ANM 324 Project 1

For most of you this first project is an adventure and a significant challenge because you are using a totally new piece of software with drawing tools that don’t feel very natural.  I appreciate those challenges and try to push you a bit in how you look at these everyday objects.  You’ll be seeing your skill with Illustrator grow enormously over the course of the first two projects.  Keep up the good work!

Here’s my general grading criteria for this project:

Note: 5pts deducted for missing group critique 10pts for missing submission deadline. You can view your grade and additional comments regarding late submissions or missing comments in the gradebook.

95-100-drawing is accurate, demonstrates good control of tools and includes accurate lighting effects (your subject had a high level of difficulty)

90-95-drawing is accurate, shows adequate control of tools lighting and fills considered but not complete or accurate (subject not as challenging)

85-90-drawing is accurate, fills not complete, lighting not adequately considered

80-85-drawing and use of tools lacks control, lighting not adequately considered

70-80-drawing not controlled, lighting not considered

70-below very late work

Frazier Group

Courtney Allred
- It looks like you had fun with this project. Your colorful screen gradient and the starburst in the background add flare to the iPhone. Although the front and side views are less challenging than a perspective view, you have done a very good job of illustrating the phone surfaces. I particularly like the metallic look you’ve given the frame in the side view with a stroke that’s slightly lighter than the fill. You’ve also incorporated excellent detail in the home button with the gradient and the buttons protruding in the font view. As your drawings become more complex you’ll find that using named layers will help organize illustrations. Nice work!

Sara Sorrel Lucic-I realize you submitted three views but I chose to show the side view that was slightly more challenging. Although the smart phone doesn’t have a lot of detail you have done a good job of illustrating the overall body, screen and other controls. I like the fact that you added the name in an almost precise match with the Samsung style. The perspective looks accurate and I see a hint of a shadow on the power button. What I would like to see is a cast shadow that grounds the phone on it surface. The easiest way to apply is to create a new layer under all the existing layers and, in this case draw and rounded corner rectangle that approximates a shadow that might be formed. The most realistic shadows are slightly soft and transparent. Transparency can be adjusted in the layer palette and a blur can be applied in the Filters>Stylize> Blur. I don’t expect you to know all this at this point but a simple shadow would be doable.

Ramona Pinto
-Illustrating a TV controller adds the complexity of lots of buttons and labels. The basic shape of the controller looks good and I especially like the radial gradient that you applied from the center of the device. This gives it form and implies a curved shape that I would expect it to have. You’ve added all the necessary buttons..the trickiest part is getting them aligned…the align tools can be a tremendous help with this. As drawn the buttons are very flat and don’t show the relief they would have on an actual controller. The easiest way to add depth is to add consistent shadows to the buttons. If you select one of your buttons and got Effect>Stylize>drop shadow
you will see what I mean. This is technique that will help you with the next project. Type is a nice added feature but in my view the type doesn’t fit some of the buttons. Sometimes this is a result of using a font that’s not universally installed.

Yekaterina Skryagina-We have a lots of similar phones in this group…your iPhone is very well drawn and the gradient on the screen clearly establishes the direction of light. I particularly like the consistent surface colors that conform to that light. Detail is very good as well. The buttons on the side show a very nice relief. The cast shadow further reinforces that light from the top left…the shadow is quite dark…I suggest using some transparency to make it less harsh. The end view of the phone
should be a bit darker. The easiest way to do this is make that end its own separate shape in the layers. It’s a bit tricky because of the curve…to show that soft edge a gradient fill would probably be best. You’ve demonstrated very good drawing skills!

Joanne Tien
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Your phone has excellent perspective and form thanks to the effective use of gradients on the screen and edges. Yes, I see the use of the 3D extrude on the screen to establish the perspective. This can also be done with the Effect>Distort Transform>Free Distort which is a bit easier to modify that the 3D tool. Nevertheless, glad to see you challenging yourself with these tools! The lighting effects look very good. The cast shadow is effective. The gradient on the side button looks a little awkward…might be better to just have a rectangle with a slight shadow to show its relief. The file indicated that you used images of the T-Mobile and Samsung. That’s fine but when you place these in Illustrator they are “linked” to the image and not sent along with the main file. There are reasons for doing this in print publication but typically it’s best to just embed the image. This is an option in the tool property menu when the image is selected. Glad to see you trying all these new techniques!

