March 4, 2013

Finally we will get started in using Adobe Illustrator. We will be working with Illustrator CS5.

Today’s class will cover a basic Illustrator introduction:

Note: All shortcuts for the Mac need to use command for Ctrl and option for Alt

Basic Shape Tools – Rectangle (M), Ellipse (L), etc
Selection Tool (V)
Direct Selection Tool and how to move Anchor points
Fill and Stroke (X) and how to swap colours, change colours etc
Type Tool (T) and the Character Panel (Ctrl+T)
Outline Text (Shift+Ctrl+O)
How to Align (Shift+F7) and Distribute
Pathfinder (Shift+Ctrl+F9) and particularly Unite and Minus Front

Task on paper and in Illustrator:

Afterwards you will receive a task that will focus on creating, manipulating and morphing a word according to its meaning.
During this exercise concentrate on and carefully consider the word. What is its meaning and how can you use typography to convey it?

Step 1: Choose two words from the list below:

Compression
Transition
Contraction
Addition
Subtraction
Disruption
Repetition
Elimination
Migration
Expansion

Step 2:

Brainstorm the meaning, synonyms, visual ideas and any concepts that explain the word. Do this on paper and spend a minimum of 10 mins on a word and really dig deep in regards to how to visualise the meaning and feel.

Example: Organisation might be related to grid, rhythm, same colour, repetition, stacking, clusters, military, direction, unity, lack of individuality, mathematical, number related, folders, drawers, etc.

Step 3:

Create the word image in Illustrator. Call the document Type_Class4_yourname_word1 ( Type_Class4_FedericoViola_word1).

Dim: A4, Landscape, 3 Artboards

Step 4/ Homework:

Create a new word! Make it up and give it a meaning that only you know. Give the word visual meaning. The other students will have a try at understanding the meaning from your visuals.

Exercise has been inspired by exercise in Graphic Design School, David Dabner, Sheena Calvert and Anoki Casey, 4th edition 2010