ILLUSTRATOR DRAWING TOOLS KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS

V- Selection Tool (black arrow)

A- Direct Selection Tool (white arrow)

E- Transform Tool (to scale, rotate, etc)

P- Pen tool

Spacebar (hold) – temporarily switch to hand tool

Command (hold) – temporarily switch to Selection tool

CLOSED PATH OBJECTS

Geometric shape tools (rectangle, ellipse, rounded rectangle, star, polygon)

MODIFIER KEYS

Keyboard shortcuts used when click and holding down mouse (active drawing mode) to make drawing tools behave differently

Option/Alt --draw shape from center point

Shift- proportionally constrain an object

Spacebar- reposition an object while in drawing tool

To create shape/object numerically- select drawing tool, just click anywhere on artboard, and fill in options

OPEN PATH OBJECTS

Line Segment Tool (hold down shift to constrain line angles to 45 degrees)

Arc Tool (modify degree of curve with up/down arrow keys, press F or X to flip direction of curve)

Spiral Too (press up/down arrows to increase/decrease # segments; press alt/option to rotate spiral)

MODIFYING OPEN AND CLOSED PATHS

Use Direct Selection Tool (white arrow) to move and modify anchor points (and beizer curve handles)

Use Direct Selection Tool (white arrow) to convert anchor to corner point (curved with beizer handles) or smooth point (angular)

Hold down Alt/option with Direct Selection tool (white arrow) tomove single beizer curve handle attached to anchor point

Use Selection tool (black arrow) to connect two or more separate open path objects; Select paths or anchor points to join, andpress Command+J to join anchor points

Adobe Illustrator Keyboard Shortcuts
Adobe Illustrator Drawing Basics
Adobe Illustrator Transformation Basics

Project 1 - Typographic Self Portrait

Download Project 1 Specifications

Description:
Create a self-portrait using only typographic characters (letters, numbers, punctuation). The “content” of this portrait should consist of letterforms that spell your name and/or construct a short text or phrases that describe yourself, or how you would like others to see you. Examine the overall graphical structure and style of typographic elements closely to determine what will represent you best.

Objectives:
+ To create an awareness of the image of typography and become familiar with typographic vocabulary.
+ To explore various design principles and its aide in visual communication.
+ Gain working understanding with Digital Imaging and Digital Illustration software.

Specifications:
Size: 11" x 17" (tabloid sized sheet of paper); black typographic forms on a white background.
Media: You can generate the letterforms or text on the computer, cut them from periodicals, or hand-draw them. The assembly of your final composition must be done using Adobe Illustrator.
Letters, numbers, and symbols such as parentheses are allowed, as are combinations of different typefaces. However you may not manipulate or deform the letterforms (disfigurement, hiding, etc not allowed).

Timeline + Deadlines:
Conceptual Brainstorming: Photograph yourself + brainstorm text content to use in project due Wednesday, Sept 4, 8:30am.
Portrait Sketches: 5-10 freeform sketches or traced photographs due Monday, Sept 09, 8:30am.
Initial Layout Comps: Choose best sketch and generate typographic components in full sized layout (continues Week 3-5).
Project 1 Final Critique: Printed comp and all process work due Monday, Sept 30, 8:30am.

Grading criteria (projects averaged into 50% of overall course grade)
Process (Brainstorming, Sketches, Layout, Refinement)—20%
Technical Skill—30%
Aesthetics & Communication—50%