[scotttlov]

I was wondering if anyone can give me some guidance on the best way to really master Illustrator for use in T-Shirt design.

I print shirts now, but most of my designs are simple text....nothing too complicated. I want to open my own shop and be able to do most of the artwork that customers require by myself instead of having to hire someone.

I am going through Adobe Total Training for Illustrator CS5 right now.

Anyone have any good guidance? I would also like to be able to do graphic artwork for magnets, hats, embroidery, etc.

Scott

 

[20vK]

I was wondering if anyone can give me some guidance on the best way to really master Illustrator for use in T-Shirt design.

I print shirts now, but most of my designs are simple text....nothing too complicated. I want to open my own shop and be able to do most of the artwork that customers require by myself instead of having to hire someone.

I am going through Adobe Total Training for Illustrator CS5 right now.

Anyone have any good guidance? I would also like to be able to do graphic artwork for magnets, hats, embroidery, etc.

Scott

~ I just bought the online tutorial from Go media Arsenal (the second in the series). I've only seen 1 episode but already I learned a ton about text placement, which would probably have taken me a while to stumble upon) Looking forward to seeing the rest. Have a look here:

Adobe Illustrator 102 Video Tutorial

I expect I'll get the third one afterwards, too. (when I've graduated to become an a illi whizz). I didn't get the first one, as I'd messed around with illi before

~I always like to have a goal of something I want to do and then go onto google / youtube to find tutorials. I've created some great art that way. Alternatively, I'll trowel through the online tutorials and then find something that I think I could use in a different way - I'll bookmark it and watch it whenever I have the time (which is never)

There's Lynda.com for software training, and I also subscribe to adobe creative suite on facebook, who are active and often have links to tutorials.

I've got a ton to learn, but each exercise brings me closer to feeling like a bit more of a pro - except creating curves with the pen tool; my brain just operates in the opposite way to whoever designed that tool and I can never get my curves and points right. Just practice, I guess

Good luck!

Hope this helps,

Richie

 

[scotttlov]

Thanks.....I was looking into the gomedia tutorials but was unsure if they were any good....i use their mockups......glad you let me know that yhey are worth purchasing. I am going to get them.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[csaluone]

Im a designer that is self/peer taught in Illustrator. I learned it pretty well before the YOUTUBE craze. I assume there are thousands of tutorials to help you there.

I am also a firm believer that Illustrator is just a tool. Good design comes from the mind,eyes, heart and soul.

 

[Tshirtgang]

Youtube has a great source of online tutorials of people basically posting their own self made tutorials. Another source is to watch LiveStream or Vimeo too.

 

[Creative Pile]

Learning illustrator is not hard if you love what you are doing. Have fun with it, watch youtube videos, stay active on forums like this or on adobe, Make sure you use it everyday, Learn all the sidebar tools and what they do. Try to memorize the shortcuts as you learn the program. Having the shortcuts memorized saves you so much time that you can be spending on designing not looking for tools in menus. If you get stuck type your question in google I and I can guarantee you will find an answer. I learned how to use illustrator on my own. Anyone can do it. you just need to stick to it. I usually subscribe to blogs like BittBox*|*Free high quality design resources, tutorials and tips for graphic and web designers. They always have great tutorials and free illustrator & photoshop packs.

Good luck. If you ever have a questions you can send us a PM

 

[Theseeker]

I learned how to use illustrator on youtube.

 

[TYGERON]

And I know it's for an earlier version, but for $8...hey!

T-Shirt Graphics- Adobe Illustrator 9.0 DVD Screen Printing | eBay

Can't have too may sources.

 

[YashBoone]

I learned illustrator from a book, "adobe illustrator in a classroom".... I swear by that book for learning the different tools illustrator has to offer.

Go media was started by Jeff Finley who is one of the best tshirt designers.

Their tutorials are great.