Week 5_Text in Illustrator

Adding type

Type features are some of the most powerful tools in Illustrator. You can add a single line of type to your artwork, create columns and rows of text, flow text into a shape or along a path, and work with letterforms as graphic objects. In Illustrator, you can create text in three different ways: as point type, area type, and type on a path. 

KEY TERMS

The first step to perfecting any new font is adjusting the leading, kerning and tracking, which affect the line spacing, letter spacing and text to create a smoother flow between letters and lines of a paragraph

LEADING-named because of typesetting printing of the past, leading refers to the vertical spacing between line of a paragraph.   In old print methods, small bars of lead were placed horizontally between the lines to create a distance between text.

KERNING: Kerning refers to adjustments made to horizontal spacing between select letters.  In Illustrator you don't actually select a set of two letters, but place your text selector between the two letters, then adjust.


TRACKING-Tracking refers to the spacing between all letters of particular selected area of text.  Very similar to Kerning, but the effect is applied globally to all the letters of the text area.

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Demo:
Type tool (point)
Type tool (area)
Placing Text
Linking text areas to one another.
Using envelops to warp text;  make selection, envelope (top right of control panel)


TEXT EFFECTS VIDEO



On your own time:  If you are interested in more text effects and unique ways to work with text and text effects,  here is a list of 50 text tutorials with images that might interest you.   This is only placed here as a reference for you after the class.   You might want to research these for your poster design.


CLICK HERE FOR MORE TEXT EFFECTS IDEAS.


Other tools:
Blending modes
Magic Wand Tool

scale, sheer, re-shape tool
-width, warp, pucker, etc.... tools
-free transform tool
-live paint, live paint selection (object>livepaint>make) -blend tool
-symbol sprayer tool 

In Class Assignment: Calligrams

Calligram

kaləˌɡram/

noun.  a word or piece of text in which the design and layout of the letters creates a visual image related to the meaning of the words themselves.

-Illustrate six of the following words into a Calligram.  You must create shapes and edit beyond normal type. 

*smile 
*drip
*bite
*fall
*fat 
*skinny 
*squeeze 
*fly
*fire 
*water 
*grow 
*shrink
 *giraffe
 *turtle 
*shrimp 
*zombie 

Here are some sample Calligrams

Outside assignment:

You will choose from one of the following:

Create your own favorite movie design,  18x24

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Create a poster for a current call for submissions.

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OR

CREATE A POSTER TO SUBMIT FOR NASHVILLE ARTS