Illustrator Tutorials

We will get started by learning how to place files into both Illustrator and Photoshop. Next we will compare this workflow with both the copy and paste method as well as the drag and drop technique for moving artwork back and fourth. Along the way we will learn about smart objects, paths as well as shape layers and how we can work with each in Photoshop. We will also learn how Illustrator can open, import and receive pixel based artwork. To wrap things up, we will examine a workflow that will allow us to bring a layered Illustrator file into Photoshop without rasterizing our vector objects. After completing this course, you should have a good grasp over how these two powerful programs can pass artwork back and fourth to achieve top notch results on a project.

We will begin this process by learning how to recognize and target shapes in a realistic form which we can recreate here in Illustrator. While beginning to target shapes, we will also learn how to use 3 of the tools in Illustrator for creating different types of vector shapes including the pen tool, the pencil tool and the blob brush. After we have gotten the hang of these 3 tools we will proceed in executing our illustration. Along the way we will learn about organizing our artwork, gradient workflows, as well as various methods for fitting shapes together.

We will start off by learning what vector graphics are as well as the different components of a vector graphic. We will then take a look how we can draw and manipulate a variety of different vector objects. After that, you will learn what object attributes are and how to change them. And to wrap up this project, we will go over object organization and how we can save our work. This series of step-by-step videos were developed with artists new to Illustrator in mind so we will be moving at a steady, easy-to-follow pace making sure you understand terms and basic techniques.

This specific high-level course was designed to evolve your workflow processes, refine your problem solving techniques, and master your logo designing skills. The objectives for this fast-pace, intensive course are to help you understand why each step in this process is critical to delivering a successful and effective logo to our clients. By the end of this training, you will have the ability to take this process, modify it and apply it to any logo design project.

We will get started by examining our concept sketch and looking at the best way to build our logo. Because our logo features an interlocking puzzle pattern we will focus first on the best way to go about building this portion of the graphic. In doing this, we will learn how to use some really great tools for building custom shapes, including the Illustrator shape builder tool as well as the pathfinder panel. From here, we will shift our focus to the type in our logo by integrating a letterform into the center of our graphic. Not only will we learn how to execute this but also why the target typeface was chosen. To wrap things up we will prepare our logo for presentation by adding color and utilizing it several different scenarios. After finishing this course, you will have a good understanding the mechanics that go into constructing a logo in Adobe Illustrator.

We'll get started by breaking down illustrator's pathfinder panel and learn how we can use both it's shape modes and pathfinders to create a variety of effects on our vector shapes. While exploring both shape modes and pathfinders, we'll learn destructive and non-destructive workflows for using both. From there we'll shift our focus to the new shape builder tool in Illustrator CS5 and learn how it compliments the pathfinder panel. Next, we'll take what we've learned and apply it to a logo. We'll use both sets of tools to create custom shapes to incorporate into our logo. After completing this course, you will have a good understanding of workflows that implement all of these powerful tools.

We'll begin this process by taking some time to learn how to enable and configure our perspective grid. Next we'll learn some basic workflows for creating artwork with perspective and transforming objects in perspective. Once we are familiar with this process, we'll dive in and begin drawing our skyscraper concept based on a simple orthographic drawing. Throughout this process we'll learn how to precisely control the placement of perspective objects. We'll learn how to apply perspective to objects that don't fit on a perspective plane and we'll learn how to use several time saving features such as automatic plane positioning. After working through this series of lesson, you will have a good understanding of how perspective drawing in Illustrator works.

To begin this course, we'll talk through a possible concept for the design and then setup our file so we can begin building the artwork. Next, we'll examine each step in constructing an illustrative component for our design including starting with an initial shape, adding various details, and then applying both shadows and highlights. After completing our illustration, we'll add type and then examine one method for integrating the different components of our design using a texture. Throughout this process, we'll be using a variety of drawing and painting tools inside Illustrator as well as the pathfinder panel and custom brush strokes. After completing this course, you will have a better understanding of the techniques used to build vector t-shirt artwork as well as some considerations that must be accounted for when designing a t-shirt with a limited amount of colors.

