Intro to Illustrator
Lets Start Here...
The Tools
You have been given a copy of the Illustrator Tools Worksheet, also available for download to the right. You will need to complete this sheet before moving on the the activities below. It is always a good idea to get familiar with where various tools are located and what the keyboard shortcuts are. You will be turning this into me for a classwork grade. Keep this sheet as a reference for later on.
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Learning the Pen Tool
The Pen tool is the best tool in your illustrator toolbox. Once you have master this tool, it opens up so many different drawing possibilities to you. It allows you to create very simple shapes to very complex ones.
Download the .AI file to the right to start this lesson. You simply follow the numbers and the instructions to complete the exercise. The point you need to aim at in each step is the center of each numbered colored dot. The top layer is the"working layer". This is the layer you'll be working on. Make sure your fill color is empty so you don't block the directions. There are 3 different colors: blue, red and green.
For more practice, I had added another follow the instructions .AI sheet and the Bezier Game. |
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Basic Shapes
Now that you have mastered the Pen tool, go to the Fundamentals of Shapes exercise found to the right. Create a new illustrator file, the default size is fine to use. You will need to create the shapes in the tutorial. Save this as First Initial+Last Name+ Fundamental Shapes and put into your Intro to Illustrator Folder.
Once you complete the Shape Fundamentals watch the YouTube video for creating a Map Location Icon. This will give you the skills you need to complete the basic shapes worksheet. Save it as First Initial+Last Name+mapicon in your Illustrator folder. After you are done, you will need to download the Basic Shapes file found to the right, and then create the shapes you find in the file here without any help. You will be turning this in for a grade so do your best! Save your file as First Initial+Last Name Basic Shapes and put into your Intro to Illustrator Folder. Extras!! |
Map Icon Tutorial |
Pathfinder Menu
Sometimes it is easier to work with 2 shapes to than to draw the entire thing by hand. In this mini lesson you will be creating creating some basic shapes following the step by step directions. Its a simple one! Save your file as Last Name + First Name + Pathfinder worksheet and put into your Intro to Illustrator Folder.
Extras!!
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Alignment Menu
Learning to let Illustrator do some of the work for you is always best. Using the alignment tool is super helpful in making sure all of your elements are perfectly placed. Download the Alignment worksheet found to the right, and following the instructions to complete the 4 activities. Save your file as Last Name + First Name + Alignment worksheet and and put into your Intro to Illustrator Folder.
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Image Trace
Learning to use the Image Trace function can be very helpful when drawing in Illustrator. Download the image of the lions to the right and the image and Image Trace Worksheet .AI file. Drag the image into each box on the worksheet in Illustrator and select the image. Select the image Trace menu and create the image as 4 separate image trace images and look at how it changes:
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Gradients
Learning to use gradients in a fundamental in creating more realistic drawings in Illustrator. Complete the gradient tool tutorial first. Once you watch and practice, then download the Gradient worksheet to the right, and follow the instructions and create the 4 gradients. Save your file as Last Name + First Name + Gradient worksheet and and put into your Intro to Illustrator Folder.
Extras!! |
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Using Layers
You will need to download the Layering Activity.AI file found to the right. Use the instructions in How to Organize Layers in order to optimize and fix the .AI file I have given you. Use the image found to right to see what the final drawing is suppose to look like. Create layers for each ghost, the jack-o-latern, and the background and name each accordingly. Then put all the shapes and paths in the correct order to make your image match my image.
Save your file as Last Name + First Name +Layers and put into your Intro to Illustrator Folder. |
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Illustrator Practice Projects
You have been hired as a graphic designer by Big Time Logo, Inc. They want you to replicate 3 logos as they are for the business. You are to follow the directions given by the project manager for the target audience to complete the project. Once complete then you should review the checklist for grading criteria before turning in your work.
Complete the 3 tutorials to the right - Canadian Flag, Houston Texans, and BP. These recreation projects will teach you how to use the basics of Illustrator and prepare you for your logo design project. I have given you the item to trace for each logo recreation. Save them to your graphics folder and open them in Illustrator to begin the project. Save your completed graphic as an AI (Illustrator file) and then export as a PNG file. Label it as first initial +last name + flag (ex. lmillerflag.png), and save in your graphics folder. Submit both files types for each project to the classroom. Grading Criteria Checklist
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