Graphic Design Courses > 
Mar23
Adding a drop shadow in Adobe Illustrator is a very simple process and can add dynamism to your artwork. We show you how in our Illustrator courses. This image, for instance, was collaged first of all in Photoshop, and imported into Illustrator. The Image Trace function was then applied which redefines the bitmap information as vector artwork. See our blog... Read more...
Mar7
There are dozens of effects you can add to artwork in Illustrator, both vector and bitmap types. These are some of the many features we explore in our Illustrator courses. Effects can be found in the drop-down menu at the top of the Illustrator interface. First create some artwork, as in the example here. We started by creating a yellow... Read more...
Feb28
When you set up a new document in Adobe Illustrator one of the items you have to specify is the bleed guide.This is only really relevant in the context of print media, and is one of the many topics we cover in our Illustrator courses. Bleed is a term used in the printing industry for the safe area outside the... Read more...
Feb23
The Blend tool in Adobe Illustrator is useful in many contexts, for example, creating a custom border for a design, or creating a more interesting backdrop. It’s just one of the tools we explore in our Illustrator classes. First of all, you need two shapes to work with. The example here is a yellow rounded rectangle with a blue ellipse.... Read more...
Feb16
Creating Illustrator patterns, known as prints in the textiles industry, is very easy! And has been made even simpler with the new Pattern Maker function in Illustrator CS6. Repeat patterns can be used for all sorts of things, from garment design to differentiating areas on a floor plan to representing textures or materials. We show you how in our one-day... Read more...
Feb7
Adobe Illustrator is the the industry-leader for creating vector artwork and is used by illustration professionals the world over. The program is also used widely in the fashion industry, from creating initial concept artwork to producing finished pattern line art for exporting to CAD software. Illustrator is also used to construct storyboards with colourways and repeat prints. And it can... Read more...
Jan31
Illustrator Live Trace is a quick and easy function to perform when you want to convert a bitmap image to vector format, and can be used to clean up low resolution images or logos. It is one of the many features we explore in our one or two-day Illustrator classes. First of all, create a new document. Then Place your... Read more...
Jan24
In the cosmic battle of Illustrator vs Photoshop, who would win? Well, like most superheroes both programs have their strengths, weaknesses and super-powers. And like the worlds of DC and Marvel, both programs are most comfortable within their own environments. Occasionally, however, the two worlds collide. To drop the metaphor, there are two types of graphics programs – the difference... Read more...
Jan17
Illustrator brushes are first of all useful if you are just creating some strokes or forms free hand, and accuracy is not an issue. Before you use the Paintbrush tool, first select a brush from the Brushes palette. If you can’t see this, go to Window > Brushes. Then just click and drag to draw the freeform shape. Working with... Read more...
Jan9
Illustrator clipping masks are used for two main reasons: to clip away parts of an imported image, and to tidy up your Illustrator artwork, for example a border with rounded corners. In our Illustrator courses we show you practical examples of both methods. In the first example, go File > Place > and browse to the photograph or vector image... Read more...
