The Society of Architectural Illustration was founded by Eric Monk (as the Society of Architectural Illustrators) in 1975 to encourage the use of the architectural perspective or model as a valuable part of the communication process between architect

Architect

An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...

 and the general public. It changed its name to the Society of Architectural and Industrial Illustrators in the 1980s in a bid to increase membership. This did not work and the name was finally changed, after a protracted debate, to the Society of Architectural Illustration in the 1990s.

The SAI was the first organisation worldwide to provide the services of a professional body

Professional body

A professional association is usually a nonprofit organization seeking to further a particular profession, the interests of individuals engaged in that profession, and the public interest.The roles of these professional associations have been variously defined: "A group of people in a...

 to the public and practitioners in Architectural Illustration and this lead has been followed in other major countries, most notably by the American Society of Architectural illustrators. SAI members work in several disciplines including illustration, animation, model making and photography.

The objectives of the SAI are to:

• Foster the use of the Architectural Perspective as a necessary communication medium between Designer and Layman.
• Acknowledge the time-honoured status of Architectural Illustration and formalise its position as that of a separate discipline.
• Establish high standards and the conferring of a professional qualification
  Professional certification
  Professional certification, trade certification, or professional designation, often called simply certification or qualification, is a designation earned by a person to assure qualification to perform a job or task...
  
   to those meeting such requirements.
• Make regular distribution of details of members to potential clients and provide a clients' advisory service.
• Hold exhibitions and meetings as required by the membership. Issue journals and newsletters for the exchange of ideas between members.
• Provide guidance and help in matters of contracts, copyright and other legal and business affairs.
• Provide an effective human instrument of friendship and co-operation between members.

The present Patron of the Society is British painter Ben Johnson

Ben Johnson (artist)

Ben Johnson is a British painter, best known for his series of large, detailed cityscapes.-Life and work:Ben Johnson was born in Llandudno, north Wales. He studied at the Royal College of Art in London. His first solo exhibition was held in New York in 1969...

. Previous patrons include Sir John Betjeman

John Betjeman

Sir John Betjeman, CBE was an English poet, writer and broadcaster who described himself in Who's Who as a "poet and hack".He was a founding member of the Victorian Society and a passionate defender of Victorian architecture...

, Sir Hugh Casson

Hugh Casson

Sir Hugh Maxwell Casson, KCVO, RA, RDI, was a British architect, interior designer, artist, and influential writer and broadcaster on 20th century design. He is particularly noted for his role as director of architecture at the 1951 Festival of Britain on London's South Bank.Casson's family...

 and Gordon Cullen

Gordon Cullen

Thomas Gordon Cullen was an influential English architect and urban designer who was a key motivator in the Townscape movement. He is best known for the book The Concise Townscape, first published in 1961.-Biography:Cullen was born in Calverley, Pudsey, near Leeds...

.

The president of the Society is Joseph Robson a CGI artist.