The humble post box has been our connection to people around the world for decades. They come in all different shapes and sizes, but the pillar shape is arguably the most iconic. In this tutorial, you will learn the step-by-step process of how to create the classic pillar-shaped red post box.
Some of the skills you will learn will include creating basic 2D shapes, manipulating anchor points, and using the Pathfinder tool. I hope you enjoy the process and learn something new along the way. Let’s begin!
Get inspired with more Mail Vector Graphics from GraphicRiver.
1. How to Create the Post Box Shape
Step 1
Open up your Adobe Illustrator and create a New Document (File > New). For this tutorial we’ll create a custom document at 700 x 1000 px, but you can choose different dimensions for your own project.
Step 2
Now that we have the new document open, we can begin to create the body of the post box. Start by selecting the Rectangle Tool (M). Choose a nice red color to fill your rectangle with.
Step 3
Using the Rectangle Tool (M), draw a rectangular shape. We will use this rectangle as the main body for our post box.
Step 4
Using the Color Picker Tool again, select a new color for the base of your post box.
Step 5
Use the Rectangle Tool (M) again to create the base of our post box. Make a box shape slightly wider than the width of the red rectangle, and place it at the bottom.
2. How to Create the Post Box Head
Step 1
Using the same red color as before, select the Pen Tool (P) and start to create the wave shape on the right, which will make up part of the top of your post box. You can use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to manipulate your anchor points and handles to create the shape you want.
Step 2
Use the Selection Tool (V) and make sure that your new shape has been selected. Duplicate the shape and Paste it in place by using the shortcut keys Control-C (Copy) and then Control-Shift-V (Paste in Place). This will place your new shape directly on top of the previous one.
Move the new shape over to the left (you can hold the Shift key on your keyboard while you move the shape to ensure that it moves in a straight line).
Step 3
Right-click on the duplicate shape, and choose Transform and then Reflect. Then make sure you have Vertical selected and click OK. This will flip the shape.
Step 4
Using the Selection Tool (V), move the flipped shape so that it lines up correctly with your previous shape. With both shapes selected, press Control-G to Group the shapes together. This will make moving your shapes around easier.
Step 5
Choose a brighter red color and use the Rectangle Tool (M) to create a thin rectangle. Place it on top of your new shape.
Step 6
Choose the previous red color again and use the Ellipse Tool (L) to create a long red circular shape.
Step 7
Using the Rectangle Tool (M), draw a rectangle on top of the circular shape and place it just after the horizontal mid-section.
Step 8
Use the Selection Tool (V) and, making sure both shapes are selected, use the Pathfinder panel and select Minus Front. This will remove the top shape and anything else that it was overlapping (in this case, the bottom of the circular shape).
Step 9
Now use a combination of the Rectangle Tool (M) and the Ellipse Tool (L) to create a thin rectangle to place on the bottom and a small circle to place on top.
To make an even circle, draw an oval using the Ellipse Tool (L) while holding down the Shift key.
Step 10
Now combine all the shapes together to create the base shape for the top of the post box. Place this new shape on top of the body.
3. How to Create the Post Box Letter Hole
Step 1
For the letter hole, we will create the right side first and then mirror it to create the left side. This will make sure that our final shapes are symmetrical. Let’s start by creating choosing a new dark grey color for the hole using the Color Picker.
Step 2
Use the Rectangle Tool (M) to create the small rectangle. This will be the left side of our letter hole.
Step 3
Now using Rectangle Tool (M) creating two small rectangles on the top and on the right-hand side of the box. Then, using the Direct Selection Tool (A), move the bottom corners of the rectangles so that they match with the dark grey box.
Step 4
Using the same steps above, create a pink shape at the bottom. Select all these shapes and press Control-G to Group them all together.
Step 5
Create a new bright red box and use the Add Anchor Point Tool (+) to add a new anchor point on the bottom edge of the box. This will allow you to use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to pull down the bottom right corner and create a small triangle.
Step 6
Now combine both shapes by placing the first group of objects on top of this one. Make sure you right click the bright red object and send it to back (Right Click > Arrange > Send to Back).
Step 7
Now, with all the shapes in the correct order, select them all and Control-G to Group them. Now Duplicate the group and Flip the second group horizontally. Line them up to create the letter hole.
Step 8
Use the Rectangle Tool (M) to create the notice plate. To do this you can create two rectangles where one is larger than the other. Then place the smaller rectangle on top of the larger rectangle. Press Control-G to combine all the shapes together.
Step 9
Place the new group of objects on top of the post box body.
