rdrast, bit_bucket_07:
Well, you follow the Functional Spec for the graphics most of the time, but to me that depiction is just a starting point. The developer then has a toolbox to make the displays 'come alive' for the user, creating a "WOW" effect. But all too often, I think what happens is the developer has spent so much time making the logic bullet-proof (the most important part), that the displays end up getting short-shrift, and the stick-figure depiction is deemed "good enough".
To me, I think the way it should work is - the higher the level, the less detail; the lower the level, the more detail. So as you "zoom-in", you should use the more sophisticated graphics - as long as it looks good.
But that last part is where the artistic talent comes in, I think. First, you have to *want* to use the more sophisticated graphics (because the stick graphics just don't satisfy your artistic side), and then you also need to have a good eye for what does and does not look good when using the fancier stuff.
NetNathan:
Ohhh. I *did* see that, and clicked on it, but it didn't seem to do much ...