We will look at the introductory videos about Adobe Illustrator CS3 that are on the schedule page. Note that it's CS3—the ones for CS4 and CS5 have stopped going through the tools, which I think is key.

Go to the Illustrator list, then take a look in the following order:

• Creating and setting up a new document
• Understanding important document settings
• Line, eraser, shape tools
• Paintbrush
• Pen (paths, bezier handles)
• Pencil
• Type on a path
• Using brushes from brush libraries

Other suggestions from lynda.com free tutorials here: Understanding anchor points; Applying color to artworks

We will also experiment with drawing simple shapes (Handout: drop, leaf), the Symbol libraries, ways to zoom, and converting the type to paths (outlines) so that the letterforms can be customized. Here's your handout that you can save and view locally (right-click-Save Target As). Here is another file file, and one more. Which ones will InDesign import?

Ctrl-spacebar zooms in; Ctrl-spacebar-Alt zooms out
Ctrl-zero fit in window; Ctrl-one actual size
Ctrl-Shift - > increases text by 2 pt (see Edit-preferences to change that)
Ctrl-Shift - < decreases it by 2 pt.

You have a handout from the Visual Communication Division of AEJMC that describes the competition (see page 5 in this newsletter). For now, get a sense of what they are as a client, how they might seem to portray themselves, and how you might use a type treatment as a start for a possible logo.

One place for inspiration is LogoPond. Here's their page from a search for Chicago (But DON'T LOOK yet—you will get stuck on these (copyrighted) ideas). It's also worth looking at debates on Best & Worst logos. Logo Design team also has examples for inspiration (this is Abstract designs; see also Portfolio). This one has tutorials for doing a logo in Illustrator.We'll look at the first one, which is text-based.

Note that most designers refer to the text plus any symbol as the logo, and the text portion as the logotype. Many organizations use only type for their logo, or type that has been styled (think IBM, FedEx) which is usually called a logotype. Others use a graphic (logomark) which usually combines with type to form a logo (gestalt question: what do you see first?).

You will have four handouts on logos (keep these for the identity project that you'll do next using your name as the "company).

• Marks of excellence (theory of logos) from Adobe magazine (now defunct)
• Discover the logo in your name
• What makes a good logo (David Carter)
• Let's design logos (dingbats)

The last three come from Before & After a newsletter/magazine that you might consider subscribing to. Here's one of their videos on quick logos. See also the Links page for commercial logo service (do a demo), and Dmitry's design process.

Finally there are a lot of sites that cover the basics. Here's a recent article from DesignFestival.