Design a Minimalist Hair Salon Website in Adobe Illustrator

Do you like sleek, elegant websites? Then make sure to buckle up, because in this tutorial you will find out how to combine simplicity and elegance in this one page website in Adobe Illustrator.

This tutorial will show you everything you need to make an elegant yet simple site for your small business in Adobe Illustrator, using a Hair & Beauty Salon as an example. Let's dive in.

Tutorial Assets

Fonts

This tutorial uses several free fonts and other assets that are available for download at the links below:

• Canter Font by Font Fabric
• LHS Sofia Script
• Debut Dark Pattern by Alte Mo

Then, the font family used in this tutorial is called Proxima Nova and it comes with a Typeset Subscription, so you can use it to layout your design and publish your finished site:

• Proxima Nova by Typekit

Images

This tutorial also uses several images that you can download from Photodune. The images I have found fit well the purpose of this tutorial, but you can use your own images if you'd like:

• Wedding bouquet on grass
• Bride stands next to old church
  
• Seductive blond with her hair covered in roses
  
• Beauty Portrait. Curly Hair
  

1. Set Up the Layout and Grid

Step 1

First, create a New Document. Set Artboard dimensions to 1500 px by 4500 px. Since we are going to create graphics for monitor use, make sure that Color Mode is set to RGB and Raster Effects 72 ppi.

Step 2

Let's create a New Layer. Name the top layer "Grid" and the bottom layer "Artwork". This is where we will place the grid that will help us optically align objects on the Artboard.

Step 3

Use the Rectangle Tool (M) to create a new stripe. Give it the dimensions 30 px by 4500 px.

Step 4

Make sure the stripe is placed in the "Grid" layer. Fill it with Red Color (R 255 G 0 B 0).

Step 5

With the red stripe selected, go to your Appearance Panel and click on Illustrator Effects > Distort & Transform > Transform.

Step 6

Move the stripe horizontally by 40 px. Add 23 copies. This will create a vertical grid by multiplying the stripe 23 times with a 10 px gutter between each stripe.

Step 7

Again, with the red stripe selected go to Object > Expand Appearance. This will break the multiplying effect into separate stripes.

Step 8

Select grouped stripes and Align them to Artboard both horizontally and vertically.

Step 9 

Go to the Transparency Panel and set Opacity to 10%.

Step 10

To ensure that the grid won't move around when you accidentally click on it, lock the Grid Layer.

2. Set Up the Background

Step 1

In this step, we will create a tiled background. For this purpose, use the PNG picture "Debut Dark BG." With Artwork Layer selected, go to File > Place. Import this image.

Step 2

Now let's create a tiled pattern. Select imported image and go to Object > Pattern > Make.

Step 3

In Pattern Options, you can play around with the advanced settings. Give this pattern the name Debut Dark.

Step 4

In the top left corner, confirm the new pattern by hitting Done.

Step 5

Create a new Rectangle with the dimensions 1500 px by 4500 px.

Step 6

Select the new rectangle and Align it to Artboard.

Step 7

Fill the rectangle with the Debut Dark Pattern from the Swatches Panel.

3. Create the Top Header and Menu

Step 1

Go to File > Place and import header image. Make sure to uncheck Link option. We want the image to be embedded in the Illustrator document, not linked.

Step 2

Select the header image and Align it to Artboard. Align it vertically to the Top Edge.

Step 3

Create a new Rectangle with the dimensions 1300 px by 55 px. This will be the base for the navigation menu.

Step 4

Fill the rectangle with Black (R 0 G 0 B 0). In the Transparency Panel, set the Opacity to 60%.

Step 5

Align the rectangle to the Center of the Artboard. Also align it to the bottom edge of the header image.

Step 6

Using the Type Tool (T), write "Welcome." This tutorial uses the Proxima Nova font, which comes with a Typekit subscription, but feel free to use any font that you like. 

In the Character Panel, set Font Size to 16 pt and Tracking to 10. Turn on the All Caps option. Also fill text with White (R 255 G 255 B 255).

Step 7

Select "Welcome" text. Holding Alt - Shift, click and drag the text. This will make a new copy of the selected text. Duplicate the text three more times.

Step 8

Rename each new copy of text according to the picture. Since the "Welcome" button is active, it has a White Color. Other button states are inactive. Let's fill them with a Subtle Gray Color (R 201 G 201 B 201).

Step 9 

Use Smart Guides (Cmd - U) and vertical grid to align menu buttons evenly across the the black navigation menu. Make sure that the spacing between the buttons is even.

