12 Logo Design Tools YOU NEED TO KNOW in Illustrator
TLDRThis video tutorial introduces 12 essential Adobe Illustrator tools for logo design. Starting with document setup, it covers the Ellipse Tool, Direct Selection Tool, and Pathfinder Tools, among others. The session details how to create shapes, lines, and paths, and manipulate them with precision. Techniques for aligning, expanding, and combining shapes are discussed, with a focus on transforming a basic design into a polished logo. The video also touches on the use of Envato Elements for accessing creative assets, emphasizing its value for designers.
Takeaways
- 📐 Start by creating a new document with a 1920x1080 pixel artboard and RGB color mode at 72 ppi resolution.
- 🟫 Use the Ellipse Tool to create shapes of specific sizes, like 300x300 and 360x360, and adjust the stroke thickness for visibility.
- 🔄 Align shapes to the artboard's edges and overlap them using precise movements and the Shift key for straight alignment.
- 🔍 Utilize the Zoom Tool and Outline Mode (Command/Control + Y) for detailed viewing and precise editing.
- 📏 Employ the Line Segment Tool to draw lines, hold Shift for angle snapping, and align them with shape edges.
- ✂️ Cut shapes with the Scissor Tool along the lines, and delete excess anchor points with the Direct Selection Tool.
- 🔗 Join paths with the Direct Selection Tool, Object > Path > Join, to create a single shape from multiple objects.
- 🎨 Adjust stroke properties like cap type to refine the appearance of the logo's outline.
- 🔧 Use the Shape Builder Tool to combine, remove, and adjust shapes within a design for a cohesive look.
- 🖌️ Expand shapes to convert strokes into solid shapes and adjust their colors and stroke weights for a polished finish.
- 🔍 Pathfinder Tools help in uniting overlapping shapes into a single entity for a clean design.
- 📐 Use rulers and guides for precise alignment and positioning of design elements.
Q & A
What is the first tool introduced in the video for logo design in Adobe Illustrator?
-The first tool introduced in the video is the Ellipse Tool.
What are the dimensions and color mode of the new document created in the video?
-The new document is created with a size of 1920x1080 pixels, and the color mode is set to RGB.
How does the presenter increase the stroke thickness of the ellipse in the video?
-The presenter increases the stroke thickness by selecting the shape and adjusting the stroke properties from the bottom of the toolbar.
What does the presenter do after selecting the Line Segment Tool?
-After selecting the Line Segment Tool, the presenter draws a line by clicking and dragging, and then holds shift to snap it to a 45-degree angle.
What is the purpose of the Scissor Tool in the video?
-The Scissor Tool is used to make cuts on the circles that line up with the line created earlier, which helps in shaping the logo design.
How does the presenter use the Direct Selection Tool?
-The presenter uses the Direct Selection Tool to select individual anchor points, adjust their position, and remove segments by pressing delete.
What is the role of the Pathfinder Tools in the logo design process shown in the video?
-The Pathfinder Tools are used to unite separate pieces into a single shape, which helps in creating a more cohesive and unified logo design.
What does the presenter do to adjust the end points of the paths in the logo?
-The presenter selects the main selection tool, then goes to Stroke Properties and sets the cap type to round to round off the end points of any paths.
How does the presenter use the Shape Builder Tool in the video?
-The presenter uses the Shape Builder Tool to click and drag through individual shapes, combining them into a single shape, or to remove from the shape by holding alt or option.
What is the purpose of using Rulers and Guides as mentioned in the video?
-Rulers and Guides are used to align elements of the design accurately, ensuring that the logo is symmetrical and properly positioned.
How does the presenter modify the Pen Tool in the video?
-The presenter uses the Pen Tool to draw custom shapes, such as a triangle to flatten the bottom edge of the logo, and utilizes Illustrator's smart guides for precision.
Outlines
🎨 Introduction to Logo Design Tools
This paragraph introduces the viewer to a variety of tools and techniques used in logo design using Adobe Illustrator. It starts by explaining the creation of a new document with specific settings and then delves into the use of the ellipse tool to create shapes of certain dimensions. The concept of stroke, which is the outline or border of a shape, is also introduced. The process of aligning shapes, using the zoom tool, and switching between outline and preview modes are covered. The paragraph concludes with an overview of the line segment tool and the scissor tool, emphasizing their roles in drawing lines and making precise cuts within the design.
🔧 Utilizing Advanced Tools for Refinement
The second paragraph focuses on the use of advanced tools in Adobe Illustrator for refining the initial design. It begins with the shape builder tool, which allows for the combination or removal of shapes. The process of copying and pasting elements, expanding shapes to convert strokes to regular shapes, and adjusting stroke weight is detailed. The paragraph also touches on the use of the pathfinder tools for uniting overlapping shapes. The eyedropper tool's function to copy properties from one shape to another is explained. The paragraph further discusses the expansion of shape appearances and the role of the direct selection tool in fine-tuning the design. The use of the pen tool for creating custom shapes and the importance of checking for stray anchor points are also highlighted.
🎯 Finalizing the Logo Design
In the final paragraph, the focus is on the final stages of logo design. It starts with the use of the pen tool for more intricate design elements, such as flattening the bottom edge of the logo. The paragraph then emphasizes the importance of using shape builder tool to unite individual pieces into a single shape. The concept of compound paths and how they can be used to create more complex designs is explained. The process of knocking out shapes using the pathfinder panel is detailed. The paragraph concludes with a discussion on the use of rulers and guides for alignment and the final check of the design, including the removal of any stray paths. The video ends with a review of the completed logo design and a thank you note to the sponsor, Envato Elements.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Adobe Illustrator
💡Ellipse Tool
💡Stroke
💡Direct Selection Tool
💡Scissor Tool
💡Pathfinder Tools
💡Shape Builder Tool
💡Expand Appearance
💡Compound Paths
💡Rulers and Guides
💡Pen Tool
Highlights
Learn 12 different tools and techniques for logo design in Adobe Illustrator.
Start by creating a new document with a 1920x1080 pixel artboard and RGB color mode.
Use the Ellipse Tool to create a 300x300 ellipse and adjust the stroke for a thicker outline.
Align shapes to the bottom edge and overlap them using the Zoom Tool and Direct Selection Tool.
The Line Segment Tool allows you to draw lines and snap to angles for precision.
The Scissor Tool can be used to make cuts in circles along a line.
Direct Selection Tool enables you to modify individual anchor points or delete segments.
Join paths together using the Object Path > Join option for a unified shape.
Shape Builder Tool combines or removes shapes by clicking and dragging through them.
Expand objects to convert strokes to regular shapes with fills.
Pathfinder Tools unite or subtract overlapping shapes into a single design element.
Eyedropper Tool copies properties from one shape to another for consistency.
Compound Paths treat multiple shapes as one for advanced design options.
Use the Pen Tool to draw custom shapes and paths for a unique logo design.
Rulers and Guides help in aligning and perfecting the positioning of design elements.
Check for stray anchor points or paths and clean up your design before finalizing.
Sponsor: Envato Elements, a platform for designers with millions of creative assets.
The video provides a step-by-step guide on creating a logo design based on the Creative Cloud logo.