Mon, Feb 24
Vector Drawing
Today's objectives
- Vector basics
- Shapes, colour, stroke and fill
- Type tool
- Open and closed shapes
- Guides, alignment and rulers
- Gradients
- Tracing exercises
Setup
In Illustration, make sure your "Control" toolbar is visible. To make it appear, go to the "Window" menu and make sure there is a checkmark next to "Control". If you do not see a checkmark, select "Control" to activate it. The "Properties" panel is also a good one to keep open.
Preparation
- Download Illustrator samples
- Consider using a mouse - many people find the pen tool hard to use with a trackpad
- Make sure Adobe Illustrator is functioning.
Class resources
For future reference - not needed for this task
The Bézier Game is an online tutorial/practice tool for learning basic Bézier drawing skills.Sample files
Download Illustrator samples and template files
Sample file notes:
Illustrator template.ai- basic curvesFirenze.Baptistry06.JPG- replicate features of the architecture using simple shapesHenryMoore_RecliningFigure_1951.jpg- trace the complex curves of the outline
Handouts
For future reference - not needed for this task
Download "File formats" handout in Acrobat PDF format PDF
Tutorials
For future reference - not needed for this task
Illustrator pen tool cursors
You need to look carefully at them.
Using the pen tools to draw
A good basic pen tutorial.
More pen tool drawing
Making a template layer
Practice task
Task 03: Simple shapes in Illustrator
Using Adobe Illustrator, create a simple floor plan of your kitchen (or other area you prepare or consume food). Use colour to designate different areas or features - cooking, storage, refrigeration, washing, etc. Include as much detail as you like, but the objective is to show the basic layout and relative sizes of the items. You can only use closed shapes, lines and type. Label areas or features for clarity, and include your name somewhere in the drawings.
A plan view is a view from above, looking down at your subject. You may want to take rough measurements, but you do not have to work to an exact scale.
You can find a very simple example here: https://civiconcepts.com/blog/types-of-kitchen-layout but you do not need to follow this visual style. We will have more complex assignments in the future - this task is only meant to show fundamental skills.
Submission:
Upload the file to Brightspace by 6 pm, Sun, Mar 02
Make sure that the filename is:
YOURLASTNAME_Task03.ai
Late assignment penalties
For this assignment, late submissions will be penalized at 10% of the total mark (that is, if an assignment is graded out of 10, you will lose 1 point per day, starting on the due date.)
A 1-hour grace period after the assignment due time will be given to avoid any technical issues related to internet speed resulting in late assignment penalties.
The best approach, however, is to submit work early.