Unit 2 | Introduction to Adobe Illustrator
OverviewTopics coveredAssessment and Culminating Tasks
Adobe Illustrator is an industry standard vector-based drawing tool. It serves as our introduction to the Adobe creative suite, in part because it shares similar interface attributes to many of the other programs we will use in this course, but also because it has a less drastic learning curve, allowing new users to get right into creative exploration.
All completed items from this unit must be exported as JPGs and uploaded to your portfolio. The authoring files (.ai) must be uploaded to your Dropbox account and a link to the file must be placed below your JPG.
In addition, your local folder structure will be assessed a mark based on how well you have followed class protocols.
Documents / Links / Activities
Other notes
Many of the skills from this unit will be required in our next unit, typography.Unit 2 Lessons2.1. Interface tour (Duration 2-3 classes)
In this set of lessons we will be introduced to the graphical user interface (GUI). This layout will become very familiar, as all of the Adobe suite follow a similar organizational layout. We will look at the location of tools and navigate the basic interface, pointing out important concepts and tools along the way.
Once we have been familiarized with a few tools, you will create a composition using what we have learned an post the output files on your portfolio.
Key concepts: main tool bar, fly-out menus, main and sub menus, palettes, the workspace and layers.
Key tools: shape tools, constrain modifier, right-click menu (arrange), pathfinder
Major concept: Saving authoring files (.ai) and exporting output files (.pdf/.jpg)
Homework 2.1: Upload your .jpgs to your portfolio. Write a description outlining the difference between an authoring file and an output file. Upload your .aifile to dropbox and include a link to the download file at the end of your written portion.
2.2. The Pen tool and Bezier splines (Duration 2 classes)
One of the most commonly used, and powerful tools in the Illustrator tool set is the pen tool. This is based mostly on the ability to create and manipulate control handles, known as Bezier splines. In this set of lessons we will be introduced to this tool and will practice using control handles to draw various shapes.
Key concepts: anchor points (add/subtract), direct selection, Bezier splines, modifier keys
Key tools: pen tool, add/delete anchor point, convert anchor point tool, select/direct select tool
Homework 2.2.a: Upload .jpgs and .ai files to portfolio and Dropbox, as outlined in previous lessons.
Homework 2.2.b: Play the Bezier game. Screengrab your highest completed level. Top 5 scores receive 2 bonus marks on an assignment of their choice (from this unit). Ensure your screengrab has your name on the page!
2.3. Assessment Tasks
For the remainder of the unit you will work on completing a number of completion tasks. Some will be preceded by a teacher lead tutorial, while others will require you to search out solutions on your own. All related files must be uploaded to your portfolio and Dropbox for assessment.
OverviewTopics coveredAssessment and Culminating Tasks
Adobe Illustrator is an industry standard vector-based drawing tool. It serves as our introduction to the Adobe creative suite, in part because it shares similar interface attributes to many of the other programs we will use in this course, but also because it has a less drastic learning curve, allowing new users to get right into creative exploration.
- 1. interface / tools
- 2. class protocols: output/authoring files, uploading work, sharing files
- 3. vector vs. raster images
- 4. stroke / fill (stroke palette)
- 5. select / direct select tools
- 6. drawing tools
- 7. working with gradients
- 8. the pen tool / bezier points
- 9. grouping elements and organizing artwork
- 10. the pathfinder palette
- 11. the align palette
- 12. the layers palette
- 13. the type tool
- Skills Test: link
- Completion Task: link
- Theory quiz: link
All completed items from this unit must be exported as JPGs and uploaded to your portfolio. The authoring files (.ai) must be uploaded to your Dropbox account and a link to the file must be placed below your JPG.
In addition, your local folder structure will be assessed a mark based on how well you have followed class protocols.
Documents / Links / Activities
- Tutorial: Pen Tool and Bezier Splines
- Advanced Illustrator: Gradient Mesh
- Game: The Bezier Game
- Activity: Seeds logo
- Activity: Your name
- Activity: Minions illustration
- Activity: Slugterra graphic
Other notes
Many of the skills from this unit will be required in our next unit, typography.Unit 2 Lessons2.1. Interface tour (Duration 2-3 classes)
In this set of lessons we will be introduced to the graphical user interface (GUI). This layout will become very familiar, as all of the Adobe suite follow a similar organizational layout. We will look at the location of tools and navigate the basic interface, pointing out important concepts and tools along the way.
Once we have been familiarized with a few tools, you will create a composition using what we have learned an post the output files on your portfolio.
Key concepts: main tool bar, fly-out menus, main and sub menus, palettes, the workspace and layers.
Key tools: shape tools, constrain modifier, right-click menu (arrange), pathfinder
Major concept: Saving authoring files (.ai) and exporting output files (.pdf/.jpg)
Homework 2.1: Upload your .jpgs to your portfolio. Write a description outlining the difference between an authoring file and an output file. Upload your .aifile to dropbox and include a link to the download file at the end of your written portion.
2.2. The Pen tool and Bezier splines (Duration 2 classes)
One of the most commonly used, and powerful tools in the Illustrator tool set is the pen tool. This is based mostly on the ability to create and manipulate control handles, known as Bezier splines. In this set of lessons we will be introduced to this tool and will practice using control handles to draw various shapes.
Key concepts: anchor points (add/subtract), direct selection, Bezier splines, modifier keys
Key tools: pen tool, add/delete anchor point, convert anchor point tool, select/direct select tool
Homework 2.2.a: Upload .jpgs and .ai files to portfolio and Dropbox, as outlined in previous lessons.
Homework 2.2.b: Play the Bezier game. Screengrab your highest completed level. Top 5 scores receive 2 bonus marks on an assignment of their choice (from this unit). Ensure your screengrab has your name on the page!
2.3. Assessment Tasks
For the remainder of the unit you will work on completing a number of completion tasks. Some will be preceded by a teacher lead tutorial, while others will require you to search out solutions on your own. All related files must be uploaded to your portfolio and Dropbox for assessment.