This illustrator tutorial will touch on how to create 4 different stylish vector web 2.0 badges. We will start by learning how to create the basic sawtooth badge. From there, we will move on to produce other styles using some other filters.
So what is a Web 2.0 badge? It is a bubble used in modern websites that call for the attention about a service or message. Some common traits of Web 2.0 badges are bright colors, glossy effects, gradient fades, rounded corners and star shapes etc. Used correctly, it can help you market your website successfully.
Mastering the Star Tool
This will cover all the shortcuts of using the Star Tool. Click on the canvas and drag to create a star shape. Without releasing your mouse, press Arrow Up/Down to increase/decrease points. Other than this, you can hold Ctrl/Command and drag to adjust the radius until you get the shape you want. With this 2 shortcuts on hand, you can create any star shape you want easily!
1. Creating the sawtooth shape
Select the Star Tool, click and drag to create a basic star. Without releasing your mouse, press Arrow Up key to increase the number of points. Hold Ctrl/Command and drag to adjust the radius until you get the shape below.
3. Dividing the shape
Create a duplicate of the shape by pressing Ctrl/Command+C then press Ctrl/Command+F to paste it on top. With the Pencil or Pen Tool, draw a quick wave cutting across the shape. Select your top shape and your wave and open up your Pathfinder tool (Window>Pathfinder), click Divide to divide it into 2 pieces. By default, it will be grouped after dividing. Press Ctl+Shift+G/Command+Shift+G to ungroup it. Select the unwanted bottom half shape and delete it.
3. Applying the gloss look
Now select the top half shape. Go Object>Path>Offset Path and select a value of -2mm. Apply a linear gradient from black to white and select Screen under the Transparency palette.
4. Final web 2.0 badge
Select the bottom sawtooth shape and apply a gradient from light green to dark green and you are done.
3 Other Styles of Web 2.0 badges
Here is quick guide of using Round Corners and Pucker & Bloat effect to create more styles. Experiment with different settings and have fun with it!
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Bonus: Web 2.0 Gradient Swatches
The guys at Dezinerfolio has created a collection 130 Web 2.0 Gradient Swatches for Illustrator. With the wide range of gradients, you can instantly try out different colors for your badges. But the sad news is that you need Illustrator CS3 to import it.
