Ruby Nwaebube | Heritage Consulting Inc.

While at Heritage Consulting Inc., I had the opportunity to serve as an editorial assistant and graphic designer. Under the expert guidance of CEO Donna Harris, a seasoned preservation planning professional, I created the Oregon Main Street: Policies & Procedures Manual. This comprehensive digital resource aimed to provide organizations with a clear understanding of the policies and steps necessary for implementing successful Main Street programs. The manual detailed a step-by-step guide for organizations, touching on community engagement, economic development strategies, and sustainable growth themes. 

This digital PDF manual featured interactive elements that invited individuals to engage and take ownership—for example, the fill-in-the-blank sections allowed the material to be personalized by each organization by creating the ability for an organization to add their board members' names. This innovative approach tailored the manual to specific needs and fostered a sense of connection and commitment for the organizations. By forging a bridge between the manual's content and the people using it, this approach empowered individuals to envision their roles within the Main Street program framework. 

These interactive features underscored the manual's dedication to inclusivity, collaboration, and fostering stakeholders' shared sense of responsibility. It also highlighted Heritage Consulting Inc.'s forward-thinking use of technology to enhance accessibility and community engagement. 

Developing this manual allowed me to apply the skills I gained from the course HSPV 6240: Digital Media for Historic Preservation. This course prepared me to craft visually appealing layouts, selecting appropriate fonts and color schemes, and ensuring the manual's overall aesthetic coherence. This hands-on experience greatly enriched my understanding of real-world graphic design applications such as Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. 

My prior role as an editorial assistant for the department's academic journal Change Over Time also equipped me with the know-how to work on the manual. I brought great attention to detail and a keen eye for maintaining consistency in language and style to the creation of the manual. This background facilitated smooth collaboration with the editorial team and helped ensure the manual's content was polished and professional. Furthermore, my familiarity with publication workflows, deadlines, and communication protocols acquired from Change Over Time contributed to the efficient execution of tasks, enabling me to manage simultaneous graphic design and editorial duties effectively. Working closely with Donna Harris opened doors for valuable professional networking opportunities. This exposure expanded my knowledge and fostered connections that could contribute to my future career growth. 

In conclusion, my editorial assistant and graphic designer role for Heritage Consulting, Inc., was an enriching experience. It allowed me to bridge my graphic design skills with practical editorial work, learn from experts in the field, and build a foundation for preservation planning.