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1. In as much detail as possible record the steps it took to create this project in Adobe Illustrator. Use complete sentences.​ Try to recall as many of the different tools, shapes, and keyboard commands as possible.

Starting this project, I began by finding a picture of myself that I wanted to use to create my portrait. Using that picture in Adobe AI, I used the Pen Tool to trace and create the various lines and parts of my face like my nose, eyes, hair, ears, etc. I also used the Shape Builder tool very often in the process of creating my face and body, while building my hair, for example, I used various circles putting them together almost like a cloud to create my bun. When it came to all the details within my project I used a lot of smaller lines for things like my lashes, smaller hairs, blush, and shadows and to have more control over how the lines turned out I often used the Stroke and Fill tools, either turning them on or off or making them thicker where needed. Once I had completed creating all the limbs and facial features for my avatar I made sure to Group or Ungroup anything I needed using the Selection Tool before starting the animation process in order to make things easier in the next steps. After completing the animation process of creating multiple Artboards I Exported my work and uploaded it to the GIF website where I had to choose which artboards I wanted in what order and was able to adjust the speed of my animation which had I chosen to make a little bit faster. 

2. What was the most challenging part of creating your Avatar?

I believe that the most challenging part of creating my Avatar was trying not to add too many details, although I really wanted to I had to hold myself back in order to have time to work on everything else that required more attention and improvement. Something else I also found more on the difficult side to do was find clothing that would be easier to animate with. At first, I had a sweater on but after having trouble separating and slicing the arm sleeves in order to use to animate I decided to switch to more tight fighting clothing as it worked a lot better when it came to animating. 

3. What ways did you move the arms and legs to create movement? Did your Avatar move like you wanted it to?

I created movement by moving the arms up and down and one of the legs as well. I also did some smaller movements in my face as you can see my Animation is winking and the hands also change as well from regularly spread fingers to peace signs. I think I was able to get my animation to move very closely to how I had imagined it to be, I had a lot more Artboards in order to try and create a smoother effect!

4. Are there any improvements you would make next time? Why or why not?

I think I'd definitely add more to my animation or a more creative move rather than just moving my arms and legs. I also wish I could have found a way to get the clothing I originally had to move better and cooperate I think it would have made my animation look a lot better and fuller, but other than that I belive that I did a pretty good job for my first time creating a GIF/ Animation.