By the end of this lesson, you will:

• Understand what vector graphics are and how they are used in graphic design
• Learn the basic tools of Adobe Illustrator to begin your digital skateboard artwork
• Begin creating an Illustrator design that represents the Urban Environment
• Learn how to use layers to design over a provided skateboard deck template
• Explore composition, balance, and colour through digital tools

Success Criteria

You can:

• Open and use a template in Adobe Illustrator
• Use the Pen Tool, Shape Tool, and Selection Tool to create vector designs
• Lock a template layer and work on new layers above it
• Begin building a skateboard graphic using Illustrator tools
• Apply urban imagery or symbolic references in your design
• Save and export your work for progress documentation

Vocabulary

• Vector Graphics: Images made from points and paths that can scale without losing quality
• Template Layer: A base image you don’t draw on, used as a guide
• Locking Layers: Prevents accidental changes to a layer while designing on top of it
• Pen Tool: A drawing tool that creates curved or straight paths
• Fill: The inside colour of a shape

• Neon lights, graffiti textures
• Crowds, traffic, alleyways, slogans

Tools to Try
• Pen Tool (P): Draw custom shapes
• Shape Tool (Rectangle, Ellipse): Start basic then modify
• Selection Tool (V): Move and adjust objects
• Eyedropper (I): Copy colour from another object
• Fill and Stroke settings: Choose interior colour and line colour

Use simple vector shapes to begin. Think bold lines, strong silhouettes, and layered textures.

6. Save Your Work

When you're finished with your first design session:

• Save as: FirstnameLastname_Week2_Skateboard.ai
• File > Save As > Choose AI format
• Also export a copy for your PowerPoint:
○ File > Export > Export As > PNG or JPG
○ Select “Use Artboards” and export at medium resolution

7. Upload Progress to PowerPoint – Experimental Folio Template

Under Week 2, include:

• A screenshot or export of your Illustrator design in progress
• Notes or sketches from your Visual Arts Process Diary on what you are trying to achieve
• A scanned version of any imagery or references used in planning

Week 2 Lesson Structure

Introduction – What Is Graphic Design for Skateboards?

Graphic design is a major part of skate culture. Logos, symbols, slogans, abstract patterns, urban imagery, and storytelling all appear on decks.
This week, you’ll begin designing ideas for your board using Adobe Illustrator, a professional vector design program.

You’ll use a skateboard template as your base and design on top of it, using Illustrator tools to create an image that reflects the urban environment.

Watch This Video First

Start with this 10-minute video, which will guide you through Illustrator’s layout and tools.

Take notes while watching on:

• Opening a document

• Creating and editing shapes

• Using the Pen Tool

• Working with layers

• Changing colour and stroke

• Saving and exporting

Optional Second Video

This is a much longer video that goes into great depth, so if you are interested, this will be a great resource.

(Link icon shown in image)

Download the Skateboard Template

Your teacher will provide you with a .ai (Illustrator) file of a blank skateboard template.
Once downloaded, follow these steps to begin:

Step-by-Step Instructions 

Step 1 – Open Your Template

• Launch Adobe Illustrator

• Go to File > Open and select the skateboard template provided

Step 2 – Lock the Template Layer

(This is already done for you, but it is useful to know how to lock and unlock layers)

• Open the Layers Panel (Window > Layers)

• Click on the layer that contains the template image

• Click the blank square next to the eye icon to lock it (a padlock icon will appear)

• This ensures you don’t accidentally draw over the template

Step 3 – Create a New Layer

• In the Layers Panel, click the plus icon (+) or choose New Layer

• This is where you’ll begin drawing your design

• You may rename this layer (e.g., “Urban Sketch”)

Begin Your Urban Environment Design 

Ideas for Urban Imagery

• City skylines

• Buildings, bricks, street signs

• Rats, pigeons, power poles, shadows

Assessment Requirements

This assessment required students to begin developing a skateboard deck graphic using Adobe Illustrator, focusing on vector graphics, urban design themes, and layer-based workflow. Students had to demonstrate their ability to:

• Understand and apply key vector design concepts

• Use essential Illustrator tools (Pen Tool, Shape Tools, Selection Tools, Eyedropper)

• Work with template layers, lock layers, and create new layers

• Develop an initial urban environment–inspired graphic

• Save and export progress for the Week 2 PowerPoint folio

• Document notes, references, and artistic intent from their Visual Arts Process Diary

The expected output was an in-progress Illustrator design, a screenshot or export for PowerPoint, and brief reflective notes explaining design choices and intention.

How the Academic Mentor Guided the Student 

1. Clarifying the Task

The mentor first broke down the assessment into the essential components:

• What needs to be produced (Illustrator design + documentation)

• What tools must be used

• What learning intentions and success criteria the student must demonstrate
  This ensured the student understood both the creative and technical expectations.

2. Setting Up the Workspace

The mentor guided the student through the initial Illustrator setup:

• Opening the skateboard template

• Checking that the template layer is locked

• Creating and naming a new design layer
  This reinforced a correct workflow and prevented mistakes during drawing.

3. Introducing Vector Tools

Before drawing, the mentor explained:

• How vector graphics work

• How to use the Pen Tool, Shape Tools, Selection Tool, Eyedropper

• How Fill and Stroke interact
  The student practiced each tool briefly before applying them to the skateboard design.

4. Choosing Urban Imagery

The mentor encouraged the student to brainstorm imagery such as:

• Neon lights, graffiti, city skylines

• Brick textures, alleyways, street symbols

• Pigeons, shadows, traffic elements
  The mentor helped the student narrow this down to one concept that would be visually strong on a skateboard deck.

5. Starting the Illustrator Design

The mentor guided the student through:

• Blocking out simple vector shapes first

• Building silhouettes and large forms before details

• Layering elements for clarity
  The student was reminded to focus on bold, readable shapes suitable for skateboard artwork.

6. Saving and Exporting

The mentor demonstrated how to:

• Save the file correctly in AI format with naming conventions

• Export a PNG/JPG using “Use Artboards”

• Insert this exported file into the Week 2 PowerPoint
  This ensured the student submitted the correct documentation.

7. Completing the PowerPoint Folio Submission

The mentor instructed the student to include:

• A screenshot/export of the design

• Notes from their Visual Arts Process Diary

• Any imagery or reference scans
  This step reinforced reflection and documentation skills.

Final Outcome 

By the end of the session, the student successfully:

• Followed the assessment requirements

• Created a clear Illustrator workspace with a locked template

• Began building an urban-themed vector design using basic tools

• Saved and exported their work properly

• Uploaded progress to the PowerPoint folio with supporting notes

The learning objectives achieved included understanding vector graphics, using key Illustrator tools, applying urban visual concepts, working with layers, and documenting a design process precisely matching the expectations of the Week 2 lesson.

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