digital art 2d

ad 219 - beginning digital art and design - assignments

Assignment 4: Postage Stamp

Using the illustration of an animal completed for Assignment 3, compose and set a mock up layout for a Postage Stamp using type tools, shape building with the Pathfinder, and Illustrator effecst. Follow the guidelines below for Focus and Presentation:

Objectives: Adobe Illustrator

  • Type tools
  • Pathfinder tools
  • Alignment tools
  • Art board tool
  • Color Modes
  • Scale Tools - (scale strokes and effects preference)
  • Stroke Tools
  • Drop Shadow and Effects
  • Appearance Panel

Stamp Requirements: Focus

  • Animal Illustration - include your complete illustration from Assignment 3.
  • Create a serrated border with Stroke and Drop Shadow (really examine the stroke width and appropriate size for the serrated edge of a real stamp) that creates the illusion of a real stamp.
  • Use the Pathfinder Tool to cut your serrated border into the stamp shape to make a single shape for the stamp's "paper"
  • Add Text for the following elements:
    • Animal Name
    • Country
    • Year
    • Monetary Value and Currency
  • Convert all text to Outlines
  • Label all layers.
  • Two versions of your stamp (see below) saved and submitted as Illustrator files.

Presentation Requirements:

  • Art board size = 7.5 inches by 10 inches (landscape orientation)
  • 2 versions of stamp - large and small
  • Small version size:
  • Overall Size = longest side will be 2.0 inches.
  • Large Version Size:
  • Overall Size = longest side will be 6.5 inches.
  • Title - (Bottom Right Corner in 8 pt type):
    • Postage Stamp Mock-up
    • AD 219 Spring 2026
    • First Name Last Name
  • Save your file and name it firstname_lastname_stamp.ai

Parameters:

  • No Photoshop Effects, SVG Filters, gradients,
  • No Illustrator Brushes or added Appearances

Optional:

Using stock images from Adobe Creative Cloud (photographs, excluding Generative AI), use the Mockup feature in Adobe Illustrator to create a photographic mockup with the stamp.

Include the photographic Mockup in a small space in the final layout.

Criteria For Grading and Evaluation:

basic includes

art board set up
stamp mock-up shape using Pathfinder for construction
required type elements converted to outlines
2 versions of stamp- see size requirements above
Title added at the bottom right in 8 pt. type
submitted - file saved and submitted to MyCourses with correct name
design

type - consistency of type style - color, weights, etc.
type - scale and hierarchy - sizes, order of importance
type - spacing and alignment

 

stamp - scale of serrated edge
stamp - effects (shadow)
stamp - alignment and spacing
effort

attention to details in type, border, shadow
time devoted inside and out of class
ambition and completion of idea related to stamp elements, type, and incorporation of animal illustration
15 pts
Total
   
critique
 color print ready at the beginning of class
  presented color print
  provide constructive feedback during class
10 pts
total

What to Turn in:

  • Name your AI file: firstname_lastname_stamp.ai
  • Submit your file to D2L
  • Log into your MyCourses Account (Click on the Drop Boxes Module and follow the instructions)