We'll get started by learning a little about screen printing as well as both process and spot color. Next, we'll learn how to create and manage spot colors in Illustrator using selections from the Pantone Matching System. We'll then look at some shortcuts that will help us convert CMYK artwork to our Pantone spot colors. While coloring our artwork, we'll learn how to maximize our spot colors by using halftones to create a tint. Finally, we'll take a look at a couple of ways to check our files to make sure all colors have been converted to spot colors. After completing this course, you will have a good understanding of how to prepare your artwork for spot color, screen printing and submission into Digital-Tutor's t-shirt contests.

Let's dive right in and get started by revealing the power of Illustrator's Appearance Panel, and then take a look at how Smart Guides can simplify precision placement of our objects. We'll also learn about available brushes in the Brush Panel and look at some techniques for creating stylized flourishes using these brushes. Next, we'll learn how we can work more efficiently by integrating symbols into our workflow. We'll also take a look at some of the powerful new tools in Illustrator CS5 such as the width tool, the shape builder tool and drawing modes. We'll wrap things up by learning about blends and advanced masking using Opacity Masks. After completing this course, you'll be better equipped to tackle virtually any Illustrator project.

We'll get started by learning some of the basics, such as creating and opening files, understanding and customizing the interface and working with tools such as rulers and guides. We'll move on and learn about what Illustrator calls an object, and we'll also learn some tools for creating and modifying these objects. Once we've mastered creating and modifying objects, we'll learn how to manage objects using groups and layers. Next, we'll begin looking at ways to create more advanced objects by building on the knowledge we already have. We'll also learn about how Illustrator handles color and type. Along the way we'll learn about some of the new tools and features included with Illustrator CS5. Finally, we'll wrap things up by learning how to save and export our artwork out of Illustrator.

We'll get started by learning how Illustrator sees our data and what it returns to us as a graph. Next, we'll learn how to create and modify a basic graph using the graph data window. We'll also take a look at some ways that we can bring data in from an outside application such as Microsoft Excel for use in our graph. From there, we'll focus on improving the visual appeal of our graph, first using graph designs, and then by applying graphic styles. Finally, we'll learn how we can really take our graph to the next level using 3D effects inside Illustrator.

We'll get started by learning about the different components of a gradient mesh and how they each play a part in helping to blend multiple gradients together. Next, we'll learn how to deform a basic symmetrically shaped mesh object into any desired shape. After we finish building our first mesh object, we'll learn how to apply and control several different gradients within the mesh. We'll continue building gradient meshes for our illustration until virtually every detail has been addressed. Along the way, we'll learn how to integrate opacity changes within a mesh object as well as how to create a radial mesh. We'll finish our illustration by learning how to map type to our illustrated object.

We'll get started by learning how we can create and save unique color combinations as swatch groups using Illustrator's color guide panel. From there we'll learn how using the edit colors dialog to create color groups gives us much more control over our colors. Next, we'll learn how this same dialog can be expanded upon and utilized to not only recolor existing artwork but also reduce the number of colors giving us the same level of control for each task. From there we'll learn several different methods for converting artwork to grayscale in Illustrator. We'll wrap things up by learning how the Kuler extension can integrate into our workflow providing us with a virtually limitless number of unique, user created color combinations.

We'll begin by learning what isometric projection is and how it differs from traditional linear perspective. From there we'll learn two different methods for creating isometric objects, one using a grid, and a second using the scale, shear and rotate tools in Illustrator. Along the way, we'll learn how to save time by incorporating actions into our workflow. Next, we'll jump in and begin designing a top down, two dimensional view of our map. From there, we'll learn what an orthographic drawing is and how it can help us to construct buildings on our map. We'll wrap things up by adding some final details to our map to really make it shine.

