Vector Polygonal Background - Illustrator Tutorials

A couple of weeks ago I posted an image with a polygonal background that I discovered on the Pattern Library website and got some requests to recreate so herein lies my attempt. So in this tutorial I will show you how to create a vector polygonal pattern using Illustrator and the Pattern make a feature. The process is quite simple but there are some details that are very important to make sure your pattern is tileable.

Step 1

Open Illustrator and create a new document. With the Rectangle Tool create a square like the image below.

Vector Polygonal Background in Illustrator

Step 2

Duplicate the square by holding Option+Shift. Make sure they snap with no space between them.

Vector Polygonal Background in Illustrator

Step 3

Create a grid by repeating the step 2 process.

Vector Polygonal Background in Illustrator

Step 4

With the Direct Selection Tool (A) select the top and bottom points on the same column. Them move them to any direction. It's very important to do that for these points because that will make sure that the illustration will be tillable.

Vector Polygonal Background in Illustrator

Step 5

Here are the outside points that will connect when you create the pattern.

Vector Polygonal Background in Illustrator

Step 6

For the internal points, you can do whatever you want. If you want smooth polygons don't move them too much. Also if you want to add more square to your grid that will allow you to give more details to your background.

Vector Polygonal Background in Illustrator

Step 7

Add some colors, I used greyscale because I can change the hues in Photoshop later on.

Vector Polygonal Background in Illustrator

Step 8

Select polygons that have the same color and duplicate them in place. Then go to Window>Swatch Libraries>Patterns>Basic_Graphics_Lines. Use one of the horizontal lines presets.

Vector Polygonal Background in Illustrator

Step 9

Select the image you created and go to Object>Expand. After that group the shapes and go to Object>Pattern>Make. Select Size Tile to Art and Move Tile with Art. After that change the H and V spacing until you have no space between the tiles.

Vector Polygonal Background in Illustrator

Step 10

Click done and you will have a nice polygonal pattern to play with.

Vector Polygonal Background in Illustrator

Step 11

In Photoshop, create a new document. I am using 2880x1800 pixels. Copy a big rectangle with the pattern in Illustrator and paste it in Photoshop.

Vector Polygonal Background in Illustrator

Step 12

Add a new layer on top and change the color. After that change the Blend Mode to Overlay. You can try as many colors you want by doing that. You can also play with the Levels to reduce the contrast.

Vector Polygonal Background in Illustrator

Conclusion

Add your logo and you are good to go. The process is quite simple, it's just about paying attention to the details and you will have a nice wallpaper for your laptop or new iPhone ;)

Vector Polygonal Background in Illustrator

Download Illustrator File

Download source file

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