How to Draw a Moon in Adobe Illustrator

The crescent moon is an iconic and enduring image. This short but inclusive tutorial will show you how to draw a stylized sleeping moon using Adobe Illustrator CS5.

EditSteps

1. 1
   Create a new document. Go to File > New (or Ctrl + N) and set the size of the document to a horizontal letter-sized canvas. Add guides by creating a rectangle using the rectangle tool (W:11in, H:8.5in). Next, drag the guides onto each center of the bounding box. Finish by right clicking over your ruler to change your document measurements to pixels.
   
   
   
2. 2
   To begin creating a moon, click on the Ellipse tool. Then click your pointer over the canvas to be able to create a circle that is 500 px in width and 500 px in height. Make sure you have a white fill and black stroke on the circle.
   
   
   
3. 3
   Copy and subtract two circles to form a crescent moon. Copy the circle by selecting it and dragging the shape while holding Alt on your keyboard. Then place the two circles on top of each other. Select both of them and click “Subtract” on your pathfinder’s window.
   
   
   
   • To find your pathfinder window, go to window > pathfinder.
4. 4
   After creating your crescent moon, rotate the image 25 degrees so that it’s slightly angled. You can do this by selecting the shape, right-click over the image, click transform and then rotate. Then create small shapes such as (1) a triangle, (2) an ellipse, and (3) a heart.
   
   
   
5. 5
   Use the small triangle to create the moon’s nose. Drag the triangle onto the center of the crescent moon, select objects and then click “Unite” on your pathfinder’s window.
   
   
   
6. 6
   Create the moon’s eyes. Use the small ellipse to create an almond shape. Copy the shape and place it on top of each other, where the one below is slightly peeking through the other.
   
   
   
   • To create an almond shape, use your pen tool by clicking “P” on your keyboard and deleting the anchor point on the ellipse. Note: also convert the anchor point of the ellipse’s left side to a corner.
7. 7
   Create the moon’s lips. Use the small heart image and add three anchor points on it by using your pen tool. Follow the shape on the illustration after adding your three points.
   
   
   
8. 8
   Add colors to the sleeping moon. Set the colors according to the following: (1) Darker Blue: C=57, M=0.06, Y=10.35, K=0 ; Lighter Blue: C=16.95, M=0, Y=2.84, K=0 ; Stroke: C=100, M=0, Y=0, K=0. (2) Outer Lid: C=72.51, M=2.45, Y=14.11, K=0 ; Inner Lid: C=57, M=0.06, Y=10.35, K=0 (3) Darker Pink: C=2.21, M=46.31, Y=27.28, K=0 ; Lighter Pink: C=0, M=20.51, Y=13.82, K=0 ; Stroke: C=0.89, M=97.14, Y=3.9, K=0
   
   
   
9. 9
   Add colors and effects to the cheek and shadow of the sleeping moon. Set the colors and commands according to the following: (4) Darker Blue: C=39.7, M=0.05, Y=8.69, K=0 ; Lighter Blue: C=16.95, M=0, Y=2.84, K=0. Next, add a “Gaussian Blur” effect on the circle in this way: Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur. And then set the radius to 20 pixels. For the shadow, copy and subtract the main shape to form a small shadow on the moon. Set the color to (5) C=72.51, M=2.45, Y=14.11, K=0. Then set the transparency to multiply with opacity of 20%.
   
   
   
   • You now have a sleeping crescent moon created using Adobe Illustrator. Add other details such as a sky, stars or clouds such as in this picture.
     
     
     

EditThings You'll Need

• Adobe Illustrator

How to Play iAssociate 2

iAssociate 2 is a great word association game for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. If you want to exercise your brain with clever word games, this is a must-have app!

EditSteps

1. 1
   Download the iAssociate 2 game from the App Store. Search for "iAssociate 2" or its developer, "TicBits". Currently, the app is free of charge.
2. 2
   After the app has downloaded, open it and play the tutorial. It is a mini-level that will guide you through the basics (which are also outlined in this article).
   • The main objective of the game is to think of words that are associated with other words that link to each other.
3. 3
   Choose a level to play once you've completed the tutorial. You will see a word in a red oval. A bunch of other white ovals filled with dashes and a number is linked to that one word via a grey dotted line. Each dash represents a letter and the number shows the total number of letters in the word. For example, ---- (4) suggests the word has four letters.
4. 4
   

    There are three 5-letter words associated with "surf". What could they be?
   Think of a word that is associated to the main word that fits the number of characters. In the example to the right, three words can be associated with "Surf" and one word with "Up". Also, "Surf's Up" can be broken into "Surf" and "Up", creating two associations.
5. 5
   

    Here, "Up" is associated with "Down". Upon pressing Done, other associations will appear.
   Tap on a blank word to bring up the keyboard and start typing the word. If it's right, you'll get points (see Tips), the oval will become red, and the grey dotted line(s) will transform into a black solid line. Other associations may appear, allowing the level to expand.
6. 6
   If you get stuck, you have three options for help:
   • 

      The correct word here is "Red Lobster". The association not shown was "Lobster".
     Clues: Certain words may have a clues attached to them. These are indicated as a white question mark (?) in a green speech bubble. To see the clue, tap the word and it will appear at the top of the screen.
   • In-game hints: When you start a level, you will be given a number of hints (depending on the size of the level, they can be from 10-25). Hints reveal the word one letter at a time - one hint reveals one letter. Use sparingly and save until you're nearing the end of the level.
   • Facebook: You can ask friends on Facebook for help on words. A news story will appear on your Facebook wall requesting help.
7. 7
   

    A completed XL level. Phew!
   To complete the level, you must correctly find all associations. At certain intervals, you will get a message displaying your progress and be awarded a medal - bronze for completing 50 percent of the level, silver for 75 percent, and gold for 100 percent.

EditTips

• The points system are as follows: 5 points for each correct letter and 250 points for each correct word.
• If you have Game Center and an internet connection, you can submit your scores and have a chance to earn a speed medal. If you're among the first 1000 players to complete a level, you'll be awarded a speed medal and points according to your rank:
  • Top 1000 - Bronze medal and 1000 points
  • Top 100 - Silver medal and 2500 points
  • Top 10 - Gold medal and 5000 points
• Playing iAssociate 2 doesn't require an internet connection, but submitting your scores does.
• Occasionally, TicBit (the game's developer) may update the game and install additional bonus levels. However you must have a minimum amount of total points (e.g. 500,000) to play them.
• If you're stuck on a word and you don't have anymore hints or don't want to use them, you can figure out the word one letter at a time. Starting with the first letter, try each letter of the alphabet (it helps when you go with the QWERTY keyboard) until you get the word. This trial-and-error method is very tedious but it guarantees completion.
• Occasionally, you'll get bonus words––words that are in a golden yellow oval. You can't use hints on them or use the trial-and-error method above to solve them. Also, be prepared for the one level that consists of all bonus words!
• If you're stuck on a word, do another section of the level. Some levels have more than one starting points too.
• As a last resort, you can use a search engine to look for answers. Many people ask for help on Yahoo! Answers.
• To buy additional levels, you can either make an in-app purchase with real money or get a free one using tokens. Tokens can be earned by completing free offers, usually by downloading other apps.

EditWarnings

• This game can be very addictive!
• If you can't figure out a word, give it a break and try later; this beats getting frustrated or giving up.
• Use caution when dealing with in-app purchases; make sure not to accidentally tap the screen and buy a level when you're not the bill payer.

EditThings You'll Need

• Relevant electronic device (iPod, iPad, iPhone, etc.)