Lesson 1Handling text and typography: artistic versus frame text, leading, kerning, tracking, text on a path, turning text to curves for exportMaster Affinity's text tools for branding and layouts. You will compare artistic and frame text, adjust leading, kerning, and tracking, put text on paths, and convert text to curves while keeping export quality and clear readability intact.
Artistic text versus frame text usesManaging fonts and replacementsLeading, kerning, and tracking adjustmentsText on a path for logos and badgesOpenType features and style setsTurning text to curves for outputLesson 2Pen tool and node editing: making precise curves, smooth versus sharp nodes, converting and joining pathsBuild precision using the Pen tool and node editing. You will draw smooth and sharp curves, change node types, join and split paths, and refine outlines for logos and icons while keeping paths neat and efficient.
Pen tool basics and curve planningSmooth, sharp, and smart node typesAdjusting handles and curve tensionJoining, closing, and breaking pathsCleaning extra points and overlapsTracing sketches into vector pathsLesson 3Precision and alignment tools: snapping, smart guides, transform panel, alignment and distribute for perfect pixel layoutsUse snapping, smart guides, and the Transform panel for layouts perfect to the pixel. You will align and distribute objects, control exact sizes and positions, and avoid fuzzy edges in icons, grids, and production artwork.
Snapping options and settingsUsing smart guides while drawingTransform panel for number controlAlign and distribute tools in detailPixel alignment for sharp iconsMeasuring distances and spacingLesson 4Export personas and slices: exporting SVG, PDF and print-ready PDFs with bleed, crop marks, and asset slicesLearn to use the Export Persona, slices, and presets to make SVG, PDF, and print-ready PDFs with bleed, crop marks, and reusable asset slices for steady, efficient delivery on various platforms.
Export Persona interface overviewCreating and managing export slicesExporting clean SVG for web and UIPDF presets for print and proofingAdding bleed, crop marks, and registrationBatch exporting assets and icon setsLesson 5Basic and compound shapes: using shape tools, boolean operations (Add, Subtract, Intersect, XOR), and non-destructive geometryExplore basic and compound shapes as the base of vector design. You will use shape tools, boolean operations, and non-destructive geometry to build icons, logos, and complex illustrations that stay fully editable.
Using core shape tools and controlsCorner types and shape propertiesAdd, Subtract, Intersect, and XORCompound versus expanded boolean shapesNon-destructive geometry workflowsBuilding icons and logo marksLesson 6Workspace layout and customisation: Personas, toolbars, docking, and performance settingsSet up Personas, panels, and toolbars to fit your workflow. You will arrange docks, save custom workspaces, adjust performance settings, and optimise hardware acceleration for smooth work on complex vector files.
Designer, Pixel, and Export PersonasCustomising toolbars and context barsDocking, stacking, and collapsing panelsSaving and loading custom workspacesPerformance and hardware accelerationSetting up autosave and backupsLesson 7Symbols, Assets, and Styles: creating reusable elements, applying character/paragraph/graphic styles for quick global editsCreate reusable symbols, asset libraries, and styles for fast updates. You will build synchronised UI components, manage asset categories, and apply character, paragraph, and graphic styles for consistent global formatting.
Creating and editing SymbolsSyncing repeated UI componentsBuilding custom Asset librariesCharacter and paragraph stylesGraphic styles for strokes and fillsGlobal updates across documentsLesson 8Layers, groups and naming conventions: organising complex files, locking, visibility, and efficient layer naming for handoffOrganise complex documents with layers, groups, and naming rules. You will lock and hide elements, nest objects logically, and prepare clean, labelled structures that make collaboration and client handoff simple.
Layer panel overview and hierarchyGrouping, nesting, and clippingLocking, visibility, and isolationColour tagging and layer orderingNaming conventions for handoffPreparing files for print vendorsLesson 9Stroke, fills, gradients and patterns: solid fills, linear/radial/bitmap fills, gradient management for brand colour consistencyControl strokes, fills, gradients, and patterns for consistent branding. You will apply solid and bitmap fills, manage linear and radial gradients, and build reusable swatches that keep colour usage accurate across documents.
Stroke width, caps, joins, and pressureSolid fills and opacity controlLinear and radial gradient editingBitmap fills and texture overlaysCreating and syncing colour swatchesPattern fills and seamless tilesLesson 10Artboards and document setup: creating square logo artboards and print-size flyer documents (A5, US Letter) with correct DPI and colour profilesSet up artboards and documents for logos, print, and screens. You will create square logo artboards, A5 and US Letter flyers, choose correct DPI, and apply CMYK or RGB colour profiles suited to each production target.
New document presets and templatesChoosing DPI for print and screenRGB versus CMYK colour profile choicesCreating and resizing artboardsSquare logo artboard best practicesA5 and US Letter flyer layouts
