Creating a column in Adobe Illustrator is a fundamental aspect of designing and arranging content in the software. Whether you’re looking to format text, create a structured layout, or organize elements within a composition, knowing how to make a column in AI is essential for any designer or illustrator. In this article, we will guide you through the steps of creating a column in Adobe Illustrator.
Step 1: Open Adobe Illustrator and create a new document or open an existing one.
Step 2: Select the Type Tool (T) from the Tools panel on the left side of the workspace.
Step 3: Click and drag to create a text box where you want your column to be located.
Step 4: Once you have created the text box, go to the top menu and choose “Type” and then “Area Type Options”.
Step 5: In the Area Type Options dialog box, you can specify the number of columns you want for your text box. Enter the desired number of columns and adjust the gutter, which is the space between the columns, if needed.
Step 6: Click “OK” to apply the changes. You will now have a text box with multiple columns.
Step 7: You can then type or paste your text into the columned text box. The text will automatically flow from one column to the next, depending on the size of the box and the amount of content.
Step 8: If you want to adjust the width and height of the columns, you can use the Selection Tool (V) to click and drag the handles of the text box to resize it accordingly.
Step 9: To further customize your columns, you can adjust the alignment, spacing, and other typographic properties using the Character and Paragraph panels, which can be accessed from the Window menu.
In addition to creating text columns, you can also create columns for other design elements such as images and shapes. Simply use the same process of creating a text box and adjust the area type options to include multiple columns.
Creating columns in Adobe Illustrator provides you with flexibility and control over how content is organized within your designs. Whether you are creating a magazine layout, a poster, or a website design, mastering the skill of creating columns will be beneficial for improving the visual hierarchy and readability of your compositions.
In conclusion, knowing how to create a column in Adobe Illustrator is an essential skill for designers and illustrators. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily create and customize columns to organize and present your content in a visually appealing and structured manner. With practice and experimentation, you can leverage this technique to enhance the quality of your designs and streamline your workflow in Adobe Illustrator.
