Graphic design & illustration using
ILLUSTRATOR

Selection and isolation rely on paths. You can have an unlimited amount of Paths in one layer. Stacking can be done by arranging objects within a layer.

Layers are mainly for organizing.

The Layer's Panel will help you arrange your project based on a layer's method.

You can change the name of the layer by double-clicking on the layer's name and name it.
Holding the Alt key you can click on the eye symbol to hide all the layers.
Holding the Command (Control Key) and clicking on the eye symbol will change the mode from preview to Artwork.
Clicking on the New Layer Symbol while holding the Option Key (ALT) will bring the layer option menu up to change the name.
To quick select objects in the same layer: Option (ALT) click on the layers name!

Remember:

Illustrator layers contain Objects! In order to work on the layer you have to select the Object! The Merge Layer command does not change the stacking order of the objects and hidden layers do not merge. Before you merge the layers it is a good idea to save a layered copy.

Stacking objects

Layers play a different role than they do in Adobe Photoshop.

In Illustrator you draw your objects and stack them.

Altering the order of a stack does not alter the order of the layers.

In order to change the order of the objects, select the object, go to Object -> arrange (or with a right mouse click) and choose:

Bring to Front.
Bring Forward.
Send Backward.
Send to Back.

Note: You can copy Layers in Illustrator after you've enabled "Click on Paste Remembers Layers". This also works if you've copied the layers in Photoshop!

Assignment 2 A: Logo shapes layering and stacking

Download the image from the assets folder
Follow the steps in the video and try to understand what you are doing. Know the theory behind it.
It's all about knowing the structure of the layers panel.
Place your image on your Spark page and describe briefly what you have done.

Test 2: What you've learned so far...

This test will focus on the theory of last week. You've created two assignments around some important Illustrator techniques and gained knowledge about the theory.

With 15 questions on these topics, you will test yourself. Do you master the knowledge already, or do you need to study harder? Anyways; Good Luck!

The link to the test will be active halfway through the second lesson.

Theory 2: DESIGN PRINCIPLES

INTRODUCTION TO DESIGN PRINCIPLES. MOVEMENT, BALANCE, UNITY, CONTRAST, EMPHASIS, LINE, AND COLOR

Design elements are the building blocks of graphics.

Line
Color
Shape
Texture

Lines can be straight or curved. How are lines used in the composition on the right?

Color defenitions

Hue is another word for color.
Chroma is the intensity or purity of color.
Tint is a color mixed with white.
Tone is a color mixed with gray.
Shade is a color mixed with black.
Brightness is the quantity of light reaching a viewer's eye.

Color and Contrast

Using color can enhance or detract from a composition.
Color wheels help determine which colors are in greatest contrast.

Use Adobe Capture to discover new color schemes.

Color wheels

Analogous colors are adjacent to each other on the color wheel.

Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel.

Color in design

Use color to label or show hierarchy.
Use color to represent or imitate reality.
Use color to unify, separate, or emphasize.
Use color to decorate.
Use color consistently.

Shapes

Shapes are enclosed objects that can be created by line or created by color and value changes that define their edges.

Texture

Texture is the surface look of an object created by varying dark and light areas.

Roughness
Smoothness
Depth

Design principles

Design principles are ways in which elements are used together.

Movement
Balance
Emphasis
Unity

Movement

Movement is the use of lines, color, and repetition to create the illusion of motion.

Curved forms or lines
Repetition of geometric forms
Fuzzy lines or outlines

Lines

Lines can indicate motion or direction.
How are lines used in the composition on this image?

Balance

Balance is the act of comparing or estimating two things, one against the other, and the contrast between:

Empty space (white space) and filled space
Text and images Color and no colors and different colors
Textures against flat colors

Symmetrical or formal balance

You can usually identify at least one of three lines of symmetry.

Horizontal
Vertical
Diagonal

Symmetrical Balance

Asymmetrical Balance

Radial Balance

Unity

Unity: The correct balance of composition or color that produces a harmonious effect.

Emphasis

Emphasis: To express with particular stress or force.

Rule of thirds

Description: In photography, the rule of thirds is a type of composition in which an image is divided evenly into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, and the subject of the image is placed at the intersection of those dividing lines, or along one of the lines itself.

Gestalt Principles

There are six individual principles commonly associated with gestalt theory: similarity, continuation, closure, proximity, figure/ground, and symmetry & order (also called prägnanz). There are also some additional, newer principles sometimes associated with gestalt, such as common fate.

More information on this website.

Gestalt argues that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.