Illustrator for Fashion Design: Advanced Drawing Flats

Course details

Learn how to draw technical flats quickly and efficiently using Adobe Illustrator, with easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions from fashion design instructor Robin Schneider. Generate professional-quality fashion flats in no time with her timesaving tricks. Find out how to use templates, build custom keyboard shortcuts and actions, and make fashion brushes that you can use to "paint" details such as stitching, zippers, and trim. Learn how to create a bank of reusable symbols for common elements such as button holes and drawstrings. Discover how to build realistic pattern fills from scratch or using fabric scans. Robin brings it all together for some examples drawing denim and knitwear, and provides tips to modify existing flats, such as adapting pants from straight leg to boot cut. Last but not least, explore professional practices that incorporate style guides, libraries, and sources, for a more consistent style and a more collaborative workflow.

Learning objectives
Setting up a start file
Using keyboard shortcuts and actions
Creating fashion brushes
Using symbols
Making pattern fills
Drawing denim
Drawing knit tops and bottoms
Converting existing flats
Following a professional workflow

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Welcome
02 - Using the exercise files

1. Getting Started

03 - Tools you need to know

2. Techniques for Speed

04 - Setting up a start file
05 - Graphic styles
06 - Custom keyboard shortcuts
07 - Using actions
08 - Offset action

3. Creating Brushes

09 - The benefit of brushes
10 - Double needle topstitch
11 - Cover stitch
12 - Zigzag
13 - Zipper
14 - Brush from trim
15 - Editing brushes

4. Creating Symbols

16 - Using symbols
17 - Rivet and eyelet
18 - Buttons - Four-hole and shank
19 - Button hole
20 - Zipper pull
21 - Drawstrings

5. Working with Pattern Fills

22 - Filling, scaling, and rotating
23 - Making pattern fills from fabric swatches
24 - Recoloring pattern fills

6. Drawing Denim

25 - Denim jacket - Front collar
26 - Denim jacket - Front bodice
27 - Denim jacket - Sleeves and buttons
28 - Denim jacket - Back
29 - Jeans - Front
30 - Jeans - Back

7. Drawing Knit Tops

31 - Long-sleeve T-shirt with gathers
32 - Long-sleeve T-shirt back
33 - Hoodie - Front
34 - Hoodie - Back
35 - Hoodie - Up
36 - Turtle neck front
37 - Turtle neck back and sleeves

8. Drawing Knit Bottoms

38 - Leggings
39 - Joggers - Front
40 - Joggers - Back and pockets

9. Manipulating Existing Flats

41 - Leggings - Straight leg to boot cut
42 - Top to dress
43 - T-shirt to raglan

10. Professional Workflow

44 - Style guides for stroke weights
45 - Style guides and organizing libraries
46 - Recoloring art and using multiple sources

Conclusion

47 - Next steps