Illustrating with Type

New Assignment: Create a "Type Face" (Get it? Typeface... har har har!):

In this assignment your goal is to use elements of typefaces/fonts to create an illustration. The technique for this works well with a photograph as a template. You can create many type objects in Adobe Illustrator and use them to fill in the dark areas in a photo, then remove the photo and you are left with an image. You could also get creative and create an object or portrait without a photo, just use your imagination.

There are several methods for creating your illustration, the fill-in process, the envelope mesh process and a combination method, using fill, envelope mesh and type-on-a-path to create an illustration. Here is the process for the fill method below:

Type Face "Fill" Process:

• Find a photo to use a reference, if you change the photo to black and white with photoshop it will be easier for your process in Illustrator
• Launch Adobe Illustrator, make a new document
• Use the File>Place function to bring in your reference photo
• Use the text tool to create different characters, use different fonts as well, find fonts that fit your illustration in style and context
• Select your text and go to Type>Create Outlines
• Ungroup your text objects to manipulate them individually, avoid distorting your characters, use alt-shift while scaling objects!
• Arrange them into your drawing or use them to fill in the dark areas of your photo
• Remove the photo or hide it to see your progress
• Check out the examples below for inspiration, all those drawings were made from fonts!

Boba Fett Type Face Portrait Using The Envelope-Mesh Process By: Jared Fail

The Joker Type Face Portrait Using The Combination Method By: Dyana Aguilera

Sean Connery Type Face Portrait Using The Fill Method By: Skylen Fail

Fill Process

Fill Process

Fill Process

Fill Process

Fill Process

Fill Process

Have fun!

- Mr.W