Vector Basic Training book by Von Glitschka

Pity there are no tear-out stripes you can put on your designer's uniform when you get to the end of the book. It can feel like you've been ordered into shape. But that's the whole theme — and point — of this book.

Not wishing to sound like a self-fulfilling prophecy, I will never be a great designer. The reason? I simply don’t have the patience. One of the key factors of good design is attention to detail. But before the detail is in place, my attention span has lapsed. So instead I console myself in the thought that I contribute towards design tools used by thousands to help make their artwork better. It could be worse…

If I did, like millions of people out there, wish to become graphic designer once more (I got away with it for several years) and earn a living from my skills in that area, I know I’d have to not only learn to be patient but also brush up my skills. This is where the latest book on the market would prove to be my bible — Vector Basic Training by the great Von Glitschka (published by Peachpit Press).

Von who?

If you have yet to come across Glitschka’s work, you may well be finding yourself in a minority. I make no excuse when I say that I find his work wonderful. It’s full of humour and yet exhibits a level of detail that is necessary to move a mere design concept up into the top class.

In our household he is not referred to as “Von” or the “Vonster” as I’ve seen many references to. He’s simply called the “Worm Guy”. Nothing personal… it’s simply that, as with many other Adobe Illustrator users, my first encounter with his work was from the sample artwork supplied with Illustrator CS4 entitled “Loyal Order of Wormwood”. A section of this piece may be seen below:

Glitschka is a designer who has found recognition from fellow designers and organisations and operates Glitschka Studios. He imparts his knowledge via his insightful Drawsigner blog (www.drawsigner.com), and previously on his Art Backwash blog (www.artbackwash.com). Von also speaks at design seminars and conducts design training courses.

Why’s it important to know all this about the author? Well, if you’re going to invest your money — and more importantly, time — in reading and learning, it’s useful to know that you’re learning good, real-world techniques.

What is “Vector Basic Training” (VBT) about?

This is a critical point to consider.

When designing in the digital age, two skill sets are required; the ability to actually design, and the ability to use a computer with its relevant design software. It’s not possible to be successful if one skill set is missing.

VBT is relatively unique in that it bridges the knowledge and skill gap between these two disciplines. There are great books that concentrate purely on design and art principles out there. There are also wonderful books, such as Sharon Steuer’s Illustrator CS5 WOW! Book that focus on operating the machinery.

However, translating the craft of design into a digital medium can be tricky and full of potential pitfalls, even for the most gifted. This is especially true when it comes to the world of vector design — which now largely equates to Adobe Illustrator.

So how does Glitschka go about converting Luddites into Leonardos? By employing his self-styled Sergeant Glitschka pose, of course! Oh — and by keeping in spirit with the book’s tagline “A Systematic Creative Process for Building Precision Vector Artwork”.

This ties in very well with Glitschka’s humour and transforms what can be a very dry subject into one where you see the split personality of Sergeant and Trainee, especially when viewing the videos supplied on the CD with the book. (Thankfully there is a limit to the humorous introductions before it runs the risk of becoming wearing.)

Get out those pens and pencils

You remember what they are, don’t you?

This is the key refreshing part of this book. Most chapters are interwoven with references to, or extended examination of “analog tool”-based drawing which is used to create a design’s groundwork. In Glitschka’s world, computer design is dead without a pen, paper and scanner.

I can personally attest to the importance Glitschka places on good basic sketching skills following a recent exchange where he witnessed my feeble attempts. To quote:

It would have been easier to build your design if the drawing was refined! I would have gotten on your case if you were a student of mine.

(I deleted the “LOL’s” from the original quote as they didn’t tie in with the Sergeant approach. And yes – Sgt. Glitschka had a very good point as my sketch was awful. Refer to top of page.)

It’s only once the sketch is refined that the computer is approached. It’s possible to debate whether hand drawing is required anymore for many designs, but perhaps this attitude shows through with the vast amount of mediocre digital artwork out there. And I’m not beyond my own criticism by any means!

Honouring Mr Bezier

Entering the digital age, Glitschka takes the wise step to properly introduce the concepts of vector artwork without being patronising (unless put on with a Sergeant’s uniform) to more experienced readers. There is even a brief but insightful couple of pages devoted to the origins of what we now know as “Bezier” curves. And, correctly, it’s not just Mr Bezier who receives all the credit, even though the dedicated portrait by Glitschka in the VBT book was devoted to the curve type’s namesake:

Following a good number of Glitschka’s own artwork examples, things start to move on with vector drawing methods that would benefit all users. This is especially true as of the “Shape Surveillance” chapter which extols the virtues of the “Clockwork Method”. This principle is at the foundation of well crafted vectors by ensuring that the paths are constructed simply and elegantly. It helps the refinement process, editing and just makes you feel better that your design is optimised.

Good path control is perhaps the best honour you can bestow on Mr Bezier. And Glitschka doesn’t shy away from pointing out any deficiencies in Illustrator, introducing some excellent third party vector tools along the way, such as Nineblock Software’s BetterHandles and CValley’s Xream Path.

Passing out parade

Pity there are no tear-out stripes you can put on your designer’s uniform when you get to the end of the book (plus having watched the highly useful videos contained on the CD). It can feel like you’ve been ordered into shape. But that’s the whole theme — and point — of this book. It’s for our own good, as our mothers would have said.

Over the years, as computer design software has offered us all more and more tools and effects, many of us have become lazy and sneaked away from the basics that have always been essential. “Vector Basic Training” is a very apt title but doesn’t mean that those who have been in the trade for years can march by without a care. There are nuggets of information littered throughout the book, which is presented in a well laid out and clear manner. (If this hadn’t been the case, there would have been a siege at Glitschka Towers and PeachPit Press!)

At 230-odd pages, it’s doesn’t give you indigestion. And at only £17.33 from Amazon UK ($29.14 from Amazon USA) it’s a bargain and gives no excuse not to add to your library.

Learn and improve yourself. That’s what I’ll try to live up to, Sergeant!

Footnote: if you’re in the UK, DigitalArts magazine as also running an offer where VBT is provided free with a 6 month+ subscription (£24.99). That would be very hard to resist if you haven’t already bought VBT!

Note: all images used in this article are copyright Von Glitschka/Peachpit Press

Supplemental: sample chapter

Following this article being posted, I noticed that a sample chapter is available from Peachpit. You can view the PDF by clicking here (30+Mb).