Unit 3 Shape and Balance

Practice 1 Tutorial:

Step 1: Path Finder Part 1

Download and follow along with the video: Download Me

Step 2: Pathfinder Part 2

Download and follow along with the video: Download Me

Step 3: Shape MASTAAAA

Download this exercise file here: Download Me
Go to this YOUTUBE video tutorial: https://youtu.be/9s7ujvKS4s4?si=WdrOsQcwBprbX0vt

You'll follow the video by working on the same shape as he is in the video until you finish the document completely, (5 points per shape).

Just a few reminders:

When he says CMND, it is CTRL on your keyboard
When he says Option, it is ALT on your keyboard

Practice: GEOMETRIC Shapes Building a Low Poly Portrait

Follow along with the video above:

Choose a Reference Image

Select a high-quality portrait (a celebrity, yourself, a character or animal).
Ensure the image has good lighting and clear facial features.
Place your image into Adobe Illustrator (File > Place).

2. Set Up Your Workspace

Lock the reference image (Layers Panel > Lock).
Create a new layer on top for your polygons.

3. Create the Low Poly Effect

Use the Pen Tool (P) to trace triangles over the image.
Focus on important details like eyes, nose, and mouth.
Keep triangles connected with no gaps.

4. Apply Colors

Use the Eyedropper Tool (I) to sample colors from your reference image.
Each triangle should have a slightly different shade to create depth.

5. Final Touches

Hide or delete the reference image.
Add a solid background color (like the turquoise in example)
Check for missing gaps or mistakes.
Save your file as AI and PNG/JPG.

Requirements:

✅ At least 100 triangles covering the entire image.
✅ Must use the Pen Tool (no auto-generated effects).
✅ Colors should be sampled directly from the reference image.
✅ The final image should be clean and polished.

Student Examples

Practice: Balance, Emphasis, and Hierarchy -- how can we EMPHASIZE something?

Organic Shapes and Emphasis

Follow the first portion of this video on creating a document size.
Once you have opened up the document and created the artboards, watch this tutorial and just learn how to make GUIDES. Then turn the video off, you aren't using anymore of it.
- I want you to learn how to make GUIDES and to learn how to make more artboards. That's it. Nothing more of the video.
Since you have created 4 artboards you will now be creating 4 different version of ORGANIC SHAPES. Yes, each artboard needs to be VERY different. Each artboard also has a challenge to it, so please refer to the following:
- Artboard 1: SPLIT COMPLIMENTARY color scheme (choose this color scheme on Adobe Color). The challenge: Color contrast to create EMPHASIS.
  - Meaning your FOCAL POINT should be the only shape that color.
- Artboard 2: ANALOGOUS color scheme (choose this color scheme on Adobe Color). The challenge: using SCALE to create emphasis.
  - Meaning your FOCAL POINT should be the biggest shape on the artboard
- Artboard 3: Monochromatic Color Scheme (choose this color scheme on Adobe Color). The challenge: Use CONTRAST in shapes to create emphasis.
  - Meaning your FOCAL POINT should have one organic shape being the only version of that shape on the artboard (for example 1 leaf shape amongst a bunch of flower shapes)
- Artboard 4: Complimentary Color Scheme (choose this color scheme on Adobe Color). The Challenge: Create Hierarchy by creating TWO focal points where one is more important than the other.
  - Meaning your FIRST focal point should have at least 3 ways to emphasize it (different color, different, size, different texture, different shape, etc,.)
  - Your SECOND focal point should just be 1 way to emphasize.

Brushes help create texture, let's learn them

Follow along with this tutorial to create a library of brushes that you can utilize for assignments.

Use the videos below 👇🏼 to practice (do 2 of them) and use as INSPIRATION or TECHNIQUES that you could use to create your scene.