Regina Zerne
-Your tablet (I think it’s a tablet) is quite challenging with the perspective view and the addition of the earphone and charger cords. The gradients you applied to the screen and back edge, add to the realism. I would like to see a bit more depth with the control buttons on the top and side…giving them a little relief with a hint of a shadow would do this. I’m wondering why the cast shadow of the tablet is showing at the top (left end). Based on the strong shadow at right and bottom wouldn’t this be fully illuminated? I love the addition of the cords they are really well drawn. They could also use a cast shadow to be consistent with the lighting in the scene. Here’s a great technique to easily add a shadow to the cords: just select and go to Effect>Stylize>Cast Shadow you can adjust the shadow to make it look perfect. Good work!

Rosenwald Group

Carla Barrett-Wow…I’m guessing this is a multi-system controller that does away with all the gadgets by the TV?. I’ve never seen one but it’s beautifully illustrated.

You’ve given the controller exceptional detail with all the buttons and the metallic look on the edges. I especially like the shadows (gradients) on the buttons with make them very realistic. The cast shadow of the controller ground is beautifully on the surface. You will find with future work that breaking the drawing down into organized layers will help you work on areas and lock others. I’m looking forward to your next project, which will give you an opportunity to explore all these techniques further.

Stacy Carlton
-Your X-Box controller looks like we could reach-out and grab it! Those thumb buttons have great relief and depth thanks to the perspective you’ve used, color variation and gradients. I especially like the highlights of brighter shapes around the edges, which imply the curved form of the handholds. You might try applying a blur to these to blend them into the handle flawlessly. Effects>Stylize>Feather…you’ll love the effect that results. Best use of layers I’ve seen so far…maybe you’ve used illustrator before? Nice!

Samantha Hafner-Your top-view of the phone is very geometric..not as challenging as a perspective view but I’m sure you’ve learned a lot with this illustration. I like the fact that you’ve incorporated a gradient on the screen and added a cast shadow to ground the phone on a surface. The home button would be more realistic if you added a gradient to it, which shows it’s curved shape. I really appreciate the added charger cord…nice job drawing it. The icing on the cake would be to add a shadow to the cord…best way to do this is by selecting it and then go Effects>Stylize>Drop Shadow. Try it and you’ll love the effect.

Andrew Mrowka-You definitely went the extra distance to place your phone in a very creative environment. This could be and smart phone advertisement! I do like the reflection of the phone in the earth. The phone itself looks a little thick for a smart phone. Seems like it could be about half as deep to be more realistic. I see that you made the phone with the 3D extrusion…it’s a little tricky to control some of the parameters with it. I also see that you mapped the image of the phone surface. I’d rather see you draw those elements so you had practice with the drawing tools and could also give them more depth with individual treatment of the buttons. Glad to see you using named layers for the illustraton..you’ll definitely use this technique on the next project. Very creative!

Natallia Ramaniuk-You submitted two views of your phone and I preferred the more challenging perspective view. At his angle the phone looks very thin…which is certainly possible. It’s quite difficult to make everything consistent with this perspective but you’ve done a good job on it! I would like to see more definition in the buttons and coloration on the side of the phone…a gradient might be a more effective way of showing how light would effect the surface…like you’ve added to the screen. I would also expect to see a cast shadow that ground the phone on the surface. The easiest way is to add a new layer and shape at the bottom of the layer
stack and fill with a shadow tone. Offset this layer to be consistent with an ambient light source of your choice. Very challenging perspective!

Joseph Staron-It looks like you had fun with your illustration of the phone…the background green oval puts the spotlight on the phone…it reminds me of an advertisement. The phone itself has good detail…with buttons (are they really yellow ?) on the edge and at the bottom of the screen. You did show the effect of light on the screen with the gradient but I would also expect you to go one step further and add a cast shadow under the phone to ground it on a surface and add realism. Here’s one thing to also consider as we begin drawing more detailed objects…leaving the stroke on the outer edge of a shape rather confines it…try turning it off. For example, you could turn-off the stroke on the yellow buttons and fill with a yellow-white gradient to make them look like realistic buttons with relief and show the effect of light on the curved surface.

