5 Practical Tips for Using Vector Shapes in Graphic Design

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 20 June 2023 6 min read

Graphic design has come a long way, and vector shapes have become a cornerstone for many creative projects. They're versatile, easy to manipulate, and high-quality—making them perfect for everything from logos to posters. In this blog, we'll explore five practical tips to help you improve your skills in using vector shapes for your design projects.

Tip 1: Choosing the Right Software

Selecting the right software is the first step in ensuring you have the best tools to work with vector shapes. There are many options available, but we'll focus on three of the most popular programs known for their vector editing capabilities.

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a widely used vector graphics editor, and for good reason. With its robust set of features, it's perfect for designing and editing vector shapes. Some advantages of Illustrator include:

High-quality output, which is essential for printing and digital projects.
Wide range of tools for creating and manipulating vector shapes, such as the Pen Tool, Shape Builder Tool, and Pathfinder.
Integration with other Adobe products, making it easy to work across different applications.

Corel Draw

Corel Draw is another popular choice for working with vector shapes. It's a powerful and feature-rich graphics suite that offers several advantages:

Efficient tools for drawing and editing vector shapes, such as the Smart Fill Tool and Contour Tool.
Wide range of preset vector shapes to choose from, allowing you to kickstart your design process.
Compatibility with a variety of file formats, making it easy to work with different design projects.

Inkscape

If you're looking for a free and open-source alternative, Inkscape is a great option. It's a versatile vector graphics editor that offers many of the same features as its commercial counterparts. Some benefits of Inkscape include:

Tools for creating and editing vector shapes, such as the Bezier Tool, Pencil Tool, and Shape Tools.
Strong community support, with numerous tutorials and resources available online.
Regular updates and improvements to the software, thanks to its open-source nature.

By choosing the right software for your needs, you'll be well on your way to mastering the art of vector shapes in graphic design.

Tip 2: Understanding Basic Shape Tools

Once you've chosen your preferred software, it's time to familiarize yourself with its basic shape tools. These tools are the building blocks for creating vector shapes and will help you streamline your design process. Let's take a look at some of the most commonly used shape tools:

Rectangle Tool

The Rectangle Tool is a fundamental shape tool in most vector graphics editors, allowing you to create squares and rectangles with just a few clicks. Here are some tips for using the Rectangle Tool:

Click and drag to create a rectangle, or hold down the Shift key while dragging to create a perfect square.
Adjust the corner radius to create rounded rectangles, giving your design a softer, more organic look.
Combine multiple rectangles to create more complex shapes, such as bar graphs or tables.

Ellipse Tool

The Ellipse Tool lets you create circles and ellipses, which are perfect for adding curves and round elements to your design. Here's how to make the most of the Ellipse Tool:

Click and drag to create an ellipse, or hold down the Shift key while dragging to create a perfect circle.
Use circles as the basis for creating other shapes, like pie charts or rounded icons.
Overlap multiple circles and use Pathfinder Operations (which we'll cover in Tip 4) to create unique shapes and patterns.

Polygon Tool

The Polygon Tool allows you to create polygons with varying numbers of sides, from triangles to hexagons and beyond. Here are some tips for using the Polygon Tool effectively:

Click and drag to create a polygon, or use the software's options to specify the number of sides and other attributes.
Adjust the corner radius to create rounded polygons, adding a touch of softness to your design.
Experiment with different numbers of sides to create interesting shapes, such as stars, badges, or custom icons.

By understanding and mastering these basic shape tools, you'll be well-equipped to create a wide range of vector shapes for your graphic design projects.

Tip 3: Mastering the Pen Tool

Now that you're comfortable with basic shape tools, it's time to level up your vector shapes game by mastering the Pen Tool. This versatile tool lets you create custom shapes, curves, and lines with precision and ease. Let's dive into the key aspects of the Pen Tool:

Drawing Straight Lines

Drawing straight lines with the Pen Tool is simple and straightforward. Here's how to do it:

Click once on the canvas to place your starting anchor point.
Click again at the endpoint of your desired line segment to create a straight line between the two points.
Continue clicking to add more points and create a series of connected straight lines.

