Q. What is the best “how to” drawing you have ever referenced?

A. If you have ever tried to clear a paper jam in a photocopier, put your IKEA furniture together, or attempted to tie a bow tie on prom night, you have probably referenced visual instructional materials drawn by artists, designers and illustrators – and maybe even a few engineers. These can range from the sublimely simple and elegant to the frustratingly awkward and complex (depending on the skill of the artist). If they are overly elaborate, they may confuse, and if they lack appropriate detail, we may miss important steps. Here are two examples of excellent “how to” drawings. Pay attention! You may be getting more visual lessons in a day than you were aware of.

You may also notice that visual instruction can be the best way to transmit information when language and literacy barriers must to be overcome.