How to Create Business Card with Spiral Elements

In this tutorial we will learn how to create a business card, which has a spiral pattern. Trajectory of these elements can be easily managed using the Extend Path Tool (VectorScribe plug-in). After reading today’s tutorial, you will master this tool and you can create your own design. Spiral elements are very common in various kinds of ornaments. In addition, to speed up the workflow we will use MirrorMe plug-in. Business card has a symmetric design, then this tool will definitely work.

Step 1

Run Adobe Illustrator and create a new document (File > New …). Set the sizes of the artboard, which correspond to the standard business card sizes in the UK (85x55mm), bleeds (6mm) and CMYK color mode.

Take the Rectangle Tool (M) and create a rectangle of the size of artboard with black fill.

Step 2

Create a new layer in the Layers panel, in which you will create patterns. According to my idea the pattern on the business card is symmetrical. Therefore, to speed up the process, use the MirrorMe plugin. Take MirrorMe Tool and click with its pointer in the center of the artboard. Set the quantity of the axes of symmetry equal to 2. This can be done in the tool’s panel (Window > MirrorMe > MirrorMe panel) or by using the square bracket keys ([ - to reduce and ] ñmdash; to increase the quantity of axes). Now click on the “Apply to Layer” button in the MirrorMe panel or in the Annotation system.

Now all that we draw in the active sector will be immediately reflected in the rest of the sectors. For more convenient work reduce the Level of layer axes overlay opacity in the tool’s panel.

Step 3

Create two line segments with light gray stroke and without fill at the angle of 45 degrees in the active sector using the Line Tool (\) and holding Shift key.

Now draw two more inclined at the angle of 45 degrees straight-line segments as it is shown in the picture below.

Step 4

Take the Scissors Tool (C) and cut the closest to the center straight-line segment at point A.

Delete the upper part of this segment.

You can read full version of this tutorial on AstuteGraphics.com....