Create sets of product icons in Illustrator
Ben O'Brien – aka Ben The Illustrator – walks you through the process of creating simple yet effective sets of illustrated icons using Illustrator CC.
How to design graphic figures
Ben O'Brien explains how to turn your basic stick men into graphic figures with style and personality in this Illustrator CC tutorial.
Create your own calligraphic brush in Illustrator
One of the best things about Illustrator is the ability to create your own brushes. Here, Chris Rathbone explains how to create your own vector Illustrator brush in three simple steps.
Design more efficiently with Dynamic Symbols
The Dynamic Symbols tool in Illustrator CC lets you dynamically change a symbol's attributes and streamline your artwork creation. This tutorial explains how to use it to create multiple instances of a master symbol, which then retain their link to the master symbol even when their shape and visual attributes are altered.
Speed up your design with templates
One way to speed up your design process is by using high-quality templates built right into Illustrator CC, which you can download from Adobe Stock. This tutorial explains how to find the right template and customise it for your own use.
Use the Perspective Grid
With Illustrator CC’s Perspective Grid, you can either place existing artwork in a perspective plane or draw directly on to the grid. This tutorial by Matthew Pizzi uses both methods to create a 3D gift box, plus you’ll learn an easy way to create a reflection.
Add painterly effects with brushes
This step-by-step tutorial teaches you to build up a detailed and impactful illustration by applying painterly brush strokes to objects, to add texture, interest, and details. Sample files are included to help you practise the techniques.
Quickly manipulate shapes with effects
In this tutorial, you’ll learn a quick way to manipulate shapes by applying non-destructive effects in Illustrator CC. Once you’ve mastered the technique, you’re encouraged you to experiment with variations using the sample files provided.
How to create a set of sexuality icons
In this step by step tutorial you’ll learn how to create a simple set of 10 icons using Illustrator. You’ll use vector shape building techniques, the Rounded Corners effect and the Rotate Tool.
Design a logo
This tutorial shows you how to use vector shapes to create a logo that will look good on screen as it does in print, and which combines imagery with text.
Create a web icon
In this tutorial you’ll learn how to modify simple shapes to create a camera icon to use as a social media profile image, and as a button linking to a portfolio on a digital CV.
Design a monogram
A monogram is a type of personal branding made up of one or more letters, typically initials, that may be intertwined as part of a design. This tutorial demonstrates how to use a simple shapes, a professional typeface and colour to create one.
Create an app icon
This step-by-step tutorial by Matthew Pizzi outlines how to create a calculator app icon in Illustrator. You’ll use a variety of shape tools, the Pen tool, and the 3D features of Illustrator CC.
Create a perfectly geometric logo design in Illustrator
This tutorial walks you through how to create a perfectly geometric logo design. Begin by creating an initial pattern using smart guides, then remove areas from shapes using the Shape Builder tool or Pathfinder tool, and add gradients.
The easy way to roughen your typography
In this video tutorial you’ll learn a quick and easy way to roughen your typography in Illustrator. This grungy, roughened effect is a good way to add an old-fashioned print effect to your designs.
Quickly join and trim paths
Learning to join paths is a great way to clean up your line work in Illustrator CC. This tutorial explains how to trim excess line segments from intersecting paths and close gaps between two open paths.
Create pixel-perfect designs
This tutorial walks you through three options for ensuring precision control over your designs as you draw them in Illustrator CC. You’ll learn how to create paths that automatically align to the pixel grid as you draw them; align art to the pixel; and customise the pixel-snapping feature.
How to create a shaded type effect in Adobe Illustrator
One way artists emphasise the curvature of their type is to apply shading, which adds an illusion of depth to the lettering piece. In this tutorial Chris Spooner shows you how to produce a shaded type effect in Adobe Illustrator.
How to create vector avatar characters with Illustrator
Cartoon style avatars are a halfway house between formal representation and stylised illustration, allowing a degree of anonymity for the person pictured. In this tutorial, Chris Spooner uses the vector tools in Adobe Illustrator to produce a simple avatar character with a line art style and flat colours.
How to create a line art badge logo in Adobe Illustrator
Logo designs made in the style of line art, featuring simplified illustrations to produce a minimalist design, are a popular trend at the moment. In this tutorial Chris Spooner takes you through the process of creating your own line art badge logo design.
How to create a retro long shadow text effect
In this tutorial, Andrei Marius demonstrates how to create a retro long shadow text effect. You’ll learn how to work with the Appearance panel and use a Transform effect to add a long shadow effect to your text without expanding it.
How to create a rainbow text effect
In this tutorial, you’ll learn to create a simple square, multiply it using the Transform effect. You’ll then progress to turning a set of squares into a pattern brush. By combining this with the Width Tool, you’ll learn how to create a rainbow text effect.
Create a bones text effect
This tutorial walks you through setting up a simple grid and creating several shapes. Then, using the Rounded Corners effect and some basic vector shape-building techniques, you’ll learn how to create a bones text effect.
Create repeating patterns for skate deck art
This masterclass shows you how to use repeating, tiled patterns based on vector workings of real-world objects. By taking everyday objects, such as vegetables and kitchen utensils, and reworking them as stylised vector art, you can create some thought-provoking art.
Create seamless, Mexican-inspired patterns
In this step by step tutorial by Berlin-based artist Amrei Hofstätter, you’ll learn how to create a complex, colourful Mexican-inspired pattern using just two simple geometric objects in Illustrator.
Next page: Advanced Illustrator tutorials
