Flat design is a popular style in graphic design characterized by its simplicity and minimalistic approach. In this tutorial, we’ll delve into creating a flat design cheese slice using Adobe Illustrator. Let’s dive right in!

Setting the Stage: Outlines and Layers

  1. Starting with a Square: Use the rectangle tool (shortcut: M) to create a square. This will form the base of our cheese slice.
  2. Adding a Stroke: To give the square some definition, add a stroke. Adjust the stroke size to around 15 points and round the corners for a softer look.

Taking Bites Out of the Cheese

  1. Ellipse Tool for Bites: With the ellipse tool (shortcut: L), draw circles to represent bites taken out of the cheese.
  2. Shape Builder Tool: By selecting the square and the circles and using the shape builder tool (shortcut: Shift+M), you can subtract the circles from the square, creating the appearance of bites.

Adding Cheese Holes

  1. Drawing Circles: Use the ellipse tool again to draw circles on the cheese, representing the holes.
  2. Positioning: Ensure the holes are spread out evenly across the cheese slice for a natural look.

Coloring the Cheese

  1. Base Color: Start by coloring the main body of the cheese with a vibrant yellow.
  2. Hole Color: The holes in the cheese can be colored with a slightly darker shade, like orange, to give depth.

Shadows and Highlights

  1. Creating Depth: To make the cheese look more three-dimensional, add shadows. This can be done by duplicating the cheese layer, adjusting its position slightly, and changing its color to a darker shade.
  2. Positioning the Shadow: Ensure the shadow is below the holes but above the main cheese color to create a realistic effect.

Final Touches: Background and Cheese Shadow

  1. Background: Add a background layer and color it to complement the cheese.
  2. Cheese Shadow: Create a subtle shadow for the entire cheese slice by duplicating the cheese shape, shifting it slightly, and reducing its opacity.

Conclusion

Creating a flat design cheese slice in Illustrator is a fun and straightforward process. By using basic shapes, colors, and shadows, you can achieve a minimalistic yet appealing design.