Week 1 – Day 2
Introduction to Adobe Illustrator and Vector Graphics
Illustrator is part of Adobe’s Creative software suite (now “Creative Cloud”). The primary focus of Illustrator is the use of and creation of vector graphics. Most graphics are rasterized (a grid of pixels with assigned values); vectors are “drawn” by software (or hardware, if supported) and are not limited by resolution. At our university’s Mac lab, we have preloaded versions of Illustrator, here’s a quick run-through:
There are lots of ways to launch the program. My preferred method is to use Spotlight search.
Command+[Spacebar]
This will open a search box (this is like Google for your computer), just start typing “illustrator” and you’ll get an auto-complete before you finish typing it. Just hit Enter when it fills in the remaining characters. BAM! You’re in.
Next, we need to create a new project:
File -> New ->
Name: Lastname-Intro [Geiger-Intro ART119]
Profile: Web
Size: 960 x 560
Units: Pixels
Orientation: Landscape
After creating this new document, save it.
File -> Save ->
Save as: Lastname-Intro.ai [Geiger-Intro-ART119.ai]
Default settings -> OK
Terms:
Artboard
Working area
Shape Tool
Used to create a vector object
Vector object
Vector Objects are defined with Paths and Points
Stroke
Defines the thickness of lines (vectors)
Fill
Defines the “filling” of an object (like Twinkies)
Arrange
Illustrator “stacks” objects in the order they were created. To change this order, go to the top menu:
Object -> Arrange -> Send to…(back/front) Bring to (back/front)
Align
Like with a text editor, aligns an object to different orientations (objects, Artboard, etc.)
Keyboard Shortcuts:
Option+LeftClick(on object)+drag
Drag to new area to create a duplicate
LeftClick+drag(over objects)
Bounding box selects multiple items
Command+S
Save current progress
In-class exercise: practice drawing your name. I wrote mine in cyrillic:
The letter “а” is tricky, and I didn’t quite get it right on the first try (“Матвей Гайгер” The first “a” looks like an “o”). This was all done with the pen tool, but switching back and forth between the curve and straight pen.
Project 1: Typographic Portraits
Timeline:
Mar 30: Project Intro, sketch ideas for next class (blog)
Apr 05: Work time in class following demonstrations
Apr 07: Work Time in class, following demonstrations
Apr 11: Review Typographic Portraits
Example: “Eruption” “Tilt-A-Whirl” “Balloon Darts” “Roller Bowler” “Cock Clock” “Exit” “Copernicus”.
Choose 3 of 6 provided character prompts. Use your name, first and/or last or nickname. Along with typographic and design…
“Hello my name is______ and I’m…”
Due Monday:
Sketches and ideas for project
Reflection on Open House (Blog)
Reflection on reading (Adobe Illustrator (Blog))