Week 2 Discussion – Customizing Illustrator’s Workspace
Learning Objectives Covered
- LO 02.08 – Define and customize five key components of Illustrator’s workspace
Career Relevancy
Customizing Illustrator’s workspace can help to greatly enhance production speed and workflow while working on projects in the field. A designer can create and save several different workspaces to address different conditions and circumstances, in turn, custom workspaces are a best practice for efficiency.
Background
Illustrator is an extremely versatile tool, and it is used for several different types of projects in the workplace. To address the changing needs of designers and production artists, Adobe has made it possible for us to customize our workspace within Illustrator. Customizing the workspace expands to many components in Illustrator. Here are ways that the workspace can be changed to suit how we approach designs:
- We can customize the default measurements for documents, specifically or by type (i.e., print, web, etc.).
- We can choose the default typeface and size utilized within new documents.
- We can also save the location and content of components such as windows and panels depending upon what type of project is being worked on. For example, when creating a logo, typeface and style are essential, so we might create a panel group of the character and paragraph windows so that type tools are together and easily accessible.
- Panels can be collected together in any configuration that works well for your specific needs. The collection of panels is called a panel group.
- Another workspace component is called a dock. A dock is a collection of panels or panel groups that can be displayed together. These can be customized to suit designers’ needs as well. Docks are extraordinarily helpful when using a smaller screen as you can condense the panels down to just small icons. Creating and removing panel groups and docks is simple – just drag and drop windows to join, and drag out to separate.
Once a custom workspace has been created, it can be saved and reused. By saving the size and position of panels as a titled workspace, the workspace can be instantly restored as needed – even if working on a project and remove a panel by mistake. To save a custom workspace, choose Window>Workspace>Save Workspace and then give the custom space a name.
Prompt
For this week’s discussion, consider the assignment you completed for last week where you built illustrations using shapes, strokes, colors, and layers. Now consider which panels are available within Illustrator by default while you contemplate the following scenario:
You have been asked to create a project that includes typography, multiple colors and patterns, and even a few images. How would you change the workspace? Define five or more panels and windows that you would add, group together or close. Based on your research on custom workspaces, when do you think it’s a good idea to create and save a unique space? How many workspaces might you save and why?
For your citation, you might use articles that show examples of good balance or bad balance. You can also find articles from experts that suggest what the balance should be.
Your initial and reply posts should work to develop a group understanding of this topic. Challenge each other. Build on each other. Always be respectful but discuss this and figure it out together.
Instructions (if needed) to upload and embed images to the discussion: (make sure you reference all images you use)
- How to embed an image in a discussion reply as a student: com/docs/DOC-1929” class=”external” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-1929 (Links to an external site.)
- How do I upload a file to my user or group files: https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-3145 (Links to an external site.)
Reply Requirements
Per the Due Dates and Participation Requirements for this course, you must submit 1 main post of 150+ words, 1 citation, and reference, as well as 2 follow-up posts of 50+ words. Responses can be addressed to both your initial thread and other threads but must be your own words (no copy and paste), each reply unique (no repeating something you already said), and substantial in nature. Remember that part of the discussion grade is submitting on time (20%) and using proper grammar, spelling, etc. (20% per post).
Remember that part of the discussion grade is submitting on time and using proper grammar, spelling, etc. You’re training to be a professional—write like it.
I will be including two example as well.
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