Shapes

Introduction

For this project, I experimented with different tools, such as the pen, pencil, and direct selection tools, to create an array of objects and shapes.

Description

I created several shapes with the pen tool. I would click on different points around the perimeter of the object, and when there was a curve, I held my finger on the mouse as I moved the cursor to create a curve. As for the pencil tool, I held my cursor down and dragged it around the perimeter of the object. Once I was finished, the pencil tool created a nice border with few anchor points. Afterward, I used the direct selection tool to change the angle of my lines by clicking and dragging on the anchor points. Then I would fill the object, excluding the puzzle pieces, with a teal color to keep track of which shapes I finished. For the puzzle pieces I used a radial fill color that went from while to black. When I had to create a polygon, I used a specific tool: either the rectangle, star, or ellipse tool.

However, to create the watering can, I used different tools. I made rectangles and circles, and then used the shape builder tool to combine different shapes into one. Above and to the right is a picture of all the shapes I constructed, and to the left is an enlarged image on the watering can I created.

Reflection

I found this experience to be eye-opening. I started this project with no prior knowledge of illustrator, and through my work, I learned how to operate tricky tools, such as the pen tool. I did well with using the direct selection tool to tweak my drawings, but I found it difficult to try and create the object to near perfection on the first try with the pen tool. I felt successful after creating the watering can, for it looks nice, especially since I never even heard of the shape builder tool before. It is a pretty interesting feature, and I will remember it, and hopefully have the opportunity to use it again. Overall, I learned a lot about the basics of illustrator, from the pen to shape tool, and I found the direct selection tool to be the most interesting, for you can manipulate your work without having to reconstruct it. This project was about a 5/10 for challenging, since it required knowledge that I did not have, but after watching tutorials, I was able to figure it out. For my performance, I would give myself a 10/10 since I tried my hardest to complete each shape to the best of my ability while exploring different way of accomplishing the same goal.

Next Step
For further exploration for creating shapes, see this youtube video. After learning how to create 2d shapes, you can learn how to create a 3d shape!