Vector Illustration in Web Design

An inspirational blog posting that I found while browsing in Digg.com. A set of screenshots of websites implementing vector illustration in their interface. To see the posting click here.

Digital Illustration: new opportunities

An eye-opening article from ComputerArts Magazine.

"Lawrence Zeegen investigates how illustration has been reborn for a new audience, with a new generation of illustrators who are taking it into new territories

Illustration is a force to be reckoned with. Not content to break back into a marketplace once dominated by the photographic image, illustration has fought hard, forced itself under the spotlight and stepped into the limelight. A rebirth, once attributed to the flexibility that digital kit offered, has now reached a vital second phase – a new stage of extended opportunities in the development of the discipline." Read more.

Vector Speakers #2

Another free vector stock by xavialonso10. To use open the pdf in Adobe Illustrator. Download
*note: You can also take a quick look at the first vector speakers that I posted in March.

Spirals

A free set of of spiral vectors by sexualtyranosaurus. You can easily create similar shapes with using the "Transform Again Feature" in Adobe Illustrator (Ctrl + D or Cmd + D) Download. To use open the pdf with Adobe Illustrator.

Typographic Techniques in Adobe Illustrator

If you had any ideas or questions about designing type with Illustrator, take a look at this image-based tororial. It covers techniques like: transfering sketches type into vector-based format, using templates, stroke cap options, outlining stroke and balance. Click on the image to see the full tutorial.Thanks to inde-graphics

Adobe MAX 2008/2009

MAX is an experience unlike any other — an opportunity to connect with thousands of designers, developers, partners, executives, and Adobe staff for education, inspiration, and community. MAX 2008/2009 will be held in San Francisco, Milan, and Tokyo. Be sure to mark your calendar for this important global event. More here and here

Sydney Opera House Vector

The Sydney Opera House in vector format. Free stock from limeshot. To use open the PDF file with Adobe Illustrator. Download

Adding perspective to maps with Adobe Illustrator

Mark Mayers shows you how to give flat Illustrator maps a third dimension by using the Free Transform tool and a custom perspective grid...

Illustrator has many features that help you create maps. In the first part of this tutorial you’ll learn how to draw a 2D map from a sketch. You’ll use type on paths, utilise Symbols and discover how global swatches can be a real time-saver. Full Tutorial and Source Files via Computar Arts Magazine

Weather Forecast Icons

A set of vector meteorological icons in SVG Format. Download from here. Resource by Kodein

Creative Brief

Composing a creative brief has always been an important step in the graphic design process. Digital Arts Magazine posted a great article with tips and some useful creative brief links...

"Not every client will be an expert on the design process – that’s your job. A solid creative brief makes all the difference to a job, and here’s how to get one.
Many designers have experienced the horror of a client seeing a design for the first time and then complaining, “But it’s not what I asked for”. It’s a nightmare scenario – and one that’s easily avoided by agreeing on a clear, functional brief." Full Article via Digital Arts Magazine

Retrospection

Adobe Illustrator in 1988 Presentation Video.

Random Pop Art Symbols for Adobe Illustrator

A collection of free Adobe Illustrator symbols from Cherryflip.The set contains 29 shapes that could be used for constructing abstract pop-art design elements or for decorating your vector composition...

To use them you will have to expand the .zip archive and load the "besos" file in Adobe Illustrator (File>Open). After that, simply open the symbols window (Window>Symbols) and you will see a panel similar to the one in the preview image below. Download

Frankensteining Vector and Raster

A great tutorial for frankensteining pixel and vector elements with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. From istockphoto's article section.

"Many artists use only vector art in some of their designs, whether it’s for print or the web. Some clients’ web sites or print material lend themselves to consist of illustrations rather than photos. Other clients may prefer almost all photos to have a more personalized look that has more human interest appeal.
Raster images are composed of pixels, and are often photos. When you take a photo of something, digital cameras save the information in this way. So when you open the image at full size, that’s as big as it should be." Full tutorial

Victorian Decoaration

A set of free vector brushes from sergeypoluse. The pack contains different swirtl ornamentsin victorian style. To use, open the PDF file with Adobe Illustrator. Download

Butterfly Brushes For Adobe Illustrator

A free brush resource from remittancegirl. " These vector butterflies are made from a Zoology text on Central and South American insects in 1901." Download (to use open the PDF file with Illustrator)

Skin Tones

Create characters that glow from within, using these handy tips for painting realistic skin colouring.How do you paint skin tones? Do you fill in with one largely uniform colour, and then add a bit of a flush on the cheeks? Real skin tones are more complex than that. Read more ?! ...click here

30 Vector Flower Symbols

A collection of 29 vector flower symbols for Adobe Illustrator by cherryflip. The file contains different by shape and color flowers that can be used for decorating your artwork or for building a seamless pattern for the web...

The artwork is saved in EPS file format, you can use any vector compatible program to modify the file. Download

Anime Eyes

If you're currently interested in anime character design you may save some time with the eyes. The stock contains eye vectors in 8 different styles. Download
*note for those who have problems with importing the pdf file in Illustrator I added a an .ai (Adobe Illustrator) file which you can download from here. Resource by hetoan2

Rotate Tool & Custom Pattern Brush Tool Tutorial

A great two step tutoarial with empasis on using the rotate and the brush tools in Adobe illustrator by www.bittbox.com
"Creating intricate circular designs and patterns may look difficult because the shapes can be very complicated, but you will be surprised at just how easy making these shapes can be. I will go over some neat tricks, tools, techniques, and settings that will have you pumping out perfect circular designs in no time using Illustrator." Full Tutorial

Clipping masks in Adobe Illustrator cs3

Vector Wings

A wings r stock from rezbnik. Inside the zip file you'll find an EPS file that can be edited with almost all vector editors. Download