patient. It may take some time before your drawings start looking good enough for public consumption, but that’s okay!
Try to use only one color.
The most noticeable aspect of an isometric diagram is that it’s drawn at an angle and typically uses one color to make all the lines and shapes stand out more.
Use a grid
The best way to get started with an isometric drawing is by creating a grid. A grid helps you keep your perspective and proportions consistent. You can even create detailed pictures of buildings with the correct grid!
With so much inspiration and so many talented artists to look up to, it can feel overwhelming to begin drawing isometric illustrations. But don’t worry: as long as you keep practicing, we know you’ll get there!
Here are some additional ideas to help you draw isometric illustrations of your own:
-Start with a 3D shape—a rectangle or a cube. You can use one to start or combine them.
-Draw the edges of the object lightly on a piece of paper, then erase parts until the outline looks how you like it.
-Draw in straight lines, but don’t be afraid to break them up for more artistic effect. Principles of perspective are always important when drawing isometric illustrations, especially for small details like eyes and ears.
-For buildings, try starting with an outline of a room and adding in furniture after that. It can help you get the scale of things down if you add an object that’s about the size of your hand first and then work your way out from there.
-If you’re having trouble getting started, go for it! It’s better to try something and make mistakes than never knowing where to start at all.
Advantages of Using Isometric Illustrations
There are many advantages of using isometric illustrations, including effectively communicating concepts and ideas with visual clarity.
- Isometric illustrations are often used in technical and architectural drawings, but they can also be used in other fields. For example, a company might use them to demonstrate an idea for a new product or a site redesign. The ability to quickly convey the concept at hand is one of isometrics’ most powerful assets.
- Another advantage of using isometric illustrations is their ability to create an idea of depth and perspective in a two-dimensional image. They do this by using light and shadow to give an appearance of depth and a sense of perspective on a flat surface. This can be very useful when you want your audience to understand the design concept or product in ways that you could not achieve through words alone.
- Isometric illustrations can be appealing because they allow your audience to see things from different perspectives. A company might use them if it wants customers to understand how something would look from various angles or if it wants customers to know how something would work in multiple situations.
- There are also some significant advantages to isometric illustrations in terms of cost. Because isometrics uses simple visual language, you don’t have to pay an artist as much as you would for a more detailed illustration. And because the angle is so simple, there’s no need for light or shadow, which means you don’t have to pay someone as much to create it.
- Isometric drawings are also versatile and flexible enough to be used for different industries and professions. A single object or structure can be drawn from several different angles, making it easier for people to look at the drawings to understand everything presented. There’s no need to keep flipping back and forth between multiple pages or images—it’s all right there in one location.
- As a person who has to view a lot of information quickly, I often find myself looking for specific details in images. In addition to the apparent things like facial expressions, I also look for how people are dressed and whether they have any visible tattoos or scars.
- Isometric illustrations are excellent at keeping these elements visible and recognizable because you don’t have to look at each detail individually; you can assess everything at once.
- In addition, isometric illustrations don’t give you a skewed perspective about the size of items facing different directions. In isometric drawings, all objects face the same direction and appear proportionate to their size. This helps me see things clearly without comparing their sizes with other objects in the Illustration.
- Isometric is an enjoyable way to get creative with your content and can be helpful if you’re making a game or other interactive content.
- Isometric illustrations are a great way to build a unique voice and style for your company since they allow you to showcase your product in a new way that other companies might not be able to. These kinds of illustrations come in handy when you have an idea that’s too complicated to explain with just photos or text—or even when you want to show off something unimaginable. Isometric illustrations are also excellent for showing multiple sides of the same thing—like how various parts work together to make one whole product.
- Great for your brand’s logo. Logos are usually so two-dimensional, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But when you want to get creative and stand out, you can use isometrics to break out of the mold.
- Isometric logos can be used in various industries—everything from clothing and accessories to makeup and food products. They’re great for representing brands that sell to both men and women or children and adults.
- Another benefit of isometric logos is that they’re super easy to read. As you know, there are six main logo design principles: alignment, scale, repetition, balance, space/white space, and color. Isometric logos allow us to use all of them at once in an exciting way. We can devote more time than usual to figure out how we want each element to look on its own and within the whole logo design.
Isometric is a representation of modernization.
Isometric represents the modern art style, which uses geometric shapes to create the illusion of 3D. This type of art is used in many games, apps, and other places. For example, the recent movie The Incredibles uses isometric art to reflect the film’s old-school superhero comic book feel.
When you see something drawn in an isometric view, you know exactly what it is without having to guess from any other angle of view. Isometric allows you to better understand complex subjects by simplifying them. In many ways, it reflects how we all wish life would be—simple, understandable, and clear-cut.
Bottom Line
Little by little, you’re learning the basics of isometrics.
When you practice isometric exercises, you have a lot to consider. But as you get used to your routine and learn what works best for you, it’s time to start thinking about more advanced isometric methods.
We all need inspiration for our workouts—and that’s where isometric examples come in!
illustAC offers a free digital collection of isometric images that can help guide your practice. All of them are created by talented artists, so they’re not just beautiful; they’re also great ways to add variety to your workout.
