How Patent Assistants Can Add More Value by Handling Drawing Tasks

Why Drawing Tasks Are a Natural Fit for Patent Assistants

In many firms, patent assistants are responsible for tracking documents, managing filings, and keeping prosecution on schedule. But figure preparation often sits in a gray zone — handled by outside drafters, delayed in email chains, or bounced between team members.

This creates a unique opportunity: assistants who can handle drawing-related tasks bring speed, structure, and value to the entire patent process.

The Opportunity: Turn Process Delays into Contribution

Patent figures involve recurring steps that don’t require design expertise:

• Checking that sketches match claims
• Adding or updating reference numbers
• Copying and adjusting simple diagrams
• Preparing flowcharts from written descriptions
• Annotating images or screenshots

These aren’t artistic challenges — they’re organizational and procedural tasks. With the right workflow, patent assistants can complete them quickly and accurately.

The Tools Have Changed — And That Changes Who Can Contribute

Historically, patent drawings were created in CAD or outsourced completely. Today, simplified tools like Microsoft Visio with patent-specific stencils make drawing work:

• Easier to learn
• Repeatable and standardized
• Possible to manage entirely in-house

At IP DaVinci, we teach assistants to use a trimmed-down, task-focused version of Visio—built specifically for patent figures.

No graphic design background needed. Just clear guidance, purpose-built shapes, and structured practice.

What Assistants Can Do Independently (After Light Training)

• Create clean flowcharts or system diagrams based on sketches or descriptions
• Add lead lines and reference numbers using drag-and-drop tools
• Insert and annotate photos or screenshots
• Update figures in response to attorney comments
• Prepare editable files that drafters or attorneys can finalize

The benefit isn’t just completing tasks faster — it’s giving attorneys cleaner drafts, fewer rounds of feedback, and more time for strategic thinking.

Why This Makes Assistants More Valuable

Assistants who handle drawing-related tasks:

• Reduce cost by limiting unnecessary outsourcing
• Speed up filings by avoiding back-and-forth revisions
• Prevent bottlenecks in time-sensitive cases
• Offer flexibility when drawings need to be updated mid-prosecution
• Become key contributors to the accuracy and clarity of filings

In short, they become an extension of the drafting function, without needing to be full-time drafters.

A Skill That Scales With You

Drawing knowledge isn’t just a one-time boost — it builds career flexibility. Whether you’re supporting one attorney or managing dozens of filings:

• You’ll know how to prepare or fix figures directly
• You’ll become a go-to person for drawing questions
• You’ll be ready to train others when your team grows

And since Visio is widely used in firms and organizations, this is a transferable, long-term skill.