Retro-styled posters are the latest trend sweeping the web. In this tutorial, you’ll walk through a technique to create a starburst, one of the most popular elements used in those retro-styled works. The process is surprisingly simple; you’ll end up with a vector that you can use repeatedly in your designs.

This is the first pattern posted on trait designs. It’s pretty much seamless, so just drop one of the pattern swatches in your swatches panel of Adobe Illustrator and use it as either fill or stroke for any shape. File contains: AI3, EPS, and SVG. Enjoy!

In my last post, I promised a vector instrument pack. Here it is! I wanted to release these sooner for you all, but life sort of got in the way. These are high quality vectors created using Illustrator’s pen tool. Don’t worry. I did not use “live trace” to make these vectors, so there are no jagged lines or corners.

I think this newest vector release resulted from my new found obsession with Rock Band 2. I’ve so far resisted the urge to create rocker silhouettes and octopus tentacles, but I couldn’t help making this guitar.

It’s time to channel your inner James Bond with this week’s free vector. As always, this vector is distributed under a Creative Commons license. The martini vector was inspired by Flickr user Kyle May’s photograph of three martini glasses. It’s a great picture and can be found at Flickr here. It is also a Creative Commons work.