Kroencke Group

Jessica Beckett-I’m not really up on all the gaming devices but I think this is a version of the Game-Boy? This is actually a very difficult and challenging view to illustrate with an off-direct angle view. You’ve done a good job of clearly depicting the base and hinged back of the controller. I especially like the consideration of shadows from both the buttons and the base. Your screen gradient further reinforces a general direction of light. This view requires a significant attention to perspective to get it perfect.
The up-down, left-right button is skewed so that it doesn’t align with the surface panel and the hinged top should be receding to a imaginary vanishing point to the left. You’ve given the controller the same color fill and defined the separate surfaces with stroked outlines. Consider turning off the stroke and instead using a slightly lighter or darker tint of the color to show that surface. This technique will result in a more realistic form. I do like the fact that you added a strong shadow. Considering the direction of light, the lid would also be casing a slight angular shadow over the surface. You could draw a skewed shape that represented the shadow and fill with a very transparent tint that’s the same color as the current shadow. Very challenging and I know you learned a lot.

Scott Ewalt-Your X-box controller has a very rich surface coloration…makes the viewer want to reach-out and “take control”. I especially like how you’ve used gradients to add subtle color blends to the buttons. This adds realism, although there could be some soft cast shadows from the buttons with highest relief. The controller shape is very precise and demonstrates good skill with the drawing and arranging of the shapes. In future work you will find it very helpful to arrange in named layers to help organize…this will simplify selecting and locking all those paths. A couple things to consider: Turning the stroke off the gray bottom shape will give a smoother overall look. I would like to have seen a cast shadow from the controller onto an imaginary surface to ground it. Nice work!

Renee Hyatt -Your phone looks great. You’ve incorporated lots of detail and I know it’s challenging to arrange all those bits and pieces accurately…you did it! The screen with gradient adds realism and the cast shadow is soft and believable but probably should also show the antenna. A couple of suggestions to consider: If any of those buttons are raised-up, which I suspect they are, then a hint of a shadow would add consistency to the overall drawing. Try drawing without depending on a visible stroke to define your large phone shape. You’ve made the right side darker which is perfect..try turning off the stroke of the top shape and see how much better that transition looks. You’re going to have fun with the next project!

Daphne Orzalli-I feel like I can reach-out and touch your controller. Your drawing is precise and all those buttons are perfectly aligned. I particularly like the subtle shadows cast from the raised buttons..that’s an added detail that makes the illustration much more believable. Why are they not consistent on all buttons? The cast shadow looks a like it’s skewed to the right…as if the controller is tipped-up. Perhaps this reflects the actual shape? You’ve used layers very effectively…not something I expect at this point!
Excellent work!

David Rosales-Your side view of the iPhone is quite challenging due to the perspective. With such a dramatic view, a very slight miss-alignment can standout. I think the top of the phone should be receding a bit more towards a left vanishing point. Illustrator actually has a perspective grid that can help with this sort of drawing but I wouldn’t expect you to use it with this project.

I point this out for the benefit of all who read my comments. You’ve done a great job with the shapes that define the edges of the phone. It’s very skillfully drawn. You have shown lighting effects on the screen but a cast shadow would help define the shape. I would also suggest slightly lighter or darker tints of the metallic gray color to also show which surfaces are illuminated more directly. Good job using multiple layers…you’ll find with future work that naming them will also be a benefit. Onwards to the next project where you can further challenge your drawing skills!

Sarah Wall-I apologize for getting your project into the gallery late. Having said that…Wow! Your white IPhone looks beautiful. I couldn’t wait to open it in Illustrator and see if those icons were hand drawn….they were! It’s impressive that you took this to that level of detail. The surrounding features of the phone are equally impressive. The bezel and buttons along the side look realistic. I did note that the classic IOS background was an image….don’t mind but you could create a gradient to duplicate this look and I would have really been amazed. Here are a couple of suggestions: You don’t need to show visible strokes to define all the shapes. While it works on the bezel, I’d turn off on the charger cord. It’s much more effective to use lighting effects or color differentials to define the shapes. I also don’t see any attempt to add lighting effects. You could add a gradient to the home button to show it’s concave look and perhaps a gradient to the white surface to illustrate it’s gloss? Nice work!

