A large
amount of designers do not pay attention to the use of long shadows in graphic
design. It is, however, becoming increasingly popular and actively used in
creating icons for websites, logos and graphics products.
What exactly are long shadows?
Not
difficult to guess, long shadows – it is shadow extending from the object, much
more than usual.
Initially,
this effect could only be seen in photographs where the sun was as close to the
horizon (usually during sunrise or sunset), and all objects have an interesting
extended shadow cast onto the ground. With this effect photographers have the
ability to create dramatic shots.
Long shadows have become really interesting when applied to graphic design, and has subsequently become popular.
How to create a long shadow effect?
Long shadows have become really interesting when applied to graphic design, and has subsequently become popular.
How to create a long shadow effect?
To make long
shadows you need to select an angle of approximately 45 or 120 degrees (depending
on direction of light). The shadow must run off one side of the object. You
must select the same shade but darker to get a gradient effect.
When a mere
shadow cannot give a desired result, a long shadow can overcome this and create
a bold effect. Thais, combined with a flat design logo, long shadows can create
unusual perceptive effects.
What programs can be used for creation long
shadows?
Adobe Illustrator is a professional program for
graphic designers, and my personal choice. There are many different ways to
create this effect in Adobe Illustrator and it is easy.
I have put together some steps to create a long shadow
I have put together some steps to create a long shadow
Step 1
Select the
Rounded Rectangle Tool and create a rectangle with rounded corners of any size.
In the example I used in the following sizes:
7 x 7 cm with a corner radius of 20px
Step 2
To keep it simple, we will apply effects to text,
but the technique can be applied to any object. Write something on your icon.
Step 3
Keeping the text, go to the palette Appearance
(Window> Appearance) and click Add New Fill at the bottom of the palette.
Make sure the fill is created only in the palette below paragraph
"Characters".
Step 4
And here the
magic begins! Highlight the new fill in the Appearance palette and click on the
Add New Effect. Select Distort & Transform> Transform and enter the
settings as shown in the picture below. La
Step 5
Select the rectangle,
copy it and paste the copy over the text.
Click on the
text and the top rectangle (make sure they are selected simultaneously),
right-click and select Make Clipping Mask. Now the shadow of the text is within
icons, and we can do the lower rectangle. Repeat the fourth step of the
technique to create a rectangle the same long shadow.
Interested in graphic design?
Why dont you see another of our blogs about choosing the best font for your design or colour choice for design
Blog written by Graphic Designer, Kseniia Ikonnikova
Blog written by Graphic Designer, Kseniia Ikonnikova
