Students from secondary 5 had a fun and engaging classroom activity in computer subject using Adobe Illustrator to create unique animal art from polygon tool. This activity is suitable for students with varying levels of Illustrator experience, fostering creativity and technical skills simultaneously. We encouraged students to brainstorm animal ideas. We provided reference images to spark creativity or they could look for an example from the internet to be their inspiration.

The core concept is simple yet powerful: students designed and constructed animals entirely from polygon using Adobe Illustrator's shape tools and path manipulation features. This exercise encourages exploration of geometric shapes, color theory, and composition within a digital art environment.

They begin by selecting the Polygon Tool (found under the Rectangle Tool). Set the number of sides to the desired number of sides to create the shape. Experiment with different shapes sizes and orientations. Students started with simple shapes, constructing basic body parts (head, torso, legs) using individual shapes. This encourages experimentation with overlapping and layering to create depth and form. Once the basic structure is in place, students can refine their designs. They used the Direct Selection Tool (A) to manipulate individual points of the shape, adjusting the anchor points to achieve more organic shapes. The power of Adobe Illustrator lies in its color capabilities. Students explored various gradient fills, solid colors, and even pattern fills to add visual interest and texture to their shaped animals. We encouraged them to consider color palettes that enhance the overall mood and personality of their creations. We assess the activity based on creativity, technical skill, and the effective use of Illustrator's tools. This activity offers a unique blend of artistic expression and digital skill development, making it an ideal classroom activity for students of all levels. The constraints of using only polygons encourages creative problem-solving and leads to surprisingly diverse and engaging results.