Tag Archives: Adobe Illustrator

Chicago CityFlash Street Map

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Chicago CityFlash Street Map

Chicago CityFlash Street Map

This Street Map of Chicago was produced by Randal Birkey and his team as a part of an entire new map product line for Rand McNally in 1989. This was the first product line offered by a partnership of Rand McNally and Hallwag, called CityFlash Maps, produced completely digitally on desktop computers comprised of Apple Macintosh FX and CX computers running then current versions of Aldus Freehand and Adobe Illustrator.

The software used produced vector Postscript files which were supplied to the printer, converted to 4-color process film (CMYK) and plates, then used for 4-color offset printing.

5 US cities were completed as a part of the CityFlash product project:

  • Chicago
  • New York
  • Boston
  • San Fransisco
  • Washington, D.C.

For each city map product, the team produced a range of maps including: street level detail maps including points of interest like this one, public transportation maps, and shopping district maps.

Boston Vicinity Map

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Boston Vicinity CityFlash Map

Boston Vicinity CityFlash Map for Rand McNally

Randal Birkey created this Boston Vicinity Map as a part of an entire new map product line for Rand McNally in 1989. This product series called CityFlash Maps was the first product line offered by Rand McNally and European partner Hallwag, produced completely digitally on desktop computers. Randal and his team used Apple Macintosh FX and CX computers running then current versions of Aldus Freehand and Adobe Illustrator.

The digital vector Postscript files were supplied to Rand McNally’s printer, and converted to 4-color process film (CMYK) and plates, then used for 4-color offset printing.

For each city, Randal and his team produced additional maps including street level detail maps including points of interest, public transportation maps, and shopping area maps.

5 US cities were completed as a part of the CityFlash product project: Chicago, New York, Boston, San Fransisco and Washington, D.C.

Arlington Park Racetrack Exploded View Diagram

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Arlington Park Race Track

Arlington Park Race Track - exploded view isometric diagram

The Arlington Park Racetrack experienced a major fire in 1985 that destroyed most of the main grandstand and clubhouse building. A new building was designed and constructed in 1989, and the ad agency was hired to produce new map and floor plan handouts for racetrack patrons to use in navigating the campus.

Randal Birkey was contracted by Dimeo, Rosen & Partners to produce an “exploded view” diagram of the new grandstand building, showing what was on each floor and locating major exits, restrooms, etc.

Randal worked from technical architectural blueprint scale drawings to create an isometric diagram in Adobe Illustrator.

Arlington Million - Race Logo

Arlington Million - Race Logo

Randal also recreated and cleaned up the Arlington Million race logo in Adobe Photoshop for the same ad agency.

Contact Randal Birkey for all your cutaway and exploded view architectural illustration needs.

PVD Remediation System Diagram

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This diagram was created by Randal in Adobe Illustrator as vector art for an engineering client who manufactures prefabricated vertical drain remediation systems. It has a cutaway section showing how the system looks and works below ground, as well as how it is laid out above ground. These systems help prevent groundwater contamination, as well as help clean up contamination when it does occur. Unlike bitmapped or “raster art,” vector art can be scaled to any size without losing any resolution.

Prefabricated Drain System

Prefabricated Vertical Drain Remediation System