Get help with creating your t-shirt graphics. Discuss t-shirt design software, special effect techniques, or other topics related to creating a t-shirt design on your computer.
Hello guys Im a big newbie on design I have been practicing with Illustrator cs3 but the program itself its so complicated. I just wanted to hear from you guys how did you guys master Illustrator for designing Tshirts? Thanks in advance.
basically, you just need to know what each tools is used for...... where to get them if you need it.... and lots of imagination.....
master the tools and menus first (i'd say spend 2 or 3 days playing with them).. and for sure on the fourth day you'll be atleast confident to come up with a decent artwork using them...
Although Illustrator has a lot of possibilities, you won't use them all.
A good start could be a scan of a sketch you made on paper. Import this scan into an Illustrator file and trace it. This is the basic. Then, if you want a special effect, look for a tutorial on this subject. There are so many tutorial online, that you definitely will find one.
With Illustrator your own creativity is the limit. It is worth not to give up mastering it!
When I first started with Illustrator I read the manual that came with it which walked me through each tool and gave examples of how to use it. After that I bought a few books on more advanced techniques but even still I never really considered myself more than an experienced beginner.
If you wanna buy a great book, just try the collection "Classroom in a book". We use that collection when I was a graphic design school. I highly recommand it.
basically, you just need to know what each tools is used for...... where to get them if you need it.... and lots of imagination.....
master the tools and menus first (i'd say spend 2 or 3 days playing with them).. and for sure on the fourth day you'll be atleast confident to come up with a decent artwork using them...
Hey thanks Frankiko, I have been practicing for only a few days now. With a fulltime job and pregnant wife it gets a little hard, Im hoping to get more time on illustrator this coming up weekend.
Although Illustrator has a lot of possibilities, you won't use them all.
A good start could be a scan of a sketch you made on paper. Import this scan into an Illustrator file and trace it. This is the basic. Then, if you want a special effect, look for a tutorial on this subject. There are so many tutorial online, that you definitely will find one.
With Illustrator your own creativity is the limit. It is worth not to give up mastering it!
Good luck.
Ok I will try this for sure, but tell me something all the shirts that guys guys design, do you always start with a personal sketch? Can this be done with a picture also?
When I first started with Illustrator I read the manual that came with it which walked me through each tool and gave examples of how to use it. After that I bought a few books on more advanced techniques but even still I never really considered myself more than an experienced beginner.
Thanks you wormil, I have been reading the help option alot but it kind of hard to know whats all those tools are for and when to use them, and from what ive heard there is more than one way to do an specific step. true?
If you wanna buy a great book, just try the collection "Classroom in a book". We use that collection when I was a graphic design school. I highly recommand it.
Of course, practice is key. I got the "Classroom in a Book" and it was a great help. I also took a class and that really brought it all together for me.
I also bought a pen tablet and that changes my world. Holding the pen feels more natural than the mouse.
i find reading is very tiring... so reading instructions on how-tos and performing them in illustrator make it double tiring to learn the software.... ..... why not let somebody show it to you on video so you don't have to read.... try Learning @ Your Own Pace® - lynda.com... check it out....
i am not connected to this website but i found it very good to learn these graphics softwares... very cheap.
How to Master Illlustrator 
