Illustrator

Redeveloped by Kat Johnston in Aug 2017.

Summary

Adobe Illustrator for beginners

Create and edit vector graphics (like illustrations and logos) in this Illustrator course for beginners.

In this 1.5 hour intro course we’ll start with the fundamentals:

A demonstration of the basic tools and functionality of Illustrator

Navigating around the interface

Setting up your own custom workspace

Key features and tools: layers, paths and (your new best friend) the pen tool

*Please bring along a USB to save your work

Creating custom designs with Adobe Illustrator

Take your graphic skills to the next level in this intermediate Illustrator course.

Over 4 hours we’ll dissect advanced tools and techniques covering:

Different ways to customise your artwork/designs

Tools such as: Blending, envelope distorting, meshing etc

Creating 3D objects & mapping artwork

Creative infographics

Perspective drawing

Image tracing

Requirements and prerequisites:

This is an intermediate course, and requires a solid understanding of Illustrator, its common tools and terminology. If you are new to Photoshop, please attend Adobe Illustrator for beginners first. Intro to Mac class or proficiency with the Mac operating system.

Workshop Outline 1

Introduction to Illustrator

Beginner Adobe Illustrator Users?

Have you experimented with it before?

What are you hoping to use it for?

What are you hoping to get out of today?

Workshop Outline

Understand vector vs raster

Document settings

Become familiar with the interface

Learn about layers

Grouping and ungrouping

Learn pen tool basics and create shapes

Add and adjust strokes

Add and adjust colours

Add basic text

Vector vs Raster

Vector images are rooted in mathematical theory. Lines and curves known as ‘paths’ are used to make up the design. It can be scaled infinitely. Vectors are great for logos, icons and illustrations.

Raster images are created using pixels. They do not scale well – if you zoom in, you will see each pixel. It is often used for photographs.

Vector images can be converted to raster if needed for publishing etc.

CMYK vs RGB colour spaces

CMYK is a subtractive colour model. It refers to the four inks generally used in printing (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). If your artwork is to be printed, use CMYK.

RGB is an additive colour model. Red, green and blue light are added together in various ways to reproduce a broad array of colours on screens. If your artwork is to be displayed digitally, use RGB.

Let’s get started!

Open up Adobe Illustrator and create a New Document

Workshop Outline 2

Advanced Illustrator

Intermediate Adobe Illustrator Users?

How much have you done with Illustrator before?

What are you hoping to get out of today?

Workshop Outline

Review the pen tool, shape creation and layers

Use the rotate tool

Use the blend tool

Understand and use pathfinder

Create clipping masks

Using live trace to create artwork from an existing drawing or picture

Use live paint

Create a finished artwork using these tools

Let’s get started!

Open up Adobe Illustrator and create a New Document

Where to go for more info

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/user-guide.html https://www.lynda.com/ https://design.tutsplus.com/ Google (and Youtube) can be a great help too! Sometimes seeing it in action is more valuable than reading a tutorial.

Materials

Illustrator 1 Powerpoint - Added to this page for slide show

Illustrator 2 Powerpoint - Added to this page for slide show

Illustrator 1 Project Plan

Illustrator 2 Project Plan