1. Design & Illustration

Design & Illustration Learning Guides

Discover our selections of the best free design tutorials on a range of topics, all in one place. If you want to brush up your Photoshop skills or learn a new piece of software like Adobe XD, you’ll find learning guides here to help you do that. Or maybe you want something more specialised, like learning how to draw textures or how to paint hair. We’ve got guides to help you with that too.

Just browse through the list and click on a topic that interests you to discover more and to find links to our hand-picked selection of free tutorials, designed to teach you that new skill or software as easily and enjoyably as possible.

  1. Vector Text Effects

    22 Posts
    The right text effect can be one of the most important elements in any design or illustration. Often text effects involve an interesting combination of unique vector tool usage, artistic innovation, a designers eye for font choice, drawing skills, and an illustrator's touch. In this Creative Session, take your text to the next level with these vector text effect tutorials.
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  2. Create a Dynamic Building Asset Using Cinema 4D’s Xpresso

    3 Posts
    This three part series by Cinema 4D Xpresso wizard Aleksey Voznesenski, focuses on how to build a dynamic high-rise digital asset using C4D’s powerful Xpresso expression system. Along the way you’re sure to pick up plenty of production-ready tips! So jump in and learn how to speed up your work flow by harnessing the power of this amazing, fast and flexible system!
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  3. Construct a Detailed Type 97 Hand Grenade in Cinema 4D

    2 Posts
    In this two part video tutorial series, you'll go through the complete process of modeling, unwrapping, and texturing a Type 97 hand grenade, the standard fragmentation grenade that was used by the Imperial Japanese Army in WWII. You'll create the model using the lathe and boole functions in C4D, learn how unwrap it using BodyPaint, and finally paint the texture maps in Photoshop.
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  4. Create an Animated Pinboard Effect in 3D Studio Max

    2 Posts
    In this series, you'll learn three different methods for creating an animated pinboard effect in 3D Studio Max. You'll start with the easiest method, a Scatter Compound object. You’ll then move on to re-create the effect using the power of Particle Flow. And finally, you'll harness the power of nodes and rules in Thinking Particles to achieve the effect for a third time.
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  5. Icon Design

    20 Posts
    Icons can range in level of detail, from the simple and symbolic, to those with realism and intricate detail. In either case, they need to be metaphorically meaningful and instantly recognizable. They have to communicate at a glance. We've assembled the best tutorials, articles, and resources we have on icon design here on Vectortuts+ into this Creative Session. Learn how to create functional and beautiful vector icons that will fit seamlessly within your designs.
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