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INFOGRAPHIC SERIES - Create LEAF Icons

4/30/2017

Spring is here and so are the new leaves on the trees. Here are 6 leaf icons to create and several options to create a different look and feel on each leaf. As always, this is a quick, easy and fun way to create all types of leaves. Enjoy!

Draw a rectangle, fill and no stroke.

Use the DIRECT SELECTION tool to select the top left point and the bottom right of the rectangle.

Pull the Corner Widgets to round the corners.

Pull the Corner Widgets more to round the corners further and create more of a tapered leaf.

Draw a circle a, fill and no stroke.

Duplicate the circle, overlap it half way. Select both circles.

Use the Overlap mode in the Pathfinder.

This creates a symmetrical leaf.

Create a circle, fill with green, no stroke.

Use the DIRECT SELECTION tool to select the top point of the circle, then move the point up.

Click on the Convert Anchor Point in the Control Bar.

This makes the tip a corner point and forms a tear-drop leaf.

Draw a line over the leaf.

Select the Width Shape Tool.

Pull the width of one end wider.

Use the Curvature Tool to pull the middle of the stem to curve it.

Select the stem and choose Object>Expand to outline the stem.

Select the stem and leaf. Use the Minus Front mode in the Pathfinder Panel.

This is the result.

OPTION: Select the stem and leaf a few steps back. Use the Exclude mode in the Pathfinder.

This is the result of the Overlap mode.

OPTION: Use the leaf created a few steps back from the overlapping circles.

Use the DIRECT SELECTION tool to select the top point of the circle, then move the point up.

Click on the Convert Anchor Point in the Control Bar to make a point.

Choose Object>Path>Offset Path. Set the distance in (negative number). Click OK.

Fill the new shape with a different color.

OPTION: Using the previous Rounded Corner Leaf, create a small square.

Use the Direct Selection Tool and delete the upper left point.

Duplicate the triangle, flip it and copy it to the lower left corner. Align the edges. Select the 3 shapes and click the Unite Mode in the Pathfinder Panel to create one shape.

Use the Direct Selection Tool to select the inner corners of the triangles.

Pull the Corner Widgets to round the inner corners.

OPTION: Using the previous Rounded Corner Leaf and pull the corners in further.

Swap the fill color for the stroke color and add a large stroke.

Copy the leaf, RIGHT + CLICK on it, select Transform>Reflect and flip the shape vertically.

You can size the leaves, reduce the size and create contradt.

OPTION: Use previous the tear-drop leaf.

Draw a rectangle over the leaf, aligning the left edge with the center of the leaf. Fill with a darker color.

Select both shapes. Use the Divide Mode in the Pathfinder panel. UNGROUP the shapes when done.

Select the extra piece of the rectangle leftover from the divide and delete it.

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INFOGRAPHIC SERIES - City skyline using Illustrator Charts

4/24/2017

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Creating Infographic charts can be much more visually exciting that a plain bar chart, pie chart or graph. Using Illustrators Chart Tool as the basis for your artwork, you can turn data into something exciting and fun. In this blog, you can take data and turn it into a city skyline quickly and easily.

Start with the Chart Tool in the Illustrator Tool Bar.

Here is a list of all the chart tools that are built into Illustrator.

DRAW with the selected chart tool and the data input box will show up.
Click the CHECK MARK to set the data and the chart will appear in the document.

Ungroup the chart. (You may have to ungroup a few times to ungroup everything).

Illustrator will warn you that you are no longer able to edit the data in the chart once it is un grouped. Click YES.

Remove the extra bits of the chart you don't want. In this case it is the markings and the numbers. Remove the fill in the bars.

Apply a stroke color to the bars.

Position one of the bars away from the chart to use the Align/Distribute function to equally space all the bars out.

Open the Align Panel from the window menu. Select all the bars then choose the Distribute CENTERS button.

Once the bars are equally spaced, use the DIRECT SELECTION tool to remove the lower segment from each bar, leaving the other 3 sides.

Select two adjacent bars, the JOIN them (COMMAND + J) together. Repeat this until all the bars are one continuos line.

You may notice that the open ends on the line are not in line with the bottoms of the lines. Open the Stroke Panel and set the END CAP to be a "Projecting Cap"

Use the DIRECT SELECTION tool to select just the top of the bars, then change the corner widgets to be pointed.

Add some rectangles for windows if you want.

Add numbers to show the values that were originally input from the chart data.

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INFOGRAPHIC SERIES - Paper Tape Rolls

4/1/2017

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Creating dimensional curls in Illustrator can be a bit tricky, here is an easy to understand way to create them quickly and easily for a great infographic element. Add a gradient and you have a great dimensional look. Change the color and length to give different effects. Enjoy!

Click on the Spiral Tool in the Tool Bar then click on the document. This will open the dialog box. Set the spiral for 8 segments and clockwise direction.

This will be the resulting spiral.

Rotate the spiral so the end tail will be at the lowest position.

Use the Pen Tool and click on the lowest point of the spiral. Hold SHIFT and clock to the left of the initial point, then up from that point, then back to the midpoint of the spiral as shown. This last point will not connect to the spiral.

Use the Direct Selection Tool and click on the top most point of the spiral.

Copy and paste the point and it will result in this curve.

Duplicate the curves in line with each other.

Select both curves and connect them using Object>Path>Join. COMAND + J. Do this twice to connect both side for a closed shape.

Use the Direct Selection Tool and click on the bottom point of the spiral.

Copy and paste the point and it will result in this curve. Duplicate the curves in line with each other.

Select both curves and connect them using Object>Path>Join. COMAND + J. Do this twice to connect both side for a closed shape.

Use the Direct Selection Tool and click on the top of the inside point of the spiral.

Copy and paste the point and it will result in this curve. Duplicate the curves in line with each other.

Select both curves and connect them using Object>Path>Join. COMAND + J. Do this twice to connect both side for a closed shape.

This will be the 3 resulting closed shapes.

Fill the main shape with a gradient fill.

Fill the 3 shapes with a gradient fill as well.

Place the largest of the curved shapes on top and align it with the top of the spiral.

Place the mid-size curved shape on top and align it with the bottom of the spiral.

Send this shape behind the top shape and in front of the back shape.

Place the small curved shape on top and align it with the top of the inside of the spiral.

Send this shape behind the top shape and in front of the back two shapes.

Select all the shapes and set the stroke to zero.

Open the Gradient Panel. Window>Gradient.

Select the top curve and the middle curve (marked by the X) and reverse the gradient direction in the gradient panel.

Select the small and middle curved objects and apply a drop shadow to them. Effect>Stylize>Drop Shadow.

This is the result of the shadows.

Select different gradient colors to create different looks and extend the ends to make a compelling infographic.

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Design Points n PixelS

INFOGRAPHIC SERIES - Create LEAF Icons

INFOGRAPHIC SERIES - City skyline using Illustrator Charts

INFOGRAPHIC SERIES - Paper Tape Rolls

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