Make a Logo with Shapes
In this sample chapter from Adobe Illustrator Classroom in a Book 2024 Release author Brian Wood, introduces readers to the foundational skills necessary for creating vector graphics in Adobe Illustrator. This lesson includes creating a new document, understanding what a bleed is, and using various drawing modes. It also covers using tools and commands to create and manipulate shapes, utilizing the Place command, and exploring the Image Trace feature for converting images to vector graphics. Techniques for working with Draw Behind mode and simplifying paths are also discussed, providing a thorough foundation for new Illustrator users.
Starting the lesson
In this lesson, you’ll explore the different methods for creating artwork by using the shape tools and other methods to create a logo for an adventure company.
To ensure that the tools function and the defaults are set exactly as described in this lesson, delete or deactivate (by renaming) the Adobe Illustrator preferences file. See “Restoring default preferences” in the “Getting Started” section at the beginning of the book.
Start Adobe Illustrator.
Choose File > Open. Locate the file L3_end.ai, which is in the Lessons > Lesson03 folder that you copied onto your hard disk, and click Open.
This file contains the finished illustrations that you’ll create in this lesson.
Choose View > Fit Artboard In Window; leave the file open for reference, or choose File > Close.