Learn Adobe Illustrator CC for Graphic Design and Illustration: Adobe Certified Associate Exam Preparation / Edition 1

by Dena Wilson, Rob Schwartz, Peter Lourekas

Overview

This study guide uses text integrated with video to help you gain real-world skills that will get you started in your career in graphics, design, or illustration, and lays the foundation for taking the Illustrator ACA exam. A mix of project-based lessons, practical videos, and regular assessments throughout prepares you for an entry-level position in a competitive job market.

Adobe conducted research to identify the foundational skills students need to effectively communicate using digital media tools. Based on feedback from educators, design professionals, businesses, and educational institutions around the world, the objectives cover entry-level skill expectations for each topic. The ACA exams have proved to be highly successful; Adobe reports that the total number of exams taken worldwide has reached one million since 2008.

To create this new product, Peachpit and Adobe Press have joined forces with team of outstanding instructors who have a great track record getting students certified: Rob Schwartz and his colleagues at BrainBuffet.com.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780134397788
Publisher:	Pearson Education
Publication date:	02/18/2016
Series:	Adobe Certified Associate (ACA)
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	7.30(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Dena Wilson teaches Graphic Design & Illustration at the LaGrone Advanced Technology Complex in the Denton (TX) Independent School District. She holds ACA certifications in Photoshop and Illustrator and a T&I Teacher Certification from the University of North Texas. She is also an Adjunct Professor at North Central Texas College and is an alumna of the Adobe Education Leader program.

Rob Schwartz is an award winning teacher with over 15 years experience in Technical Education. Rob opened the first Technical High School in the county, McFatter Technical High School, and his teaching is very influenced by that experience. He is a popular speaker at state, local, and national conferences, and often presents for Adobe on Photoshop, Illustrator, and teaching strategies. His focus on Industry Certifications and Problem-Based Learning strategies are the secrets to his success. Rob is also an Adobe Certified Instructor, Adobe Education Leader, and won the prestigious Impact Award from Adobe as well as the #1 Educator World Wide award from Certiport. Find out more about Rob by taking a peek into his online curriculum website at brainbuffet.com. Rob lives and works in South Florida.

Table of Contents

Getting Started viii

1 Introduction to Adobe Illustrator CC 3

Illustrator CC Interface 3

Using the Main Interface Elements 4

Panels 7

Workspaces 11

2 Working with Documents 15

Create a Document 15

Artboards 17

Save a Document 20

Navigating the Illustrator Interface 21

3 Creating Basic Shapes 27

Basic Geometric Shapes 27

Reshape a Corner 31

Move a Corner 34

4 Fill, Stroke, and Color 37

Working with Fill and Stroke 37

Recolor Artwork 42

Arrange Basic Objects to Create a Robot 45

5 Reshaping Objects 47

A Primer on Paths and Selection 47

Draw a Face via Reshape and Transform 49

Draw a Second Face for an Advanced Reshape 51

Layers Panel (First Look) 57

6 Create a Logo 61

Precise Alignment of Objects 61

Use the Shape Builder Tool 65

Stack an Object Behind 68

7 Complexity via Combination and Effects 71

Reshape via Transformation 71

Combine via Pathfinder Options 73

Apply Effects to an Object 77

8 Hand-drawn Look Applied to Shapes 81

Create Spirals 81

Distortion Tools 82

Variable Line Widths 83

Group Objects 86

Selection Commands 87

Scale Options for Strokes 89

9 Live Paint 91

Create a Live Paint Group 91

Use Gap Options in a Live Paint Group 92

Live Paint Bucket Tool 93

Add New Paths to a Live Paint Group 94

Apply Color to Edges 96

Expand or Release a Live Paint Group 97

10 Cut Objects and Apply Gradients 99

Draw Shapes by Cutting 99

Create Compound Paths 100

Add Gradient Fills 101

Create a Custom Gradient 103

Save a Custom Gradient as a Swatch 105

Edit a Gradient via On-Object

Controls 106

11 Creating Blends 111

Blend Two Objects 112

Specify Blend Options 112

Edit a Blend 113

Release a Blend 114

Create Shading Using Blends 116

Symbols 121

Open Symbol Libraries 122

Place a Single Symbol 122

Place a Set of Symbols 123

Replace a Symbol 125

Create a Symbol 126

Edit a Symbol 126

Symbolism Tools 127

Symbolism Tool Specifics 129

Unlink or Expand Instances 133

Save a Custom Symbol Library 133

13 Pen and Pencil Tools 135

Draw with the Pen Tool 135

Convert Points 139

Add or Remove Points 141

Cut and Join Paths 141

Manually Trace a Raster Image 143

Draw with the Pencil Tool 143

14 Brushes 147

The Brushes Panel 147

Apply Brushes 149

Edit Brushes 150

Create a Custom Brush 155

Use the Blob Brush 156

15 Type 159

Create Point Type 159

Style Point Type 160

Apply Effects to Type 162

Control Text Flow 163

Place Type on a Path 166

Create Area Type 168

Create Outline Type 169

Flow Type on a Circle 170

16 Advanced Drawing 173

Place Bitmap Images as Embedded Objects 173

Place Bitmap Images as Links 174

Manage Linked Images 175

Create a Clipping Mask 176

Use Image Trace 178

Expand a Tracing 179

Fit an Object into a 3D and Perspective Drawing 179

Use Perspective Grid Feature 181

17 Output 185

Prepare Artwork for Print Output 186

Print Dialog Box Settings 190

Prepare Artwork for Web Output 192

Export Artwork 193

Place as a Smart Object in Photoshop 195

18 Working with Outsiders 199

Who You're Talking For and Who You're Talking To 199

Copyrights and Wrongs 205

Think Like a Boss 211

Conclusion 224

19 Leveling Up with Design (included in ebooks and Web Edition*)

ACA Objectives Covered 225

Glossary 230

Index 239