FREE TOOLS: I have created a series of free design tools for you to use with your own artwork and designs. These tools are 100% Free to use- no account or login is required. I am going to recommend starting with your Workflow and the Anchor Point Guides Option → PRACTICE EXERCISE PROMPTS → ARTBOARD SIZE FINDER → COLOR PALETTE GENERATOR
ADOBE RESOURCES: Sign in to your Adobe Creative Cloud Account for Assets, Templates, Color Swatches, and Font Families. If you haven't explored the Adobe Stock site, there are many free assets and templates available for you to download for your artwork and designs. Select Free in the Dropdown Menu.
FREE RESOURCES: 100% of all Free Resources are Online - please do not create a new account through Teachable. When you are creating your own artwork or design projects - I recommend organizing resources within the same project folder on your computer (Stock Photos / Color Swatches / Font Families).
PRACTICE EXERCISE PROMPTS: Select your workflow, type in your subject, and this tool assembles a detailed AI image generation prompt designed specifically for Adobe Illustrator practice exercises. → PRACTICE EXERCISE PROMPTS
STOCK PHOTOS: Download and Save Stock Photos (Unplash / Pexels / Pixabay) for your own artwork and designs. I recommend gathering and organizing resources within the same project folder (Stock Photos / Sketches / Thumbnails / Color Swatches).
PLACING GUIDES: File-New. Use a size or ratio that you can use for all of your own artwork. I recommend a 1080px by 1080px artboard for websites and social postings. Many of you will be looking to export your own artwork to Instagram. You can modify the size of the artwork or artboard with the Artboard Tool or Properties Panel.
TEMPLATE LAYER: File -Place in your own Drawing, Sketch, or Traced Stock Photo. Select your Resource Layer. (It will usually be your only layer) In your Layers Panel, select the Menu in the Upper-Right Hand Corner. Drop down to Template. This will create a 50% Opacity and Lockout the Layer. Create a New Layer above to start "Building".
CHOOSE WORKFLOW: In the Exercise Prompt Tool, I have built in differernt workflows to select. Create a "Traceable Path" to align with the Building Tools in Adobe Illustrator. You can grab the prompts for each workflow type and different style options.
ARTBOARD SIZE FINDER: Free interactive artboard size reference for Adobe Illustrator — logos, profile icons, HD canvas, wallpapers, and more. Tap a card and copy the specs in one click. → ARTBOARD SIZE FINDER / SOCIAL MEDIA SIZE FINDER / POD SIZE FINDER
ARTBOARDS + TEMPLATES: Create or use Program Template Presets (Adobe Photoshop / Adobe Illustrator) for your own artwork and designs. I recommend creating templates based on your frequently used sizes. (Size / Color Mode / Resolution).
CREATING ARTBOARDS: File - New. Create a Adobe Photoshop Document 2160px by 1080px. You can adjust the size to match your Export Size (1080px by 1080px). Select the Frame Tool. Create a Frame half of the size of the Document. File - Place Embedded to insert Photo.
ADJUSTMENT LAYERS: Once you have placed in your Photo Reference, you can add Adjustment Layers. This will assist you in looking at the Photo Reference. This is not required. I recommend adding Brightness/Contrast, Levels, Curves, and Black & White.
EXPORTING FROM LAYERS: When you are all done with your Sketches, Drawings, or Traced Stock Photos, I recommend Exporting from the Layers Panel. Select All of your Drawing Layers. Click on Export As from the Layers Panel Menu. This will Export All of your Drawing Layers.
COLOR PALETTE GENERATOR: Free color palette generator with real color theory — analogous, triadic, complementary & more. Lock colors, export CSS, PNG, or hex codes instantly. → COLOR PALETTE GENERATOR / POD COLOR PALETTE GENERATOR
COLOR SWATCHES + THEMES: Download or Save Color Swatches (Adobe Color) for your own artwork and designs. I recommend gathering and organizing resources within the same project folder (Stock Photos / Sketches / Thumbnails / Color Swatches).
SAVING SWATCHES: For those of you using Adobe Color, I recommend starting from the Explore Tab. If you have CC, you can Add to your Library. If you have an older version, download as an ASE File.
OPENING LIBRARIES: Open your Library Panel. Select the Color Theme you would like to use. Right Click on the Color Theme to Add Theme to your Swatches Panel.
OPENING SWATCHES: Open your Swatches Panel. In the Swatches Menu, drop down to Open Swatch Library. Select "Other Library" to open an ASE File saved on your computer.
FONT PAIRINGS FINDER: Free font pairing tool for designers and POD sellers. Browse Google Fonts and Adobe Fonts pairings by style — copy the import CSS in one click. No sign-up required. → FONT PAIRING FINDER
FONT FAMILES: Download or Save Font Families (Adobe Fonts / Google Fonts / Dafont / Font Squirrel) for your own artwork and designs. I recommend gathering and organizing resources within the same project folder (Stock Photos / Sketches / Thumbnails / Color Swatches).
FINDING FONTS: For those of you using Adobe Fonts, I recommend starting from the Browse All, Trending, and Recommendations. I do recommend testing out the new Variable Fonts.
SORTING FONTS: Have an idea of what you are looking for before looking for Fonts. Use the Categories and Tabs to sort through the Font Families.
SAVING FONTS: When you find a Font or Family you like, you can simply click the Add Family to your Account. The Fonts will be available across your Adobe Programs.
