How to Make a Monogram in Illustrator | Adobe Creative Cloud

Combine letterforms with designer strokes to create elegant monograms. Featured artist: Hope Meng. Check out more of her work here: https://www.hopemeng.com/

Start from scratch, or download practice files [https://adobe.ly/34GydgX] for a head start. Steps below.

Prep your files:

1. Open the practice file (File – Open), or create your own using your favorite font.
2. Drag to select the initials with the Selection (V) tool, right-click, and choose Create Outlines.

Tip: Meng included the white ghost image that you can use as a guide if you’d like to follow her steps to create the monogram.

Customize the letterforms:

1. Use the Direct Selection (A) tool to drag across the top of the ’t’ and ‘k’.
2. Hold Shift as you pull down on an anchor point to shorten it.
3. Drag across the crossbar of the ’t’ and drag to shorten it.
4. Drag to remove the serif at the base of the ‘k’.
5. Click the top-right anchor point of the t’ and drag it down.
6. Draw a red guide using the Line Segment () tool. Align it to follow the slope of the ’t’ and to extend beyond the ‘k’.
7. Use the Direct Selection tool to select the top anchor points of the ‘k’ and drag them to match the slope of the ’t’.
8. Move the guide out of the way.

Add decoration:

1. Use the Pen (P) tool to draw a flourish extending from the ‘k’.
2. With the decorative swirl still selected, choose Object – Path – Outline Stroke.
3. Use the Selection tool to select the swirl and monogram.
4. Click Unite from the Pathfinder in the Properties (Window – Properties) panel.
5. Use the Direct Selection tool to click the top inside corner of the ‘k’.
6. Drag the circle just beyond the anchor point to create a curved path between the ‘k’ and the swirl.
7. Double-click the end of the decoration with the Direct Selection tool.
8. Drag each anchor point to create a flared endpoint.

That’s it!

To learn more, check out our Companion Tutorial: https://adobe.ly/3luuRnq

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