Illustrator HW 1

Tutorial 1:

    

    This tutorial goes into some "hidden" or less frequently used tools/techniques that are useful in design. This video covers more complicated design techniques like adding grids for logos, changing font and preference settings, stroke paths, re-coloring artwork, and making pattern swatches. A useful tool mentioned in this video is the touch type tool, which allows you to move characters without having to outline the text. The pathfinder tool initially looks difficult to use proficiently.

Tutorial 2:

    This tutorial is useful because it is very brief and covers the basics of Illustrator in about five minutes. From this video, I think the layers tool would be one of the easiest to use. The layers tool can be used to view objects that are under other objects and vice versa. The selection tool looks rather easy because it is used to scale and move shapes. The star tool is also an easy way to create a triangle or multi-pointed star. The pencil tool is simple and allows you to add or remove points in shapes (clicking and dragging creates curved points, and the curvature tool works similarly). The type tool also seems easy to use to quickly add text to your design. The brush and eyedropper tools also appear straightforward in drawing and color choice.

Tutorial 3:

    This tutorial is interesting because it walks you through the process of making a design in Illustrator. This video explains the usage of tools when making a simple design. The width tool is used, which seems like an easy way to adjust line/stroke thickness. The designer details how to fill the custom shape and change colors. This tutorial makes good use of the layering function to create the design. The shape builder tool looks easy to use to make and modify shapes (good for adding shadows). Using the object panel, you can add an identical shape that fits inside or around an existing shape. The pen tool is useful in drawing where you want a shape or shadow to be.