Create Stunning 3D Bubble Text with Adobe Illustrator

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Design Challenge on TikTok
   1. Creating a Graphic Design
   2. Example: Baddie Design
3. Tutorial: Step-by-Step in Illustrator
   1. Starting Fresh
   2. Using the Rectangle Tool
   3. Creating the Word "Baddie"
   4. Aligning the Word to the Artboard
   5. Selecting the Font: Dazzle Unicase
   6. Using the Bold Setting and Outlining
   7. Adding Crosses to the Letter "I"
4. Making the Design 3D
   1. Copying and Darkening the Letter "B"
   2. Using the Blend Tool
   3. Coloring the Letters with a Gradient
   4. Applying the Gradient to the Entire Blend Group
   5. Duplicating and Coloring Other Letters
5. Adding Inner Glow and Balloon Effect
   1. Activating the Direct Select Tool
   2. Adding Inner Glow Effect
   3. Creating Lines for the Balloon Look
   4. Applying Gaussian Blur to the Lines
6. Adding Shadow for Dimension
   1. Drawing a Line for the Shadow
   2. Adding Stroke and Profile
   3. Applying Gaussian Blur to the Shadow
   4. Replicating Steps for Other Letters
7. Conclusion

Creating a Baddie Design: A Step-by-Step Illustrator Tutorial

Have you ever wondered how to create stunning graphic designs like the ones you see on social media? In this tutorial, I'll take you through the process of designing a trendy "baddie" graphic using Adobe Illustrator. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced designer, you'll learn valuable techniques to elevate your design skills.

Introduction

Welcome to my channel, Elizabeth Creative! If you're here from TikTok, you may already know about the design challenge I've been doing. I take a word from a TikTok song and create a graphic design inspired by it. One of the designs I've received a lot of requests for is the baddie design. In this tutorial, I'll walk you through every step to create this eye-catching design using Illustrator.

Design Challenge on TikTok

Before we dive into the tutorial, let's briefly talk about the design challenge happening on TikTok. It has gained popularity as designers showcase their skills and creativity in response to popular songs. The challenge involves creating a graphic design based on a specific word or phrase from the song.

Creating a Graphic Design

To participate in the design challenge, you'll need to select a word or phrase from a song and create a visually appealing design inspired by it. The design can incorporate various elements such as typography, illustrations, or symbols. The goal is to capture the essence of the word or phrase and express it creatively through design.

Example: Baddie Design

As an example, let's focus on the word "baddie" and create a striking design using Adobe Illustrator. This word is often associated with confidence, empowerment, and trendy aesthetics. By following the steps in this tutorial, you'll be able to design a unique and eye-catching baddie graphic.

Tutorial: Step-by-Step in Illustrator

Now, let's jump into the tutorial and start creating our baddie design using Adobe Illustrator. I'll guide you through each step and provide helpful tips along the way. Don't forget to follow along with the video and subscribe to my channel for more tutorials.

Starting Fresh

To begin, open a new canvas in Adobe Illustrator. We want a clean slate to work on, so let's move any existing designs out of the way. Make sure you save your progress before starting a new project to avoid losing any previous work.

Using the Rectangle Tool

In the toolbar on the left-hand side, you'll find various tools to create shapes. We'll use the Rectangle Tool to create a black box as the background for our design. Select the Rectangle Tool and draw a box on the canvas. Adjust the size and position as desired.

Creating the Word "Baddie"

Now, it's time to add the word "baddie" to our design. Activate the Text Tool by pressing the letter "T" on your keyboard. Click on the canvas and type out the word "baddie." Adjust the font size and align it to your artboard.

Aligning the Word to the Artboard

To ensure the word is perfectly aligned, use the alignment options in Illustrator. You can find them in the top menu or the Align panel. Experiment with different alignments until you are satisfied with the positioning of the word.

Selecting the Font: Dazzle Unicase

Choosing the right font is crucial for any design. In this tutorial, we will use the font called "Dazzle Unicase," which can be found on Adobe Fonts. This font has a unique and edgy look that suits the baddie aesthetic.

