# symbols and styles **introduction to creating and using Symbols in Adobe Illustrator** Symbols are a way to save and store elements so they can be reused. You can alter the main symbol element and it updates across all instances or you can make variations on individual instances. Even better, there are Symbol Spray tools that allow you to alter and randomize entire groups of symbols. These are a powerful feature of Illustrator. - [Symbols from Adobe Help](https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/symbols.html) - a good introduction directly from the source - [Illustrator tutorial: What are symbols and how do I use them? video from lynda.com](https://youtu.be/E9B8p6t7MZM) - good intro tutorial video - [Design more efficiently with Dynamic Symbols from Adobe Help](https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/how-to/dynamic-symbols.html) - tutorial showing how to add and edit symbols for variations - [Symbol sprayer tool in Illustrator with Dansky](https://youtu.be/AZnGrjFQeXI) - video tutorial on how to get started with spraying variations of your symbols - [Illustrator: Using the Symbol Sprayer Tool from Erik Bernskiold](https://youtu.be/uvN_iHuJ-cc) - video tutorial showing application of symbol sprayer tools I would like for you to create your own symbols for this project because it is good to make your own art. When you are stuck for time, however, you will find there are tons of premade symbols you can download from the internet. ## GRAPHIC STYLES Graphic Styles are a way to save special effects that have been applied to an element so that the same effects can be added to multiple elements. This is especially powerful when you want visual consistency across many elements or sets. - [Graphic styles from Adobe Help](https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/graphic-styles.html) - good introduction directly from Adobe - [Get to Know Graphic Styles in Illustrator from Adobe Blog](https://theblog.adobe.com/get-know-graphic-styles-illustrator/) - a more visual introduction - [How to Create Your Own Graphic Styles In Illustrator video from RetroSupply](https://youtu.be/NmbC9b77niA) - perfect little demo video - [42 Awesome Graphic Styles and Appearance Panel Tutorials on Tuts+](https://design.tutsplus.com/articles/42-awesome-graphic-styles-and-appearance-panel-tutorials-on-tuts--cms-20833) - great collection of different effects and how to build them I would like for you to create your own graphic styles for this project because it is good to make your own art. When you are stuck for time, however, you will find there are tons of premade styles can download from the internet. ## BLENDS Blends are a good way to create a progressive rhythm that transitions from one state to another. They are also a quick and easy way to find variations on a spectrum between two extremes. - [Illustrator's Blend Tool: A Comprehensive Guide from design tuts](https://design.tutsplus.com/tutorials/illustrators-blend-tool-a-comprehensive-guide--vector-551) - nice guide with lots of visual examples - [How To Use The Blend Tool in Adobe Illustrator CC from vectortwist](https://vectortwist.com/illustrator-blend-tool-tips/) - outstanding list of variations and applications - [How to Create Color Transition with Blend Tool in Adobe Illustrator from designmodo](https://designmodo.com/color-transition-blend-tool/) - great examples of cool blend effects - [How To Make Minimalistic Line Drawings from Adobe Create](https://create.adobe.com/2017/3/22/simple_yet_stunning_how_to_create_artwork_with_illustrator_s_blend_tool.html) - really cool effect using Blends --- tags: #vector #resources home: [[! vector drawing resources]]