Adobe Illustrator CS4 COURSE DESCRIPTION This course examines the basic features that have made Adobe Illustrator virtually Indispensable to today's graphics designer. Topics include drawing and shape tools, using template, drawing paths, using the autotrace And pen tools, blending between objects, wrapping text and controlling type, as well as Discussion on exporting work to page-layout programs and raster based programs. Demonstration will include importing and exporting images from Photoshop and InDesign. Special new features and special effects will be discussed in length. Required Reading: Illustrator For Windows And Macintosh CS4 Visual Quickstart By Elaine Weinmann and Peter Lourekas Peachpit Press Approx. $24 No demo CD Suggested Reading: Real World Illustrator CS4 Peachpit Press $49.99 Level: beginner through advance No Demo CD Adobe Illustrator CS4 Classroom in a Book Peachpit Press $45.00 1 demo CD Adobe Illustrator "WOW book." Techniques By Ben Willmore ISBN: 0321213521 $42.50 - Peachpit Press Internet resources: http:///www.adobe.com http:///www.publish.com http:///www.designgraphics.com http://www.layers.com Magazines Resources: Design Graphics How Before and After Materials -additional expenses: CD-Rs or USB keychain drives for files storage (class material, PDF's and homework). Black illustration boards, cut and past supplies, notebook. Students should reserve approximately $50-70 for printing the final project at a digital service bureau. (Optional). Weekly assignments do not require high end printing, a desktop color printer like the HP or Epson is acceptable. Blackboard: http://uclaextension.blacboard.com - down load information for the class. http://www.journeyed.com for education software. 1
TEACHING OBJECTIVES The class is a combination of lecture, discussion, demonstrations. Discussions will cover issues involving: fundamental Illustrator, tracing, manipulating and editing vector based objects. Input and output of image, Good illustration techniques, and standards used in the design/ illustration field. Students will learn how to present a project and prepare their files for presentations and print. LEARNING OBJECTIVES On successful completion of this course, students can expect to: 1. Have a command of all the tools in Illustrator 2. Understand Vector objects vs. Raster based images. 3. Develop good tracing techniques using the Pen tool and the auto Trace Tool. 4. Learn how to manipulate and use Text. 5. Have a better command in the use of color, CMYK and Spot colors. 6. Usage of the Mask Tool, and other special effects palettes. (3D). 7. Create clean object oriented illustrations 8. Learn how to use the Gradient Mesh Tool. 9. Develop an understanding of Filters and Effects in Illustrator. 10. Learn how to input and output images properly STUDY SUGGESTIONS 1. Refer to relevant chapters in reference books. 2. Take good notes and review them immediately for retention. 3. Begin observing and collecting interesting samples of illustrations. 4. Draw thumbnail sketches of interesting ideas and compositions. CLASS PACE The class will start out very basic, but quickly move on to more advanced techniques and assignments. To some Extent the pace of the class will be determined by the level of experience and abilities of the students. However, Students experience and abilities often vary greatly and it may not be possible to go at a pace that will be Comfortable for everybody. Commitment is a big part of this class. The only way to learn Illustrator is by using it. Some of you will have to put in more time than others (Pen Tool!). If a student feels he or she is falling behind and needs Additional help, please contact me for a meeting, I will try to schedule time before the class to go over Some topics. ATTENDANCE Typically, a lot of material will be covered in each class. It is, therefore, very important not to miss a class. It may be very Difficult to catch-up. While most of the material covered can be found in books, occasionally techniques will be Discussed that are either not published or that have been gleaned from a variety of books. PDF s of these technique Might be provided by me or on-line, but, there is no substitute for in-class instruction. Make-up class/field trip In the event of missing a class due to a school holiday, we will schedule a make-up class, that might be on a different day from our class meeting. A filed trip will be scheduled later on toward the end of the term. ASSIGNMENTS Some assignments will be due in one week, others may span two or more weeks depending on Complexity and level of difficulty. Assignments will be turned in on a CD, and a printed copy labelled with your name and project. In cases where the assignments span two or more weeks, students will bring works-in progress (wip s) to class. The wip s will be looked at in class and individual questions and problems addressed. All disks and accompanying jewel case inserts must have the students name clearly displayed. Information on the disks should be well organized. Each CD you turn in should contain ONLY THE FILES PERTAINING TO THE CURRENT ASSIGNMENT. It should not contain files from other classes. 2
