These images are used to communicate design ideas to clients, owners, committees, customers, and the general public.
Technical draftsmanship and precise use of visual perspective are often prominent features in architectural illustration, although within these restrictions some artists such as William Walcot were known for a more fluid impressionistic style.
They help put plans into a more digestible format for individuals without architectural expertise and generally work as an intermediary between an architect and their client.
[1] These architectural illustrations and models are often used during client presentations, fundraising events, sales pitches, and meetings regarding permits.
[1] The act of using pictures in this way, conveying the form of a structure visually rather than just instructions or descriptions written down, was practiced as early as the 12th century.