Intro to Illustrator:

Personal Logo Design

You will learn:

1. Pathfinder
2. Fonts
3. Color
4. Pen Tool
5. Shape Tool
6. Type Tool

Illustrator works with vectors, which are resizable. You can save your files as .eps, which allows
printers to resize the image without it losing quality. You can also save your files as .png, which
allows for a transparent background or a white background, and is best for web. You can also
save your files as .jpeg, which is best for print. If you intend to use your work for web, choose
RGB colors. If you intend to print your work, choose CMYK colors.

For more information on what we learn today, visit one of these awesome sites or check the
Canvas modules:
● Skillshare
● Lynda

Let’s get started!

1. Open Illustrator

a.
b. Open a new document by selecting File > New OR command+N
c. Title it YourName_Lesson1
d. Size the file 1200px by 1200px
 e. In your new file, make sure you have all of the following selected:

2. Type Your Initials

a. Be mindful of your typeface. Think about why you chose the font that you chose.
Is it sans serif? Slab serif? Humanist? What’s it’s been used for in the past? Is it
clean? Modern? Classic?
b. Select the Type Tool in the Toolbar

c.
 d. If you hold down on the icon, another menu will open. We’ll just be working with
the T - Type Tool.
e. You can adjust the size and weight in the top toolbar.

f.
3. Create Outlines
a. With the Selection Tool (shortcut: V), select your text. Do not highlight your text.

b.
c. Right click, select “create outlines.”
i. Note: Make sure you’re set on your font. Once you create outline, your
text becomes a shape rather than text.

d.
4. Adjusting Type
a. Right click your text. Select “Ungroup.” This makes each letterform separate.
 b.
c. With the Direct Selection Tool (A), select a point on a letter. Drag it around to
extend the form. Play around with the anchor points on your shapes until you’re
satisfied.

PAUSE: Now is your chance to explore additional adjustments to your logo. Select all of your
shapes by clicking and dragging over the forms. Now, ​click and drag while holding the option
button​. Release your copied text next to your original text. Now, you can reference your original
design while still tinkering!

5. Make a Shape
a. Select the shape tool.
b. Extend a letter form by dragging a rectangle down from the end of a letterform.
 c.

d.
e. Select both shapes by holding shift and clicking both the shape and the letterform.

6. Pathfinder
a. With both shapes selected, open pathfinder by selecting window > pathfinder.

b. Merge the shapes by selecting the unite tool.

c. For more information on the pathfinder tool, visit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMOaDNg6Gxc
Take some time to experiment with your logo. Continue working with the anchor points. In our
next lesson, we'll learn more about the pathfinder tool.

7. File > Export to save your work as a PNG

a. Make sure to select a background color of white… if you’re placing the logo on an image,
you may need to save the logo with a transparent background.

8. Upload your work to canvas!

Evaluation:
Student chose a font and is able to justify why they chose it.
Student created outlines and was able to adjust their type.
Student create a shape and was able to merge the shape with their letterforms.
Student has two example of their process.

Time it takes to complete the assignment: approximately 45 minutes