Publishers of technology books, eBooks, and videos for creative people

Home > Articles > Design > Adobe Creative Suite

Sharon Steuer and Mordy Golding Talk about Adobe Illustrator CS5

Sharon Steuer (author of The Adobe Illustrator CS5 WOW! Book) and Mordy Golding (author of Real World Adobe Illustrator CS5) ask each other some burning questions.
Like this article? We recommend

Like this article? We recommend


Real World Adobe Illustrator CS5Mordy Golding is the author of Real World Adobe Illustrator CS5

BuyBuy the Book



The Adobe Illustrator CS5 Wow! BookSharon Steuer is the author of The Adobe Illustrator CS5 Wow! Book

BuyBuy the Book



In Part 1, Sharon asks Mordy some questions about his book and Illustrator.

Sharon Steuer: Hi Mordy! I have some questions about you and your new book, Real World Adobe Illustrator CS5. How did you get involved in digital tools, and Adobe Illustrator in particular?

Mordy Golding: I've always had an interest in art and technology, and when I was in high school, I saw the two worlds converging. When I saw a Mac for the first time, I fell in love. The first app I saw and used on the Mac was Illustrator 88, although when I actually bought my own Mac and started my own design studio, I went through Corel Draw, Canvas, and FreeHand before finally coming full circle back to Illustrator.

At around the same time, there was a vector graphics forum on America OnLine (AOL) where I started to get involved with the overall Adobe Illustrator community. At a NYC presentation given by you, Sharon, I met up with Sandee Cohen (author of InDesign CS5 for Macintosh and Windows: Visual QuickStart Guide), who was one of the hosts of that AOL forum. Sandee and I became close friends—she practically took me under her wing—and she was instrumental in introducing me to the Illustrator community.

Sharon: You inherited the Real World Illustrator Book—how many editions have you done? How do you feel that it has evolved since you took it over? Has going to full-color made a big difference?

Mordy: This is my 4th edition of Real World Illustrator—I inherited the book for the CS2 release of Illustrator. Prior to that, I had been the author of Teach Yourself Illustrator in 24 Hours, and had published 4 editions of that book, covering versions 7 through 10 of Illustrator. The Teach Yourself book was targeted for beginners, and I was looking to publish a book that would cover Illustrator on a more advanced level. Since I took the book over, I've tried to do three things: add more technical explanations to better understand why things happen as they do in Illustrator; provide focused content and explanations that appeal to the many different types of people that use Illustrator, such as web designers, fashion designers, animators, etc; and present the material in a specific order that helps artists build upon their understanding as they progress.

Going to color has forced me to be more selective about the examples that I provide throughout the book, and I think it adds a newer level of instruction to the book. Specifically, chapters that focus on managing color benefit from the various color examples I can provide now.

Sharon: You do lots of different kinds of training: corporate, conferences, videos, and books. In what way are books better than other kinds of training? how do you recommend people use your books, and what would you say is the user level?

Mordy: I think it's important to realize that there isn't one "best" type of training. I think that some people learn better using one technique while others learn better with another technique. I also think that more people are successful if they combine various learning methods. Books provide two incredibly powerful benefits. First, books are immersive—you can really achieve a higher level of understanding by focusing on the words of a printed page—whereas other learning materials can often present easy distractions. Some topics are difficult and a book can really help you gain knowledge on a different level. Second, books serve as great reference tools. The human mind can easily remember once reading something and find a page quickly to refresh on the topic or technique. Of course, I personally recommend that those hungry for knowledge stop at nothing for finding new ways to learn. Books are just one great way to acquire knowledge.

The user level of Real World Illustrator is intermediate/advanced.

Sharon: What are your favorite new features of Illustrator CS5?

Mordy: Sharon, that's like asking me which of my children are my favorite! In truth though, I measure "favorite" features by how often I use them. If I find myself relying on features over and over again, that tells me those features are most important to my work. Specifically for Illustrator CS5, I find myself using the Shape Builder tool, the new Paste commands (Paste in Place, etc.), the Align to Pixel Grid, and the Artboards panel most frequently. The ability to specify variable-width strokes and the new Bristle Brush tool has changed the way I think about drawing in Illustrator, and probably have had the most impact on how I approach creating art in Illustrator in general.

Sharon: With more and more of Illustrator's features showing up in other Adobe apps (PS and ID specifically), do you think that more people, or fewer, are looking for training in Illustrator? and have the kinds of people using Illustrator changed?

