Arrows are good options to use when creating infographics or directional signs. Their user is however not limited to these and you can apply them to designs as per your choice.
In this article, I will show you How to draw an Arrow in Illustrator. I will show you 3 simple ways to do it. For similar tutorials, just subscribe to our newsletter never to miss when we post the latest tutorials.
Drawing an Arrow in Illustrator
- Using the Pen Tool
- Using the Symbols Library
- Using the Brush tool
Method 1 – Basic Arrow using the Line Tool
Follow these steps to create a basic arrow using the Line Tool in Adobe Illustrator:
Step 1 – Open Illustrator and Create a New Document – Launch Adobe Illustrator and create a new document Control+N on PC or Command+N on Mac or open an existing one where you want to draw the arrow.
Step 2 – Select the Line Tool – From the Tools panel, select the Line Tool.
Step 3 – Draw the Arrow – Click and drag on the artboard to draw a straight line. Press and hold the Shift key while dragging to ensure the line is perfectly straight.
Step 4 – Add Arrowhead – With the line selected, go to the “Stroke” panel and click on the “Arrowheads” dropdown menu. Choose an arrowhead style from the options provided.
Method 2 – Creating a Custom Arrow using the Pen Tool
For a more customized arrow design, you can use the Pen Tool in Illustrator:
Step 1 – Open Illustrator and Create a New Document – Launch Adobe Illustrator and create a new document or open an existing one.
Step 2 – Select the Pen Tool – From the Tools panel, select the Pen Tool.
Step 3 – Draw the Arrow – Click on the artboard to create the starting point of the arrow. Click and drag to create the desired shape of the arrow, and then release the mouse.
Step 4 – Add Arrowhead – With the arrow shape selected, go to the “Stroke” panel and click on the “Arrowheads” dropdown menu. Choose an arrowhead style that complements your custom arrow design.
Method 3 – Using the Shape Tool to Draw an Arrow
Another method to draw arrows is by using the Shape Tool in Illustrator:
Step 1 – Open Illustrator and Create a New Document – Launch Adobe Illustrator and create a new document or open an existing one.
Step 2 – Select the Shape Tool – From the Tools panel, select the Rectangle Tool, Ellipse Tool, or Polygon Tool (depending on the arrow shape you desire).
Step 3 – Draw the Arrow – Click and drag on the artboard to draw the shape of the arrow.
Step 4 – Edit and Add Arrowhead – With the arrow shape selected, you can further customize it using the Direct Selection Tool or by adjusting the shape properties. To add an arrowhead, go to the “Stroke” panel and choose an arrowhead style.
How to Draw an Arrow Using the Symbols Library
The second way you can create an arrow is by using the Symbols Library. Go to Window>Symbols to open the symbols panel. Click the three lines on the top right of the Menu. Choose Open Library, and choose arrows.
The pop-up window will show some arrow options. Choose the one you like and drag and drop it into your artboard. That’s it, you have created an arrow.
How to draw an Arrow Using the Brush tool
The third way to do it is by using the brush tool. Go to Window>Brushes to open up the brushes menu. Click the 3 lines on the top right corner of the Pop up window to bring up some options.
From the options, choose Open Brush Library and choose Arrows. A new popup window comes up with some arrow options. Choose the one you like best then click and drag it to your artboard.
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Conclusion
Drawing arrows in Adobe Illustrator is a straightforward process, and you can use various methods to create different arrow styles. Whether you need a simple straight arrow or a more complex and customized design, Illustrator offers the flexibility and tools to meet your design requirements.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily draw arrows and use them in your illustrations, diagrams, and graphics with ease.
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FAQ
Can I change the color of the arrow?
Yes, you can change the color of the arrow by selecting the arrow shape and using the “Fill” and “Stroke” color options in the Tools panel.
Can I save custom arrow designs for future use?
Yes, you can save custom arrow designs as graphic styles in Illustrator. Create your custom arrow, then go to the Graphic Styles panel and click on the “New Graphic Style” icon to save it.
Can you resize the arrow after drawing it?
Absolutely! You can resize the arrow by selecting it and using the Scale Tool or by adjusting the width and height properties in the Transform panel.