Creating angled tabs in Adobe Illustrator can add a modern and geometric flair to your designs. Whether you’re working on a website, a presentation, or a brochure, angled tabs can be a stylish way to organize content and break up sections. In this article, we’ll walk through a simple step-by-step process for creating angled tabs in Adobe Illustrator.
Step 1: Open Adobe Illustrator and create a new document.
To get started, open Adobe Illustrator and create a new document to work on. You can choose the size and orientation based on your specific project requirements.
Step 2: Draw a rectangle for the tab.
Select the Rectangle Tool (M) from the toolbar and draw a rectangle on the artboard. This will be the base shape from which we’ll create the angled tab.
Step 3: Convert the rectangle to a triangle.
With the rectangle selected, go to Object > Path > Add Anchor Points. This will add anchor points to the middle of each side of the rectangle.
Next, select the Pen Tool (P) and click on one of the bottom corners of the rectangle, then click on the top corner to create a diagonal line across the rectangle. Repeat this process on the other side to create a triangle shape.
Step 4: Adjust the angle of the tab.
Now, select the Direct Selection Tool (A) and click on the anchor points of the triangle to adjust the angle of the tab to your desired degree. You can also use the Rotate Tool (R) to precisely rotate the tab to your preferred angle.
Step 5: Add styling and colors.
Once you have the angled tab in place, you can add styling and colors to make it more visually engaging. You can experiment with different stroke weights, corner styles, and fill colors to match your overall design aesthetic.
Step 6: Group and duplicate the tab.
Once you’re satisfied with the design of your angled tab, group all the elements together (Ctrl+G or Command+G) to keep them organized. Then, use the Move Tool (V) to duplicate the tab and position it wherever you need it within your design.
By following these simple steps, you can easily create angled tabs in Adobe Illustrator to enhance the visual appeal of your designs. Whether you’re designing a website navigation menu, a brochure layout, or a presentation slide, angled tabs can be a versatile and stylish design element to incorporate into your projects. Experiment with different angles, colors, and styles to achieve the look that best fits your design aesthetic.