Mordy: Remember that while more and more of Illustrator's features end up in other Adobe apps, more and more features from other Adobe apps also are finding their way into Illustrator. So it goes both ways. In my own experience, I'm seeing a huge interest in Illustrator. This is especially true since designers these days are being asked to repurpose art for so many different needs and uses. More designers are seeing the value in creating vector artwork so that they can easily repurpose their artwork for virtually any need at virtually any size. As is clearly evident in your Illustrator Wow! book, Illustrator artwork can appear in so many different styles, and designers and artists are no longer restricted to that blocky vector look that was once the hallmark of vector drawing tools like Illustrator.

I definitely think that the kinds of people who use Illustrator have changed—and are continuing to change. Adobe has built support for native Illustrator files into virtually all of their applications. With support directly within applications like After Effects, Premiere Pro, Flash Professional, and Flash Catalyst, there are so many professionals who are looking to Illustrator now. This is of course, in addition to all those Photoshop and InDesign users who have traditionally relied on Illustrator.

I also believe that there's a huge demand of hobbyists and other professionals who would LIKE to use Illustrator, but who are discouraged because of Illustrator's high learning curve. Sadly, Illustrator does require a serious investment in time to really learn how to use it well, and many who try the app become frustrated and are turned away. Hopefully Adobe will continue to find ways to reduce the barriers and make using Illustrator fun and easy.


In Part 2, Mordy asks Sharon some questions about her book and Illustrator.

Mordy: Hi Sharon! Here are 5 questions I have for you regarding your latest book, The Illustrator CS5 Wow! Book. How do you find all of the wonderful art and artists that you feature in your book?

Sharon: For the first edition, it was by asking whose work I loved, and then asking each of them who they recommended. Now coauthor Steven Gordon and I keep an eye out for folks we think are great. And nowadays many of the artists contact me—they admire the book and ask us to consider their work for the next edition!

Mordy: You're an artist yourself, Sharon. What artists inspire you? And do you still create art?

Sharon: When between book editions I'm still a full-time artist. The artists who inspire me are many, and varied, but artists currently on my most-favored artist-status are probably William Kentridge, Joseph Cornell, Pierre Bonnard, and then there's always Rembrandt and Van Gogh…do you want more?

Mordy: Have you ever had to reject artwork for your book, and for what reason?

Sharon: Well, we have some strict rules, such as Peachpit rightly insists that all artists must have written releases from any model or photographer that is referred to in a work, so we often have submissions of lovely work that can't be published for that reason. And we also don't include "fake commercial" work—only actual client work, or "fine art"—so many works are disqualified because an artist creates a fake ad for this product or that. And sometimes the work just isn't professional-level work, or there might not be something unique technique-wise that we can focus on.

Mordy: According to my count, you've published a Wow! book on the past 10 versions of Adobe Illustrator. How do you compare the art from 10 versions ago to the art created in today's version of Illustrator? Do you feel that newer versions of Illustrator allow us to be more creative? Or were we just as creative 15 and 20 years ago?

Sharon: Actually, The Adobe Illustrator CS5 WOW! Book is the ELEVENTH edition! I believe that you were my first contributing author on the series, for the 2nd edition (Illustrator 6 WOW!).

I think the biggest change is that the work is able to look "less vector-y" now. Although there always were artists who could create photo-realistic work with Illustrator (such as Brad and Tom Neal's cars), now with gradient mesh some artists like Ann Paidrick and Yukio Miyamoto are doing astoundingly complex and gorgeous photo-realistic work. And with the new brushes, we're getting more painterly work created solely in Illustrator. Lisa Jackmore, Greg Geisler, Janaína Cesar de Oliveira Baldacci, and cover artist Lance Jackson, each create very different kinds of painterly works with Illustrator brushes. And in fact the Illustrator work that I still do is mostly work with the brushes.

Mordy: With so many distractions these days, people have less time to learn new things. What is your advice for those who seek to learn while balancing a busy schedule?

Sharon: Take it slow, in small and focused chunks. Don't try and multi-task when you need to learn something new, stop with the emails and phone calls for a bit. And I think it's important to pick a particular project that you want to complete, and learn what you need to, to get that project done. If you don't have something in mind, you can look through the WOW! Book for work that inspires you, and pick a couple of things that you'd like to incorporate. If you are focused on a project, instead of just features or functions, you'll be more motivated to learn, and you'll better retain the concepts.

Thank you, Mordy!!!

Peachpit Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from Peachpit and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about Peachpit products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites; develop new products and services; conduct educational research; and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email ask@peachpit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by Adobe Press. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.peachpit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020