Using the Bold Setting and Outlining

To make the word "baddie" bolder and more impactful, select it and choose the bold setting in the font options. Additionally, we will outline the text to create a single-line appearance. Press "Shift+Command+O" on your keyboard to outline the text.

Adding Crosses to the Letter "I"

For a stylistic touch, let's add crosses to the letter "I." This step is optional, but it can enhance the overall look of the design. Select the three lines representing the crosses and use the Pathfinder tool to weld them together.

Making the Design 3D

To take our baddie design to the next level, let's make the letters look 3D. This technique will add depth and dimensionality to the design, making it more visually appealing.

Copying and Darkening the Letter "B"

Begin by copying the letter "B" behind itself. Use the shortcut "Command+C" to copy and "Command+B" to paste it behind. Adjust the size of the copied letter to make it slightly smaller than the original. Additionally, darken the color to create a shadow effect.

Using the Blend Tool

Next, we will use the Blend tool to create a smooth transition between the original letter and the copied, darker version. Select both versions of the letter "B," go to Object > Blend, and choose "Make." This will blend the two letters and give a 3D appearance.

Coloring the Letters with a Gradient

Now, let's add some color to our baddie design. Select the blended letter "B" and open the Gradient panel. Choose a gradient that matches your desired color palette. You can adjust the colors using the color nodes and the eyedropper tool.

Applying the Gradient to the Entire Blend Group

To ensure consistency, apply the same gradient to the entire blend group. Select the top layer of the blend group (the blended letter "B") and use the eyedropper tool to pick the gradient from the previous step. This will apply the same gradient to all the letters in the blend.

Duplicating and Coloring Other Letters

Repeat the steps mentioned above to create the 3D effect and add gradients to the other letters in the word "baddie." Duplicate and darken each letter, blend them, and apply the desired gradient. Be creative with your color choices and experiment with different combinations.

Adding Inner Glow and Balloon Effect

To enhance the visual appeal of our baddie design, let's add an inner glow effect and give the letters a balloon-like appearance.

Activating the Direct Select Tool

Activate the Direct Select tool by pressing "A" on your keyboard. This tool allows you to select and manipulate individual points or paths within an object. We will be using it to edit each letter separately.

Adding Inner Glow Effect

With the Direct Select tool, select each individual letter (the top layer within the blend group). Go to the Appearance panel and choose the Effects menu. Navigate to Stylize and select Inner Glow. Adjust the settings to add a white hazy outline around the letters.

Creating Lines for the Balloon Look

For the balloon effect, we will create lines that follow the shape of each letter. Use the Pen tool and the Stroke panel to draw these lines. Increase the stroke width and make them thicker to emphasize the balloon appearance.

Applying Gaussian Blur to the Lines

To soften the lines and create a more realistic balloon effect, apply a Gaussian Blur effect to them. Select all the lines and go to the Effects menu. Choose Blur and then Gaussian Blur. Adjust the slider to achieve the desired level of blurriness.

FAQ

Q: Can I use a different font for my baddie design?

A: Absolutely! The font choice is not limited to Dazzle Unicase. Feel free to experiment with other fonts that suit the baddie aesthetic and your personal style.

Q: Are there any recommended color palettes for a baddie design?

A: While there are no strict rules for color palettes, baddie designs often incorporate bold and vibrant colors. Consider using shades of pink, purple, red, or neon colors to achieve the desired aesthetic.

Q: Can I apply these techniques to other words or phrases?

A: Certainly! The techniques demonstrated in this tutorial can be applied to create 3D designs and add depth to any word or phrase. Feel free to experiment and adapt these techniques to your specific design needs.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've successfully created a stunning baddie design using Adobe Illustrator. By following this step-by-step tutorial, you've learned invaluable techniques to enhance your graphic design skills. Remember to explore different fonts, colors, and effects to create unique and visually captivating designs. Don't forget to share your designs on social media and tag me—I'd love to see what you've created!

Highlights

• Step-by-step tutorial on creating a baddie design using Adobe Illustrator
• Techniques for making the design 3D and adding gradients
• Inner glow and balloon effect for added visual appeal
• Tips for selecting fonts and color palettes
• Adaptability of techniques for other words or phrases