The Secrets Behind the Architectural Illustrator's Sleight of Hand

Call it "manipulation" or "visioning," but any way you look at it, illustrations of proposed projects have an immense impact on whether they get funded, approved, and built. Tristin Hopper looks at the "toolbox of tricks" employed by illustrators.

1 minute read

November 12, 2012, 1:00 PM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


From impressionistic watercolors to photo-realistic digital renderings, the products of architectural illustrators are indispensable to the worlds of planning and development. Hopper looks at the role that "this hidden class of artists" plays in imagining the future of our cities. "Skilled, calculating and versed in the art of
manipulation, these unseen and unsung artists may have more sway over
the shape of Canada's cities than we know."

"Architectural illustrations are 'meant to be manipulative,' said Gordon
Grice, a prominent Toronto-based illustrator. 'We're like lawyers; every
case needs to have its best points brought forward.'"

"Want to portray a building as a swinging hotspot? Depict it at night,
splash on some purple light and paste in some arm-in-arm couples and a
fireworks display. Looking to showcase a building as a green
development? Show 'as much vegetation as possible' and give the
structure an otherworldly glow, said Miryam Doshin, account executive
for Toronto's Modexx Studios. 'You don't notice it you just think,
‘Oh, it's such a happy, shiny building.'"

 

Friday, November 9, 2012 in National Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Street with parking protected bike lane and parked cars in downtown Portland, Oregon.

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance

The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

July 8 - Willamette Week

Aerial view of Spokane, Washington with river in foreground.

Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package

Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.

July 8 - The Spokesman-Review

Close-up on black and white "Bike Lane Ends" sign with bike logo.

Houston Mayor Kills Another Bike Lane

The mayor rejected a proposed bike lane in the Montrose district in keeping with his pledge to maintain car lanes.

July 8 - Houston Public Media

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA