Adobe Illustrator Creating an Infographic

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Goals and Objectives

Learn the basics of Adobe Illustrator, the industry standard for vector graphics. Follow along as we design an infographic from scratch while explaining the programs interface, and explore a handful of its most commonly used tools and discuss the possible application for files that you generate.

10 Tips for Infographics

Focus on the Data - information first and the design second.
File Management - Create a file for your project where you can store all data, sources and information for your project.
Purpose - The purpose of an infographic is to circulate data, information or evidence about a problem that needs a solution.
Primary Audience - Your first audience is yourself, make sure your infographic helps you visualize your own data.
Secondary Audience - Consists of individuals that will benefit from your research.
Visual Design - If you're not familiar with the principles of visual design I would suggest a quick google search of "graphic design basics." Find articles that discuss the use of color, line, shape, texture, balance, contrast, typography etc.
Permissions - If you are using an existing visual graphic such as a chart or table make sure you have obtained permission to use it, and you must make sure to cite or attribute the the source.
Raster Image Quality - If you are using pixel based graphics make sure to start with the highest quality version. If you scale your graphic those images not generated in Illustrator can become blurry the larger it becomes.
Accessibility - Make your design accessible to others by using common fonts, colors etc. to make it reusable for other applications.

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10 Steps for creating our Infographic

STEP 1: Creating a Document

Make sure to convert your units to "inches"-- a standard letter sheet will be 8.5" x 11."

Select "Print" from the New Document menu, change your units of measure to inches, then click "Create."

Illustrator has a dynamic and deep workspace, we will focus on these areas today

Tool Bar: contains various mouse tools, click and hold to see additional tools in a "drawer"
Tool Menu Bar: this area will show settings specific to the tool you have selected
Fill/Stroke: change the fill and stroke settings of an object
Artboard: the actual document, when you export only objects within artboards will be output
Layers Palette: use this space to view and rearrange layers/groups

Step 2: Creating a Background

Add a Rectangle

The rectangle tool can be used by "clicking and dragging" or by simply clicking once and plugging in specific dimensions.

Using the "Rectangle Tool(M)" click once anywhere on your "Artboard."
In the pop-up window plug in 11" for the width and 8.5" for the height to generate a rectangle the same size as your "Artboard."
If it doesn't fit exactly where it should, click on the "Selection Tool(V)" (the black arrow at the top of the "Toolbar"), this tool allows you to move and adjust entire elements . The white arrow is the "Direct Selection Tool(A)" which allows you to move specific anchor points.

Open Swatches

Any Palette you will be using is located in the "Windows" tab

To open your "Swatch Library" go to the menu bar at the top of your screen and select "Window > Swatches."
Swatches allow you to apply preset colors to your objects, you can also save custom colors to this library as well.

Change the fill color

"To add a color to your rectangle make sure your "fill" box is in front of your "stroke."

To add a color to your rectangle make sure your "Fill" box is in front (click on the solid box to bring it forward) and select a color from your "Swatch Library."
To pick a custom color double click on your "Fill" box, it can be accessed from either your "Toolbar" or "Swatch Library." Here you can select manually from the spectrum or plug in specific swatch colors by RGB or Hex Code.

Add a footer

Create a footer using the rectangle tool and fill with a color of your choice.

Use the "Rectangle Tool(M)" like before and add one that is 11" x 2"

STEP 3: Create Mountains

Use the Pencil to draw a mountain range

Any "Pathfinder" action requires two objects.

To make our mountains start by selecting the "Pencil Tool(N)" and click and drag to draw a line in the shape of mountains.
To make your mountains fit perfectly to the background shape we first need to duplicate the background rectangle.
Select the rectangle with the black arrow (v) and press "CMND/CTRL+C" and then press "CMND/CTRL+F," this will create a duplicate rectangle and place it directly in front of the existing one.

Use pathfinder to combine the shapes

Select one of the background rectangles and the mountain shape you created by holding the "Shift" key while clicking on them.

To access "Pathfinder" got to the menu bar at the top of your screen and select "Window > Pathfinder."
Select both shapes (click on each one while holding shift) and select the "Intersect" function in Pathfinder under "Shape Modes." This will keep the overlapping portion of the mountain making it fit to the "artboard."
To move it behind the footer, select the shape and press "CMND/CTRL+[" This will move the object one layer down every time you click them. If you go too far, "CMND/CTRL+]" will bring the object one layer forward.

Duplicate your mountain range

Select your mountain shape and duplicate it by clicking "CMND+C and then "CMND+F"

Select your mountain shape and duplicate it by clicking "CMND/CTRL+C" and then "CMND/CTRL+F"
Once you have duplicated your mountain range click on the top anchor of its "Bounding Box" and drag downward to shrink the new mountain range.
Select a new color from your "Swatches" for your second mountain range.

Mirror your second mountain range

Mirror the mountain range to differentiate between the two

To mirror your new mountain range make sure it is selected then click on Window > Transform > Reflect > Vertical.

Add the sun

By clicking and holding on a tool with a small triangle in the bottom right hand corner it will open a drop down menu with additional options.

Click and hold on the "Rectangle Tool" and select "Ellipse."
Create an oval by clicking and dragging. If you want to create a perfect circle hold the "Shift" key while clicking and dragging.
Once you have created your sun, add a light color from your "Swatches" panel.

Move the sun behind all of your mountains but in front of the background rectangle

To move it back repeatedly click "CMND+[" until it appears behind the furthest mountain range.

Add a glow to the sun

Any additional palettes will be found in "Window"

To create the glow for the sun go to "Window > Gradient" to open the "Gradient" palette.

To change the color of the "Gradient" drag and drop colors on the color bar.

In the "Gradient Palette" select "Radial" from the gradient "Type."
To change the colors of your gradient you can drag and drop colors from your "Swatches" to the color bar in the "Gradient Palette."
Use the background color you previously used on one end and the color you used for your sun on the other.
Add as many colors as you want and remove others by clicking on them and dragging them down and off the color bar.

Gradients can be relocated within shapes by simply using the "Gradient" tool on your tool bar

To relocate the gradient so it radiates away from the sun, select the background rectangle and click on the "Gradient Tool" in your toolbar.
Click at the middle of the sun and drag away as far as you would like the gradient to extend, then let go. This can be repeated until you are happy with the results.

Locking/Naming layers

Locking a layer makes it easier to work on images that will sit above any existing designs

Rename your layer by double clicking on the "Layer 1" type, title it with something relevant to the work inside it.
For this project we will use "Background." Click the empty space next to the eye, this will "Lock" your layer. Next we will create a new layer to work in.

Click on the "+" at the bottom of your "Layers" tab to create a new layer to work in. You can rename this layer f you like with "Foreground."

STEP 4: Creating a line graph

Click and hold on the "Graph Tool" and select the line graph

To create a graph select "Line Graph Tool" from the graph drop down menu in the tool bar.
Click once on your art board and enter 9in for the width and 5in for the height.

After inserting each number press return to move forward to the next entry

Enter the data according to the chart above, pressing return or enter after each entry to move forward.
When done press the checkmark in the upper right hand of the "Graph Palette," this will generate the graph you see above.

STEP 5: Customize your graph

Ungroup the graph objects

Objects can in turn be grouped by Pressing "CMND+G"

We will ungroup the graph so we can remove parts we don't want to use. Go to "Object > Ungroup" in the top menu bar or press "CMND/CTRL+SHIFT+G" to ungroup.
Once "Ungrouped" double click on the graph. The whole image will become faint-- this is called "Isolation Mode." This allows you to work within a "Group" without selecting all the pieces at once.
Select the X-axis of the graph and delete it. Now double click anywhere off the graph and it will return to the normal viewing mode.
Move your graph into place above the "Footer."

Adding type

Type can be used by simply clicking once and starting to write, or by clicking and dragging to create a text box

Select the "Type tool(T)" on our "Toolbar" to add a title to the Y-axis of our graph.
Click once, and type "Height in Feet." Highlight your text and select a new font from the drop down menu at the top of your screen.
Then use the "Black Selection Arrow(V)" and hover over the corner of the bonding box. When you see a rounded arrow click and hold to rotate the type-- holding the "Shift" key while rotating will rotate in perfect 45 degree angles.
Remember to let go of your mouse/track pad before letting go of the "Shift" key.

STEP 6: Create a saguaro using Rounded Rectangle Tool

Remember once the shape is created it can be adjusted.

Select the "Rectangle Tool(M)" and click and drag to create a rectangle with a width you would like for your saguaros. Next you are going to round just the top of the rectangle.

Once shapes are created the edges can be rounded by using the small circles near the selected anchors

Switch to the white "Direct Selection Tool(A)" and click on one of the top corner anchor points.
Then hold "Shift" and select the other point. Click on one of the small white circles that appear inside the shape near the corners, then pull inward.

