Digital Illustration Basics

Visual communication has been an integral part of graphic design since its inception in the 1920s.

Today, most of those friendly little graphics and icons that give order and humanity to the world around us are created digitally, using powerful software applications such as Adobe Illustrator.

In this hands-on introductory class, you'll learn the tricks of the trade for creating illustrations that intrigue and delight. The course provides a workout in those Illustrator tools (pentool, Bezier curves, gradients) that are critical for such designs, while retaining a focus on the principles of effective illustration.

As Young Mo Yoon says, "Adobe Illustrator is just a tool. You are the one who illustrates!"

Note: Basic familiarity with Illustrator is helpful but not required for participation in this class.

Young Mo Yoon is an award-winning illustrator ... get bio

Outline:

LESSON 1 Basic Illustration Tools In illustration, it's the little things that count. Lesson One focuses on the tricks a designer can use to create graphics with a 3-dimensional quality, intriguing light effects, and a friendly style. In a very hands-on tutorial, you'll learn how to use Illustrator's basic tools (the ellipse tool, guides, pentool, gradients, and layers) to create eye-catching designs. In the exercise, you'll explore these illustration techniques in representing an object of your own choice.

LESSON 2 The Pentool and Bezier Curves Smooth curves are the hallmarks of a friendly, dynamic, and professional illustration. Lesson Two explores the use of the bezier tool to create beautiful curves. You'll create a composition in which two elements interact, using guides to control an illustration, modifying shapes with pathfinder, and practicing with the pentool for that perfect circle. The principle of illustrating motion or action is explored by making a ball come out of a TV. In the exercise, you'll explore a two-part composition that conveys motion.

LESSON 3 Creating Your Own Characters Character illustration is a study unto itself. The control of facial elements such as eyes, ears, nose, or smile communicates the entire mood of a composition. Lesson Three shows you how to create digital characters for illustrations, icons, or the Web by adapting basic shapes. Topics explored will include different tricks for adding expression, varying line thickness, and unifying a composition. Then in the final project, you'll create a character all of your own!

Tuition: $329 US