Step 10

Create a new Line ( \ ). Make it 410 px in length. Adjust the Angle to 0°.

Step 11

Add Stroke Weight to 1 pt. Fill it with White (R 255 G 255 B 255).

Step 12

Again, use Smart Guides (U) to align the line with the vertical grid. Make sure that it touches the right edge of the first red stripe.

Or, if you are more comfortable with exact numbers, you can use the Anchor Reference Point and adjust the line position separately for the X and Y axis.

Step 13

With the white line selected, hit Enter. A new window will show up with the transform options. Set Horizontal Position to 477 px. Hit Copy. This step will duplicate the line and move it to the right side.

Step 14

Next, let's create the shape of a heart. Using the Ellipse Tool, create a new rounded circle with the dimensions 17 px by 17 px. Fill it with White Color

Step 15

With the white circle selected, hit Enter. A new window will open with transform properties. Set Horizontal Position to 13 px. Make sure you hit Copy. This step will create two identical circles overlapping by 13 px.

Step 16

Using the Star Tool, create a triangle. While dragging the cursor on the screen to create a star, hit the Down Arrow Key until you reduce the number of points to make a triangle.

Step 17

Use the Free Transform Tool (E) to rotate the triangle by 180 degrees.

Step 18

Scale Down the triangle on the vertical axis by 13 px.

Step 19

Go to Object > Path > Add Anchor Points. This step will add new anchor points to the selected triangle.

Step 20

Use the Anchor Point Tool (Shift - C) to smooth the corner of the middle anchor point. Adjust the Bezier curve in a way that creates a curvy right edge on the heart. Repeat the same step on the left edge of the heart. Ensure that both edges look even and smooth.

Step 21

Use the Free Transform Tool (E) to place the shape of the heart between the white stripes.

Step 22

Follow Steps 10 – 13 to create a new set of stripes that will be placed at the bottom of the header. Make sure that the Position is 306 px on the X-axis and 560 px on the Y-axis. This time, make stripes shorter from the inside in order for the text to fit in between.

Step 23

Use the Type Tool (T) to add text between the bottom stripes. Again, the font is Proxima Nova Semibold.

Make sure to use Small Caps. Why use Small Caps and not All Caps? There is a major difference between these two in typography, depending on the situation. The main difference is that Small Caps uses a different set of glyphs than All Caps. In Small Caps, the size of the glyph is adjusted to the x-height so that the emphasized text will look natural among other letters in the paragraph. In this case, the Small Caps text is suitable and looks more appealing.

Notice the difference between the two.

Step 24

Again, using Type Tool (T), type the name of the studio – Salone Di Bellezza. This heading uses the Canter Outline font, which is available to download for free. Text Size is 190 pt.

Step 25

Use the Shear Tool to tilt the text. Make sure that the Shear Angle is 348° and the Axis is set to Vertical.

Step 26

Duplicate the main heading to create a subtitle. The subtitle uses the Canter Bold font. Text Size is set to 98 pt. With the Free Transform Tool (E), move the subtitle beneath the main heading.

4. Creating the "What We Do" Section

Step 1

Use the Rectangle Tool (M) to create a new section background. Size is set to 1300 px by 760 px. Fill the rectangle with a Pale Brown Color (R 216 G 207 B 195).

Step 2

Place the new background beneath the top menu. Help yourself with Smart Guides (U).

Step 3

With the section background selected, go to the Appearance Panel. Create a new Fill and make it Black.

Step 4

With the Black Fill selected, go to Illustrator Effects > Texture > Grain...

Step 5

In the effects window, adjust Grain Intensity to 81. Set Contrast to 50. Use Sprinkles for Grain Type.

Step 6

'

Now, go to Fill Opacity. Set Blending Mode to Soft Light. Adjust the Opacity to 30%.

Step 7

Duplicate the white subtitle as a text reference to create a new title for the section "What We Do." The new title uses the Dark Color (R 38 G 38 B 37). Text Size is set to 67 px. Also, Character Tracking is adjusted to a negative value of -10.

Step 8

Create a New Paragraph. Type in a dummy text. Set the font to Proxima Nova Regular. Set Size to 15,5 pt. Set Leading to 23 pt. Text color should be the same as the title.

Step 9 

Select the first paragraph. Click Alt - Drag below. This will duplicate the paragraph to create another one. Make sure that there is enough space between those paragraphs to have room for the icons that will be created later on. 

