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Design Software Basics Worksheet

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Design Software Basics Worksheet

A community group needs a simple, original Matariki-inspired keychain design. Use the information on this sheet to plan it, solve the file-preparation puzzle and show what you know about Adobe Illustrator. Shortcuts below use Ctrl for a Windows computer; on a Mac, use Command instead.

Find your way around

Illustrator’s workspace contains areas for choosing tools, viewing your artwork and changing settings.

1.A designer sees the white page where artwork is made, a vertical strip of tool icons on the left, menus such as File and Edit across the top, and settings windows on the right. Match each workspace area to its description.

Artboard
Toolbar
Menu bar
Panels

Windows for settings such as Layers and Properties
Top row containing File, Edit and other menus
White working area for the design
Vertical strip of tools

2.You need to select and move a star, draw a round hole, and zoom in to check a detail. Choose the correct tool for each job from Selection Tool (V), Ellipse Tool (L) and Zoom Tool (Z).

3.A shape was moved by mistake. Which shortcut usually undoes the last action in Illustrator on a Windows computer?

Ctrl + Z
Ctrl + S
Ctrl + G
Ctrl + P

4.The outer tag, decorative stars and curved motif are ready. The designer wants them to move together as one selection. Which command and shortcut should they use?

Make a production-ready design

Think like a designer: keep the artwork organised and prepare a suitable file for making the keychain.

5.A classmate has drawn the tag and hole but cannot find the artwork later in a busy project. Name one useful Illustrator panel feature that would help organise it, and give a sensible name for the layer.

6.The design must be kept editable for later changes. Which file should the designer save as their working master file?

.ai
.jpg
.mp4
.docx

7.The maker asks for a vector file to guide a laser cutter along the tag’s outline. Which format is usually the best choice from this list?

.svg
.jpg
.png
.mp4

8.Explain why a vector outline is useful for laser cutting. Include the words path and resolution in your answer.

9.The artwork is complete, but the designer has not saved it. Arrange these steps in the correct order: (A) enter a file name and choose a location, (B) confirm Save, (C) choose Save As, (D) in the Save As dialog, choose the Illustrator format .ai. Write the letters in order.

Plan and troubleshoot

Apply your skills to a design idea and a realistic studio problem.

10.Plan an original Matariki-inspired keychain. Sketch a tag outline with a hanging hole and at least two decorative shapes. Label the shapes and add one note explaining how your design connects to Matariki. Keep the design original and respectful.

11.Troubleshooting scenario: you accidentally change a shape’s colour, then realise the design looked better before. State one action you can try first and one way to avoid losing your work as you continue.