Objective

To learn Illustrator production techniques. To master Illustrator's type tool by recreating the following poster:

Discussion

The grid is a wonderful way to organize information. Alignment helps create a sense of visual unity. Careful positioning of elements on a grid will help balance a design. Playful violation of the grid creates variety. Grids have been popular in graphic design since the 1930s and they are still an essential tool in publication design today.

Procedure

prepping illustrator

1. launch Illustrator, file > new (profile=print, size=24x36 inches)
2. save as "garamond.ai"
3. browse to www.itcfonts.com and download the ITC logo
   (RMB: save image as...)
4. file place "ITC_Logo.gif" (place as template)
5. add new layers (bg, logo, art, type)
6. view > smart guides
7. practice Adobe navigation keyboard shortcuts: space = hand; space+cmd = zoom in; space+cmd+opt = zoom out; cmd+zero = fit in window

creating the logo art in illustrator

1. go to "logo" layer, lock others
2. draw boxes matching template art
3. add type (use Myriad)
4. type > create outlines (cmd+shift+O)
5. object > ungroup (cmd+shift G)
6. draw box for cutting, add fill/strokes (align stroke to inside)
7. select "C" and box
8. window pathfinder: subtract, expand
9. hide template layer
10. position logo 4.5 inches from left, 3 inches from bottom
11. make logo larger

adding type to the grid

1. go to "type" layer, lock others
2. Illustrator > preferences > guides & grids: grid line every 3 inches, subdivisions=2
3. type tool (single click): "Aa" (font=Garamond Light Italic, size=96)
4. align to grid: 7.5 inches from top, 4.5 inches from left
5. copy horizontally 4.5 inches apart (opt+shift+drag)
6. select row, copy vertically 3 inches apart (opt+shift+drag)
7. objects > transform > transform again (cmd+D)
8. replace "Aa" with the rest of the alphabet
9. add headline "ITC Garamond Light Italic"
10. type tool (click and drag): add body copy from www.lipsum.com
11. adjust size (cmd+shift+< or >) and leading (opt+up/down arrow)
12. add credit "Design: Jane Smith" (10 pt Helvetica, vertical)

adding background art

1. go to "bg" layer, lock others
2. rectangle too (single click): 24 x 36 inches, position
3. fill with color
4. window > swatches (flyout menu): select > unused, delete
5. add additional colors to swatches
6. copy and paste select characters from "type" layer to "art" layer
7. type > create outlines (cmd+shift+O)
8. object > ungroup (cmd+shift G)
9. scale art and fill with color
10. object > arrange > bring to front/send to back (cmd+shift+[ or ])
11. adjust to match sample

grading

1. file > save for web: preset=GIF 32 no dither, image size=800px wide
2. publish GIF as a link from your projects page
3. file > print: 11x17 b&w, fit to page
4. save, save as PDF (preset=press quality, illustrator editing=no)
5. submit b&w laser proofs with your name on it for grading
6. file graded proof in your 3-ring binder for individual review