STEP 7: Duplicate and transform saguaros

Objects can be duplicated in the menu at the top of your screen and selecting EDIT > COPY then EDIT > PASTE

Once you have placed your first saguaro you can use direct select and click on both bottom anchors and drag them to the proper length.
To duplicate your other three saguaros go to the top menu and select "Edit > Copy" then "Edit > Paste" or click "CMND/CTRL+C" and then "CMND/CTRL+V."
Repeat the resizing process until all saguaros are the appropriate height for the graph.

STEP 8: Add arms to the saguaros

Click and drag to create bezier curves

Select the "Pen Tool(P)" from your toolbar and click once in the middle of your saguaro body.
A line will your cursor-- this will show you the shape your line will take. Clicking somewhere else will produce a straight line between the points, while clicking and holding on the second point and dragging your cursor upward will create a curve.
Press Enter on your keyboard to complete and exit your current shape
Once you have the shape of the arm go to the "Stroke Palette" (Window>Stroke) and select "Weight" and increase it until it matches the thickness of your rectangle and press Enter.
While in the "Stroke Palette" select "Round Cap" to round the ends of your saguaro arms.
Repeat these steps or copy and paste the arms for the remaining saguaros.

STEP 9: Create a title box

Add a rounded rectangle

Click and hold on the rectangle tool to select "Rounded Rectangle"

Select the "Rounded Rectangle Tool" (click and hold on the rectangle tool) and create a "5.5in x 2in" rectangle by clicking once and plugging the dimensions in.
Select a darker brown color for the fill and then click on the "Opacity" drop down in your menu bar near the top of your screen and slide it to "50%"

Add a title

Click and hold on the rectangle tool to select "Rounded Rectangle"

Select the "Type Tool(T)" with a white as the fill and type the title above.
Highlight the bottom and select the font "Impact" from your fonts drop down menu.
Repeat but choose "Myriad Pro," for the top portion.

Add titles below

Add shadows by going to Menu>Effect>Stylize

Repeat the same process to create a box below the saguaro but with no change in the opacity.
With the rectangle selected go to the menu at the top of your screen and select "Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadows" and change the opacity to "75%."

Create one whole rounded rectangle with type before duplicating

Select the type tool and click in the rectangle typing "1 FOOT / 20 YEARS."
Once you have centered it in the rectangle use the "Black Selection Tool(V)" to select both the box and the type by holding "Shift". Group them together by pressing "CMND/CTRL+G"
Copy and Paste 3 copies, moving them into place. Select the "Type Tool" and click on the writing in each of the other to change the wording.

Your completed infographic should look like this

STEP 10: Adding details

The tools we covered can be used in a variety of different ways to create a more unique design.

Gradient Tool

The "Gradient Tool" can be applied to multiple objects at a time. Make sure that all the elements are selected by using the "Shift" key and the group them "CMND/CTRL+G" before applying the gradient effect you desire, the grouping just makes it easier to alter the gradient later if you desire. In the above image I used the radial "Radial Gradient" to create the suns glow but also with the triangular rays I created radiating from it as well. I also used a "Linear Gradient" to add a little more dimension to the mountain ranges.

Pen/Pencil Tool

The "Pen Tool" and "Pencil Tool" are likely to be your most used tools as you dive deeper into Adobe Illustrator, allowing you to create custom designs and elements. In the above image I used them to make small Agave like cacti really quickly. The more realistic a design becomes the more elements will be designed with these two tools.

Changing Colors

Changing colors is quick and easy already, selecting an object and then a new color from your "Swatch Library." If you want to change every object that is the same color you are going to want to unlock and locked layers and go to the top menu bar and click "Select > Same > Fill & Stroke or Fill Color." This will select every object in your design that has the same color, keep in mind if you have strokes that are the same color they will need to be done separately, then you just need to select the new color from your "Swatch Library" and they can all be done at once.

Back to ADLI Resource Page

Appreciate

Credits:

Created with images by Josemaria Toscano - "Saguaro National Park" • antonel - "Cactus thickets in the rays of the setting sun before the thunderstorm, Saguaro National Park, southeastern Arizona, United States." • Matthew - "Competing Saguaros" • JAY - "Saguaro Cactus with Sun Flare in the Southwest US" • jon manjeot - "Arizona Desert Landscapes" • James Eddy - "A Saguaro In Spring" • Paul Moore - "Honoring Life" • tbaeff - "big Saguaros cactus forest" • Billy McDonald - "Saguaro Cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) Cover Amole Peak on The Valley View Overlook Trail, Saguaro National Park, Tucson, Arizona, USA" • Richard Nantais - "Giant saguaros cactus in the Arizona desert"