Using The Pen Tool

Here is a link to the old tutorial on the pen tool exercise for GDP 110.

Using SVG Images

Clipart, logos, and letterforms in Scalable Vector Format can usually be imported into Illustrator, basically functioning the same way as AI files. Sometimes Illustrator will not recognize a particular SVG file for what could be a number of reasons, usually because of versioning issues. As time goes on and standards settle into place, this sort of problem should diminish.

Illustrator can also export to SVG format. This file format is primarily used on the Web. SVG is a text-based format derived from XML, interpreted by browser software to render an image. The XML literally describes the image to the interpreter. Another example of this sort of format is Postscript, which uses text and language to describe a page to be printed onto paper.

Because SVG is vector-based, it is resolution-independent. This means that images will not degrade at any screen size or magnification.

In searching for SVG clipart using Google, type in your search term this way: image: recycle logo svg. Then select "Images" from the context bar at the left of the page. Often, an image will be rendered in a raster format such as PNG. However, such raster images sometimes link to SVG versions. Not all browsers support SVG, although all so-called modern browsers do.

The "flower" logo shown above/left is a JPG rendering of the W3C logo for SVG. I originally obtained the SVG version of this logo from Wikipedia, creating the JPG version from that. JPG files contain text and binary data, meaning that they could, in theory, also be made to contain a hidden text-based vector version of the image being rendered. This is really only of academic interest to people with no lives. Speaking of which, the image here depicted does, in fact, have embedded text reading, "This is text hidden in a JPG file." If you open the file in a text editor, you will find that text at the end of line #1.

Embedding hidden text this way is a form of "steganography," but that is completely different subject.

The Postcard Exercise for GDP111

The template for the postcard exercise is here.

A lot of students botch this exercise badly. You don't have to. Download the template and pay attention to the instructions/specifications. Then either place a PDF of your output onto the student layer of the template, or, if you haven't started yet, use the already set up layout to construct your card.

This exercise is to create a postcard for mass mailing. Chances are that you and most of the people that you know professionally will never use this skill. Junk mail is rapidly migrating to SPAM, and soon will become obsolete.

On the other hand, something about learning this process will imbue your soul with a kind of graphical awareness that will serve to enhance your creative dexterity. Or something.

The Squiggle Exercise for GDP111

The finished template for the Squiggle exercise is here.

When you place this PDF over your own work, be sure to transparentize the layer down to about 67% to see your own work.  By far the hardest part of this exercise is making the squiggle weave in and out of the shapes.

Long-story-short on the squiggle line: If you make your stroke 9pt, and click the attributes boxes the way they are done in the instructions, then when you use the scissors tool to cut the segments, they will snap into the same shape as those shown in the instructions. When you first select the wavy line, the periods of the waves will look wrong. Just ignore that and proceed. Then it will be a simple matter of using the arrange dialog to position the segments in front of and behind the shapes.

The "Lost Road" Exercise for GDP111

The "Lost Road" template is here.

This template was created in Indesign according to the document setup instructions. The background image was placed onto the bottom layer, and the PDF from the instructions was then placed onto a layer above that, and then nudged into place. This is why you can see the drop shadow in the crop area.

And, BTW, disregard the border that shows at the finished edges. That also is from the PDF in the instructions.

Because this poster has a texture printed onto the background, you must necessarily export it with printer's marks and document bleed settings turned on.

Another hint: If the instructions do not include the text, you can extract the text from the PDF, usually just by copying and pasting. You should never ever ever re-type something that has been typed by someone else already. To do so is completely Medieval.

Chapter 6, The Bank Card for GDP111

An old tutorial from 2009 on the bank card is here.

This tutorial contains a PDF, an Indesign file, and a step-by-step video. The video is a bit rambling, but the guy making it is actually doing the finished exercise.

Talk about spoon feeding.

o7 Raffle template for GDP111

The template for the raffle tickets is here.

In the past, students have had more trouble with this exercise than any other.

After studying the instructions, pay close attention to the template. Notice, for instance, the perf line crop marks, and how none of the crop lines actually extend into the image area. Also. be sure to put the crops in registration color. The template may or may not have them displayed as such. But you will be graded down if you don't.

Note also that the fold line does not extend across the page, It must be in the bleed area, and not touch the image area. The instructions are misleading on this point, as they show a dotted line running across the page.

Ask questions as you go through this exercise.

And do not hand in something that looks different from the template.