Infographic Series - Curled Ribbons

Here you can create a curled ribbon effect using a gradient and a gaussian blur. Simple and quick, just like all these posts! Have fun.

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Start with a rectangle with slightly rounded corners. 

Duplicate the rectangle below and to the right of the original rectangle.

Create a rectangle, square edges. 

Use the Direct Selection Tool to select the bottom 2 corners of the box, then use the right arrow to move the bottom line to the right.

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Using the Curvature Tool, click on the center of the right side and pull the line segment out.

Repeat the process on the left side of the shape.

This the resulting shape with rounded ends.

Rotate the image about 55° - more or less depending on the curl look you want.

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Apply a gradient to the rounded rectangle. Window>Gradient. To change the color on the gradient, double click on the color stops below the gradient ramp.

When you double-click on the color stop, it brings up the CMYK color sliders to choose the color. To add colors, just click under the ramp to add color stops.

Adjust the angle of the gradient to match the angle of the rectangle.

The gradient should parallel the sides of the rectangle.

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Place the gradient shape on the 2 rectangles. Matching the corners up the rounded corners of the rectangles.

Create an oval, fill it with black.

Go to the Effect Menu>Blur>Gaussian Blur.

Rotate the blurred oval about 30°.

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Click on the Opacity link in the Control Bar, this opens up the Opacity box, set the Blend Mode to Multiply and the opacity to 80%.

Place the shadows under the curled part and on top of the rectangles.

And that is your curled ribbon with a nice highlight and a few shadows to give it dimension.