EVIDENCE PROJECT #1

GEOMETRIC SCENE: CITY SCAPE -- 100 points

Create a width=11inches x height= 8.5 inches document
In that document I want you to create a city scape using ONLY geometric shapes. Squares, circles, rectangles, triangles, etc,.
Minimum of 6 layers, each have separate components and are named Think perspective---Background to Foreground
The more detail, the better. Go online and research different city scapes. Playing around with color, transparency, and gradients to give a great full effect.
People can be included as well but the scene needs to be MOSTLY what you would see IN or NEAR a cityscape.

ORGANIC SCENE: SEA SCAPE -- 100 points

Create a width=11inches x height= 8.5 inches document
In that document I want you to create a city scape using ONLY organic shapes. These are shapes that you often find in nature (curved and signify movement)
Minimum of 6 layers, each have separate components and are named Think perspective---Background to Foreground
The more detail, the better. Go online and research different SEA-scapes. Playing around with color, transparency, and gradients to give a great full effect.
People can be included as well but the scene needs to be MOSTLY what you would see IN or NEAR the sea.

Not required, but encouraged. REFLECTIONS

SELECT THE OBJECT/AREA YOU WANT TO REFLECT -- THIS IS EASIER IF THEY'RE ON THEIR OWN LAYERS.

Copy
Lock all layers
Create a reflection LAYER and move it above your layer you're wanting to reflect on (water, windows etc,.)
Paste in place
Go to object menu > Transform > Reflect > Horizontal > Ok
Move straight down (holding shift) and using the edges to squeeze the bounding box.

You then have the option to do one of the following for reflections:

Change opacity using TRANSPARENCY panel
Warp using the warp tool >>> Double click the tool to change the width and height (in same group as WIDTH tool)
Blur in the effects menu > blur > choose gaussian blur and change the radius to your preference

Mountain View High School Student Examples: Click Here for Examples

Learning Target:

Students will create original compositions by constructing geometric and organic shapes in Adobe Illustrator, while applying principles of visual balance to produce cohesive and well-structured designs.

Learning Intentions:

I will identify and differentiate between geometric and organic shapes in graphic design.
I will create and manipulate shapes using Illustrator tools such as the Shape Tool, Pen Tool, Curvature Tool, and Shape Builder Tool.
I will explore the concept of balance in design, including symmetrical (formal), asymmetrical (informal), and radial balance.
I will use size, placement, and visual weight to create balance and harmony in my compositions.
I will analyze examples of professional design to understand how shape and balance contribute to effective visual communication.
I will experiment with combining shapes to build more complex forms and abstract designs.

Why:

2.1.1 Identify the applications of color, line, shape, texture, size, and value in samples of graphic work.
2.1.2 Analyze the use of color, line, shape, texture, size, and value in samples of graphic work.
2.1.3 Incorporate color, line, shape, texture, size, and value in student-generated graphic work.
2.1.4 Understand the concepts of color theory.
2.1.5 Demonstrate the elements of design through manual sketching.
2.1.6 Demonstrate the elements of design through digital sketching
2.2.2 Incorporate principles of design (i.e. balance, contrast, alignment, rhythm, repetition, proximity, movement, harmony, emphasis, unity, etc.) in student-generated graphic works.
2.2.3 Demonstrate the principles of design through various design techniques
2.3.2 Apply and adjust formatting to type.
2.3.3 Construct graphic works utilizing and manipulating type.
2.4.1 Apply effective use of negative space, composition, message structure, graphics, etc., to graphic works
2.4.3 Create graphic works utilizing templates.
2.4.4 Utilize rule of thirds, simplicity, and/or complexity, etc. in layout.
3.1.1 Generate project ideas through the use of brainstorming, thumbnails, roughs, mockups, wireframes, etc.
3.2.4 Apply nondestructive image editing techniques such as layering and masking
3.2.5 Practice using different selection tools and techniques to manipulate images.
3.3.1 Use appropriate resolution, compression, and file formats for various media outputs including web, video, audio, and print.
3.4.1 Develop a workflow for a project.
10.1.2 Create 2D or 3D works of design in analog and digital formats.

How:

Students will be applying these skills that they are learning in Adobe Illustrator to create final projects.

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