Illustration

"Illustrated" redirects here. For other uses, see Illustrated (disambiguation). Not to be confused with Illusion.
Illustration by Jessie Willcox Smith (1863–1935)

An illustration is a decoration, interpretation, or visual explanation of a text, concept, or process,[1] designed for integration in print and digitally published media, such as posters, flyers, magazines, books, teaching materials, animations, video games and films. An illustration is typically created by an illustrator. Digital illustrations are often used to make websites and apps more user-friendly, such as the use of emojis to accompany digital type.[2] Illustration also means providing an example; either in writing or in picture form.

The origin of the word "illustration" is late Middle English (in the sense ‘illumination; spiritual or intellectual enlightenment’): via Old French from Latin illustratio(n-), from the verb illustrare.[3]

  1. ^ cf. the freely available international Database of Scientific Illustrators 1450-1950 Archived 2014-03-05 at the Wayback Machine with 20 search fields and nearly 7000 entries of illustrators in science, medicine & technology active prior to 1950
  2. ^ "What Is Illustration? A Look at Its Modern Beginnings to How It Is Used Today". My Modern Met. 2020-03-07. Archived from the original on 2020-11-29. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
  3. ^ "Oxford Dictionary". Archived from the original on August 21, 2012.