Illustration for Designers: Create Your Own Geometric Animal

Learn Vector Illustration with DKNG Studios! This 90-minute class with designers Dan Kuhlken and Nathan Goldman teaches you practical techniques for creating stunning, simplified vector graphics in Adobe Illustrator. Discover how to simplify complex forms, build unified compositions, and achieve a sophisticated style with restraint.

This course is perfect for:

• Practiced Illustrators looking to refine their skills.
• Emerging Designers wanting to master Adobe Illustrator.
• Anyone seeking to improve their vector design abilities.

Course Outline:

Introduction: Bridge the gap between design and illustration. Create a compelling animal illustration in Adobe Illustrator using basic shapes.

Researching Your Subject: Learn how to gather reference images and analyze existing artwork to inform your design.

Starting Your Sketch: Establish a strong design layout using simple shapes to create the basic outline of your animal's face.

Adding Details: Watch Dan Kuhlken demonstrate shading techniques and develop a creative design for your animal project.

Basic Shapes:

1. From Sketch to Vector: Transform your hand-drawn sketch into an Adobe Illustrator file. Break down your drawing into basic shapes and establish a cohesive color palette.
2. Symmetry & Backgrounds: Learn to set background colors and utilize the rotation tool to achieve symmetrical designs.
3. Alignment & Connections: Master shape alignment and connect lines to create tangents – valuable skills for letter design and beyond.
4. Building Complexity: Flesh out your design by adding color and creating intricate shapes through duplication and dragging simple elements.
5. Creating Shadows: Add depth and dimension by duplicating and overlapping shapes to create realistic shadows. Establish a system of rules for uniform shapes.

Creating Rules: Develop a consistent geometric design by establishing rules for shape size, stroke width, angles, and zooming.

Adding Color: Experiment with color palettes and learn the importance of creating swatches early in the design process. Utilize Illustrator's transparency tool to blend colors and create unique hues.

Texture:

1. Textured Effects: Enhance your vector design by adding subtle textures. Learn to edit textured images in Photoshop to apply darker textures to lighter backgrounds in Illustrator.
2. Layering Textures: Apply lighter textures to darker backgrounds by adjusting the texture image in Photoshop and then implementing the changes in Illustrator.

Final Tips: Receive expert advice on color printing and shape relationships to elevate your graphic design portfolio.

Want to see more from DKNG Studios? Check out their other Skillshare classes: [Rock Poster Design](link to class) and [Halftones for Screen Printing](link to class)!