Illustrator Practice Work

Before I could create my DVD label I had to practice using Illustrator as I had not used this software before.   To start with I used some simple techniques to begin with such as typing on a path. This allowed me to draw a line in any shape I wanted, and the I was able to write along it, so it wasn't in the classical horizontal format. I also experimented with other type tools which were all very similar to the type tools in Photoshop. I also experimented with the shadow tool which gave a blur effect to the text.

I also experimented with the brush tool. I first began by typing my name on a layer with the normal text tool as shown below:

I then used the brush tool on a new layer and with the layer with the the text showing underneath I was able to see and draw on top. By using the brush tool, I was able to draw on top and look as thought it had been hand drawn. I was then able to hide the typed text by clicking on the eye to hide it from view. 

This is an effect that I quite liked and thought that I could perhaps use this is my own assignment. 

For the last practice I used the apple logo as my basis and used the pen tool. I was able to click on the logo outline, and by clicking in a path and in turn make a  line in various points. I was able to draw a line for an outline, but unfortunately they were made up of straight lines and were rigid. 

I was then able to click on the points and by moving the arrow and in turn change the angle was able to make the lines not straight and not curved. 

After this creating curved lines, I was able to change each straight point on the apple to give it a curve effect and look more like it originally was.  This in turn was then the an almost exact trace drawn of the apple logo, and could be used as my own image.