How to read client artwork for an instructional graphic

A client sends a sketch, a screenshot, or an old graphic and asks you to turn it into an instructional image. The artwork may contain useful references, rough directions, and details that are not meant to appear in the final version. It can be hard to tell which is which.

Start by separating what the client wants people to learn from how the supplied artwork happens to look. The Photo Editor can help you arrange an image, text, selections, and other elements on separate layers while you work through the brief.

Turn the client artwork into a working plan

Open the supplied artwork in the Photo Editor. Keep the original as a reference, and make a separate working version before making edits.
Write down the task the viewer must complete. Use one short sentence, such as “Connect the cable to the port marked USB-C.” If the brief describes several tasks, list them in the order the viewer should do them.
Mark the essential information in the artwork: the object, the action, the direction of movement, and any warning or condition. Note which details are missing or hard to see.
Separate client notes from final content. A circle or arrow drawn over a screenshot might indicate an area to explain, not an element to copy into the finished graphic. Ask before treating an ambiguous mark as final artwork.
Build a simple draft with the key image, a short instruction, and clear visual cues. Keep text, annotations, and the original image on separate layers so you can revise one part without rebuilding the whole graphic.

Before adding decoration, check whether someone unfamiliar with the subject could understand what to do by looking at the draft. If the action is unclear, revise the content and layout first. Extra color or detail will not fix an instruction that is missing or out of order.

What the supplied artwork may mean

The reference shows the subject, but not the final layout

A photo or screenshot often exists to identify the object being discussed. It does not necessarily tell you where the final heading, labels, or steps should go. Keep the subject recognizable, then choose a layout that gives the instruction room to breathe.

Hand-drawn arrows point to important details

An arrow may be a direction for you, a visual cue for the reader, or a rough mark that needs a cleaner replacement. Check its destination and purpose. If it points to a button, port, or part, make sure the final cue still points to that exact feature and does not cover it.

Several actions appear in one image

The artwork may show a sequence, or it may combine examples. Look for signs such as numbered labels, repeated objects, or changes between frames. If the order affects safety or the result, show the steps in a clear sequence rather than relying on the reader to infer it.

Client notes conflict with the visible image

The notes may describe a newer product or a correction to an older screenshot. Do not silently choose one version. List the conflict and ask which source is current, especially if the difference changes where a person should click, connect, or handle something.

The brief asks for a lot of detail

Not every detail belongs in the main graphic. Keep the action and its most important condition prominent. Move secondary explanation into a caption or a separate step if the brief allows it. A crowded image makes it harder to spot the one thing the reader needs to do next.

Resolve unclear feedback before polishing

Ask what the viewer should do. If the requested outcome is not clear, ask the client to describe the action in plain language. Confirm whether the image is meant to teach one action, a sequence, or a comparison.
Confirm which reference is current. If a note contradicts a screenshot or two supplied images show different details, ask which one is authoritative. Do not guess when the difference could cause an incorrect action.
Check every label against the object. Match each caption, arrow, and number to the exact visible feature. A correct label placed beside the wrong part is still misleading.
Reduce competing directions. If the draft has several arrows, colors, or callouts, decide what each one communicates. Remove or simplify any cue that repeats another cue without adding useful information.
Show the draft at its intended size. Shrink the view to roughly the size it will appear in a document, slide, or screen. Check whether small text and important details remain easy to see before asking the client to review it.
Request specific approval. Ask the client to confirm the action, sequence, labels, and any safety or warning language. A question such as “Does this work?” may not reveal whether the content itself is correct.

Make the instruction easy to follow

Use a clear visual order. The reader should notice the main subject first, then the action, then any supporting explanation. If the graphic contains multiple steps, use consistent numbering or another obvious sequence. Keep arrows and callouts close to the details they identify, but leave enough space that they do not obscure those details.

Use contrast to separate the instruction from the background, not just to make the image look more colorful. A label placed over a busy photo may need a plain shape behind it. In the Photo Editor, you can use text, selections, brushes, adjustments, and filters to refine the image. Keep major parts on separate layers while changes are still likely, so client feedback on a label does not require redoing the underlying artwork.

Do not rely on color alone to explain meaning. A numbered label, short word, or distinct shape can help readers who do not distinguish the chosen colors easily. Keep the instruction concise, use familiar terms, and avoid adding technical language unless the audience needs it.

Keep the source and the finished graphic distinct

Preserve the original client file and your editable working version separately. This makes it easier to compare the final graphic with the reference and to respond if the client asks for a change. Before delivery, check that temporary marks, unused notes, and unclear annotations have not been left in the visible design.

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