Step 10

Let's create the signature text. Use the Pen Tool (P) to create a new curved line. 

Step 11

Select the Type Tool (T) and move it over to the curved line. The cursor will indicate that you can type onto the line.

Step 12

Type in the desired name, for instance "Emilly Douglass." The font is LHF Sofia Script Regular. Set Text Size to 44 pt.

Step 13

With the Direct Selection Tool, play around with the text handles to move the curved text onto the path on the right spot. 

Step 14

With the Ellipse Tool (L), create a new circle. Set its dimensions to 90 px by 90 px. Adjust the Stroke Weight to 3 pt. Set Color to Dark Black (R 38 G 38 B 37) – same as the previous text.

Step 15

With the Rectangle Tool (M), create a new rectangle. Set its dimensions to 14 px by 28 px.

Step 16

Make sure that the Align to Pixel Grid is unchecked in the Transform Panel. With the Direct Selection Tool (A), squeeze the top anchor points together.

Step 17

Next, use the Rounded Rectangle Tool to create a rounded rectangle. Set its dimensions to 23 px by 29 px. You can adjust the size of the corner radius by hitting the Up or Down Arrow keys while dragging the rectangle.

Step 18

Again, with the Direct Selection Tool (A), nudge the bottom two anchor points together.

Step 19

Create a new rectangle with the Rectangle Tool (M). Set its size to 11 px by 17 px and position it to the upper left corner inside the rounded shape.

Step 20

Hit P to activate the Pen Tool. Move your cursor to the bottom right corner until it indicates that you can delete the anchor point. Click to delete the anchor point.

Step 21

Next, select the top left corner with the Direct Selection Tool and nudge (choose another word here) it over to the left.

Step 22

With the top left anchor point still selected, adjust the corner radius by dragging the white dot inside the shape. This feature is called Live Corners and is available in Illustrator CC.

Step 23

With the Rectangle Tool (M), create a new rectangle with the size 15 px by 31 px.

Step 24

Again, with the Direct Selection Tool (A), squeeze each bottom anchor point as close as possible to one another.

Step 25

With the Rounded Rectangle Tool, create a new rectangle with the size 3 px by 18 px. Swap the stroke color to fill color in the Color Palette (Shift - X).

Step 26

With the Star Tool, create a new triangle. Remember that hitting the Down Arrow Key while dragging the shape can reduce the amount of points. Make sure that the triangle measures 5 px by 6,5 px.

Step 27

Use the Direct Selection Tool to activate the Live Corner Option and manipulate the bottom anchor point to create a rounded corner.

Step 28

Add text with the Text Tool (T). Text is set to Proxima Nova Semibold. Set Text Size to 19 pt. Adjust Leading to 22 pt and letter Tracking to 75.

Step 29

Let's create the perfume bottle icon. Use the Ellipse Tool (L) to create a new circle. Set its size to 90 px by 90 px.

Step 30

Create a new circle inside. Set its size to 37 px by 37 px. Also, make sure that the Stroke Weight is 2 pt. Don't forget to uncheck the Align to Pixel Grid option.

Step 31

Create a new rectangle with the Rectangle Tool (M). Set its size to 13 px by 12 px.

Step 32

With the Direct Selection Tool (A), select the top anchor points, and by dragging the white circle handle, manipulate the anchor points to create rounded corners.

Step 33

Create a New Rectangle. Set its size to 9 px by 9 px. With the Free Transform Tool (E), rotate the rectangle by 90 degrees.

Step 34

With the rectangle selected, use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to activate the Live Corner Tool and slightly adjust the white handle to create rounded corners. 

Step 35

Create a new rectangle. Set its size to 6 px by 3 px. Place this rectangle over the first one.

Step 36

Select both rectangles and Merge them in the Pathfinder Panel.

Step 37

Using the Rounded Rectangle Tool, create a new shape with the dimension 18 px by 14 px.

Step 38

With the circle selected, go to Object > Path > Offset Path...

Step 39

Set Offset to -9 px.

Step 40

With the Direct Selection Tool, remove the bottom and right anchor points. Set the Stroke Weight to 10 pt.

Step 41

Use the Width Tool (Shift - W) to adjust widths of the stroke. Play around with it until you get the right result.

Step 42

Select the shape and go to Object > Expand Appearance.

Step 43

Use the Eyedropper Tool (I) to swap fill to stroke for the selected shape.

