Shape Tool To Make Arrow In Design

In the following tutorial, you will learn how to make an arrow in Illustrator. We'll explore three simple methods that you can use to create arrows in Illustrator.

As well as learning how to draw an arrow in Illustrator, you can try this set of vector arrows from Envato Elements. All the arrows are fully scalable and editable. Feel free to change the size and color with just a few clicks.

What You'll Learn in This Tutorial

How to make an arrow in Illustrator using the Stroke panel
How to draw an arrow in Illustrator using brushes
How to add an arrow in Illustrator using symbols
How to create a double-ended arrow in Illustrator
How to use Illustrator arrow brushes

Follow along with us over on our Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel:

1. How to Add Arrows in Illustrator

Step 1

The most common technique that you can use to create an arrow in Illustrator is via the Stroke panel (Window > Stroke).

Any opened path can be easily turned into an arrow. Just select it, make sure that there's a stroke applied, go to the Stroke panel, and focus on the Arrowheads options.

Choose from the 39 alternatives to easily stylize the start and end points of your path and add an arrow to a line in Illustrator.

Step 2

Click the Swap button from the Stroke panel to quickly swap the start and end arrowhead in Illustrator.

Step 3

Use the Scale values from the Stroke panel to adjust the size of your start and end arrowhead in Illustrator.

Step 4

Use the Align buttons from the Stroke panel to place the arrow tip at the end of the path or to extend the arrow tip beyond the end of the path.

Step 5

Keep in mind that you can select arrow designs for both ends of a path to create a double-ended arrow in Illustrator.

Step 6

To recolor an arrow in Illustrator, all you have to do is change the stroke color.

Step 7

Besides flat colors, you can also use gradients or patterns to color an arrow in Illustrator.

2. How to Draw an Arrow in Illustrator

Step 1

The second method that you can use to add an arrow to a line in Illustrator is by using brushes. For this example, we'll use some built-in Illustrator arrow brushes.

Go to the Brushes panel (Window > Brushes), open the fly-out menu, and go to Open Brush Library > Arrows > Arrows_Special. This will open a collection with some arrow brushes.

Make sure that your path is selected, and simply click the desired brush from the newly opened list. Alternatively, you can select the desired brush, grab the Brush tool (B) from your toolbar, and use it to create a curved arrow in Illustrator.

Step 2

To create a double-ended arrow in Illustrator using a brush, you can use Arrow 2.21 2 from the same collection of Illustrator arrow brushes.

Step 3

Keep focusing on your Arrows_Special collection of brushes and click the tiny arrow buttons from the bottom of the panel to move to the next collection of arrow brushes: Arrows_Standard.

Step 4

To change the color of an arrow brush, simply change the stroke color.

If you're using a scatter brush, an art brush, or a pattern brush, make sure that Colorization Method is set to Tints.

Step 5

Move to the next collection of brushes and use one of the available pattern brushes whenever you wish to create a multi-colored arrow in Illustrator.

Obviously, you can create your own collection of arrow brushes or you could upload a set from Envato Elements. To upload a set, all you have to do is open the fly-out menu from the Brushes panel and go to Open Brush Library > Other Library and double-click your pack of brushes.

3. How to Add Arrows in Illustrator

The third method that you can use to create an arrow in Illustrator is via the Symbols panel (Window > Symbols).

Open the fly-out menu from the Symbols panel and go to Open Symbol Library > Arrows, which will open a collection with some arrow symbols.

Simply click and drag the desired symbol to add to your design. Scale it as you wish and double-click it whenever you need to edit it.

Congratulations!

Now you know how to draw an arrow in Illustrator. I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial and can apply these techniques in your future projects.

Check out Envato Elements, where you can find some great sources of inspiration to create your own set of Illustrator arrow brushes.

Popular Vector Arrows From Envato Elements

Envato Elements is an excellent resource for arrow designs. Here's a short list of some of the most popular collections that you can find.

Arrow Head: Pattern Brushes & Vector Arrows (AI, EPS, PNG)

Don't have the time to create your own set of arrow brushes in Illustrator? Try this impressive collection of brushes, which includes 20 pattern brushes and over 160 hand-drawn vector arrows.

30 Arrow Icons (AI, EPS, PNG, SVG)

This pack of slim and colorful arrow icons will make your design catchy and elegant. The icons come in two different styles: colored and outline.

3D Arrows Pack (EPS, PDF, PNG, SVG)

Make your design stand out with this collection of 3D arrows. These highly customizable designs can be easily adjusted to fit your needs.

Illustrator Curved Arrows (AI, EPS)

If you're in a hurry or you simply can't be bothered to learn how to make an arrow in illustrator, this small pack of Illustrator curved arrows might be the perfect solution.