Day 1: What is Illustrator?

Illustrator Add comments


About Adobe Illustrator

Illustrator is a vector drawing program. It is often used to draw illustrations, cartoons, diagrams, charts and logos. Unlike bitmap images that stores information in a grid of dots, Illustrator uses mathematical equations to draw out the shapes. This makes vector graphics scalable without the loss of resolution.

Advantages of Vector Graphics

  • Scalable without resolution loss
  • Lines are crisp and sharp at any sizes
  • Print at high resolution
  • Smaller file size
  • Good for drawing illustrations


Disadvantages of vector graphics

  • Drawings tend to look flat and cartoon
  • Hard to produce photo realistic drawings

Common Uses for Illustrator

1) Designing Logos

Designing logos
By: Draplin Design

2) Drawing Maps

drawing maps

3) Drawing Illustrations

drawing illustrations

By: Chih Hang

4) Infographics

infographics

5) Photorealistic Drawings

camera
By: Kevin Hulsey

6) Packaging Design
packaging design

By: sanna annukka

This are just a few examples of what Illustrator can do. If you have experience with Photoshop, you can bring your illustrations into Photoshop and enchance it. That’s how professional does it. During the next few days, I will be covering the basics of Illustrator so that you can produce your first vector art!

Next Lesson: Getting Started in Illustrator »
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30 Responses to “Day 1: What is Illustrator?”

  1. Alex Jordan Says:

    Can help but say “Drawings tend to look flat and cartoon” “Hard to produce photo realistic drawings” are seriously challenged by that realistic camera -
    is there a link for Kevin Hulsey?
    cheers

  2. Muurtegel Says:

    I must agree with Alex. With the right use of Gradients and maybe some shaddows and masks, you can make nice 3D looking graphics. There are even 3D options available in illustrator.

  3. iStockdiary Says:

    Experts can produce super realistic drawings of products using gradients and gradient mesh in illustrator. However, if you were to produce a realistic drawing of mountains and rivers that I would say it would be a challenge. Illustrator is really not good at rendering textures other than smooth surfaces which can be achieved by gradients. And Kevin Hulsey is really one pro in technical illustration. Check out his portfolio. I have included the link.

  4. Learn Illustrator CS3 in 30 Days | Blog.:.CGSutra Says:

    [...] Week Day 1: What is Illustrator Day 2: Getting Started in Illustrator Day 3: Drawing Basic Shapes Day 4: Drawing with Pencil Tool [...]

  5. Illustrator, aprender illustrator en 30 dias Says:

    [...] Day 1: What is Illustrator [...]

  6. david Says:

    eXcelent resourse for beginners congrats!!!

  7. carl Says:

    Looking for a quick course, preferably during the evening time that will teach me to draw using illustrator quickly.Pleases give info., price if any and other details.

  8. iStockdiary Says:

    Hi Carl, I will recommend you Lynda’s video tutorial. Read my recommended list of tutorials here: http://www.istockdiary.com/reviews/the-best-illustrator-books-videos-for-learning/

  9. rajesh Says:

    very nice job

  10. Illustrator in 30 Tagen lernen | Phodana Media Says:

    [...] Woche: Day 1: What is Illustrator Day 2: Getting Started in Illustrator Day 3: Drawing Basic Shapes Day 4: Drawing with Pencil Tool [...]

  11. Jenelle Says:

    finally, i will be able to learn how to use the illustrator! bwahahaha!!! :)

  12. Tutorial / Aprende Illustrator Cs3 en 30 Dias | IhateDesing Says:

    [...] Uno Day 1: What is Illustrator Day 2: Getting Started in Illustrator Day 3: Drawing Basic Shapes Day 4: Drawing with Pencil Tool [...]

  13. Chris Says:

    Logos, Illustrations and Product Designs are all areas I want to investigate further with Illustrator.

  14. Jaikumar Says:

    It is really worth.

  15. Akshaya Says:

    Its good, but cant say much about b’coz its a first day.

  16. Marcelo Says:

    I´m a brazilian designer that uses Corel Draw and want to migrate do Adobe Suite. I think the best tool to work is the tool that you reaaly know how to use, so I´m trying to learn as much I can about Illustrator.

  17. Darren Says:

    Can I use illustrator to create webpages? I am a long time user of Corel Draw and have created looks for websites using Photoshop…I am hoping to migrate completely to Illustrator and not have to boot into vista on my mac.

  18. H?zland?r?lm?? Illustrator E?itimi » Murat Göktuna Says:

    [...] Week Day 1: What is Illustrator Day 2: Getting Started in Illustrator Day 3: Drawing Basic Shapes Day 4: Drawing with Pencil [...]

  19. Dipika Says:

    Thanks! The first day of an Introduction is nice & helpfull to beginner how,where and when use this software.I admire which you had done for us.This software new for me so Hope I’ll learn Illustrator well through your 30 days.

  20. paresh Says:

    its good imust with agree….

  21. J Says:

    I have purchased Adobe Flash CS3 Professional- do i need to have illustrator as well to have this function? Can i not create a project in its entirety in the Flash product i have purchased? Do all pictures need to be imported through illustrator , can I make .ai files in adobe flash?
    Thanks for your timely response…. J

  22. Vectordiary Says:

    Hi J, You can’t make ai files in illustrator. However you can draw some basic vector graphics in Flash.

  23. milee Says:

    what is illustrator is a vector drawimg program.

  24. ASHOK KUMAR Says:

    VERY FINE WEBSITE IT IS VERY USEFUL TO INTERMEDIATE AND ABOVE INTERMEDIATE LEVEL KEEP INTRODUCING MORE ILLUSTRATIONS

  25. hendra Says:

    hi, i want to know if you can also show some website or book that is best for photoshop beginner

  26. BaGsHiK Says:

    Thanks a lot for this tutorials , bro :D !
    Keep up the good work , i will subscribe to your RSS ;) !

    Greetings from Belgium !

    BaGsHiK

  27. divya Says:

    i would like to under go the classes.

  28. ayyaj Patwegar Says:

    it is very nice softwear

  29. Arteymiel Says:

    Is possible this tuttorial in spanish ?

  30. vidya Says:

    very very nice…. i got it… !!! thanks! :)

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