4. How to Create the Details of the Post Box
Step 1
Using the Rectangle Tool (M) create some thin shadow lines between the shapes to add some depth to the top of the post box. Use a dark red color. You can also add a slight opacity if you want to.
Step 2
Use the Rectangle Tool (M) again to create some dark grey grooves on the bottom of the post box.
To make an even square, draw a rectangle using the Rectangle Tool (M) while holding down the Shift key.
Step 3
Select the Rounded Rectangle Tool and create a row of capsule shapes. Then Delete the bottom half of all of them using the Direct Selection Tool (A). To do this, make sure that only the bottom half anchor points have been selected before hitting the Delete button. Select them all and press Control-G to Group them all together.
Remember that you can make the corners of your rounded rectangle curvier by pressing the up or down arrow keys on your keyboard while you are drawing the shape.
Step 4
Now place the group on top of your post box to create some grooves.
5. How to Create the Royal Crown
Step 1
Now let’s create the crown! Using the Rounded Rectangle Tool, create the bottom of the crown.
Step 2
Use the Pen Tool (P) to create the middle portion of the crown. You can use a Stroke for this and choose a thickness that you like.
Step 3
Use a combination of the Ellipse Tool and the Rectangle Tool (M) to complete the top of the crown and place it on the post box.
To create the cross of the crown, choose the Star Tool. Click and drag on the canvas to create the star, but before you release the mouse button, press the Down button on the keyboard a few times to create a triangle.
Step 4
Create a circle using the Ellipse Tool and place the triangle over it. Duplicate the triangle so that you end up with one on top and one at the bottom.
To make an even circle, draw an oval using the Ellipse Tool (L) while holding down the Shift key.
Step 5
Select all the shapes and group them together. Duplicate this new shape and Paste it in place (Control-Shift-V). Rotate it by 90 Degrees.
Step 6
Create another circle using the Ellipse Tool and place the cross on top. Place the new cross and circle on top of the crown.
6. How to Create the Post Box Highlights
Step 1
Now that you have all the details on your post box, select all your shapes and press Control-G to Group everything together.
Step 2
Press Control-C to Copy the whole group and then press Control-Shift-V to Paste it in place. With the duplicate post box selected, go to the Pathfinder panel and select Unite. This will combine all the shapes into a single shape.
Step 3
Now, using the Direct Selection Tool (A), Delete half of the duplicate post box. To do this, use the mouse to click and drag the selection across only half the shape (making sure that half of the anchor points have been selected). If you have missed some points, simply select them and delete them.
Once you have deleted half of the shape, choose a bright pink color for it using the color picker.
Step 4
With the pink shape selected, go to Transparency and select an Opacity of 30%. Then on the drop-down menu select Overlay.
7. How to Create a Postcard & Stamp
Step 1
For the postcard, let’s start by using the Rectangle Tool (M). Create a light grey box in the shape of a postcard. You can also create a 2 pt grey Stroke to prepare for the postcard details.
Step 2
Next, you’ll need to use the Pen Tool (P) or the Line Segment Tool (\) to create the lines of the postcard.
Step 3
For the stamp, create two squares using the Rectangle Tool (M), one smaller than the other, and place them on top of each other. Then use the Ellipse Tool to create small circles around the outer square. Once that is done, select all the circles and Group them together by pressing Control-G.
Step 4
Select both the group of circles and the white square underneath. Making sure that they are both selected, go to Pathfinder and select Minus Front.
Step 5
Create a dashed line on top of the grey box. You can do this by Duplicating the grey box, removing the grey fill, and keeping the stroked line (as mentioned in previous steps). Then go inside the Stroke options and choose Dashed Line 4 pt.
Step 6
Select the dashed line and go to the top menu. Then select Object > Expand. Make sure both Fill and Stroke is selected. This will create shapes out of your dashed line.
Step 7
Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to select the shapes of your dashed line. Right-click and select Isolate Selected Group.
Step 8
You can now use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to select the shapes individually. Select the shapes you want and use the color picker to change the color.
8. How to Create the Background
Step 1
Now it’s time to wrap up our illustration! Let’s create a New Layer for our background so that it is separate from our post box. You can do this by clicking on the New Layer button on the bottom right of the Layers tab.
Step 2
Create a background using a color of your choice by using the Rectangle Tool (M) and drawing it around the artboard.
Step 3
Then use the Ellipse Tool to create a shadow underneath your post box.
Awesome! You’re Finished!
Congratulations! You have successfully completed this tutorial. Feel free to share your own creations below! I hope you found this tutorial helpful and that you’ve learned many new tips and tricks that you can use for your future illustrations. See you next time!
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