Adobe Illustrator CS2 @work: Projects You Can Use on the Job (At...

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 336 pages
• Published by: Sams October 20, 2005
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0672328011
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0672328015
• Book Dimensions: 9.1 x 7 x 0.7 inches
• Weighs: 1.2 pounds

Book Description


There are plenty of books available to teach you how to use the different tools that are a part of Adobe Illustrator CS2. But how many will actually show you how to work with the tools and techniques and apply them to real-world, relevant projects that you encounter every day at work? This one will. Adobe Illustrator CS2 @ Work: Projects You Can Use on the Job is a project-based guide that will help you complete workplace projects while you learn how to use Illustrator CS2. Detailed, well-explained instructions will help you accomplish job-related tasks, including:

• Designing and working with logos.
• Designing corporate identity materials.
• Illustrating a poster.
• Designing product packaging.
• Designing a trifold brochure.
• Designing a magazine advertisement.
• Designing a DVD package, label and menu.
• Designing a website.

Tips, tricks and notes will provide you with the information that you need to apply what you learn through these projects to projects you encounter every day at work. Learn by doing rather than reading with Adobe Illustrator CS2 @ Work: Projects You Can Use on the Job.

About The Author
Pariah S. Burke has over 15 years experience as a print and web designer for clients that include Time Warner and Playboy Enterprises. A former member of the Adobe team, Pariah served as the Technical Lead for Illustrator, as well as InDesign, InCopy, PageMaker, and Acrobat, and trained Adobe Technical Support and Expert Support teams in these and related applications, technologies, and methodologies. Currently he is a highly sought after trainer, consultant, and creative workflow optimizer. Pariah writes in print and online about the graphic design and publishing industries, and about how to use the tools of the trade.

Reader Reviews
"Let's get it out of the way right up front: Illustrator scares some people." From that opening line, I knew this book was for me. I've avoided learning Illustrator during the 15 years I've been in graphic design and related fields both professionally and for fun. I had learned other vector-based programs like Flash and Fireworks just fine. I was aware of so many beautiful and exciting illustrations created by designers proficient in Illustrator. But, alas, Illustrator and it's foreign tools scared me. Scared no more. With the purchase of Creative Suite 2, I decided NOW was the time to face my fears and become a more well-rounded and proficient designer. The book's author not only takes you through a project-oriented approach to learning the tools of Illustrator. But he stops to share insights and tidbits of wisdom from his long and successful career along the way. The first project, well picked for first ups, takes you through creating a simple logo using all of the common, yet often misunderstood, if not feared, tools of Illustrator. This chapter alone, is worth at least half of the book's price. Before reading this chapter, my understanding of the pen tool and it's myriad options was to draw your curve or line and if you make a mistake, fix it with undo and try again. After just the first chapter, I understood how to start with a rough pencil sketch (whether by hand or in Illustrator) and use the pen tool and guides to create perfect curves and lines for a polished look - think conceptualizing a comic book page and then refining with pen and ink and then finally giving your page life with color and effects. This book does not claim to be a beginner's book, nor does it claim to teach you everything about Illustrator step-by-step. Know what it is when you pick it up. It will teach you to use the power of Illustrator, but I would recommend that you be already VERY familiar with any other Adobe product and the common Adobe interface, or at least pretty computer literate. I'm used to reading technical instruction books, and still I found myself re-reading several lines to decipher something that was left out, or poorly described (or completely in error). That was very frustrating at times. If you don't feel you are an intuitive person (i.e. mind reader at times), you may wish to start learning illustrator elsewhere. I also am not convinced that Illustrator is the best program to use for some of the projects presented here (I would use InDesign for magazine ads and tri-fold brochures for example). Those being the book's only weakness, I still give it 4 stars for everything wonderful that it is and for helping me to overcome my fear of Illustrator. Less than thirty days ago, I was a Illustrator novice. Now I'm proud to show my Illustrator illustrations to all. See my scientific illustration of an atom under customer images for this book. Comment | | (Report this)