Please review this video on vector-based design software (Illustrator). The series will cover core basics as well as step-by-step guides for creating business cards, logos, rack cards, and brand guides.
Transcribed Notes:
Illustrator Basics
Start a new file in Adobe Illustrator to create items like a business card, choosing whatever size you prefer. You work off artboards, utilizing two artboards if your design requires both a front and a back.
A bleed is an extra section added around the business card so that when it is trimmed at the printer, the design extends past the edge and cut marks are hidden.
Use CMYK for print projects at 300 dpi, and use RGB for screen or website use at 72 dpi
You can type freely or drag a box to enable text wrapping. You can modify fonts (such as switching to Futura and Futura Extra Bold) and adjust text boxes, making sure to keep text away from the edge or bleed line because it is too close when trimmed.
Use the Object > Arrange > Send to Back command to move background elements (such as colored boxes or images) behind your text layers so they remain readable.
Press Command + R on a Mac to pull up rulers, allowing you to drag and set precise center guide marks. Guides can also be cleared from the menu when no longer needed.
The Black Arrow moves entire shapes, text boxes, and pieces around the board.
The White Arrow lets you select and modify individual anchor points on a path or box to freely change its shape.
You can use the pen tool to drop points, create custom enclosed shapes, or click and drag points to curve lines.
You can draw geometric shapes like circles by holding down the shift key to keep them proportional.
The brush tool allows you to paint custom lines.
The rotation tool lets you rotate shapes.
The Pathfinder tool and alignment/distribution options help merge shapes, knock out pieces, and precisely align text elements.
Unlike pixel-based Photoshop files, Illustrator files are vector files made of numerous points, allowing graphics like logos to be scaled up to a large sign or down to a small business card without losing clarity
Files can be saved as working Illustrator files (.ai), EPS files, or PDFs for client viewing. You can also export files as PNG or JPEG formats for quick client proofs.