Final Image Preview

Below is the final design we will be working towards. Want access to the full Vector Source files and downloadable copies of every tutorial, including this one? Join VECTORTUTS PLUS for just $9/month.

Step 1

Start by using the Rounded Rectangle Tool. Make a rectangle that looks similar to this.
TIP: You can adjust the radius of the corners by holding the up or down arrow while you draw the shape.

Step 2

Inside the rectangle draw three smaller shapes.

Step 3

Use the Pathfinder to trim off one edge of the rectangle so only the top two corners have rounded edges. Layer the shapes on top of each other and click the Subtract from Shape Area option followed by Expand, as shown below.

Step 4

Place the shape at the bottom, then duplicate and place a rotated version of the shape at the top.

Step 5

Continue to use simple shapes to compose the main portions of the controller. To make the directional pad, layer two rectangles on top of each other and merge them using the Pathfinder.

Step 6

Depending on what kind of shape you are working with, making a smaller or larger version of the shape may not be as simple as reducing the size. This is the case with the dpad below. If you were to simply copy, paste and scale it smaller there would not be an equal amount of space between each side. Using the following technique it's easy to create a slightly smaller version of a complex shape.
Select the object and go to Object > Path > Offset Path… Enter the amount of Offset you would like and press OK.

Step 7

Give offset to the rectangle, around the two middle buttons and the circles on the right.

Step 8

Give the main rectangle that makes up the controller an offset too.

Step 9

Small details go a long way. Using a red to white gradient, fill the circles as shown. Notice that my gradient has three points: white, red and darker red. The darker red color is a minor detail that helps give the button more of a dynamic range. Upon first glance it may not be noticeable but it makes a difference.

Step 10

Give the background of the controller a grey to black gradient. Be sure to use a rich black and not a grayscale black. Rich black is the color black that is comprised of "R," G," and "B" values. To take it one step further, use a zero value for "R," G," and "B."
Note: If this illustration were going to be printed at a printing facility you would use a CMYK model. Rich black for that model would be C=40, M=30, Y=20 and K=100. The chart below shows a rich black color model for RGB artwork.

Step 11

Make the arrows that go on the dpad by using simple shapes. Use the Star Tool to make the triangle.
TIP: Adjust the number of points on the Star Tool by pressing the up or down arrow while you draw the star.

Step 12

Align your shapes vertically and click Add to Shape Area, as indicated below, followed by clicking Expand.

Step 13

Place the arrows over the dpad. Use the Align Palette to ensure everything is perfectly lined up.

Step 14

Give the inner-most rectangle and two buttons an inner glow by going to Effect > Stylize > Inner Glow…
Make sure the fill color of the two buttons is light enough so the inner glow is visible. Also, ensure you select Multiply for Mode.

Step 15

Do the same thing for the inner-most circle on the other buttons.

Step 16

And again on the arrows, alter the Opacity and Blur to fit each element you are adding an Inner Glow to.

Step 17

To quickly create highlights on the edge of the arrows, first select all four arrows and merge them in the Pathfinder using the Add to Shape Area option. After that, duplicate the arrows and stagger them as shown below. Select both sets of arrows and again click Subtract from Shape Area followed by Expand.

Step 18

To add to the overall realism of the controller, we'll add a reflection to the dpad. Draw a rectangle and rotate it slightly. Layer the rectangle over the dpad, select both shapes and click Divide in the Pathfinder. Go to Object > Ungroup. Delete the leftover shapes around the outside of the dpad.

Step 19

Give both halves of the dpad a subtle gradient. Remember to use a rich black instead of a grayscale black.

Step 20

Add some text of your choosing. In order to give text a gradient you will first need to select the text and go to Type > Create Outlines. Now, fill the text with a gradient of your choosing.

Step 21

Create the highlight over the buttons in the same manner that we did for the highlight on the dpad arrows. Start by overlapping two circles.

Step 22

Place the highlight over the buttons and adjust their Opacity to about 50%.

Step 23

To make an intense highlight on the bottom of the button we'll start by drawing an Ellipse using the Ellipse Tool (L.)

Step 24

Go to Object > Envelope Distort > Make with Warp… Select Arc from the Style drop down and enter a negative value for the Bend. Click OK.