ADVE2291 Design Lab 1: Project 2 Illustrator Techniques

This project focused on using different Illustrator techniques to create vectored trace of the Coca-Cola logo, and a pattern that incorporated Coca-Cola inspiration in some way. At the end of the assignment we also had to create a presentation board. I already knew how to use the Illustrator interface, specifically regarding the pen tool and making shapes around templates. What I learned this project was how to make the pen tool appear smoother (directly vertical or horizontal handles), and how to make a pattern.

Illustrator Techniques

At this stage I was working on carefully outlining the Coca-Cola logo to keep the lines as smooth as possible.

This is the completed outlining of the logo before using shape builder to combine the different components.

This was the final outline of the project after using shape builder.

I removed the stroke and added a fill color to get a better understanding of what the final would look like.

The final form of this aspect of the project before adding a gradient.

The final form of this aspect of the project after adding a gradient, as well as showing my final boards and layers.

Pattern Elements Theme

The theme that I decided to go with on this project was centered around a firework festival. Initially I had pondered doing something fruity and summery considering the season, but fireworks felt more interesting. In my sketches I played with ways to incorporate Coca-Cola imagery with things like rockets and firework patterns. I thought the contrast between a dark blue background and bright and colorful fireworks would be striking.

Visual Development

In doing my visual research, the things that stood out the most to me were geometric and illustrative patterns (more specifically something that combined the two). I like the way that fireworks have radial symmetry, it can play off of the opposite of that, the kind of random sparking. I knew in my pattern I wanted to have both of these elements.

Pattern Sketches

I wanted the small circles around the rocket and sparkler element to emulate carbonation bubbles of the soda. I also thought it was a nice tie in with the larger circle behind the Coke bottle. I also hid a little Coke can inside of the rocket.

Progress on the Pattern Elements

Final Pattern Elements

At the end of the project, I actually ended up enjoying the simple line elements better than those that were fully colored in. There are two versions of the sparkler to compliment whichever pattern it was used in.

Progress on the Patterns

For my patterns I tried to focus on having one that was more line based (that I ended up liking much better) and one that had all the shapes. I like the patterns with thinner stroke weights more than these, but for visibility they are thicker. I ended up with a pattern using the off-set brick layout, and one with the hex layout.

Final Patterns