Step 44

With the Text Tool (T), add the new text. Or, you can copy the same instance of the previous text and use it as a reference.

Step 45

Create a new circle using the Ellipse Tool (L). Set its size to 90 px by 90 px.

Step 46

Activate the Pen Tool (P). Create the shape shown below. Use your creativity and imagination. Notice the position of the anchors – the less anchor points you use, the smoother the shape will appear.

Step 47

Use the Ellipse Tool (L) to create an ellipse inside the scissors handle. With the Free Transform Tool, rotate the elongated ellipse slightly to the left.

Step 48

Right Click on both of the selected shapes. Go to Transform > Reflect...

Step 49

Reflect the shape on Vertical Axis. Hit Copy.

Step 50 

Use the Free Transform Tool to move the shape to the right.

Step 51

Use the Ellipse Tool (L) to create a new shape. Set its size to 3 px by 3 px. Fill it with the Dark Black Color (R 38 G 38 B 37).

Step 52

Use the Line Tool ( \ ) to create a vertical line in the middle of the scissors. Set the Stroke Weight to 1 px.

Step 53

Let's zoom in. With the Direct Selection Tool (A), select the top two anchor points. Hit J to Join Anchor Points into a single shape.

Step 54

With the Pen Tool (P), add another anchor point between the two joined anchor points. Using the Direct Selection Tool (A), nudge the anchor point slightly to the top. In the Stroke Panel, switch the Corner Type from Round Join to Miter Join.

Step 55

Use the Star Tool to create a triangle in the middle of the scissors.

Step 56

With the Direct Selection Tool (A), select the middle anchor point and hit Delete.

Step 57

Activate the Rotate Tool (R). In the rotate panel, set the Angle to -40°.

Step 58

With the Type Tool (T), input some text. 

Step 59

Use the vertical grid to position each icon evenly across the space. Use the Free Transform Tool (E) for this purpose.

Creating The Before & After Section

Step 1

Go to File > Place (Shift - Cmd - P) and select the image shown below. Place it into the document.

Step 2

With the Free Transform Tool (E), move the picture beneath the pale brown background.

Step 3

Create a new rectangle with the Rectangle Tool (M). Set its size to 1300 px by 840 px. 

Step 4

Move this rectangle beneath the pale brown background. Make sure that it is on top of the picture of the girl.

Step 5

In the Layers Panel, select both the image and the black rectangle. Hit Cmd - 7. This will create a clipping mask from the top path. The image will be clipped to the exact shape and size of the path.

Step 6

Again let's create a new rectangle. Set its size to 1300 px by 840 px. 

Step 7

Use the Free Transform Tool (E) to place this rectangle on the same spot as the image. Fill it with Black (R 0 G 0 B 0). In the Transparency Panel, set Opacity to 65%. This will be a black overlay on the top of the image so that the white text is legible.

Step 8

Hit Alt - click and drag the top title "What We Do" to move below. This action will duplicate the title. Replace the text and fill Color with White (R 255 G 255 B 255).

Step 9 

Repeat this simple process with the next text block. Again, fill Color with White (R 255 G 255 B 255).

Step 10

Create a new circle with the Ellipse Tool (L). Set its size to 470 px by 470 px. Fill Color with White (R 255 G 255 B 255). In the Transparency Panel, set Opacity to 30%.

Step 11

With the white circle selected, hit Enter. In the Move Panel, set Horizontal Position to 400 px. Hit Copy.

Step 12

Go to File > Place (Shift - Cmd - P). Select the image shown and hit Place.

Step 13

With the Free Transform Tool (E), position the image directly on top of the first circle. 

Step 14

Select the circle below the image and go to Object > Path > Offset Path...

Step 15

Set Offset to -22 px. Hit OK.

Step 16

In the Layers Panel, move the white circle over the image. Select both the circle shape and the image. Hit Cmd - 7 to create a clipping path.

Step 17

Select the right circle. Go to Object > Path > Offset Path...

Step 18

Again, set the Offset to -22 px. Hit OK.

Step 19

Fill circle with White Color (R 255 G 255 B 255). In the Transparency Panel, set Opacity to 100%.

Step 20

Select the white circle and go to Object > Path > Offset Path. Set Offset to -45 px.

Step 21

In this newly created inner circle, we will type text. Activate the Text Tool (T). Move your cursor over to the circle until the cursor indicates that you can type into the circle shape.

Step 22

Let's type some text. Set title size to 23 pt. Play around with text options to see what works best for you. Follow basic typography rules to ensure that the final result is aesthetically pleasing.

