43 votes
Accepted

What do you call this type of top down, not really 3D, perspective?

It's closest to a view called a three-quarters view, a type of axonometric projection, in between a side view and top down one. It's "[a] method of portraying three dimensional space in a two-...
  • 13.2k
29 votes
Accepted

Critique of timeline aesthetic

The purpose of a timeline is to show how the dots (or events in your case) break the line, so no need to squeeze the dots inside the line. Also adding bananas or cherries at the ends of the line and a ...
  • 28.5k
27 votes

How were scientific illustrations made before the spread of digital computers?

How did they do this without computers? They used rulers. If you exclusively know how to draw with a computer: that's a straight edged object, to help guide a pen or pencil into a straight line. For ...
  • 4,188
27 votes

How can I do graphic design work for free?

😀 You hopefully realize you are asking many professionals, who make their living via design work, how you can charge nothing and essentially compete for the same clients. You gotta "read the ...
  • 204k
23 votes

Not fond of time related pricing - what's a better way?

I have bad news. Even if your pricing model does not work on hours spent. It has to account for hours ( or any other timespan) spent, at least in aggregate. What do I mean by this? Ultimately it is ...
  • 56.7k
22 votes

How can I get this gradient effect?

There are a few ways to create the gradient effect, but this is how I would do it... Create the hexagon shape out of 6 triangles: Then apply different gradients to each triangle: Finally mask parts ...
  • 9,448
18 votes
Accepted

How can I bend artwork by 25°?

Use the 'Warp' feature in Illustrator (for vector artwork) create your artwork inside a straight rectangle group and select the artwork with this selected, hit Ctrl+Shift+Alt+W which opens up the '...
  • 28.5k
18 votes
Accepted

What is this type of design called?

These type of illustrations are known as isometric illustrations, can design these easily on Adobe Illustrator with the help of Isometric grid, which can be downloaded here Isometric grid. Isometric ...
  • 196
17 votes

How can I make a hollow effect as seen in the back side of a VW bus?

I think it depends on the art style you want to go for. If you're doing a flat design style like in your first image, then you can replicate the vents by using 2 rounded-rectangles that overlap. If ...
  • 12.9k
17 votes

How can I do graphic design work for free?

Offer to do volunteer graphic design for a non-profit.
  • 3,893
16 votes

What do you call this type of top down, not really 3D, perspective?

It's not truly perspective. It's an artistic interpretation of a 3D element, but not adhering to any mathematical perspective grid. The closest to a true type perspective would be one point ...
  • 50k
16 votes

Is there a name for illustrations with non-rectangular borders?

The style of embedding illustrations within a text block or floating on a page of a book surrounded by text or other design items is not a characteristic of the illustration itself. The illustrations ...
  • 5,031
16 votes
Accepted

What is this design element called?

These can go by various names, such as: flourishes, ornaments, or scrolls, depending on the look. A flourish might refer to something more ornate. Ornaments more generally speaking. A scroll shape at ...
  • 79.3k
15 votes

Not fond of time related pricing - what's a better way?

Capitalism means I'm free to charge whatever I want. No one has to pay it, but I am free to set my pricing however I wish. There's nothing stating you can't merely pull a figure out of thin air and ...
  • 204k
14 votes

How were scientific illustrations made before the spread of digital computers?

Engineers and scientists of different branches used to have drawing classes on their curriculum. Many of these people were quite accomplished at this. We used to have row upon row of drawing boards ...
  • 56.7k
12 votes

What do you call this type of top down, not really 3D, perspective?

I don't think this illustration follows any of the strict formal Cartesian perspective models. If you try to find a vanishing point using edges that would have been parallel in the "real world" you ...
  • 8,148
11 votes
Accepted

Aligning neighbouring paths and “connecting” anchors in Illustrator

I won't directly answer the question, I will, instead suggest an alternate workflow. The benefit of this workflow is that it is guaranteed that you will not get this problem. First build a isometric ...
  • 56.7k
11 votes
Accepted

Recommended practice to improve illustrating skills?

Practice, practice, and more practice is the overall message here. But it must be meaningful. When I say that I mean setting achievable goals either on a daily basis or weekly (draw one icon, draw one ...
  • 1,031
11 votes

How do I learn making modern illustrations?

This will be a totally obvious answer. The same way as old illustrations. Practice. We are living in an era where the information, tutorials, tips, tools are there, but somehow we hesitate a lot on ...
  • 34.8k
11 votes

Critique of timeline aesthetic

I don't feel the colors "jump out" in any way. I think the contrast ratio is far too low. for everything other than the darkest blue. In fact,that light blue and light yellow are nearly impossible to ...
  • 204k
10 votes
Accepted

How to represent medical conditions (Down syndrome, cerebral palsy)

Tough question. I'm not sure my answer is the best and I'm sure there will be other good suggestions, but my first thought was to use each condition's ribbon or color(s). I would assume that most of ...
  • 6,654
10 votes

Is there a name for illustrations with non-rectangular borders?

From my own experience in broadcase, we often refered to these as "cut-out" and refered to the process of making a cut-out as "close-cutting". If you go on stock photography sites, you will find this ...
  • 8,442
10 votes

Cartoon style name

This style is derivative, albeit much tamer, of Ed "Big Daddy" Roth illustrations. His work is a quintessential example of 1950s and 60s hot rod culture, in particular, Southern California Kustom ...
  • 4,026
10 votes

How can I do graphic design work for free?

You're asking the wrong question. You're asking where to find work to do for free but your real issue is finding good clients. Here's a key: Don't work for free. You're bound to get better and more ...
  • 13.2k
10 votes

How can I do graphic design work for free?

If you say your work is free, you are saying that it is not worth it. You are not adding value to a potential client or company. If you want to design "for free" design a strong portfolio ...
  • 34.8k
9 votes
Accepted

How do I create curved edges in Illustrator using the Pen tool?

There are actually many ways to accomplish rounded shapes.... You can draw circles at ends of rectangles and use Pathfinder or the Shape Builder Tool. You can use Effect > Stylize > Round ...
  • 204k
9 votes

How can I get this gradient effect?

This will give you a flat color version: Create one hexagon Ctrl+C copies it to clipboard Ctrl+F duplicates the shape (aka. Paste in Place) scale up either one of these 2 hexagons until it looks ...
  • 28.5k
9 votes

Can I modify a freepik and then sell it?

Disappointing that you didn't read the easy to see disclaimer... On every single picture you can click where it says: (Free for commercial use with attribution / How to attribute?) and in plain ...

Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible