4 Illustrator Tools I Use Constantly as a Professional Designer
The Illustrator Tools I Rely on Every Day to Work Smarter
When you use Adobe Illustrator daily, it’s the little things that can make a big difference. Over time, I’ve found a few go-to tools and shortcuts that not only speed things up—but actually make my illustrations cleaner, more intentional, and far less frustrating to create. Whether you're designing for clients, building out a product, or just refining your own style, these tools can help you save time and stay focused on the creative part of the process.
You can check out this video (and lots more!) over on my Instagram Page @hannah.bacon.design
Let’s Jump In!
1. Lock Object (Cmd/Ctrl + 2)
There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to select a small detail and accidentally clicking your background—or that one object you didn’t mean to move.
Locking the background or any object you're not actively working on keeps your workspace clean and your selections precise. Total sanity-saver.
2. Shape Builder Tool
Hands-down one of my favourite tools in Illustrator. The Shape Builder Tool (Shift + M) lets you quickly combine multiple shapes into one solid object—or subtract areas to carve out new forms.
It’s intuitive, versatile, and a major time-saver when building complex vector illustrations or custom icons.
3. Transform Again (Cmd/Ctrl + D)
If you’ve ever had to repeat a movement or transformation over and over, you need this tool.
Transform Again repeats your last transformation—whether it’s a rotation, move, or scale—so you can quickly duplicate elements at consistent intervals. Especially useful when working with patterns or grids.
4. Outline View (Cmd/Ctrl + Y)
This might not seem like a tool—but trust me, Outline View is a must.
When your artwork gets complex, switching to outline mode makes it easy to spot:
Hidden points
Stray paths
Overlapping shapes
Mask issues
It’s an essential step in cleaning up your final files—especially before delivering work to a client or prepping for print.
Want More Time-Saving Tools and Freebies?
This process is just one of the techniques I share across my design templates and digital assets, made especially for designers who want professional results—without starting from scratch every time.