Step 23

Use the Rectangle Tool (M) to create a new rectangle. Set its size to 70 px by 70 px. Set Stroke Weight to 1 pt. Fill stroke with White (R 255 G 255 B 255).

Step 24

Activate the Free Transform Tool (E). Hold Shift and rotate the rectangle by 45°.

Step 25

With the Direct Selection Tool (A), select the right anchor point and hit Delete.

Step 26

Right click on the shape and go to Transform > Reflect...

Step 27

In the Reflect Panel, set Axis to Vertical. Hit Copy.

Step 28

Use the Free Transform Tool (E) to move the shape to the right next to the circle.

Creating The Inspiration Section

Step 1

Create a new rectangle with the Rectangle Tool (M). Set its size to 1300 px by 360 px. Fill Color with Pale Gray (R 218 G 218 B 218). Place the rectangle below the “Before & After” section.

Step 2

In the Appearance Panel, create a new Fill. Fill it with Black (R 0 G 0 B 0).

Step 3

With the new fill selected, go to Illustrator Effects > Texture > Grain...

Step 4

In the Grain Effect Panel, set Intensity to 81 and Contrast to 50. Use the Sprinkles Grain Type.

Step 5

In the Appearance Panel, set Blending Mode to Soft Light. Adjust the Opacity to 25%.

Step 6

Hit Alt - click and drag the previous text headings to create a new text. Retype the selected text.

Step 7

Fill the new text with Red Color (R 186 G 67 B 63).

Step 8

Repeat the same copying process and duplicate the heart and stripes from the header section. Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to shorten the stripes and fill Stroke with Red Color (R 186 G 67 B 63).

Step 9 

Go to File > Place (Shift - Cmd - P). Select the desired image and import it into the document.

Step 10

With the Free Transform Tool (E), align the image vertically and move it directly beneath the pale gray rectangle.

Step 11

Create a new rectangle with the Rectangle Tool (M). Set its size to 1300 px by 55 px.

Step 12

In the Transparency Panel, set Opacity to 60%.

Step 13

Use the Ellipse Tool (L) to create a new circle. Set its size to 11 px by 11 px. Fill it with the Pale Gray Color (R 221 G 221 B 221).

Step 14

With the circle selected, Hit Enter. In the Move Panel, set Horizontal Position to 30 px. Hit Copy.

Step 15

Repeat the previous step to create several circles of the same size. Or, simply hit Cmd - D several times.

Step 16

With the Selection Tool (V), select the previous four circles and fill them with the Dark Gray Color (R 48 G 48 B 48).

Step 17

Hit G to group circles and Align them Horizontally to Artboard.

Step 18

Select the previous arrow shapes and hit Alt - drag the arrows down below to the “Inspiration” section. 

Creating the Meet Us Section

Step 1

With the Selection Tool (V), duplicate the pale brown background from the top section.

Step 2

Select the brown background and set the Reference Point to top edge. Set the rectangle’s height to 404 px.

Step 3

Duplicate the new sections of text – repeat the same process that we used in previous sections. Fill text with Dark Black Color (R 38 G 38 B 37).

Step 4

Next, create a new text block with the Type Tool (T). Set Font Size to 18 pt, Leading to 22 pt, and Tracking to 75.

Step 5

Create a new rectangle with Rectangle Tool (M) Set size to 1300 px by 500 px

Step 6

Go to File > Place (Shift - Cmd - P) and import Map Screenshot.

Step 7

In the Layers Panel, move the Map Screenshot down below the black rectangle. With both objects selected, hit Cmd - 7 to create a clipping mask.

Step 8

With the Type Tool (T), create a “Copyright” text below the “Meet Us” section. Fill it with Gray Color (R 89 G 89 B 89). Set Font Size to 11 pt and use All Caps. Feel free to place some vector logo of your company there as well.

Step 9 

Create a new rectangle with the Rectangle Tool (M). Set its size to 1300 px by 4370 px.

Step 10

Right click on the rectangle and go to Arrange > Send to Back. This step will move the rectangle behind all objects and elements in the document.

Step 11

With the rectangle still selected, go to Illustrator Effects > Stylize > Drop Shadow...

Step 12

In the Drop Shadow Panel, set Opacity to 75%. Adjust Blur to 6 px.

Conclusion

Congratulations! In this tutorial we have used simple tools, techniques and subtle effects to create this minimalist webpage design. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and learned something new and useful.