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Create a Smooth Gradient Design in Illustrator

Updated on Dec 26,2023

Create a Smooth Gradient Design in Illustrator

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Choosing a Three-Color Palette
  3. Creating Swatch Groups
  4. Applying Gradient to Stroke
  5. Adjusting Stroke Weight and Rescaling Circle
  6. Rotating the Circle
  7. Duplicating the Circle
  8. Nudging the Circles Together
  9. Adding Color Nodes
  10. Adjusting the Gradient Slider
  11. Creating a Background with Freeform Gradient Tool
  12. Conclusion

How to Create a Smooth Gradient Design in Adobe Illustrator

If You're looking to Create a smooth gradient design in Adobe Illustrator, you've come to the right place. In this tutorial, we'll walk you through the steps to create a beautiful gradient design that will impress your clients and colleagues.

Introduction

Before we get started, let's take a moment to talk about what a gradient design is. A gradient is a gradual change in color from one hue to another. Gradient designs are popular in graphic design because they add depth and dimension to a design.

Choosing a Three-Color Palette

The first step in creating a smooth gradient design is to choose a three-color palette. You want to choose colors that will Blend well together. Once you've chosen your colors, create three different squares.

Creating Swatch Groups

Next, open up the swatches library in the top right fly-down menu. Create a new swatch group and give it a Relevant name. The HSB color mode is going to be really quite important later down the line, and you will see why.

Applying Gradient to Stroke

Now, make sure you have just the stroke selected in the color palette with no fill. Select the option of having the gradient applied around the stroke, which is the middle option in the gradient panel. Press the ellipse tool and then hold down shift and click and drag to generate a circle. Remember to have that middle option selected in the gradient panel. We do want that gradient to go around the stroke.

Adjusting Stroke Weight and Rescaling Circle

Now you're going to need to increase the stroke weight and also rescale the circle by holding down shift. We essentially want to remove that small middle circle in the center. So, hold down the shift key and carefully rotate the circle until it's at a 45-degree angle. Also, revert the direction of the gradient here.

Duplicating the Circle

Hold alt/option key and click and drag to duplicate the circle on our new circle. Hold down shift again but this time rotate it by 180 degrees. Then, revert the direction of the gradient. This isn't necessary at this stage, but I just like to know where the darker and lighter points of my hues are.

Nudging the Circles Together

Now, a bit of a fiddly operation, and we just need to nudge the circles together perfectly in line. You want to get it so the 45-degree angle line touches the top of the Second circle. When you're ready, click the top circle and then come into the gradient panel.

Adding Color Nodes

We're going to double-click the color node, and you should be able to find the swatches group that you created earlier. So, add the first color from your selection. On the second node of this circle, use the second color. Then, move down to the bottom circle. On the first node in the gradient panel, we're going to use the second color again because we want a gradient to blend and match smoothly. On the bottom color node, use your third color.

Adjusting the Gradient Slider

It doesn't obviously look smooth at the moment, so just click the top circle and adjust the slider in the gradient menu. You're going to want to add a third color node simply by clicking the slider here. For this new color node, Apply the same middle color that we've been using throughout the entire tutorial. It's just a case of moving the slider and positioning that third color node properly. We're going to again apply the same method process on the below second circle. Add that third node and also play around the slider a little bit. You just want to get that really nice blend at that smooth transition.

Creating a Background with Freeform Gradient Tool

This isn't the end of the tutorial because I'm sure you want to know how to make a really nice background, and also there are some more technical tips you should be aware of. If you hide your design with command or control 3, you can then select the background by pressing G. You can see I have several color nodes. This is the freeform gradient tool, which is accessible in Illustrator CC. I do have hues from the swatch group I made and also have white. However, the hue here has an opacity of 50%.

Conclusion

So, there you have it, the smooth gradient design. You should expand the Shape once it's completed and ice so you can then resize your design to any Scale without it changing in some way. If you want to learn more skills, more techniques, and just some creative goodness in Illustrator, do click one of the videos on screen. Till next time, guys, it is only future today. Peace.

Highlights

  • A gradient is a gradual change in color from one hue to another.
  • Gradient designs are popular in graphic design because they add depth and dimension to a design.
  • Choose a three-color palette that will blend well together.
  • Open up the swatches library in the top right fly-down menu and create a new swatch group.
  • Apply the gradient to the stroke and adjust the stroke weight and rescale the circle.
  • Duplicate the circle and nudge the circles together perfectly in line.
  • Add color nodes and adjust the gradient slider.
  • Create a background with the freeform gradient tool.

FAQ

Q: What is a gradient design? A: A gradient is a gradual change in color from one hue to another. Gradient designs are popular in graphic design because they add depth and dimension to a design.

Q: How do I choose a three-color palette? A: Choose colors that will blend well together. Once you've chosen your colors, create three different squares.

Q: How do I apply the gradient to the stroke? A: Make sure you have just the stroke selected in the color palette with no fill. Select the option of having the gradient applied around the stroke, which is the middle option in the gradient panel.

Q: How do I adjust the gradient slider? A: Click the top circle and adjust the slider in the gradient menu. You're going to want to add a third color node simply by clicking the slider here.

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