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marsaz · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 123 Location: Lithuania

Hello,
I'm marsaz and.. um. I got interested in vectors. So I got AI and discovered that it's a lot harder than I thought. Nothing to worry about it's ok. I'm always too optimistic about new things :)

I've been thinking what should I illustrate and thought of zodiac signs. Why not? I bet different variations of these have been done a billion times. Was a good exercize anyway. Opinions and advice appreciated :)

suwanneeredhead · Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 493 Location: Looking at Rainier

Those are so incredibly simple, you may get rejected for Too Simple. That's a frustrating rejection but it happens.

Look through the database and see, most of the Zodiac stuff is highly detailed and stylized, none of them are so simple.

Be creative, find some tutorials on how to create 3-dimensional symbols or what not, and make these look like they took HOURS to create.

My rule is, if it looks like any self-respecting graphic designer can do it in 2 minutes themselves (instead of taking the time to search for it on the stock site), then don't submit it.

marsaz · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 123 Location: Lithuania

The saddest part is it actually took me hours to make these. I'll try harder then. Thanks for the comment

suwanneeredhead · Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 493 Location: Looking at Rainier

Vector illustrating is VERY hard! Most graphic designers have some basic education in how to use Illustrator, but don't want to spend the time and effort it takes to produce the quality of work you see here on Shutterstock, so they buy it, that's why stock art does so well!

I started out as a photographer as a kid, high school and college, then ended up getting my degree in commercial art so I have a little bit of both in my portfolio... but some of these artists here make me look like a hack!

Don't give up, its an amazing feeling to produce a wonderful vector and have it sell!

Good luck and definitely show us your efforts as you learn. Oh, and a great resource for learning Illustrator is Lynda.com http://www.lynda.com ... it costs $25/month but you can do the entire thing in less than a month probably. It's so worth it, their video tutorials are absolutely the best!

Stacey

marsaz · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 123 Location: Lithuania

Hey, thanks for the encouragement! :) I'll definitely post my efforts in here so you guys can have a look with your experienced eyes. Again, thank you.

princesszelda · Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Posts: 101 Location: London, UK

Hi Marsaz,

Learning basic Illustrator is much easier via video tutorials. There are also some good ones to get you going on youtube too.

Part of creating vectors is also about coming up with the ideas and seeing what sort of designs and colour schemes are 'so hot right now'. As you go about your daily life, look at billboard ads, fashion magazines, anything, just soak it all up.

For your first attempt, you did pretty good at the zodiac thing. I would suggest experimenting with patterns, shapes and colours. Maybe aim to design a nice background.

Have fun :D

marsaz · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 123 Location: Lithuania

Hey,
it's nice to get feedback on these forums. Somehow I'm still amazed at how helpful people are here :)

Here, I tried to make those signs a bit more interesting.

christopherhall · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 5:05 am

Hi,

That looks better. The only think that I would ask is that a gradient with transparency that you have used for the highlight.

If it is you will need to be careful as they normally rasterize when converted to eps8.

Chris

marsaz · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 123 Location: Lithuania

Yes, it's a gradient. What should I use then?

christopherhall · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 5:16 am

Gradients are fine, however not with transparencies as they will rasterize.

Try it with just the gradient if that does not work there are some work arounds that you can use.

Chris

princesszelda · Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Posts: 101 Location: London, UK

Marsaz, your second one is soooo much better. Follow Chris' advice and it will be even better. Nice one! :D

christopherhall · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 6:06 am

princesszelda · Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Posts: 101 Location: London, UK

marsaz · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 123 Location: Lithuania

Thanks, princesszelda :)

There is so much to learn about making vectors. I'll look into it. Also my eps file size is 45 MB which is WAY over the limit. Any advice on that?

christopherhall · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 7:54 am

Hi,

That will also be due to the transparency. As soon as you stop using them the file size will come down.

Chris