Files should be named as follows: (Your last name )_(assignment number) final.psd (or wip.ai). Example: Messer_1final.ai or Messer_1wip.ai Copyright issues: in some cases images will be provided to students for use in their assignments. It is important for students to be aware of the copyright status of these images. Some may be Inappropriate for inclusion in your portfolio or to use in any commercial context. CLASS PARTICIPATION Students involvement is an important part of every successful class. Don t hesitate to ask questions. Questions often Lead to valuable discussions and give me an indication of how well I am communicating the material. GRADES: 40% Homework specifications Including: deadline, final project) 10% Presentation 20% Attendance 30% Effort/Participation in Class Missing a final will give you an incomplete grade! Homework assignment will be displayed in class You are responsible to bring it on a disk, and a printout. (Always label your project!). Missing 3 or more classes without formally dropping the class will constitute an F. All missing assignment and redoes are due on week 10. Final project will be displayed on a board and student will be presenting their project to the class. 3
Course Schedule -weekly outline WEEK 1 Introduction -class overview and requirements Bitmap vs vector Memory requirements/allocation Using the Bridge Opening Illustrator -Welcome Screen Introduction to Illustrator Samples of work Quick review of tool bar, Menu Bar Transformation Tools Assign Colors Illustrator new interface-multiple artboards Color Palettes and Swatches Review the tool bar. Read Chapter 1-3 of Visual Quickstart Illustrator. Look over class handouts. Your homework is to look for Logo, title treatment or symbols that you think were done in illustrator. Bring to class and be prepared to talk about it. (1 sample) Assignment #1 - Radial Symmetry The assignment is to create a radial SYMMETRICAL pattern -(See Sample) DO NOT COPY the sample, create your own vision. You may use any imagery you wish, however you must use 3 different tools in the tool bar. Use transformation tools. Use short cuts to create the image. You must turn in a PRINT of the final piece. Please bring your digital file in as well. Load the image to the instructor hard drive. Be ready to answer questions. Do not use special effects. Samples of other pattern will be reviewed in class. Paper size: 8.5"-11" Pattern is due week #3. WEEK 2 View graphics done with Adobe illustrator. Layers, create, group, nest. Import layers to Photoshop Transparency Palette. Blending modes. More Transformation Tools. Using templates Drawing shapes Read chapter on Layers and Transformation in Visual Quickstart Illustrator. Assignment #2 - Vector Logo The assignment is to re-create the TOY STORY 3 Logo in Illustrator. Download this assignment from the Assignment 2 folder on the instructor computer or blackboard folder. This is IMPERATIVE, or you will NOT have the template to work from. 4
You will need to TRACE the TEMPLATE of the 3D rendered logo. You should keep different parts of the logo on separate LAYERS - Name the layers, include nested layers if you need. Sample the colors with eye dropper. Use the Pen tool only. Do not use fonts. Use Compound Path command. Bring a hard copy to class and a Digital copy. Paper size: 8.5"-11" This is a 1 week assignment. Due on week #4 WEEK 3 Viewing Assignment - Symmetry. Become one with the Pen Tool Tracing shapes, PSD images. Drawing shapes. Using Templates. Modifying and editing Path. Link Palette Read related material in Visual Quickstart Illustrator. Work on your Logo -Due next week. Assignment #3 - Menu The assignment is to re-create a Menu in Illustrator. You will make a menu and bring it to the class. This time you will have To create a real menu. Do not mount it on a board. Redesign it using type and other effects. Do not copy the menu - redesign it. Think about the entire project as a campaign. If you design your menu logo think about A logo as a stand alone. Will show samples in the class. Will discuss the details in class. You must use these TYPE treatments from Illustrator Normal type tool Type on a path Type in a path Type as graphic object (type in rectangle) Wrapped type Type as mask This is a 3 week assignment. Due on week 6 -Midterm Presentation Size: optional. Color or BW. Bring a digital copy. Create outline from type. Do not forget linked images. Bring WIP files to class next week. 5
