Creating and Editing Vectors

To further explore Type and Image, we were tasked with drawing a black and white illustration to be later created as a vector image in Illustrator. For this illustration I used two black fine liners, one in 0.4 and the other 0.8, to achieve varying weights and a more appealing stylised design. Using the same theme as the last pieces, I used apples on branches, linking with my assignment's brand. The illustration was designed using a variety of shapes to give interesting elements to edit later once turned into a vector. Once the illustration was completed, it was scanned into Photoshop. From here the levels were adjusted to make the black bold and background brighter.

Next, it was copied into Illustrator to be converted to a vector. To do this, I used the Image Trace tool, selected from the windows menu. This tool traces the black line of the hand-drawn image creating a vector shape. At this stage, the threshold can be adjusted to select the desired amount of colour and form the chosen shapes. 

Once the trace was completed, the image was expanded, allowing the outline to be edited using the direct selection tool. Next, the white background needed to be removed. To do this, I used the magic wand to select one of the white areas. Then, accessing the 'select' drop down menu, I used the 'same' and 'appearance' tool to select all the white within the image and delete it all at once. From here, I was left with the black vector outline. However, the appearance was still very messy, therefore, using the direct selection tool, I edited the placement and curvature of individual points creating sharper edges and points to the design. Once the whole vector was adjusted, it became sharp and neat allowing it to be used as a high dpi logo or illustration that can be resized more easily than the original jpeg scan of the illustration. I will keep this method in mind when designing for my alcohol packaging as another method of illustration within Graphic Design.