QPS Print

  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
  • SERVICES
  • WORKWEAR
  • PORTFOLIO
  • CONTACT
  • BLOG
QPS Print blog post looking at 30 years of Adobe Illustrator
Sunday, 21 January 2018 / Published in Standard

Adobe Illustrator – Looking Back Over 30 Years

Looking Back At The Go-To Graphics Software

Once upon a time, being a graphic designer was way more of an uphill battle than it is now.
Beyond the day to day challenges, arbitrary requests and ambiguous revision directions, having control of how you translated your ideas was chock full of challenges far beyond those found today.

With today’s new tools arriving thick and fast and daily updates improving whats already world class, its good to sometimes turn 180 degrees and set the focus backwards.

We’ve seen a lot of technological advances and missteps over the many years at QPS Print. It’s with these (perhaps) rose-tinted spectacles that, in this post, I reminisce about a software that has been with us for many a panicked last-minute deadline: Adobe Illustrator.

 

Infographic Image To Show 30 Years of Adobe Illustrator - A Blog Post by QPS Print

 

Adobe Illustrator has become the staple of graphics creation for three decades and for good reason. Adobe Illustrator has evolved in this time to offer nearly limitless options for expression to artists and designers all around the globe. Becoming the premiere desktop editing software didn’t happen overnight, like every new design, it came with blood, sweat, and tears.

With the program’s 30th anniversary in 2017, perhaps this stroll down memory lane into the growth and origins of this game-changing software is in order.

 

Image showing the changes in Adobe illustrator toolkit icons used in a blog post by QPS Print

 

The Dark Ages

In the beginning, there was darkness. Professional graphic designers slaved over hot notebooks, hand drawing every graphic that would go on to become company logos or magazine covers. The process was labour intensive, time-consuming and above all, a real pain in the behind. From the sketching to the measurements to the manual inking, every step was a real arduous process to produce.

All it took was one flick of the wrist during the final inking stages and days of work could be ruined with one misconstrued line. You, the artist, would have to start part, if not all, of the process again. It makes choosing the wrong filter or waiting for a lagging computer seems like a stroll in the park.

Digital illustration was to graphic design what the sniper rifle is to soldiers in warfare. It was powerful, interesting, perhaps expensive, and required oodles of dedication to get the hang of. When digital illustration became introduced to graphic designers, everyone was sceptical of the software’s ability’s to match the precision and attention to detail of the artist’s hands. The technology once mastered, only served to enhance artistic abilities with the added benefits of saving huge amounts of time and effort.

 

Image of graphic design work pre computers from a blog post by qpsprint.co.uk

Image link

 

Programs like Adobe Illustrator gave tools to designers that could create auto-shapes, simple size corrections and of course, the joys of instant printing.
Once they realised it wasn’t quite all witchcraft and mumbo-jumbo, graphic designers couldn’t contemplate ever going back to the times before this new software.

Finally, no more redrawing the same exact thing over and over for days on end just for the purpose of attempting to change one tiny detail because the client didn’t agree. Every time an artist had to make an adjustment, it was only a one time deal instead of a thousand revisions.

Every idea offered by the graphic designer was met with applause and instant approval. Ok, not really, but it’s nice to dream!

 

Adobe Illustrator 88 Version 1-1.6: “All your curves and edges, all your perfect imperfections…”

Enter the Adobe Illustrator 88 for Apple Macintosh. The first introduction in 1985 and official release in 1987, Illustrator initially announced its arrival by showcasing innovations in producing curved lines and shapes through the use of the Pen tool. Designed as a design, logo and font app, the secret sauce lay in using these tools to create vector graphics — a way to draw objects using points, lines, curves and shapes.

Image of the Adobe Illustrator 88 Logo used in a blog post by QPS Print

Known as Bezier Curves, for the layman it meant having the ability to create perfect curves that can be scaled up whilst keeping it uniform, precise and accurate. You could have angles and slants included effortlessly into any graphics project and sized to suit.

