Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator

In the following tutorial you will learn how to create a gorgeous retro badge in Adobe Illustrator.


Final Image

This is the final image that we’ll be creating:

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator


Tutorial Details

  • Program: Adobe Illustrator CS5
  • Estimated Completion Time: 30 minutes
  • Difficulty: Beginner-Intermediate

Resources


Step 1

Create a new document in illustrator with 600px width and 450px height.

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 1


Step 2

Pick #EF4036 fill color. Now select the Ellipse Tool (L) and hit the canvas to view the ellipse window. Enter 355px for the width and height and press OK to draw an ellipse. Label it as Base1.

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 2


Step 3

Next, select the Base1 ellipse by clicking the ring-shaped target present at the right-side of the respective layer and go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Offset the path by -15px.

Change this new ellipse fill color to pure black. Label it as Base2.

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 3


Step 4

Now select the Base2 ellipse and offset it by -4px. Change its fill color to #F1EAD1 and label it as Base3.

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 4
Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 4b


Step 5

Select the Base3 ellipse and offset it by -15px. Change the new path fill color to #DDD2B1 and label it as Base4.

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 5
Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 5b


Step 6

Select the Base1 ellipse and offset the path by -5px. Give this new ellipse a black (#231F20) stroke with 1pt stroke weight.

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 6
Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 6b

Select the new path and offset it by -5px.

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 6c


Step 7

Next, I’ll show you how to apply a stitch effect. Select the Base3 ellipse and offset it by -7px. Give it a 2pt black stroke.

Now click the Stroke Panel in the top control bar and check the dashed line option, enter 4pt for dash and 2pt gap.

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 7
Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 7b


Step 8

We’ll create the ribbon now; select the Pen Tool (P) to draw the shape as shown below. Give it #02877A fill color and pick #404041 color for the stroke (1pt).

Now select the shape and go to Object > Transform > Reflect. Reflect it around Horizontal axis and make sure to click the Copy option to get a reflected copy as shown here.

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 8

Select both the shapes now and reflect them around Vertical axis. Make sure to click the Copy. Arrange the copy as shown below to complete the ribbon. After that, select all the four shapes and hit Unite in the Pathfinder panel (Shift + Ctrl + F9).

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 8b


Step 9

Select the ribbon and go to Effect > Warp > Arc. Bend it 15% around the horizontal axis.

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 9


Step 10

While the ribbon is selected, go to Object > Expand Appearance to modify the shape.

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 10

Select the ribbon and press Ctrl+ “C” to copy it and then press Ctrl+ “B” to paste in back. Change copied ribbon fill to black and drag it 2 steps downwards as shown below.

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 10b


Step 11

To make the ribbon’s shadow, select the black ribbon copy, press Ctrl+ C to copy it and then press Ctrl+ B to paste in back. Drag it 8-10 steps downwards; decrease its width a bit using Selection Tool (V). Change its blending mode to Multiply with 70% opacity in the Transparency Panel (Shift+ Ctrl+ F10).

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 11

Select it and Bend it 10% around horizontal axis.

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 11b


Step 12

Next, draw the ribbon shape using the Pen Tool (P) below the rest of the layers. Give it #02877A fill color and pick #404041 color for the stroke (1pt).

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 12

Select it and go to Object > Transform > Reflect. Reflect it around Horizontal axis, make sure to press Copy option and position it at right side of badge.

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 12b


Step 13

Pick #404041 fill color and draw a small rectangle using Rectangle Tool (M). Select it and rotate it using Selection Tool (V). Once you are done, make a reflected copy of the rectangle and position it over right side.

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 13


Step 14

To add text over the ribbon, pick #F1EAD1 fill color and choose Type Tool (T) to type in some text. I’ve used Bebas Neue font here.

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 14


Step 15

Now select the text and go to Effect > Warp > Arc. Bend it 11% around the horizontal axis to bend it according to the ribbon.

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 15

Select the text and go to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow. Apply given settings for the drop shadow.

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 15b


Step 16

Next, we’ll add text over the badge. Pick #231F20 fill color and select the Type Tool (T) to type text. I’ve used Bebas font here. Apply given settings in the character panel.

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 16

Select the text and apply given settings for the drop shadow.

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 16b


Step 17

I’ve used Marketing Script font to type Design Studio and since 1924.

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 17


Step 18

Now fill the spaces in the badge by drawing a few rectangles and stars as you like.

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator 18


And We’re Done!

Create a Gorgeous Retro Badge in Adobe Illustrator