Video description
Learn how to create infographics, maps, and charts in this 12-hour, video based course to teach anyone who can hold a mouse how to use Adobe Illustrator to tell stories with data.
Acclaimed data visualization instructor and journalist Alberto Cairo provides you with a brief introduction to Adobe Illustrator’s tools and basic drawing techniques before diving into more advanced instructions specific to creating infographics. For example, if you’re already familiar with Illustrator, you can skip ahead to lessons that teach you how to use Illustrator’s Graph tool to design charts and greatly improve the look of your graphics. You’ll also learn how to trace maps; create complex, explanatory vector illustrations; use advanced coloring techniques; simulate 3D effects to create infographics in perspective; and use Illustrator’s Pen tool to draw just about anything.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Illustrator for Infographics
Introduction
Creating and Saving Files
Vector vs. Bitmap
The Tools Palette
Selection Tools
Color and Stacking Order
The Layers Panel
Exercise
Basic Illustrator Techniques
Exercise Overview
Zooming In and Out
Exploring the Illustration
Wireframe View Mode
Move and Transform
The Horizontal and Vertical Axes
Duplicate on the Move
The Scale Tool
Scale Shapes Manually
Mix Color and Fill in the Outline
Exercise: Drawing the Eye
Change the Stacking Order
The Eyedropper Tool
Modify Shapes with Anchor Points
The Reflect Tool
Make a Mouth
Grouping
Inside a Group
Perform Multiple Selections
Outlining Objects
Create a Background Color
Type Basics
Layout and Composition
The Need for Structure
The Align Palette
Snap to Anchor Points
Smart Guides
Basics for Working with Grids
Snap to Grid
Using Artboards
Importing Photos
Masking Objects
Lines and Rulers
Exercise: Working with Type
Graphs and Data Maps
Introduction to Graphs
Graph Tool Basics
Change the Type of Your Graph
Change Your Graph Settings
Select Objects in a Graph
Group Objects in a Graph
Style Grid Lines
Styling and Annotating Your Graph
Resize Your Graphic
Exercise: Recreate an Existing Bar Graph
Designing Pie Charts
Creating Bubble Maps
Move Circles on a Bubble Map
Designing Choropleth Maps
Using Swatches for Choropleth Maps
Designing Scatter Plots
Avoiding Bug Crashes
Transform Squares into Circles
Adding Average Lines
Adding Trend Lines
Labeling Scatter Plots
Designing Slopegraphs
The Pen Tool
Introducing the Pen Tool
Anchor Point Handles
Pencil and Eraser Tools
Pen Tool Basics
Editing Curves
Tracing the Elephant
Pen Tool Challenges
Adding and Erasing Anchor Points
Adding Details to an Illustration
Exercise: Tracing
Tracing Maps
Introduction to Tracing Maps
Where to Get Maps
Working with Layers
Define your Frame
The Pathfinder Tools
Define Landmasses in a Map
Define Regions in a Map
Tracing Roads
Styling Maps
Labeling Maps
Finishing Your Map
Explanatory Vector Illustrations
Introduction to Visual Illustrations
Using Source Photos
Using Multiple Objects
Drawing from the Bottom Up
Drawing the First Arm
Pen Tool Shortcuts
Drawing Different Paths
Drawing the Second Arm
Creating Background Objects
Drawing the Sink
Creating Basic Shades
Finishing the Assignment
Advanced Coloring Techniques
Introduction to Coloring and Shading
Creating Shades Manually
Storing Swatches
The Color Guide Palette
Creating Gradients
The Blend Tool
The Mesh Tool
Realistic Shading Techniques
Coloring Fire Ants
Perspective Infographics
Introduction to Perspective and 3D
Illustrator’s 3D Tools
3D Extrude Options
The Revolve Tool
Creating Symbols
Using Symbols in 3D Objects
Isometric Perspective
Isometric Cubes
Build a 3D Tower
Drawing the Roof and Antenna
Drawing the Windows
Manipulating Walls
Using Simple Cylinders
Isometric Grid System