We'll start by quickly exploring both the initial sketched idea and the final vector outcome of our logo. From there, we'll proceed to build a gear out of some simple shapes that we can duplicate throughout our logo. Next, we'll begin positioning the key elements of our logo and use the live trace feature within Illustrator to convert raster artwork to vector for use in the logo. We'll move on and add both secondary type and color to the logo then finish up by fine tuning all the elements within the design.

We'll begin this course by learning about the differences between vectors and pixels. Then we'll take some time to explore Illustrator's workspace, learning how and why it's different from the Photoshop workspace. Next, we'll learn about basic Illustrator objects and explore some of the tools within Illustrator used to create these objects. From there we'll look at ways to organize and manage objects with groups and layers. We'll also have the opportunity to take a look at some of the more advanced tools in Illustrator, including the pathfinder panel, compound paths, masking, and using Illustrator effects. Finally, we'll learn how Photoshop works hand in hand with Illustrator using smart objects. After completing this training, you should have enough knowledge to begin creating and manipulating your own projects inside Illustrator.

We'll begin by quickly exploring both the initial sketched idea and the final outcome of our logo. From there, we'll use Illustrator's live trace feature to convert raster artwork to vector for use in the logo. Next, we'll build a wave pattern that begins on our surfer's board and transitions into a baseline for our logo's type. We'll move on from there and begin working with the type for our logo by customizing a problematic character. We'll complete our design by adding stylized curls to the wave pattern and then color to our logo.

We'll begin this course by learning how we can place our character sketch into Illustrator and use it as a template. Next, we'll begin to create a silhouette of our character by isolating and drawing in basic shape areas. From there, we'll learn how we can use Illustrator's pathfinder panel and these basic shape areas to create the smaller shapes that make up the details of our character. We'll then learn how we can clean up our document and eliminate some of the unnecessary anchor points that have been created. Next, we'll establish a light source and use Illustrator's gradient tools to create both shadows and highlights. Finally, we'll complete our character by adding in a few smaller details as well as clean up our silhouette.

We'll begin by learning about the steps in the design process that lead up to building our logo. These steps include getting to know our client and their project in the client briefing or interview. Gathering inspiration and saving it for later reference in the research phase. Then outputting ideas in the form of quick thumbnails and sketches during the experimentation phase. From there we'll dive right into the execution phase where we'll spend most of our time building a vector version of our logo. Finally, we'll explore a couple of ways that we can add that extra bit of visual appeal to our logo before presenting it to our client.

We'll begin by learning about the steps in the design process that lead up to building our logo. These steps include getting to know a little bit about our client, then gathering some research and reference materials for the project. Next, we'll discuss outputting our ideas in the form of quick thumbnails and sketches. From there start to build our logo by looking at a couple different ways that we can create inked line work for our character. We'll then send this line work over to illustrator and convert it into a usable vector format. Next, we'll arrange all of the elements of our composition creating a relationship between them. We'll then begin adding color to our design spending a good deal of time adding shadows and highlights to our character. Finally, we'll fine tune the logo by adjusting some potential problems areas before presenting it to our client.

Principle by principle, we'll venture through, understanding the meaning behind each of them, as well as how they can and should be implemented for success. By the end of this course, you'll have the knowledge you need to create magnetic, natural, and memorable character performances.

We'll begin by learning about a few basic types of shape and some ways that we can incorporate them into our own work. Then, we'll explore some methods of modifying basic shapes to create a more advanced and focused form. Next we'll learn about line and how it can be used as either a divider or a border element within a composition. From there we'll move on and learn about a few basic types of image, including photographs, illustrations and background imagery. Finally, we'll learn about using type as a design element that can contribute to the overall communication of a design.

We'll kick things off by breaking down letterforms and learning about their different components. We'll then learn the difference between a typeface, a typestyle and a type family. Next we'll unravel the mystery of how type is measured through points and picas. Then we'll move on and learn about line spacing, letter spacing and word spacing. From there, we'll learn about working with large bodies of type and discuss different methods of alignment. Finally, we'll learn about the process of choosing and using a typeface.