I began by creating an A4 portrait document set to CMYK, High (300 ppi); it is CMYK to allow it be printed and we need the document to be 'high' so that the document renders all the effects and filters applied in the document to the best quality.
The first part of the session we were showed how to create a rocket using the minimum amount shapes by fully utilising the tools that we have available to use in Adobe Illustrator; these tools included the pattern tool, shape tool, the direct selection tool and the selection tool. The outcome was cleaner and provided an easier workspace in comparison to my usual methods. I made the rocket out of 5 shapes whereas without guidance I would have probably used double the amount of shapes.
I started with the shape tool using the ellipse tool (L) and using the anchor point tool (shift+C) I made the top of the shape pointed for the top of the rocket. To make the bottom of the rocket fatter at the bottom I used the direct selection tool and shift to select both side points and then I used the down arrow to move the anchor points lower which in turn changed the shape. To create multiple lines I added an offset path and changed the colour and stroke and to get a dashed line I went on to stroke and ticked the dashed line. I then repeated the process to draw the two engines at the bottom. I started to create the fill for the rocket by using squares and rectangles. Once I have created the shape I then made it into to pattern which would be transferred in to a swatches which would I then be able to use to fill the rocket shape.
Here is the final outcome that has been filled and a window and drop shadow has been added. The drop shadow allows the rocket come alive more on the screen instead of being flat to the viewer. I found this part of the workshop quite useful to me as it showed me an easier, cleaner way of creating objects without have to use loads of shapes.
