Illustrator for Fashion Design: Drawing Flats

Course details

Learn to draw detailed technical flats, or CADs, for the fashion industry using Adobe Illustrator. This course provides easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions to get you up and running quickly. By focusing on only the tools and techniques needed for fashion, you can generate professional-quality fashion flats in no time.

Robin Schneider—a fashion designer and Otis College of Art and Design instructor—teaches you how to easily master the Pen tool as she walks you through drawing shirts, pants, skirts, and blazers. Learn how to maximize the power of Illustrator with Pathfinder, organize layers for quick and easy editing, and create custom symbol libraries. Plus, get tips and tricks to increase productivity and learn to lay out your designs in presentation-worthy line sheets.

Learning objectives
What is a CAD flat?
Drawing shapes
Editing shapes: rotating and joining
Setting up your workspace
Using a template
Drawing shirts and blazers
Drawing skirts, trousers, and jeans
Creating symbols for buttons
Creating professional quality layouts

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Welcome
02 - What is a CAD flat
03 - Using the exercise files

1. Getting Started - The Basics

04 - Exploring the workspace
05 - Using selection tools
06 - Drawing shapes
07 - Using color
08 - Using the Layers panel
09 - Using the Rotate tool
10 - Using the Pen tool
11 - Using the Reflect and Join commands
12 - Using Pathfinder and Shape Builder

2. Creating a Start File

13 - Placing the template
14 - Adding guides
15 - Creating graphic styles

3. Drawing a Basic T-Shirt

16 - Drawing the bodice
17 - Adding the sleeves
18 - Adding stitching
19 - Drawing the back view

4. Drawing a Polo Shirt

20 - Drawing a collar and placket
21 - Adding the bodice and sleeves
22 - Drawing the back view

5. Drawing a Button-Down Shirt

23 - Drawing the collar with stitches and bodice
24 - Drawing the front placket with buttons
25 - Adding sleeves with cuffs
26 - Drawing the back view
27 - Other bodice variations

6. Drawing a Blazer

28 - The parts of a blazer
29 - Drawing the lapel
30 - Drawing the blazer front
31 - Drawing curved sleeves
32 - Adding details
33 - Drawing the blazer back

7. Drawing Pants

34 - Drawing trousers - front
35 - Drawing trousers - back

8. Drawing Skirts

36 - Types of skirts and drapes
37 - Drawing a flared skirt
38 - Gathered skirt front from a sketch
39 - Gathered skirt back

9. Creating Symbols

40 - The benefits of using symbols
41 - Basic button and buttonhole
42 - Saving and loading symbols

10. Finishing Touches

43 - Adding a two-point stroke
44 - Layouts for line sheets

Conclusion

45 - Next steps