Tools & Supplies
Lesson 3 of 7
Let's go over the basic tools and supplies you'll need to be successful in this course.
ESSENTIAL TOOLS
Adobe Illustrator
All course material is taught using the version 23.3 of Adobe Illustrator CC. If you prefer a different version, feel free to follow along using it, just keep in mind that some tools and workflow elements will be different.
A Sketchbook
A sketchbook (or several!) will be important to use during the design phase. Keep in mind that you'll want a smooth bright white paper that will be easy to either photograph or scan.
Drawing Tools
I keep an array of drawing tools on hand. At minimum, you'll want to have a few pencils and a pen that has a nice dark, smooth line. Here are a few of my favorites:
Micron Pens
HB Pencils
Camera or Smartphone
During the design phase, I'll be instructing you to take lots of photos for inspiration. We'll also be able to use photos of your sketches to design from, if you don't have a scanner.
USEFUL TOOLS
***These tools are not mandatory, but useful if you have them.
Scanner
A scanner provides the best and most accurate way to get your sketches or paintings into the computer to work from. I use the Canon CanoScan.
Lightbox or Tracing Paper
I'll go over this in detail during the course, but wanted to let you know that a lightbox or tracing paper can be useful when we're trying to add layers to a drawing or 'perfect' it before scanning it in. Hint - taping a sketch up to a window works great, too! I use an Artograph (here's a more affordable option).
If you prefer to work with tracing paper, I recommend this one.
Drawing Tablet
Finally, many designers (myself included) find a drawing tablet incredibly useful. While not mandatory (I have plenty of students who only use their mouse!), I think you'll fall in love with the capabilities a drawing tablet opens up to you.
Here are the two I personally use:
iPad Pro + Apple Pencil - for use as a drawing tablet.
Wacom Tablet - Intuos Pro
To see my reviews of both, be sure to check out the next lesson.
Great Job! Keep Going!
Pros and Cons: Wacom vs. iPad Pro
Next Lesson!