Create a Vector Gift Box for Upcoming Christmas

Today we will be creating an attractive gift box in Adobe Illustrator. We are going to use few usual types of tools, such as, Rectangle Tool (M), Ellipse Tool (L), Extrude&Bevel 3D effect and some nice colors to create an eye catchy illustration. As you all know, red color is the color of the Christmas and we will be using it in this tutorial in order to evoke the spirit of the Christmas.

So, let’s get started.

This is what we will be creating.

Step1

We will start with the Ellipse Tool (L). Select it from the Tool Panel and create an ellipse as it shown on the picture below.

Step2

Now we need to create few other ellipses. We will create them by using the Offset Path feature. Select the ellipse and under Object hit the Path > Offset Path. Set the value for Offset to -2 and hit the OK button.

Repeat this step to create another ellipse.

Step3

To each of the ellipses apply nice gray and white colors.

Step4

Now grab the Rectangle Tool (M) and create the rectangle exactly the same width as the diameter of the largest ellipse.

Step5

Duplicate (Ctrl / Cmd + C, Ctrl / Cmd + F) the largest ellipse and move it downwards.

Step6

Select both, ellipse and the rectangle and under the Pathfinder Panel hit the Unite button. Feel free to nudge lower anchor points for one pixel inward. This way we will preserve the perspective.

Step7

Time to apply nice linear gradient.

Step8

We will need the cover for the gift box as well. Select the largest ellipse and under the Object select Path > Offset Path. Set the Offset to 5 pt.

Step9

We will create the cover for the gift box using the same technique we’ve used to create the gift box. Duplicate (Ctrl / Cmd + C, Ctrl / Cmd + F) ellipse and move it upwards.

Step10

Using the Rectangle Tool (M) create the rectangle (same width as the diameter of the ellipse).

Step11

Select the lower ellipse and the rectangle and under the Pathfinder Panel hit the Unite button. It will turn two object into one.

Step12

Now, when we have the cover for the gift box we can place it anywhere we want.

Step13

We will use the same linear gradient that we’ve used for the gift box.

Step14

We will use the same linear gradient for the lateral side of the cover as well.

Step15

Duplicate (Ctrl / Cmd + C, Ctrl / Cmd + F) the upper part of the cover (ellipse) twice and nude on of them upwards. Select both copies and under the Pathfinder Panel hit the Minus Front button.

Step16

Set the Fill color of the new shape to #F9E8E9.

This way we have created a nice edge highlight.

Step17

Grab the Pen Tool (P) from the Tool Panel and create the shape of the ribbon. Feel free to cross the edge of the gift box cover. You can always trim the ribbon if you duplicate (Ctrl / Cmd + C, Ctrl / Cmd + F) the upper part of the cover (ellipse), select the ribbon and the copy of the ellipse and under the Pathfinder Panel hit the Intersect button.

Step18

Create few more shapes.

Step19

We will use nice yellow linear gradient for the ribbon.

Step20

Apply the same linear gradient to the other parts of the ribbon as well.

Step21

Bow is one of the most important part of the good warped gift. Grab the Pen Tool (P) from the Tool Panel and start drawing.

Step22

Apply radial gradient as it shown on the picture below. Use the same tones of the yellow color we have used befor for creating radial gradient.

Step23

Using the Offset Path feature create the thickness of the ribbon. Select the shape that represents the inner side of the bow and under the Object select Path > Offset Path. Set the value for the Offset to -1 pt. Apply linear gradient to the smaller shape just as it shown on the picture below.

Step24

Group (Ctrl / Cmd + G) all the elements we have just created and create a few copies. Move them around and place them to form the left side of the bow.

Step25

Select all parts of the bow on the left side and under the Object select Transform > Reflect. Set the Axis to the Vertical and hit the OK button. Make few adjustments if needed. You should end up with something like this.

Step26

Grab the Pen Tool (P) again and create the knot for our bow. There is no rules how the knot should look like. Just feel free to be creative.

Step27

We will create few shadows and highlights. You should end up with something like this.

Step28

Select the upper part of the cover and under the Object select Path > Offset Path. Set the value for the Offset to -5 pt.

Step29

Apply nice red gradient in order to give the edge of the cover a discrete highlight.

Step30

To make our illustration more interesting we will create few ribbons lying around, just like it usually is after unwrapping the present. To create them we will need the 3D effect Extrude&Bevel. Grab the Pen Tool (P) from the Tool Panel and create a random waved path. You should end up with something like this.

Step31

Under the Effect select 3D > Extrude&Bevel. Extrude&Bevel Options window will pop up. These are the settings we are going to use for our ribbon. Just make sure to rotate the cube until you reach a desirable position and the angle of the ribbon.

You should end up with something similar to this.

Step32

Place the ribbon underneath the gift box (Shift + Ctrl / Cmd + [ ).

Step33

Under the Object select Expand Appearance. It will turn the path with 3D effect into the editable object. Make sure to ungroup (Shift + Ctrl / Cmd + G) the shape (you'll have to do it probably more then once) and apply yellow linear gradient we have used for the ribbon earlier.

You will also notice a small shape on the lateral side of the ribbon. Set the Fill color to #FAF6B8.

Step34

Let's do the same thing for the left part of the gift box. Grab the Pen Tool (P) from the Tool Panel and create another waved path. You can also add a swirl at the end of the path.

Step35

Apply 3D effect Extrude&Bevel.

Step36

Place it underneath the gift box and apply nice yellow linear gradient as well.

Step37

Feel free and experiment with angles, positions and some interesting details. Don't forget to create some shadows. Without them our illustration will look less interesting for sure.

Conclusion

Today we had the opportunity to create something interesting for upcoming holiday - Christmas. With combination of few simple shapes and some very interesting color gradients we have created a nice red gift box. Feel free to use described techniques to create similar vector illustrations; closed gift box, gift box with present, etc. There are many different illustration you can create like this. Just be creative and use your imagination. If you have any question or comment, please post them in the comment section below. Thank you for following along.

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