Adobe Illustrator for jewellery design
Course Code: VV359
Duration: 4 sessions (over 4 weeks)
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What is the course about?
Adobe Illustrator is a vector drawing software widely used in industry for creating design, instructional and accurate technical specification drawings, and preparing artwork for outsourced processes such as laser engraving and water-jet cutting. It also has the functionality for design development, creating repeat patterns, distorting shapes and forms, and using colour to create exciting and unique design work. This course will introduce using Adobe Illustrator for jewellery: both developing designs, creating specification drawings, the industry context and how it can become a useful tool in your design and practical workshop toolbox.
What will we cover?
- Importing images and hand-drawings.
- Tracing images and drawings using the pen tool.
- Manipulating shapes and forms created using the pen tool and live trace.
- Software terminology such as artboards, layers, paths, vectors, RGB and CMYK.
- Technical specification drawings including orthographic projection and exploded drawings.
- How to apply the software to both design work and workshop jewellery-making.
- Contextualising the use of the software in the industry.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Import images and hand-drawings into the Illustrator workspace.
- Use layers and the pen tool to trace images and drawings.
- Manipulate shapes and forms using the pen tool and live trace.
- Recognise and use software terminology.
- Create a presentation drawing for a piece of jewellery.
- Create a specification drawing for the making of a piece of jewellery.
- Recognise how the software is used in industry.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is best suited to those with a practical knowledge of jewellery-making and some technical drawing skills, however this is not essential. You should be confident with simple mathematics and accurate measurements, and have basic experience of using a computer. You do not need to have used Adobe Illustrator before.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Through practical demonstrations both to the group and to individuals. Group discussions and feedback are encouraged.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
City Lit provides all the equipment you need, all you need to bring is a USB to save your files. It may be beneficial to download the free trial of Adobe Illustrator so that you are able to practise at home.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit offer a wide range of short and year-long courses in Jewellery design and making, from beginners to advanced, and for professional development.
Suitable follow-on courses may include:
VW352 - Learn to use Rhino for jewellery design and production
VV719 - Jewellery making: carving, casting and finishing
Your tutor will be able to advise you during the course.
Emilia Sutherland Netto is the designer and maker behind the jewellery brand Ember & Ore. Emilia has a BA Hons Contemporary Crafts degree from Plymouth College of Art. She has worked in the jewellery indiustry sinse 2012 in various manufacturing capacities and has taught jewellery making since 2013. More recently she has obtained two diplomas in CAD/CAM with an emphasis on jewellery manufacture.Emilia believes in using a mixture of modern and traditional manufacture and design techniques in order to achieve highly detailed and sculptural outcomes.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.