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How to Make a Flat Character in Illustrator
  • By Design Bundles
  • 01 Jul 2021
  • 9 Mins
  • Illustrator Tutorials

How to Make a Flat Character in Illustrator

In this tutorial, we will be creating a flat character illustration in Illustrator. Flat characters are minimalistic 2D illustrations that are very popular in today's trend. They feature clean shape lines and trendy eye catching colors. For this tutorial we will use a style reference as well as a photo. The pen tool will also be used quite a bit during this tutorial. We have a guide on the pen tool in Illustrator that will be useful if you're new to this tool. 
To get started, I'm going to be using a reference photo I've selected from the Design Bundles Plus Hub. 

Step 1: Place your reference images


Start by creating a new document and placing the reference image into the canvas. If you have a design reference image you can place it too.
Place images in Illustrator

Step 2: Create the color palette


Select the Rectangle Tool (R), click inside the canvas, and input a value of 15 mm for the width and height.
Make squares in Illustrator
Position the square outside the canvas and create as many duplicates as needed colors by selecting it and dragging it while holding the Shift and Option/Alt keys.
Duplicate shapes in Illustrator
Make sure one of the squares is selected and use the Eyedropper Tool (I) to click on top of the section you want to sample from.
Eyedropper tool in Illustrator
Make two or three selections of the major colors you want to use (light, dark, and maybe medium).
Create color palette in Illustrator


Step 3: Start outlining the main character shapes


Lock your background layer by clicking on the small padlock on the left side of its thumbnail.
Lock layer in Illustrator
Create a new layer by clicking on the icon on the bottom right side of the Layers panel.
New layer in Illustrator
Use the Ellipse Tool (L) for the face.
Ellipse tool in Illustrator
Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to adjust the individual nodes and make a more organic shape.
Direct selection tool in Illustrator
Use other shapes to add to the head like a rectangle for the neck.
Rectangle tool in Illustrator
And an inverted triangle for the chest area.
More shapes in Illustrator
Once you are happy with your shapes, select them all and choose Unite in the Pathfinder panel to merge them together.
Unite in Illustrator
You can round some of the sharp edges of your paths by clicking on the small circles that appear near the corners when a shape is selected and drag.
Round corners in Illustrator
Repeat where needed.
Rounded corners in Illustrator

Step 4: Using the Pen Tool for more complex shapes


The more complex shapes need to be done with the Pen Tool (P).
Pen tool in Illustrator
Create paths in Illustrator
If you need to make a curved path straight while creating the nodes, just click on top of it and make sure your cursor turns into an inverted V when doing it.
Straight angle in Illustrator
Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to select the individual nodes and adjust your shape if needed.
Shapes in Illustrator
Continue doing this until you finish outlining your character.
Create outlines in Illustrator
Remember to create some overlapping paths where the “shadows” or darker color areas should be.
Create outlines in Illustrator

Step 5: Color to your shapes and their placement


Select the shape you want to fill and use the Eyedropper Tool (I) to click on top of the color swatch you want to use to fill the shape with it.
Fill with swatch color in Illustrator
Sometimes you may need to place certain shapes on top or under others. Right-click on top and go to Arrange and choose the placement you want (Top, bottom, etc.).
Bring to front in Illustrator
Just like we did with the feet.
Add shadows in Illustrator
Sometimes you may need to Swap the fill and stroke (Shift + X) color in the toolbox to be able to see the reference image below. 
Add shades in Illustrator
For example, here we needed to create a shadow for the neck.
Fix overlapping paths in Illustrator
To fix the overlapping paths, enter Outline mode (Command/Control + Y) to get a better view.
Enter outline mode in Illustrator
Outline mode in Illustrator
To go back to Preview mode, just use the same command again.
Enter preview mode in Illustrator
Keep adding the colors to your various shapes. You can always use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to modify nodes and/or create more shapes with the Pen Tool (P).
More shades in Illustrator
Like where the fingers overlap.
More sading in Illustrator
Or to trace the toes.
More shading in Illustrator
Add the hair.
Add hair in Illustrator
Color hair in Illustrator
And the clothes and accessories.
Finis outlines in Illustrator
And finish coloring them and placing them properly.
Fill outlines in Illustrator

Step 6: Check out your flat character and add details


Turn off the background layer to see how your flat character looks like (small eye on the left side of its thumbnail).
Hide layer in Illustrator
Add details to it if you think they are needed.
Add details in Illustrator
You can also add some background shapes to complement your design.
Add background in Illustrator
Check what style suits you more.
Flat character in Illustrator
If you enjoyed this tutorial be sure to check out our other tutorials such as using the blend tool, creating SVGs and tracing an image.

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