Blog Archives

INFOGRAPHIC SERIES - Watermelon

6/27/2017

Summer is here, time to enjoy some watermelon. Ether a slice or the whole thing! Simple to create and we use the Width Shape Tool and some funs effects.

Create a circle, no fill.

Choose the Offset Path under Object>Path.

Off set the path larger than the original and click OK.

Use the Direct Selection Tool to select the top point of both circles and delete.

Select the inner circle, fill with watermelon magenta and no stroke.

Set the exterior stroke to a heavier stroke and make it green.

For the seeds, create a circle.

Use the Direct Selection Tool to click on the top point and move it up.

Select the top point and convert it to a corner point.

In the Control Bar with the point selected you will see the convert corner options.

With the round point converted to a corner, it will be a seed.

Move the seed to the watermelon center, near the edge.

Select the Rotate Tool and with the seed selected, OPTION + CLICK on the TOP EDGE of the watermelon (not the top edge of the seed).

The OPTION + CLICK will set the point of rotation AND open the dialog box. Choose a number that will go into 360° equally.

Click COPY an then COMMAND + D repeatedly to create a series of seeds.

This will give and entire circle of seeds. Select the seeds outside the watermelon and delete them.

Select and group the seeds.

Reduce the grouped seeds and size them so the appear closer to the center.

Copy the inner magenta shape.

Duplicate the shape at a slight offset to one side.

Select both shapes and use the Pathfinder DIVIDE mode. Ungroup the shapes and delete the left shape.

Select the right shape and make it slightly darker.

And this is the result!

For the full watermelon, create and oval.

Duplicate the shape and add a darker stroke and create inner ovals.

Draw aline down the center of the shapes with the same stroke and color.

Select all the darker outlines and add go to Effect>Distort & Transform> Roughen.

Add a bit of roughness to the lines.

Use the Width Shape Tool to widen the lines in the middle of the ovals.

Repeat the Width Shape Tool on each line to vary the widths.

Select all the lines, group them, then CUT them.

Select the original, light green oval and click on the Draw Inside Icon at the bottom of the Tool Bar

Paste the cut contents and they will Paste Inside the shape (this is the easy way to create a clipping mask).

Click back on the Draw Normal icon at the bottom of the Tool Bar.

This is the end result, a nicely formed watermelon!

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INFOGRAPHIC SERIES - Sand Bucket & Shovel

6/19/2017

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Summer is here, the beach is calling. A little fun with a bucket and a shovel and some time in the sand by the beach enjoying the sun. This sand bucket is easy to create and fun too!

Start with a rectangle, fill it with a color, no stroke.

Use the Free Transform Tool to pull the bottom points in. Use the Perspective Tool in the Freeform tool.

Pull the points in to the center to taper the bucket.

Add a darker stroke on top of the bucket.

Round the ends of the top by using the Stroke panel and "hot dog" the ends.

Draw a circle, add a dark stroke.

Use the Direct Selection Tool to delete the upper part of the circle and then
'hot dog" the ends.

Draw several circles and stack them on top of each other.

Select all the circles and use the Pathfinder>Unite to make them all one shape.

Place the sand behind the bucket. Object>Arrange>Send to Back.

Draw a square for the shovel

Use the Direct Selection Tool to select the top 2 corners then drag the corner widgets into the center of the shape.

Choose Object>Path>Offset path to create a shape inside the shape.

Set the offset path inside to a lighter color.

Use the Direct Selection Tool to select the bottom of the shape down to the bottom of the larger shape.

Create a line for the handle.

Use the Width Shape Tool to widen the upper part of the handle.

Copy the bottom of the shovel and paste it and rotate it to make the handle.

Use the Direct Selection Tool to move the top edge of the shape down to make it a half-circle.

Add a stroke to the shape and turn off the fill color. Select all the parts of the shovel and group them together.

Place the shovel behind the sand and the bucket and you are ready to enjoy the beach!

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INFOGRAPHIC SERIES - Match Stick fire Icon

6/11/2017

4 Comments

Light a candle light a camp fire or fireworks! Create a simple match and flame icon in these simple steps. If you want to create Fireworks, here is the tutorial for that.

Create a square, hold SHIFT to constrain it to a perfect sqaure.

Use the Direct Selection Tool to select 3 of the 4 corner widgets. Pull the 3 corner widgets into the middle of the square.

Hold SHIFT, and ROTATE the shape so the point is straight up.

Change the fill of the shape to yellow.

Got the Object Menu>Path>Offset Path. Set the offset to a negative number to create a shape inside the first shape.

Change the color of the new shape to orange.

Repeat the Offset Path on the orange object to get a smaller shape, then fill it with red.

Create the matchstick by using a rectangle filled with dark brown.

Create a red circle for the tip if the match.

Use the DIRECT SELECTION Tool to select the bottom point of the circle and move it down.

Move the match into position then select all the shapes and group them. Object>Group.

Create a black filled rectangle over half the grouped shapes. Set the opacity to 30% in the Control Bar.

Next to the Opacity field, click on the Opacity link and set the black box to Multiply blending mode.

Select ALL the shapes, open the Pathfinder Panel. Window>Pathfinder. Choose the DIVIDE mode.

Ungroup all the objects. Object> Ungroup. Select the extra black 30% opacity box outside the shapes and delete it.

Finish the icon by adding a black circle to the background.

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Design Points n PixelS

INFOGRAPHIC SERIES - Watermelon

INFOGRAPHIC SERIES - Sand Bucket & Shovel

INFOGRAPHIC SERIES - Match Stick fire Icon

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