How to Create a 70s Background in Illustrator

What You’ll Be Creating

In the following tutorial, you will learn how to create two different types of retro 70s backgrounds.

In the first part, you’ll learn how to create a 70s background using basic vector shape-building techniques along with some Transform effects, and in the second part you will learn how to create a different type of 70s background pattern. You’ll learn how to put together this pattern, how to save it, and how to apply it in order to create an aesthetic 70s background.

If you don’t have the time to learn how to create retro 70s backgrounds, you can always try Envato Elements, where you can find a massive collection of designs that you can choose from. Check out this set of 70s-themed backgrounds and find the one that’s perfect for your project.

Prefer video tutorials over detailed written steps? Check out the new video from the Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel. You can learn how to make aesthetic 70s backgrounds in Illustrator by watching this video:

What You’ll Learn in This 70s Theme Background Tutorial

How to create a 70s background using shapes
How to create a 70s background pattern

1. How to Create a New Document and Set Up a Grid

Hit Control-N to create a new document. Select Pixels from the Units drop-down menu, set the Width and Height to 850 px, and then click that Advanced Options button. Select RGB for the Color Mode and set the Raster Effects to Screen (72 ppi), and then click the Create button.

Enable the Grid (View > Show Grid or Control-“) and the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid or Shift-Control-“). You will need a grid every 5 px, so simply go to Edit > Preferences > Guides & Grid, enter 5 in the Gridline every box and 1 in the Subdivisions box. Try not to get discouraged by all that grid—it will make your work easier, and keep in mind that you can easily enable or disable it using the Control-“ keyboard shortcut.

You can learn more about Illustrator’s grid system in this short tutorial from Andrei Stefan:

Graphic Design

Understanding Adobe Illustrator’s Grid System

Andrei Stefan

You should also open the Info panel (Window > Info) for a live preview with the size and position of your shapes. Don’t forget to set the unit of measurement to pixels from Edit > Preferences > Units. All these options will significantly increase your work speed. Now that you’re set, let’s see how you can create a 70s flower background.

2. How to Create a 70s Flower Background

Step 1

Focus on your toolbar and pick the Rectangle Tool (M), and then focus on the color settings. Select the stroke and remove the color, and then double-click the fill and set it to R=220 G=194 B=159.

Move to your artboard and create an 85 px square—the grid and the Snap to Grid should make it easier. Hold down the Shift key as you click and drag to easily create a perfect square.

Step 2

Switch to the Ellipse Tool (L) and use it to create a 170 px circle. Fill this new shape with R=236 G=173 B=16 and place it as shown in the following image.

Step 3

Using the Selection Tool (V), select your square and add a copy in front (Control-C > Control-F).

Hold down the Shift key to select this copy along with your yellow circle, open the Pathfinder panel (Window > Pathfinder), and click the Intersect button.

Step 4

Select both shapes using the Selection Tool (V), hold down the Alt and drag a copy of your selection 85 px to the right, as shown in the first image.

Select the newly added shapes and use the bounding box to rotate them 90 degrees, as shown in the second image.

Select the new shapes one by one and replace the fill colors as indicated in the third image.

Step 5

Again, use the Selection Tool (V) to select all your shapes and add copies 85 px below the original shapes.

Select the two pairs of new shapes and rotate them as shown in the first two images.

Select the new shapes one by one and replace the fill colors as indicated in the third image.

Step 6

Select all your shapes and press Control-G to Group them.

Keep the group selected and focus on the control panel. Set the Alignment to Artboard and then click the Horizontal Align Left and Vertical Align Top buttons to easily move your group to the top-left corner of the artboard.

Step 7

Make sure that your group is still selected and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Set the number of Copies to 4, drag the Move-Horizontal slider to 170 px, and click OK.

Step 8

Make sure that your group is still selected and go back to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform. Again, set the number of Copies to 4, but this time drag the Move-Vertical slider to 170 px. When you’re done, click OK to apply this second effect, and this will be your 70s flower background.