To reiterate its artistic sensibilities, Adobe recreated Sandro Botticelli’s ‘The Birth of Venus’ to use as the logo for Illustrator. With its flowing lines and skilled penmanship, it was an apt image to show off just what its new software program could produce.
This logo would be updated and changed with every new iteration of Illustrator to further demonstrate the technical progress of the program over time.

 

Image of Botticelli's The Birth of Venus used in a blog post about 30 years of Adobe Illustrator by QPS Print

Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus

 

While Adobe certainly wasn’t the first company to pursue digital graphic design, they were one of only a few really pushing the boundaries of the technology. AutoCAD and CorelDraw also offered similar capabilities to Illustrator but it was Adobe’s software that offered a (relatively) low learning curve coupled with accuracy and precision.

 

Image of the Adobe Illustrator Pen logo from Illustrator 1.1 and Illustrator CC from a blog post by QPS Print

 

Adobe Illustrator Version 2-6: “For the times they are a-changing…

Just like anyone growing up in public, Adobe Illustrator’s early years heralded fashion changes, harsh realities and bumps in the road. Version 2 added support for Windows but expectations were not completely met. Adobe’s slipup disappointed many new PC converts.
At this time, CorelDraw was the program of choice on Windows. It was more limited in options to Illustrator but people knew what it could (and couldn’t do). When Illustrator walked into town, the new kid on the block was seen as the Emperor’s new clothes.

 

Image of Corel Draw 1.0 used in a blog post by qpsprint.co.uk

Corel Draw! Version 1.0

 

Versions for other systems came and went during these years. Unsurprisingly since we know where we are today with the limited OS choices, only Windows and Macintosh remained.

More updates and tweaks followed as version 3 became 4. Advances that the community was requesting were included and adapted as added in new, improving functionalities.
In 4.0, (5.0 for Mac), the ability to edit within preview mode finally dropped in. The pain of switching between panes to see what changes were being made was no longer an issue.

Image of Adobe Illustrator version 5 Logo used in a blog post by QPS Print

That fancy paint bucket tool? It landed here too.

Image of Adobe paint bucket tool icon from a blog post by QPS Print

As version 6.0 moved over to 7, Adobe brought together the development teams for Mac and Windows. With 6 in the rearview mirror, the program took on the same appearance across both platforms.

 

Illustrator version 7 – 10: “Gaining ground from everything learned….”

As Adobe’s photo editing software, Photoshop, began supporting external plug-ins and the world wide web gave easier access to them, so did Illustrator.
By the 1990s, the web had granted a much greater openness to third-party development. Thankfully Adobe gave permission for the artists and designers to use what was being developed from outside.
Adding even more versatile options to an already robust base, Adobe was able to keep relevant and grow in popularity and reputation amongst graphic designers.

Image of Adobe Illustrator version 8 Logo used in a blog post by QPS Print

The late 90s and into the 2000s saw the rise of the dot-com bubble. In this dotcom world, website development became the number one priority. Content creation and image branding became possibly more important than the product itself.

This quickly became a great opportunity for entrepreneurial graphic designers. Online ads, logos, and web design all required graphic artists. Those artists required a flexible software solution and guess who was there for them?
Illustrator found its feet and home in many internet startups.

Adobe would be catapulted into the mainstream as it wholeheartedly adopted the online world and web publishing. Scalable vector graphics (SVG files), PDF creation, rasterization (converting vectors to images) all were included. With version 9, tracing tools that allowed the user to convert scanned images to artwork. Clever stuff.

 

Adobe Creative Suite Version 1-6: “With our powers combined…”

By the early 2000s, Adobe had established itself as the bona fide leader in the vector graphics editor industry. To capitalise on this further, Adobe employed the Creative Suite product lines. With CS, all of their programs were bundled together in one package.

In this way, Adobe was giving more value to their customer base whilst also streamlining the system for future enhancements and updates. It always pays to plan.

