An illustration is a decoration, interpretation or visual explanation of a text, concept or process, designed for integration in published media, such as posters, flyers, magazines, books, teaching materials, animations, video games and films.
For this assignment you will be illustrating 4 different words using only the words themselves. This assignment is meant to help you begin to understand the type tool available in illustrator and understand how to manipulate shapes.
Open up illustrator and click on "Create New"
A window will open up asking you specifics on how you would like your document set up.
You may give your document a name at the top. (Ideally name it the word that you are working on)
Be sure to change your units to inches.
You will set your width and height to 4 in x 4 in
When you are done click on Create and your canvas will show up on your page.
To begin you will click on the text tool and begin typing your word. Once your word is typed, you will need to convert your text into shapes that can be edited.
Use the Selection Tool to select your word
Next you will go to Type> Create Outlines
Now go to Object> Ungroup.
To begin editing you must click AWAY from the shape then click back on the letter you wish to edit.
You will be using a few tools to complete this assignment.:
Text Tool: You will use this to type out your word to begin.
Selection Tool: You will use this to move and resize pieces of or your entire text on the canvas.
Direct Selection Tool: This tool will allow you to adjust and change the actual shape of each letter.
Anchor Points: When you use the Direct Selection Tool to click on a letter blue dots will show up around the shape. These are what you will click on to change the shapes and paths of the letter.
If you are not finished with your particular word you will want to save your file as an Illustrator File. This way you can reopen it just the way it was and continue editing.
Go to File>Save As
This will save as an Illustrator File.
If you are finished you will want to export your project so that it is saved as an image file.
Go to File>Export>Export As
You will change your save as type to either a .JPG or a .PNG
I usually suggest a .PNG, but either will work.
To submit your final assignment you will put all 4 of your saved images onto one canvas.
Open a new canvas and size it to 9 in x 9 in.
To create a nice finished piece you will want a black background.
To do this you will click on the rectangle tool and make a black square that extends beyond your entire canvas.
Once you have a black background, you will drag your saved images onto your canvas, and arrange them so that they are evenly spaced.
When you are done you will export the piece as a .JPG or a .PNG
ctrl+z = undo
v = Selection tool (Black Arrow)
a = Direct Selection Tool (White Arrow)
i = Eyedropper Tool
p = Pen Tool
ctrl+ [/ ] = Move forward or backward
ctrl+ -/ + = Zoom in or out
Hold space to drag around your canvas
What was the hardest part in finding a way to illustrate your given words?
Did this exercise give you a better understanding of how the selection and direct selection tools work?
What was your favorite word to illustrate and why?
What was your least favorite word to illustrate and why?