Drawing Curves

The Pen Tool truly shines when it comes to creating curves. Follow these steps to draw smooth, flowing curves:

Click and hold on the canvas to create your starting anchor point.
Drag in the direction of your desired curve to create direction handles, which will control the curve's shape.
Click and drag at the endpoint of your curve to create a new anchor point with its own direction handles, ensuring a smooth transition between curves.

Editing Anchor Points

As you work with the Pen Tool, you'll likely need to make adjustments to your vector shapes. Here's how to edit anchor points and fine-tune your designs:

Select the Direct Selection Tool (usually represented by a white arrow) to move individual anchor points or direction handles.
Use the Add Anchor Point Tool or Delete Anchor Point Tool to add or remove points from your shape.
Convert a smooth curve to a sharp corner (or vice versa) using the Convert Anchor Point Tool.

With practice, the Pen Tool will become your go-to tool for creating custom vector shapes, offering endless possibilities for your graphic design projects.

Tip 4: Working with Pathfinder Operations

Pathfinder operations are powerful tools that allow you to combine, subtract, and intersect vector shapes to create unique and complex designs. Let's explore each of these operations and how to use them effectively:

Combining Shapes

Combining, or uniting, shapes is useful when you want to create a single shape from multiple overlapping vector shapes. Here's how:

Select the vector shapes you want to combine.
Open the Pathfinder panel (usually found under Window > Pathfinder).
Click the Unite button in the Pathfinder panel to merge the selected shapes into one.

Subtracting Shapes

Subtracting shapes is great for cutting out sections of one shape using another shape as a "cookie cutter." Follow these steps:

Select the shape you want to use as the "cutting" shape, and place it on top of the shape you want to cut.
Select both shapes.
Click the Minus Front button in the Pathfinder panel to remove the top shape and cut out its area from the bottom shape.

Intersecting Shapes

Intersecting shapes is useful when you want to create a new shape from the overlapping areas of two or more vector shapes. Here's how:

Position the vector shapes so that they overlap.
Select all the shapes you want to intersect.
Click the Intersect button in the Pathfinder panel to create a new shape from the overlapping areas.

By mastering Pathfinder operations, you'll be able to create unique and intricate vector shapes, elevating the quality of your graphic design projects and giving you more creative freedom.

Tip 5: Utilizing Vector Resources

Utilizing existing vector resources can save you time and effort when working on a project. There are numerous free and premium vector libraries, as well as options for creating custom vectors. Let's explore these resources:

Free Vector Libraries

Free vector libraries are an excellent source of vector shapes to use in your projects. Some popular options include:

Freepik: Offers a vast collection of vector illustrations, icons, and graphics.
Vecteezy: Provides a wide variety of vector art, icons, and backgrounds.
Vectorportal: Features free vectors for both personal and commercial use.

Remember to always check the license terms when using free vector resources, as some may have usage restrictions or require attribution.

Premium Vector Resources

Premium vector resources offer high-quality, unique vector shapes, often with more advanced customization options. Some popular premium libraries include:

Shutterstock: Offers a massive library of premium vector graphics and illustrations.
iStock: Features a wide selection of vector art, icons, and design elements.
Adobe Stock: Provides a vast collection of premium vectors, compatible with Adobe Illustrator.

Although premium resources come with a cost, the investment can be worthwhile for professional projects that require top-notch vector shapes.

Creating Custom Vectors

Creating custom vector shapes gives you complete control over your design and ensures that your work is truly unique. To create your own vectors:

Use the basic shape tools and the Pen tool to draw shapes.
Apply Pathfinder operations to modify and combine shapes.
Experiment with strokes, fills, and gradients to enhance your designs.

With practice, you'll develop your own style and be able to create custom vector shapes that perfectly fit your projects.

By using these vector resources, you can save time, enhance your designs, and focus on what truly matters: bringing your creative vision to life.

If you found this blog post helpful and want to take your illustration skills to the next level, don't miss out on the workshop 'Composing Complex Illustrations using Basic Shapes' by Juliet Schreckinger. This workshop will teach you how to create intricate and visually striking illustrations by breaking them down into simple shapes and building them up step by step.