​P2 | EXPLODED ASSEMBLY DRAWING

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The exploded drawing is a type of explanatory drawing which is a widely used method of communicating and understanding the relationships of parts of a product. They reveal the relationship between separate interior and exterior parts and serve well as pre-engineering sketches when exploring aspects of assembly or potential manufacturing problems. The separate product parts are literally “exploded” in a direction logically associated with their assembly. By using overlap and guidelines, the coherence between these parts becomes visible, while at the same time the product as a whole stays recognizable. Too much perspective can cause distortion and less recognizability of the product parts or space.

This project will give the student a complex understanding of how objects relate in space, are assembled or fabricated, and/or come together to
create space.

The first part of this project is to begin “taking apart” an object or space by exploding it and using 3-pt perspective as system for added dynamic expression.

Part 2 will be to finish with a final drawing rendered in color with material expression.

​REFERENCES AND/OR INSPIRATION

Reading Material: Sketching in the digital age is more relevant than ever

AIGA Article / Exhibit Design: Stand Back for the Exploded View

Documentary Objectified Trailer on Vimeo, available on DVD from the library, may be on Netflix or other streaming media sources

​SCHEDULE

PART 1

ANALYSIS THROUGH CONSTRUCTING /DECONSTRUCTING USING
3-PT EXPLODED ASSEMBLY BASE CONSTRUCTION

Begin building a 3-pt perspective system layout on trace paper or bond.

Analyze an object through drawing which reveal how the object is mechanically assembled.

Find a design object or assembly of objects that you find interesting and would like to better understand and which has at least 20 distinct parts. For example, it may be an electric razor, a cell phone, laptop computer, or a wall system,
a glass wall assembly, a piece of furniture, or an entire building, etc.

Plan your drawing by beginning with a sketch layout of your elements.

Your VPs may need to be off the sheet, including the 3rd VP.

ALL DRAWINGS ARE SET UP AS AERIAL (AKA BIRD’S EYE) PERSPECTIVES.

WORM’S EYE VIEWS ARE DISCOURAGED AS THEY PRESENT
UNIQUE PROBLEMS.

Dismantle and explode your object into at least 20 parts. Screws and
minor hardware may account for 1 item by type.

Add complexity by thinking about the next level of detail of parts and
layering that make up the object, collection of objects, or space.

Separate all of your parts outward, going down, coming out towards us
to the left and right, and going backward to the left and right as well.

DEVELOP TWO MORE MEANINGFUL SHEETS WHICH HELP DESCRIBE YOUR DESIGNED OBJECT, HOW IT WORKS, WHAT IT DOES, HOW ONE USES IT, ETC. 2 detail views. These may be orthographic views.

Visit this page for more on the basic mechanics

PART 2. RENDERING & PRESENTATION

The Final drawing will be a rendering of the various materials with color marker, color pencil, and ink as necessary.

Remember, when transferring your base construction work, don't merely
trace, “draw through” your shapes and forms and really capture your
underlay work to the final paper. Loosen up your arm and hand.

Include pencil, blue/indigo pencil, and/or pen/ink sketches of different
elements and/or details and parts in the neutral areas of your drawing
sheet composition. These give the drawing a “work-in-progress” quality
that enriches the final rendering.

Include annotations and call outs identifying materials for added
clarity of communication.

​DELIVERABLES

3 Sheets on 11x17" or 14x17" Marker Paper,or a neutral toned Canson, with titleblock (Your name in Block Lettering, Class info, and Sheet Title, ie. Ergonomics, Electronic Systems, 3-PT Exploded Assembly System, etc.)

Paper orientation is up to the student, but in many cases a vertical orientation may work best.

Include Legend and/or Annotations calling out materials, parts, and/or finishes on your 3-PT Exploded Assembly sheet.

Utilize Info Graphics on your other sheets.

Include Human Anatomy as needed to inform the viewer of ergonomic factors and or how a thing works, such as a button or knob, do we push the button, turn the knob, slide a switch, does it move air in some way, or does some element move, spin, pivot, rotate? What does it do beyond what the static drawing is able to express?

​MEDIA

Feel free to use digital media at your discretion. Be wise in your productivity and at your skill level. There are advantages and disadvantages to traditional media as well as using software.

Caution. Do not let your cool new tablet that you're not fully up to speed with become a hindrance or obstacle. Too often I see a student labor over a bad drawing on their tablet that they could've done in a fraction of the time on paper.

You MUST practice a lot to become competent so the more you draw the better you'll get, period. There are no short-cuts and gorgeously beautiful electronic gadgets don't improve your work.

TUTORIALS & HOW-TO GUIDES