Creating backgrounds is often part of the process of creating good designs. Here we will create a professional business style background, which could be used in many of your projects. For example, in presentations, advertisements, or website headers.
This is a beginner level tutorial showing how to create a background in Illustrator. We will be using tools such as the Pen tool, Brush tool, and Effects as well. Learn how to quickly create interesting vector backgrounds.

Beginning the Background

It is always a good idea to have it clear in your mind what color scheme you are going to follow . I often use colourlovers.com to help me in this process. Here is the theme of colors we will follow.

Next we create a simple gradient background within our color scheme.

Creating the Linear Background

Using the Pen Tool (P) draw two lines, which have 1px white strokes, but no Fill.

Go to Object > Blend > Blend Options.

Adjust your Blending Options to a limited number of Specified Steps, something like this.

Go to Object > Blend > Make or (Option/Alt+Ctrl+B).

Create two more lines in the same way using the Pen Tool (P) and using Object > Blend > Make as well.

Since your lines are all placed, now would be a good time to play around with the Points. Click on one side of your original line. Then adjust the Handle and Stroke to get a better effect and curve in the lines. Here is my result, shown below.

Building Up the Elements

Now we need to bring a central element into the design. I pulled up a world map from my library and then Pasted it onto the Artboard. Then I went to Right Click > Arrange> Bring to Front. Feel free to use any image you want for the central figure in the design. If your looking for a similar map, here is a link to a Free Vector Dotted Map.

Choose a Fill color for your map. Be sure to keep your color scheme in mind.

Modifying the Map

Let's modify this map a bit. Go to Effects > Arc. Use the settings below.

After applying the effects, you will get something like this.

Creating Arrows using Brushes

Create some random curved lines using the Pen Tool (P).

Open up your Brush Palette. Then go to Brush Libraries > Arrows Standard.

Select all your new curved lines. Then pick out an Arrow Brush and Apply.

Select each line one by one. Then adjust Stroke and Width until you are satisfied with the outcome. Then go to Object > Expand, in order to expand your lines. Next Fill your lines with a Gradient. Here I used White and Gray colors for the Gradient.

Refining and Balancing

The lines in the background need some more work, so I'll add a few more to give it some depth.

I then add a few more; see the results so far below.

Conclusion

Fill the new lines with the same Gradient color, adjust the transparency if needed. Work with this until you are satisfied with the outcome. The final image is below!