Anita Kunz Group

Heather Bell-Your phone view was particularly challenging and you chose to place is on what looks like the edge of a table. You’ve done a very good job with the perspective. This is difficult, but the view is believable. I also like the fact that your screen gradient reinforces the general direction of light from the lower-left. I’d like to see a little more detail and lighting effect to show the shape and relief of the buttons. Don’t be afraid to zoom it very close to work on that level of detail and also consider turning the stroke off if it doesn’t add important detail to the element. You can use color variation to show highlights and shadows. You’ve added a drop shadow to a shape that defines part of the phone base. But that shadow is not consistent with the phone resting over the edge of the table. The shadow should break and cascade down the front of the table. There are a couple ways to achieve this but at this point in skill development, I would suggest just drawing separate shapes that would represent the two shadow parts. Layer them under the phone but on top of the background and fill with your shadow color. To blur, go to Effect>Blur>Gaussian Blur (this is adjustable).

OK…you probably didn’t want to know all this but it will definitely help you with the next project.

Brittany Williams-I’m sure everyone in class was in awe at your illustration of the TV controller. It’s photorealistic and beautiful. There’s no question that this is not the first time you’ve drawn with vectors in Illustrator. A drawing at this level of detail shows exceptional skill. What’s most important to point out to the class is that everyone has the ability to achieve this level of skill. It takes practice and an understanding of what’s doable with the drawing tools. The “wild card” is also, understanding how light affects surfaces. For example, the very subtle highlights that you’ve added to the edges along with gradients give it form and render the surfaces very realistically. With such an extreme perspective you also had to deal with vanishing points and text that had to be consistent with the perspective. The Effect>Distort & Transform>Free Distort tool makes this possible. I’m looking forward to your Variations project. Amazing work!

Amy Pearson-
Your very stylish LG phone has some very strong features. My first impression is that you’ve considered the dominant light and shown a consistent effect of that light on both the screen and with the cast shadow from the phone body. I appreciate the fact that you tried to recreate the LG logo..Life’s Good! I think there are some things to consider with the buttons. You’ve tried to show them in relief with the addition of a transparent radial gradient. As is, they look a little harsh around the edges. What if your gradient was based on a darker shade of the purple fill? I think this might blend more effectively and give the button a more realistic look. I might also consider using a very slight gradient on the phone surface…the same gradient used on the buttons but linear would likely work nicely for this. You’ve developing good drawing skills and an eye for lighting.

Sahista Shobna-
The perspective view of your phone is much more difficult than a top view. I like the fact that you challenged yourself. In that perspective view, the top looks very precise but the bottom edges make the base appear larger that is should. Editing this shape requires some subtle corrections with the direct selections tool. You’ll become very familiar with this tool and editing shapes as we delve into more complex illustrations. I appreciate your consideration of lighting effects on the screen and phone shape. I’d like to see the buttons with a hint of shadow for consistency. Although they look small you can zoom in closely and add shadows with new drawn elements as you did with the phone base or try selecting a button shape and then go to Effect>Stylize>Drop Shadow. Good skills, which you’ll develop further in the next project.

Margaret Temple-
Your top view of the Nintendo controller looks very good. I especially like the color match you’ve done…very realistic! The shapes involved are all basic shape tool objects. It’s clever how you’ve drawn the thumb control by covering up the corners of a rectangle…hey, if it works go for it. But this type of shape makes it more difficulty to apply effects..like shadows. We’ll learn that there several ways to create these more complex shapes by either drawing with the pen tool or combining shapes using the Pathfinder features. I appreciate the fact that you’ve applied lighting effects to the body and some buttons. The shadows on the buttons are not quite consistent with the dominant shadow on the body. As I mentioned in a group member’s work, an easy way to apply very controlled shadows is with the Effects>Stylize>Drop Shadow tool. With it you can be very consistent with direction of light throughout your illustration. Good drawing skills.