5 tips for Adobe Illustrator beginners

To begin with, it is important to note that Illustrator is mainly used for vector graphics creation. With Adobe Illustrator, we can create logos, illustrations, or even make image montages. These tips for beginners will help you navigate more easily through the Illustrator interface.  

 

1. Choose the right size for your workspace!  

If you already know that you are going to print your Illustrator project, make sure you choose the A4 size and stay within the A4 area. It is possible to put a background that covers the entirety of the page. You can then recadrer the image to fit within the alloted space. 

2. Take advantage of resources on the Internet!  

There are so many free resources online. If you wish to work with clipart images that already have a transparent background, there are websites such as PNGGuru that will allow you to download images for free. You can also easily search up different methods to create patterns and illustrations. The Adobe website allows you to watch video tutorials and if you have a particular idea in mind, videos on Youtube can be helpful as well. 

3. Familiarize yourself with how to use layers!  

Working with layers in Illustrator is much simpler than with Photoshop. If you want one image to be behind, all you need to do is right-click the image and then arrange to choose to bring the image in front of or in back of the other. Do not hesitate to take a look at the Adobe website to find guides on how to use Illustrator more efficiently.

 

4. Have fun experimenting with different tools!  

There are a variety of different tools in Illustrator. For example, the "Type on a Path Tool" under "Type tools" allows you to choose a shape to follow. You can then write words on the shape to follow the path. You can also use different drawing tools to draw to your hearts desire. Experiment with the tools and find out what works best for you!

5. Take advantage of the colors and patterns available to you!

Working with colors in Illustrator is a breeze if you use the Swatches panel. There you can find colors for you project and access them with ease. If there is a color that you see in an exisiting photo that you would like to use in your own project, the website Adobe Color allows you to upload images and identify the colors used. It is also possible to easily create patterns with Ilustrator. You can either create your own with the help of different tutorials like "How to Make a Pattern in Illustrator" or search for existing patterns online. The possibilities are endless!

Learning how to use Illustrator takes time and practice. Do not be frustrated if it takes you a while to master it. If you continue to look at tutorials and create your own projects for fun, you will definitely improve.