Layout 24 - Parametric Lines Clipping
-
-
Coming Soon
This tutorial demonstrates how to create a dynamic and visually appealing elastic circle clipping layout using Adobe Illustrator and InDesign. We’ll start out in Illustrator and finish off in InDesign.
Illustrator
Document setup in Illustrator
8.5 x 11 Inches in Portrait Orientation
2 Artboards
We can leave everything else as is.
Once the artboards are created, we want to drag them together using the Artboard Tool (Shift + O)
1. Draw and Blend Rectangles
Use the Rectangle Tool (M) to draw two vertical rectangles of any size.
Make sure to create two thin lines that we are going to blend into a parametric linework.
Remove the outline and focus on the fill.
Copy one of the rectangles and place it halfway down the page.
Blend the shapes:
Select both rectangles, go to Object > Blend > Blend Options
Set Blend Mode to "Specific Steps" (try between 12–15 steps).
Go to Object > Blend > Make (Alt + Ctrl+ B) to blend the shapes together.
2. Adjust the Blended Shapes
Reduce spacing between the blended shapes if necessary:
Double-click the blended object, adjust the size of the top or bottom rectangles to minimize the space.
Here we can use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to adjust the size of either the top or bottom shape. You’ll see that the blended graphic will adjust accordingly.
Press Escape to exit when satisfied.
3. Distort the Blend with Mesh
Select the blended shape, go to Object > Envelope Distort > Make with Mesh.
Set the mesh to 5 x 5 for this effect.
This can be altered according to what the dimensions of your graphic is but if we want simple and elegant, this is the number I thought worked best.
Illustrator will add control points to your blended object, which will allow you to distort the shapes.
Control points for a 5 x 5 Mesh Distort
4. Use the Warp Tool
Open the Warp Tool (right-click the Width Tool to access it).
Alternatively use “Shift + R”
Adjust the Warp Tool settings: Set a large width and height, and increase intensity to 100%.
In order to get into Warp Tool Settings, double click on the warp tool icon.
Distort the shapes:
Use small, controlled pulls to avoid unnatural results.
Keep the adjustments subtle to achieve a smooth design.
It’s good to refer back to the video to see the kinds of pushes and pulls to achieve the effect.
Final graphic in Illustrator
InDesign
Document Setup in InDesign:
8.5 x 11 inches, portrait orientation with facing pages.
Pages: 2
Start #: 2
Margins: 0.625 inches
Bleed: 0.125 inches
5. Copy the vector shape from Illustrator (Ctrl+C) and paste it in InDesign (Ctrl+V).
6. Prepare the Vector for an Image Mask
The pasted vector will be grouped. Ungroup the vector (Right click > Ungroup).
Make it a compound path (Object > Path > Make Compound Path), combining all the pieces into one singular frame.
Now, you can drag and drop an image, and it will fill the entire shape.
8. Adjust Image Placement
Resize and position the image as needed.
Fit the image proportionally (Right click > Fitting > Fit Frame Proportionally).
Consider an alternate where:
You delete some of the shards of the graphic to make for another layout that has some white spaces in between, just an idea but it will definitely add some depth to your overall layout!
Alternate layout where some of the "shards" in the graphic are selectively deleted before the image is put in.
9. Apply Effects
Open the Effects panel (Window > Effects).
Add an Inner Shadow to the image for depth. Adjust settings:
Reduce Distance for subtlety.
Lower Opacity to around 50%.
10. Feather the Image
Use the Gradient Feather Tool (Shift + G) to soften one side of the image.
Apply a light feather to the left side for a balanced look.
You can refer to the video to see what the best practices are when dragging the gradient feather tool around.
11. Add Text and Text Wrap
Place text around the image, and apply Text Wrap (Window > Text Wrap):
Select the image, open the Text Wrap panel, and choose to wrap around object shape.
The text will automatically adjust around the image, creating a more dynamic layout.
And that’s it! A nice parametric linework layout that you can use for any type of image! Let me know how you did on this one and I would love to see your creations!
