Prior to the official release of the Microsoft PixelSense touchscreen table device (At this point, still referred to as "Surface 2" or "SUR40"), our team was approached by Popular Science regarding an upcoming focus piece on the technology. The magazine requested a cutaway illustration of the PixelSense device and its fundamental components.

 

My task was to provide Popular Science with an exploded view of the essential components of the touchscreen hardware. 

 

(My primary role on the team was as a UX Designer, but my background in illustration earned me opportunities to work on additional material, including instruction manual illustrations, storyboards, icons and more)

 

The elements which specifically were required to be called out included the housing and protective surface, the touchscreen itself, and the vital components which powered the Pixelsense technology.

Staff artists at Popular Science recreated the exploded view in a style consistent with their magazine's aesthetic guidelines. Below is how the image appeared in their magazine.