This week we’re partnering with the Maker Lab on #MakeMerry. Many of the projects wrapping up the semester in the library start with tools like Adobe Illustrator CC.

Whether you’re designing a logo or poster in the Learning Studio or cutting the outline for a piece of furniture on a laser cutter or CNC router in the Maker Lab, Illustrator is a great place to start.

Never used Illustrator? You can download it to your computer and check it out over Christmas break.

Need some inspiration? Here are just a few of the things new users can do with it.

Quick look at Illustrator CC

Download Adobe CC software

Adobe CC Inspiration

Steampunk Lamp prototype, Korbin Ancell (junior, Computer Science)

Korbin works in the Maker Lab and decided to start a project inspired by an article he read in Make Magazine. “The idea for this lamp is that when you flip on the switch, it will stand up and the light will flicker on.” Korbin designed the 2-D outline in Illustrator and then cut his prototype on the laser cutter to test the fit. He plans to build the finished version with nicer wood after seeing how the pieces work together.

Stephen Curry Infographic, Immanuel Lundy (senior, Graphic Design)


“I try to make the information visually appealing and compelling enough for people to stop and read it and be interested in it.” Immanuel explains. He used the Adobe software to create an infographic for a design class detailing basketball player Stephen Curry’s back-to-back MVP seasons. His goal was to make information visually appealing for people that might not otherwise take a look, and Illustrator lets him blend careful control over type with his original illustrations to make an impact.