We have always prided ourselves in providing a quality service to our clients and sharing our expertise and knowledge far and wide. This extends to offering bespoke talks and training courses both to members of sectors impacted by archaeology, and also to our fellow archaeologists. Rubicon’s Graphics Manager Jonathan Millar was recently invited to deliver a bespoke training package in Adobe Illustrator to archaeologists of the National Roads Authority, Ireland’s statutory authority with respect to the national road network.
Rubicon Heritage Services Ltd have always maintained a virtually 100% digital graphics department, using Adobe products combined with AutoDesk and ArcGIS software to present our project results. Jonathan has been responsible for the company’s graphics since 2004, and over the years has developed a variety of techniques to streamline workflow from field to publication, tracking the most efficient use of our resources to create aesthetically balanced yet highly accurate products for projects across the UK and Ireland. This ongoing process puts us in an ideal position to market our expertise and allow others to take advantage of the progress we have forged.
The unique training package was completely revised for the most recent Adobe Illustrator CC software. Each time we carry out training like this, we present clients with a prospectus outlining the course format and bespoke options available, allowing them to create their own tailored package based on their specific training needs. The training was delivered over one day, with ongoing support and assistance available via phone or email. You can get an idea of the type of material covered in the abridged Session layout below.
Session 1 Introduction. Overview of digital graphics. Interactive orientation.
Session 2 Layers and Artwork Management. Introduction to Vector Illustration – Bezier Curves (pen tool), Fill and Stroke, Selection tools.
Session 3 Advanced Vector Illustration. Placing rasters/objects, aligning objects and exporting (Using Artboards).
Session 4 Step-by-Step process to creating a 3 in 1 location map: Scaling and Accuracy, Clipping masks, Compound shapes and Pathfinder Tool.
Session 5-8 Optional modules drawn from:
- Drawing Archaeological Plans and Sections from Permatrace and Site Survey
- An Introduction to Digital Archaeological Small-Finds
- Creating Non-Georeferenced Map Overlays/Sequences/Map Regression
- Historic Building Record (HBR) illustration (requires Photoshop)
- Creating plates-pages in Adobe InDesign (Requires InDesign)
- Basic InDesign: document creation, master pages, creating text and graphics frames, importing and editing content, smart objects, (Requires InDesign)
- Basic Photoshop skills: file editing, selection tools, layering, basic blending, adjustment layers, Smart Objects, automations (Requires Photoshop)
- Basic Adobe Acrobat: Creating, exporting, measuring, text-touch-ups, compressing files. (Requires Acrobat)
- Advanced Illustrator tools, Introduction to Reconstruction Illustration
- Marketing and Promotional Graphics – creating posters, adverts, flyers etc.
Apart from training in skills such as archaeological graphics we also regularly provide bespoke training in other areas, covering everything from social media engagement to archaeological consultation. If you are interested in finding out more about them please email info@rubiconheritage.com
