Quicklinks to all course lessons:  1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15
Lesson 11 Sections:   11-1   11-2   11-3   11-4   11-5   11-JFF   11-IDEA

Lesson 11 - Pen Tools & Vector Shapes • Patterns • Photoshop's Web Tools

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Heart of Glass - by Nathan Smith
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Dream - by Nathan Smith
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Radiance - by Nathan Smith
Lesson Description:
This week we'll dive deeper into Photoshop's pen tool and vector shapes. You'll learn how to create a vector mask. Then we'll combine regular masks with vector masks to get the best of both worlds. You'll find out how to use the pen tool to create interesting shapes and patterns using the step-and-repeat command. We'll learn about the principle of pattern, how it varies from repetition and rhythm, and then learn how to create seamless patterns in Photoshop. You'll also learn how to manage and back up your patterns, as well as other preset resources like gradients, shapes, styles, etc. Then we'll explore Photoshop's web tools. Enjoy!
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Silver Petals - by Nathan Smith
Lesson 11 Objectives:
  1. Review: Pen Tool and Vector Shapes
  2. Principles of Art and Design: Pattern
  3. Creating seamless patterns in Photoshop
  4. Review: Managing your Photoshop presets
  5. Photoshop's Web Tools
​All assignments, rubrics, required readings, exercise files, etc. are in Week 11's module in Canvas

Don't get overwhelmed! Suggested plan to accomplish lesson 11:

Monday: Go through ​this page and lesson 11-1 
  • 11-1 is a review of using the pen tools, which you began to learn in the beginning course. We'll take this even further by showing you how to create and use a vector mask and then use it along with a regular mask - all on the same layer! There are three exercises you'll do in 11-1 and submit as part of this week's assignment: 
    ​Exercises A11-01A, A11-01B, and A11-01C. Approximate time to complete: 1-2 hours.
Tuesday: Go through lesson 11-2​​ and 11-3
  • 11-2 introduces you to the principles of pattern and rhythm in art and design. Approximate time: 30 minutes
  • 11-3 will show you how to create your own seamless patterns in Photoshop. Exercise A11-03 will have you create your own seamless pattern and share it with the rest of the class! Approximate time: 30 minutes
Wednesday: Go through lesson 11-4
  • 11-4 is a review of how to work with presets in Photoshop, where you add, delete, load, or save patterns, brushes, gradients, shapes, etc. Please take time to try out some of the free pattern sets, and get used to using the presets. Approximate time: 1 hour
Thursday: Go through lesson 11-5
  • 11-5 will introduce you to some of Photoshop's web authoring tools. Please spend time in the links to Adobe articles and the videos. These may be some very useful tools for you if you design or create web graphics and layouts! Approximate time: 1 hour
Friday: Go through lesson 11-JFF, 11-IDEA
  • ​These two sections of lesson 11 will lead you to some awesome ideas, tutorials, and resources! Don't skip over them!
Friday - Monday:
  • ​Work on the lesson 11 assignments and discussions in Canvas!
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​Real World Experience - An Opportunity To Work on a Real Project!
Portfolio exhibit 8 challenge: There are so many ways that patterns can add some class to your graphic designs! Can you incorporate patterns effectively into one of your portfolio creations?

For your portfolio exhibit, focus on creativity and design! The IDEA section sections in every lesson contain ideas on how you can put creativity, design, and the tools you've learned into practice. When you've completed your portfolio exhibit, please do the following:
  • Save your portfolio exhibit photoshop file as Portfolio-8_Your_Name.PSD, and submit it here in Canvas.
  • Export your portfolio exhibit as a web friendly JPG image and add it to your online portfolio, along with the accompanying description, citations, etc. (See Portfolio in the Weekly Lessons) for more detail and instructions on this).
  • When you submit your portfolio exhibit in Canvas, also put the URL for your online exhibit in assignment comments.
Quicklinks to all course lessons:  1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15
Lesson 11 Sections:   11-1   11-2   11-3   11-4   11-5   11-JFF   11-IDEA

​Page last updated March 18, 2021.  This lesson combines my own work (images, text, videos) which are ©2021 by Nathan Smith.  All other images, videos, and cited text sources are curated from the internet, and are publicly available.