How to make artboard landscape in illustrator: A simple guide to changing your artboard orientation in Illustrator

Changing the orientation of an artboard to landscape in Adobe Illustrator is a straightforward process. When you create a new document, you have the option to select either portrait or landscape orientation. However, if you want to modify the orientation of an existing artboard, you can do so easily using the Artboard Tool. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide:

1. Select the Artboard Tool: Hit Shift + O or click the Artboard Tool (looks like a rectangle with marks in the toolbar).
2. Select the Target Artboard: Click on the artboard you wish to change.
3. Adjust Orientation: In the top Properties bar, you’ll see options for width (W) and height (H). To switch to landscape, swap the values—make the width larger than the height.
4. Use Preset Orientations: Alternatively, use the “Preset” dropdown in the top bar and choose a landscape option if available.
5. Finish: Press V to return to the Selection Tool and continue working.

As a designer, I always consider how orientation impacts the layout and perception of a project. For instance, a landscape artboard is ideal for designs that emphasize horizontal flow—think website banners, presentations, or panoramic illustrations. Using dedicated digital tools like a room planner also allows you to dynamically switch perspectives, just as you would by rotating your artboard in Illustrator. This principle of adaptability is central to both graphic and interior design: always choose the orientation and layout that best enhances your creative vision and the user's experience.

Tips 1:

Try naming your artboards after their purpose (e.g., “Website Banner – Landscape”) to stay organized, especially when working on multi-artboard documents. It helps keep track of which orientation suits which design element.

FAQ

Q: Can I make multiple artboards landscape at once?

A: Illustrator doesn’t natively let you change multiple artboards’ orientations in a single step, but you can manually adjust each by selecting with the Artboard Tool and swapping the width and height values.

Q: Will changing artboard orientation distort my artwork?

A: No, changing the artboard’s orientation won’t alter or distort existing artwork. However, depending on your design’s layout, you may need to reposition elements.

Q: Is there a shortcut to rotate artboards?

A: There’s no direct “rotate artboard” command, but swapping the width and height fields in the Properties bar achieves the same landscape effect.

Q: Can I set a default orientation for new artboards?

A: Yes. In the New Document dialog, select “Landscape” before creating your file. For existing documents, adjust each artboard individually.

Q: How does artboard orientation affect exporting files?

A: The orientation determines how your file appears when exported. Make sure your artwork fits the landscape dimensions to avoid unwanted cropping or blank space on exports like PDFs or images.