In the past, limited-use programs have made it easier to identify which tools you should be learning as a beginner. These days, however, once you are given how many tools, tips and tricks you should learn, you can always feel frustrated and not know where to start.

I have been using Adobe Illustrator for over 10 years now and I really like vectors will help you learn how to use them. These things were tools and tips that became part of my normal vector process and without them, I thought I would wither and die. Or just don’t create as I had hoped. It’s the same thing, in fact – let’s be honest.

Enough, let’s get stuck on this list.

1. Don’t Be Afraid of the Pen Tool

The Pen tool can be a scary tool for beginners. It took me a while to be able to “soften it”, but don’t let this hold you back. Once you become familiar with this tool, you can download anything from Adobe Illustrator.

Of course you can create vector good graphics without the need for a Pen Tool. If you check out the tutorial by standard Tuts + Instructor Andrei Marius, most of his instructors are done without the Pen Tool. It is a solid proof that you can build without the Pen Tool. That being said, my advice is to push yourself and get it. Not as bad as you think! You can also be helpful in graphic artist hiring.

2. Mask Clipping Masks

Deciding on a Mask changed my game. So much so that I wish I had found out more quickly on my Adobe Illustrator journey.

Masks limit a pattern, group of situations, methods or anything you desire in a particular area, and you can use many. I found them an amazing time saver and for this reason, I think all beginners should learn to use them.

I highly recommend beginner’s tutorial on Clipping and Opacity Masks. These types of tutorials are complete tutorials that show you both your benefits in an easy-to-follow format.

3. Join the Road Panel

I love the Pathfinder panel. The truth. When it comes to creating custom-made shapes, the Pathfinder panel has a number of options to help you create the perfect look. Special useful trends for flat designs and illustrations made with basic ideas.

I’m not done yet. Once you’ve learned the many features of the Pathfinder panel, kick off the note and learn how to use the Shape Build Tool. It’s like Shape Modes, but very fast!

4. Welcome to Appearance Panel

Do you find yourself repeating the same shape over and over again to add different fillings to different opacities over each other? Well you did wrong. You can do the same thing but in one situation, by using the look panel.

The Graphic Appearance Panel and Styles were seen as familiar to only advanced users when I first started. I was shocked by that. But once you learn to use the look panel, it will shock your world.

If you answered anything other than four stops / single stops, you are very wrong and you should learn how to use the look panel! Only one shape was used to create this, and it shows how powerful the look panel is.

5. Learn how to make brushes

If there is one Adobe Illustrator work, I come out of it, it should be the ability to create and use my own custom brushes. Finding new uses for brushes and ways to use them is my vector drug.

I find that I use art brushes more than any other type, especially these Width-inspired Profiles.

There are many different types of brushes you can create, and once you read them inside and out, you will find many practical and effective ways to use them. This is something which makes them look for graphic artist hiring.

6. Practice Zen Panel Lists

Now this does not help the end result of your vector work (unless you are selling your work as a vector file), but I strongly recommend that beginners learn to edit their vector files. That means everything from setting up and composing the Layers panel to removing colours and resources in your unused file.

We all know that order makes things easier over time, because there is less confusion. So to remove one thing from the learning process to make it easier for you, familiarize yourself with the Zen Layers panel.

7. Love Colour

There are many Adobe Illustrator features available to make life a little easier. One of them for me is the Swatch libraries, which come with all kinds of Illustrator. These range from delicate gradients to skin tones palettes to default patterns and textures.

This can be found by going to your Swatches panel and going to the piercing menu. From there select Open Swatch Library and be amazed at the selection presented.

8. Have Fun With Pattern Options

Even if you do not make the patterns diligently, is one of the most fun activities you can encounter. I might look at it a little bit but I remember when it was released, which I wanted to do to create patterns.

But you can create a lot more with the Pattern options. Think of the endless possibilities for creating your own seamless texture! That’s what caught me and helped me kick my art work up a notch.

9. Keep your Vector Art properly

I’m very annoyed with some vector artists. They are as talented as possible by coming up with great art, they fall into the final problem. And I don’t want you to make the same mistake. It’s an important task even if you ignore everything I’ve written here today, I want you to come in … learn how to save your vector art well.

If you keep your vector like gif, jpg or png, I want you, for the love of all awesome things – please, please here – to learn how to Save the Web. It is very simple but often overlooked.

About the Author: Sunny Chawla

Sunny Chawla is a Managing Director at Alliance Recruitment Agency. He specializes in helping client for international recruiting, staffing, HR services and Careers advice service for overseas and international businesses. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Alliancerecruitmentagency/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/career_alliance LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alliance-international-consulting-firm/