Image of Adobe Illustrator version CS Logo used in a blog post by QPS Print

 

Creative Suite 1 and 2 included Acrobat, After Effects, Audition, Bridge, Illustrator, Photoshop and Premiere Pro amongst others. The lines between graphics and content creation blurred into full-scale media development.
Adobe was there to cater for the new generation.

In 2007, CS3 brought in updates such as Live Colour, crop areas, Image Ready and Soundbooth which replaced Audition. The next update in 2008 introduced multiple artboards (brought across following Adobe’s purchase of Macromedia and Freehand) and the Blob brush toolset.

Multiple artboards allowed the user to work with different versions of the same artwork within the same document. The Blob brush allowed multiple overlapping vector brush strokes to easily merge or join within the project. Clever stuff!

As technology marched forwards so did the innovative updates. Adobe’s earlier versions were limited by advances in the available resources and imagination.
Now nothing could hold them back.

CS5 in 2010 added the Perspective Grid tool (another Freehand invention) that gave the designer three-dimensional viewing capabilities. The Bristle brush brought in more natural and painterly strokes.
Now Botticelli may have put down his horse-hair.

CS6 brought in an overhaul of the UI, layer panes and the usual performance fixes.
Adobe CS6 was also the last time the software could be bought in a box.

 

Image showing Adobe goes cloud from a blog post by QPS Print

 

From a trickle that only allowed dinky plugins to be downloaded, the world wide web of a decade ago had developed into a tsunami of high-speed power.
The ability to grab gigabytes of information was here and Adobe decided to make a big switch.

 

Adobe Creative Cloud: “All the cool kids are doing it…”

In 2013, Adobe released the Creative Suite as the Creative Cloud. No more store bought physical discs and no more owning the item outright. Now, Illustrator had gone subscription.

Image of the Adobe Creative Cloud Logo used in a blog post by QPS Print

With a monthly payment, the user had access to all the programs. Running in the background, Adobe’s cloud can update and sync every app instantly.
It upset a few people and still does, but this digital-only replacement has grown from strength to strength. The last figures supplied by Adobe in 2016 showed a million subscribers.

On top of accessing the applications seamlessly via the cloud, Adobe allotted each user dedicated space for storing work and projects.
Most bases were covered by Adobe having packages suited for different industries and apart from the usual online gremlins, the system pretty much just works.

Image showing Adobe Creative Cloud info used in a blog post by QPS Print

 

Adobe Illustrator: The Designer’s Toolbox

So, Illustrator with its 30 years of updates and developments, innovations and pitfalls has been there from the early days of the digital desktop. Looking back with an eye on where we are now, something tells me it will be just as relevant looking forward to the future.

In its inception, Adobe Illustrator 88 made the jobs of graphic designers simpler, faster and much more efficient. By the 1990s, Adobe had adapted to the changing landscape and standardised its software for easier use. By the 2000s and 2010s, its continued advances have made it the go-to program for the graphics editing market.

Adobe has always managed to stay ahead of the curve and the competition through innovation and well, sometimes just luck. I don’t expect too many changes to this reign or bumps in the road short term…
But then again, we are deep in the middle of another highly disruptive time.

With apps the price of pounds and bedroom coders putting out professional product, maybe, just maybe…

 

Image to show 30 Years of Adobe Illustrator - A blog post by QPS Print on qpsprint.co.uk

 

References for this article from Wikipedia and Vecteezy

 

 

  • Tweet
Tagged under: Blog, Standard, Tag

What you can read next

Foam PVC – All The Fun With Foamex
QPS Prints On Wood Panels For Stylish Point of Sale
Image showing a blog post by QPS Print and tile display boards and how we produce, design and print
Tile Sample Boards for perfect product presentation.

QPS Print Ltd
Dewsbury Road
Fenton Industrial Estate
ST4 2TE
01782 413789
info@qpsprint.co.uk

 

TOP
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.