The Idea Refinery

Type in Adobe Illustrator

Shayne — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:29:26 +0000

Adobe Illustrator has some powerful tools to shape and modify display type (type that is used in headlines etc.) I don’t recommend it for laying out body copy however.

When discussing typography, it is necessary to understand the terminology. Here is a wonderful site that has an extensive list of typographic terms. Once you are familiar with some of the terms you can begin to compare typefaces to see how they differ.

Here is a fun way to get familiar with the art of letter spacing or kerning.

But typography is more than just dissecting a typeface into its component parts. When used well, type can add meaning to the text. It can also be expressive, although some old school typographers reject the use of type in this way.

The following clips are from the movie ‘Helvetica’ by director Gary Hurstwit. The movie is ostensibly about the typeface that defined modern graphic design, but it also tackles some of the issues surrounding graphic design in general.

Michael Beirut discusses what Helvetica meant to modern graphic design.

David Carson discusses how breaking the rules of traditional typography leads to creative results.

Watch the entire movie ‘Helvetica’ below.

Live Trace Effect in Illustrator

Shayne — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:52:38 +0000

The Live Trace effect in Adobe Illustrator can turn any photo into a compelling graphic image. I like to use it for detailed backgrounds that would be to difficult to recreate using Illustrator’s conventional vector tools. I also use it to convert photos into graphics that can then be turned into a brush to create interesting patterns. This video shows how to do all these things. Once you understand the Live Trace effect you can begin to experiment with other imagery. The sky’s the limit!

Compositing in Photoshop – Part 1

Shayne — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 06:54:18 +0000

This tutorial series discusses how to composite imagery within illustrator. Using a simple gig poster as a starting point, we’ll explore a number of techniques that you can use to make your Photoshop imagery look better.

Download exercise files here.

Compositing in Photoshop – Part 2

Shayne — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 06:54:05 +0000

Download exercise files here.

Compositing in Photoshop – Part 3

Shayne — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 05:57:10 +0000

Download exercise files here.

Cut Paper Effect in Photoshop

Shayne — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:19:59 +0000

This tutorial uses basic layer effects to create a compelling, dimensional cut paper effect. We’ll also look at adding lighting effects to create the appearance of a realistic diorama.

Please excuse the poor sound quality.

Download the exercise files here.

Drawing in Photoshop – Part 1: Setting Up

Shayne — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:31:08 +0000

For most artists drawing is a personal endevour. It is most likely the very first mode of artistic expression artists ever engage in. Which is why making the transition from drawing on paper to drawing digitally can be so difficult, causing the beginner to throw up their pressure sensitive pen in frustration.

But the effort to learn to draw digitally is worth it. The tools for quick modifications that Photoshop provides can take your drawing into a whole new level of sophistication.

The videos in this series are meant to introduce the subject of drawing digitally in a gentle and pragmatic manner. We’ll first see how to set up our PS workspace to best advantage, and then how some simple exercises can help develop new muscle memory. Finally we’ll look at PS’s new mixer brushes which simulate working in traditional media.

Drawing in Photoshop – Part 2: Exercises

Shayne — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:01:33 +0000

But the effort to learn to draw digitally is worth it. The tools for quick modifications that Photoshop provides can take your drawing into a whole new level of sophistication.

Drawing in Photoshop – Part 3: Mixer Brushes

Shayne — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:00:09 +0000

But the effort to learn to draw digitally is worth it. The tools for quick modifications that Photoshop provides can take your drawing into a whole new level of sophistication.

Georgia Straight Cover Illustration Assignment

Shayne — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:16:45 +0000

The IDEA 277 Digital Illustration class at Capilano University was assigned an editorial cover illustration for The Georgia Straight Magazine to accompany either one of two articles on politically charged subjects.

Click here to see all the great work.

The first article discussed the risks of building a pipeline from the Alberta tarsands, through the pristine wilderness of northern BC, to our delicate but treacherous coastline.The second article examined the possible consequences of ‘normalizing’ the sex trade by creating co-op brothels.

Handling subjects like these is a real challenge for an illustrator. The articles are well balanced and explore both sides of the issue. A successful illustration must reflect that balance while still engaging viewers with dramatic and compelling imagery.

The student’s were required to use Adobe Illustrator at some point in the execution of the illustration.