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Module description

The module will introduce students to both the academic and practical aspects of traditional and digital methods of archaeological illustrations including finds drawing. The academic aspects will concentrate on types of technique; style; materials and equipment used; the layout and presentation of drawings for publication. The practical work will involve the creation and preparation of drawings to a publication standard (resulting in an assessed portfolio, 60% of overall module grade). The artefact illustration sessions will concentrate on the drawing of flintwork, pottery and metalwork for both hand inking and digital presentation. The digital element of the course will include the use of Adobe Illustrator to create artefact, site location and historic map illustrations as well as addressing the use of computer aided design (CAD software) in archaeological site planning and the principlesÌýandÌýconventionsÌýof image-editing using Adobe Photoshop. Students will be taught to analyse archaeological illustrations and consider their effectiveness in communicating archaeological data (assessed through an essay, 40% overall module grade).

Module Aims

The aims of this module are to introduce the discipline of archaeological illustration in order to achieve a goodÌýunderstandingÌýofÌýtheÌýskillsÌýofÌýcommunicationÌýviaÌýillustrationsÌýandÌýimaging.ÌýCoveringÌýwide aspects of the subject with particular focus on finds illustration and digital site drawings gaining the skills to create good illustrations using industry standard software and techniques to enhance the student’s future output.

Learning OutcomesÌý

• Gaining practical skills of finds drawing (traditional and digital) and assessing the value and appropriate use of each technique.
• Basic knowledge of digital programs such as Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.
• Ability to produce simple, clear, engaging, and well-presented illustrations and images.
• Learning to draw for reduction; skills of neatness and how to present work for publication and developing ideas in discussion.
• Transferable skills other than the specific content of the course will include basic drawing skills, hand-eye co-ordination, visual analysis, critical and interpretive skills in studying primary data.