Design Practice: Illustrator Workshop 2

In the second illustrator workshop we were working on using less basic tools, and more specific and difficult. I learnt a lot in this workshop, it was very useful. Changing a letters shape on illustrator doesn't work, so you have to change it into a shape by creating outlines, then it can be distorted.

Making the decender longer

Origonal 'X' adapted twice

To adapt and transform the letter forms after creating their outlines, we used the white direct selection tool to drag the anchor points, to make the letters change to look like the above.

We also learnt how to use the width tool, which is very simple to use when you've had practice, even if at first it was difficult. Using pen strokes and letter forms which have been changed to create outlines, this is an interesting tool, it allows you to create complex shapes quite easily.

Sting ray

'S' adapted

A star adapted

We looked at changing the width of the paintbrush tool and pen tool, by drawing a line or something then selecting it and changing it after its been drawn using the stroke width. We also looking at changing the stroke itself, to make it look like it has different effects, and cap the ends of the strokes, or round the corners.

Adapting the brush stroke

Rounded corners

Another thing which I never knew I could do on illustrator is using the blend tool, to blend either colours or shapes or both into each other. By selecting different options you can change the tool to change the colour blend or shape blend, you can also change how many steps you want it to take to get there.

Square to circle

Circle to polygon

Polygon to star

You can change the path which the shapes change through by selecting different sides of the shape, which twists and turns depending on where you select.