Class 04

Class Info

• Date: September 20, 2023
• Meeting Info: 6:00pm – 9:20pm, P124

Homework Due for Sept 13

• Artboard size: 8.5×11, portrait or landscape.
• Create a logo or icon that represents you, your personality, etc.
• Use the techniques of working with simple shapes, fills and strokes that we covered in class.
• Think shapes—rectangles, squares, circles, triangles, etc. Use basic shapes like these to create your logo/icon. The logo or icon that you create doesn’t need to be complex. It should be simple.
• Use the YouTube video below to learn how to use the shape builder tool.
• Start by sketching the shapes on a sketch pad to help you work out your design.
• Do not include type.
• Save the file in the Illustrator format as 02_LastName FirstInitial_Logo.ai
• Upload the file in the appropriate Google Drive folder.

Topic

Quiz#1

The beginning of the class we will have our 1st quiz. It shouldn’t take any more than 15-20 minutes. It is a digital exam which will be taken in BlackBoard.

Using the Pen Tools

Today, we will begin our exploration of the pen tools that Illustrator has to offer.

Objectives

What you can expect to learn

• Use to the Pen Tool to create complex shapes
• Create paths and shapes with the Pen Tool
  • Straight lines, Curved lines (Bezier Curves) 
• Add Remove Anchor Points with the Pen Tool 
• Explore the Curvature Tool
• Converting Smooth Points to Corner Points

Review from previous class

• Join Tool – joining paths
• Using the Scissor Tool – Splitting a  path
• Creating Dashed Lines
• Use of Arrowheads

Critique

Each week we will review homework assignments from the previous class. Students will participate in reviewing material and offering suggestions for improvement for their cohort. This week we discuss the creation of shapes, choosing color and alignment and composition. The homework we will review was due last week, Sept 13.

Lab

Lab assignments are done during class time. Practice creating straight lines, and Bezier curves using the practice templates.

Discussion

Each week you will need to respond to two questions posted. This is a requirement for participation part of your grade.

Homework Due Next Class 

All work should be submitted by 11:30pm the day before class.

Each file should be saved according to the following naming convention. i.e., 04_LastName_Swan.ai (Illustrator).

• Use the Swan Template and trace over the template on drawing layer to practice using the pen tool.
• In 04Pear.ai template, draw a pear following the template. This will be demonstrated in class. Save it in the correct naming convention and email it for your folder.

Vocabulary

• Curvature Tool
• Straight Lines
• Bezier Curves
• Adding and Removing Anchor Points
• Anchor Point Tool (Converting Smooth to Corner Anchors)

Resources

Here are some notes that you should read to educate yourself in the topic area described above.