Intro to Illustrator Class

Instructor: Dave Casuto

What You'll Learn

• Basics of Illustrator: Understanding tools, panels, workspace.
• Creating New Documents: How to start a new project.
• Selection Tools: Including the Direct Selection Tool.
• Vector Illustration: Using shapes, the pen and pencil tools, applying brush strokes, saving swatches, and gradients.
• Typography: Tips, shortcuts, and tricks to enhance creativity and proficiency.
• Interactive Learning: Hands-on exercises provided through class files.

Course Layout

1. Illustrator Workspace: Essential tools, panels on the left and right sides, different workspace types, and customization tips.
2. Tools Panel: Toolbox analogy, keyboard shortcuts, properties panel functions.
3. Customization: Using workspace presets and resetting the workspace.
4. Properties Panel: Contextual changes based on what is selected.
5. Zooming and Panning: Keyboard shortcuts and tips.
6. Document Setup: Creating new documents, preset options, types (RGB, CMYK), and raster effects.

Illustrator vs. Other Programs

• Photoshop: Best for photos and bitmaps/raster images.
• Illustrator: Vector graphics; scalable and versatile, no pixelation.
• InDesign: Layout program compatible with vector and raster images.
• Vector vs. Bitmap: Vector is mathematically driven and scalable; bitmaps are pixel-based and may pixelate when enlarged.

Basic Techniques

1. Selection Tools: Selection and Direct Selection tools, Lasso tool for complex selections.
2. Magic Wand Tool: Selecting similar elements, custom settings.
3. Drawing Shapes: Rectangle, ellipse, polygon, stars, and lines; refining with modifiers (shift, alt/option).
4. Direct Selection Tool: Manipulating anchor points and bezier handles for curves.
5. Scaling & Rotation: Tools and shortcuts, adding precise scaling and rotation.
6. Layers: Naming, grouping, creating, and moving objects between layers.
7. Swatches: Saving and organizing colors, creating color groups.
8. Patterns: Crafting and applying custom patterns.
9. Expanding: Converting strokes to shapes for added flexibility.
10. Gradients: Linear, radial, and freeform gradients.

Advanced Techniques

1. Artboards: Using multiple artboards for organized projects.
2. Exporting: Methods to export selections and artboards, understanding formats like PNG, SVG, and PDFs.
3. Shape Builder Tool: Combining and removing shapes, creating complex paths.
4. Pen Tools: Drawing straight lines and curves, creating complex shapes by adding and manipulating anchor points.
5. Pencil Tool & Smoothing: Intuitive drawing and refining paths.
6. Brush Strokes & Width Tool: Applying and customizing brushes, using the width tool for dynamic strokes.

Typography

1. Basic Type Functions: Creating text boxes, formatting text, and color changes.
2. Character and Paragraph Panels: Adjusting font, size, leading, kerning, tracking, and alignment.
3. Type on a Path: Adding text to paths, shapes, and manipulating orientation.
4. Appearance Panel: Managing multiple strokes and fills.
5. Transparency/Opacity: Applying to elements for effects like glass.

Conclusion

• Summary: Vector images, tool mastery, working efficiently with layers and color, text enhancements, and exporting projects.
• Next Steps: Explore advanced features in future classes.

Practice Tips: Utilize class files, repeat exercises for better understanding, apply techniques to own projects.