01
Name the question and classify the figure
Begin with one sentence stating what the figure is intended to help a reader understand. Add a field identifying it as a conceptual illustration, measured result or another clearly described type. For this fictional example, choose conceptual illustration and record that it does not display measurements. List the source material the illustrator may use and the person who can resolve questions. If the author cannot state the purpose clearly, pause the drawing brief and clarify that sentence first. Layout choices become easier to discuss when everyone is working toward the same explanation.
02
Build a key for objects, arrows and shaded areas
Make three rows in the brief: object, arrow and shaded region. For each row, write the intended meaning and any reading that should be avoided. The arrow row might say that arrows identify features for discussion, not a measured direction or magnitude. If arrow length has no meaning, keep that fact explicit rather than allowing a reader to interpret it as a scale. Give the shaded region a written label and explain its boundary. Remove a mark when it has no explanatory role, or identify it separately as decoration so it cannot be confused with information.
03
Review the figure with its caption and export context
Place the draft next to the proposed caption and ask a reviewer to explain what they think the marks mean. Record the actual response, then resolve any mismatch between that reading and the brief. Check the figure at its intended reading size, including labels and the conceptual-status note. Keep a version identifier with the image and store the brief alongside its source file. The completed packet contains the purpose sentence, figure classification, mark key, caption and unresolved questions. When the image is reused elsewhere, confirm that its explanatory context travels with it.