Using Textures in Illustrator

-

Illustrator is known for its vector designs, which are often two dimensional with a smooth and clean finish. In this lesson, we learnt how to add depth to a vector design using image textures and grains.

To create this scene, I began by creating the background with a gradient to make the sky more dynamic and give the appearance of depth with the horizon whiter. Next, I created the mountains with a simple triangle shape, just duplicating the shape and resizing it each time to give variation. To form a colour palette for the design, it was suggested that we use the Swatch Library to find collections of swatches with different themes and uses. For this design, I chose the landscape theme, selecting colours with an interesting purple tone to match a desert theme. To give a softer edge to the mountains it was suggested, similar to the swatch library, to select a brush stroke to edit the outline of the shape, breaking the clean line. To add depth, a mountain was duplicated to create a layer in front, a gradient was then added to give the illusion of light and shadow. However, to also add texture, a grain was applied to the gradient, in this case, horizontal. Finally, a multiply layer effect was added to let the white of the gradient disappear and the grain layer over the original mountain. Also within the swatch library are patterns, where simple lines and dots can be added to create comic book effects and interesting shadows.

This method was repeated throughout the design to provide this final outcome. Another option that can be used to create texture is to use a photograph as a mask. For the sun and water, I chose images to add texture and applied them to the original vector using the transparency tool and mask option. This is also helpful in not effecting the original shape, allowing changes and experiments to be made without needing to recreate the shape.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Booklet Design Research

-
Image
To gain inspiration for my booklet designs, I looked at examples of booklets with interesting features creating a mood board of images: The first three of designs use a selective 2 or 3 colour palette. By limiting colour continuity can be achieved and an understated visual appeal. These designs also feature large titles that span almost an entire page, which, in the case of my booklet, would allow me to display the typefaces clearly to the reader. The fourth image uses diagonal text boxes and titles that follow a perpendicular pattern. By rotating the text interest can be added, but it is important not to repeat it too often as it could become a gimmick. A few of the examples use black type over just a plain white page, limited the text to smaller segments, thus, using the white space to make the design minimalist. A couple of the booklets use contrasting page colours using a black background and then a white on the other side, this segregates the information but still k...
Read more

Booklet Colour Scheme Development

-
Image
Red and Black: After selecting my final layout design, I began looking at colour. In my first design, I used the 'I Love New York' logo as inspiration using the same shade of red as the heart. From here, I created tint swatches of the colour at 75%, 50% and 25%, giving a graduation of tones that I could use together with the black text. I decided to use minimal elements of other tones in this design, by using a grey line beneath the subtitle. I found the original red too vibrant for the block of colour, using the second shade down. This was still bold enough to make the white text stand out. As the photograph was already slightly translucent it allowed some of the red to come through behind, giving it a tinted effect. I used the bolder red for the subtitle and the drop cap. For the water mark effect I used the second boldest red at a 15% opacity. Orange and Blue: Referring to a colour wheel, I wanted to experiment with complimentary colours. I chose orang...
Read more