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Design Points n PixelS


INFOGRAPHIC SERIES - Data Visualization connector Chart

1/26/2017

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Creating data visualization graphics has always fascinated me so I wanted to figure out how it was done. And I did! So here is how I made my data-vis connector graphic in Illustrator. Looks complicated but it was less complicated than I thought. 
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Start with setting up a grid structure to snap the points of the the lines to. Under Illustrator Preferences choose Guides & Grid. 
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Set the Gridline to be 10 pt, 10 mm or 10 px. The set the subdivision to be 10. This will give you a point to snap to at every 10 intervals and grid lines at every 1 unit intervals.  
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Turn the Grid on under the View menu>Show Grid. Then turn on the Snap to Grid under the same menu. 
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Using the grid structure, set connector points for starting the connector lines. I used every 30 units for spacing.

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Duplicate the points every 30 units. Then use COMMAND + D to duplicate several more points. 
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Duplicate the dots to the lower section of the chart. Keep them inline with the upper dots. ​Select all the dots and lock them. Object> Lock> Selection.
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Using the dot as reference, draw a connector line 10 units below the dot (snapped to the grid) then connect it to the lower dot, 10 units above the dot. 
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Use the pen tool to draw the line from connector to connector. 

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Copy the line, then choose Edit>Paste in Front. Use the Selection Tool to transform the copied line to meet the next connector. 
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Repeat this process to match the points on the grid lining up with the lower point. 
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Change the line colors as you add connector groups. 
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Using curved line will be easier to follow instead of straight lines. 

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Use contrasting colors to differentiate between the connector lines.
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To change the width of the connector lines, use the Width Shape Tool to widen the ends of the line. 
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Widen the lines to meet the ends or to cover more area. Final data visualization graphic with days and dates in place. ​
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To create a more easy to follow chart, set the wider lines to 50% opacity.
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INFOGRAPHIC SERIES - Create a Folding Box/Package

1/9/2017

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Creating a box in Illustrator can be a bit daunting. Thinking and creating in 3D can bend your mind a bit. Here is a simple, easy-to-understand way of creating a 3D box – complete with folding flaps in any form you can imagine. Here goes!
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Create a rectangle or square. Add a fill and stroke. 
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Use the Direct Selection Tool to select one side of the shape.
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Use the Down Arrow to move the side of the box and shift it down to create a parallelogram.
​Create a duplicate of the shape. 

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Select the duplicate shape and RIGHT+CLICK on it, then choose Transform>Reflect. Reflect the shape vertically to create a mirror image of it. 
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With the duplicate shape selected, you can pull the shape to any angle or length. 
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Bring the two shapes together so they meet exactly at the edges. This leaves an odd tanget at the corners where the stroke edges overlap.

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To solve this overlap issue, opent the Stroke Panel and do either: Select a rounded corner on the stroke outline OR set the stroke alignment to Inside.
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Either of those options will solve the overlap issue. 
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Duplicate the right side of the box, choose Object> Arrange> Send To Back. Align the back panel to the edges. 

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Repeat the duplicate steps with the front panel and move it to the back side, then send that shape to the back. 
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To create flaps, duplicate the side panel, move it up to meet the edge of the side. 
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Use the Direct Selection Tool to move just the top edge of the flap outward. 

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Repeat the duplcate panel process around each side of the box. 
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The flaps can be set in any direction to make it appear partailly open or wide open. 
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Set the interior color of the flaps to be lighter to make it appear like the light is reflecting off them. 

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Flaps can be wide open.
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Or close all the flaps to make it look unopened. 
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To create labels on the box, duplicate the sides of the box, hold SHIFT and scale the duplicate panels, then add a different fill/stroke to the shape and this create a perfect label on the panels.
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INFOGRAPHIC SERIES - Easiest Pie Chart Ever!

1/1/2017

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Creating a Pie Chart can be super easy. And I mean SUPER EASY. In just a few easy steps you can create a pie chart with any percentages and make it perfect, each and every time. And discover Illustrators hidden calculator!
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I have drawn a circle and have a few values I want to make a pie chart from. This works with as many values as you want!
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One the right side of the cirle is a small circle handle. When you click and drag it will make the circle into a pie shape. The tool hint comes up and shows information but this is not super useful since we have percentages and it shows measurements in degrees. 
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To make this easy, open up the Transform Panel from the Window Menu. Here you can put in your percentages.

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This requires math. Illustrator has a built in calculator!! Take the percentange and multiply it by 3.6. This will give your the degrees of the pie you need.
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Select the circle, put you values in the Transform Panel Pie Chart Start Angle. This field IS THE CALCULATOR. Notice that I input 35 * 3.6, then hit return and the calculation is done!
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Yes, it is that easy! My pie chart now shows 35%. But now I want the missing piece as well, this only shows me part of the pie. 

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Duplicate the circle and click on the Invert pie chart button. This gives you the opposite piece of the pie. 
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Put the pieces together and you have your pie chart. 
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Another nice trick is to add a heavy stroke to the pie in one of the colors, this helps to show the values better.
I used Museo Slab as the font. 
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