WEEK 4 View Assignment- toy Story The Type Tool Regular Type, on curve, Type in an Area The Type palette- Character and Paragraph. Creating Character and Paragraph Styles. Open Type, Glyphs Type Warp. Envelopes. Read related material in Visual Quickstart Illustrator. Work on your Menu -Due Week 6 Assignment #4 - Title Treatment The assignment is to create a Movie Title. 3 icon driven You will be the creative designer. Bring 2 boards to class. Mount on one the Icon Driven logo (3 samples) Mount on board #2 the Type driven logo (3 samples). On the back of each board print a larger image of the logo you choose and mount it. This is a 3 week assignment. Due on week 7 Make sure you are using the masking tools, special effects, PSD files. This project has to be presented on a board. Size anything from 11"-14" Bring a digital copy. Create outline and bring linked files. WEEK 5 Viewing WIP for Menu Blends Gradients Clipping Mask Transparency Palette Opacity Mask. Read related material in Visual Quickstart Illustrator. Work on your Menu -Due Week 6 Work on title treatment due Week 7. Create outline and bring linked files. Review masking tools. WEEK 6 Midterm Presentation -Menu Brushes Create and modify brushes. Save and load brushes and brush palette. Patterns Symbols 6
Assignment #5 - Self Portrait You have 2 design choices. 1. Express your self portrait while using at least 3 brushes that you create. Use symbols to express your portrait. 2. Use a scanned image in Photoshop. Save your path in Photoshop and export it to Illustrator. Colorize the image in Illustrator. This is a 2 week assignment. Size: 8.5x11. Due on Week 8. Read related material in Visual Quickstart Illustrator. Work on your Title Treatment -Due Week 7. WEEK 7 View Title Treatment - Assignment #4 Gradient Mesh tool Tracing & Auto Trace Style Palette Appearance Palette Effects Menu Bar, Assignment #6 - Book cover Create a book cover with mechanical Bring the cover you re-designed to the class. In this project you can use PSD images. Try to work as much as you can in Illustrator. Create a logo, a title, symbols. Use Pathfinder effects. Bring the book and the cover to the class. We will compare the old book to the new cover. This is a 3 week assignment Due on Week 10. Work on your Self Portrait. Due Week 8. WEEK 8 View Self Portrait - Assignment #5 Pathfinder Shading with lines Filters 3D Effects Work on your Book Cover. Included in the outline packet). Bring WIP files to class. Review topics. Due on Week 10. 7
WEEK 9 Vector Filters. PSD Filters. Photoshop and Illustrator. Painter and Illustrator. PDF files. Final Project. Final Project -Event Poster You will design a poster for an event. Could be an art show, car show, fund raising event. This is not a movie poster but can be an event that promotes a movie. Ad will include: the event, address and information about the event. Logo of the company that arranging the event. Images and symbols that describing the event. Make sure the Logo can be used as an identity logo. You can use PSD images. Size: 8.5x11" or 11"x14" or larger (if you have the right printer). Paste the ad on a board. Think about the composition. You are telling a story about an event, Make sure you explain it through your design. Be ready to talk about the design and answer questions. Due on Week 12-final presentation Work on your book cover. Due week 10. WEEK 10 View Book Cover Assignment #6 Illustrator for the Web. Special Palettes. Charts and Graphs. Actions. Special topics to review. Final Project -Event Poster Work on your Final Project. Bring WIP files to class. Due on Week 12-final presentation WEEK 11 Field Trip or guest lecturer. Bring to the filed trip if possible. Final Project -Event Poster Work on your Final Project.. Due on Week 12-final presentation WEEK 12 Final Presentation - Event Poster 8
project's list: 1. Assignment #1 - Radial Symmetry - Due Week 3. 2. Assignment #2 - Vector Logo - Due Week 4. 9
3. Assignment #3 - Menu - Due Week 6 Midterm Presentation. Front panels Inside panels 10
4. Assignment #4 - Title Treatment -Due Week 7. Type oriented title treatment Symbol oriented title treatment 11
Adobe Illustrator CS4 5. Assignment #5 - Self Portrait - Due Week 7. 6. Assignment #6 - Book Cover - Due Week week 8 het g n i l re n c e Fe r Law ti 12
7. Assignment #7 - Final Project Event Poster and Logo - Due Week 12. 13