Best Illustrator Classes Canada: Find Courses & Onsite Training

Learn More About Canada Illustrator Courses

What is Illustrator?

Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics software application that helps creative professionals create artwork like icons, illustrations, and logos. This tool is popular among Graphic Designers, Visual Artists, and Web Designers, who use it to create assets for mobile or print outlets. This industry-standard graphic design tool is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud (CC) and is often used alongside other Adobe apps like Photoshop and InDesign. Illustrator was initially released in 1987 and has become a staple tool for anyone looking to create scalable vector graphics. The artwork created in Illustrator is created by combining lines, points, and shapes, which create attention-grabbing designs. Those who work with Illustrator can resize or repurpose illustrations for many purposes, including branded merchandise or product packaging. One of the reasons Illustrator remains a popular tool for creative professionals is that it can significantly reduce the time required to create and mass-produce professional-quality illustrations.

What Can You Do with Illustrator Training?

Illustrator training is a great way to learn how to create a variety of types of attention-grabbing illustrations and artwork that are scalable and can be resized for various purposes. Knowledge of Illustrator is helpful in many industries, such as fashion, advertising, and graphic design. Those who know how to use this application can efficiently make professional-grade artwork that conveys meaning, sparks interest, and helps customers identify brands. Vector graphics can be found in the majority of the product packaging in Canada. This is why companies that sell their products for mass distribution rely on those who have Illustrator training.

Those who have training with Illustrator can also apply it to non-professional uses for a range of creative tasks. Because of how user-friendly this application is, aspiring Entrepreneurs can work with it as they establish their online identity. Those who hope to sell their products or crafts on Etsy can use Illustrator to create branding materials or packaging. Activists who work in the nonprofit sector in Canada rely on Illustrator to create easy-to-recognize logos. Musicians, too, use this application to make decals. Because of how important clear visual communication is across Canada’s various industries and professions, Illustrator remains a popular tool for both professionals and non-professionals.

What Will I Learn in an Illustrator Class?

Although the content of each Adobe Illustrator course varies depending on the educational provider, its difficulty level, and the scope of coursework (some classes focus solely on Illustrator, and others cover several Adobe CC apps), most programs provide training on this app’s essential features and functions. Read on to learn more about what to expect from your Illustrator training, including how to use the Pen tool, work with toolbars, create and edit basic shapes, and share and save work.

Working with the Pen Tool

Most Illustrator coursework teaches students how to use the Pen tool, which is one of Illustrator’s most popular features. Students receive instruction on how to connect anchor points to create lines, as well as how to design curves with controlled paths, add corner points, set stroke weight and fill, and remove direction lines.

Using Toolbars

Illustrator includes both basic and advanced toolbars. Illustrator users can customize the existing toolbars or create multiple toolbars to meet their needs. Beginner-level classes typically train participants on how to use the basic toolbar to perform tasks with the Hand, Pen, or Text tools.

Creating Shapes

Another common skill most Illustrator programs teach is how to create and edit basic shapes with this app’s Shapes tool. After a shape is created, its properties can be adjusted by selecting the Properties panel. Additionally, the Selections tool can be used to move, rotate, or resize the shape. Those who want to change several identical or similar shapes can use the Global Editing feature to do so.

Sharing & Saving Work

Once artwork is created in Illustrator, it’s important to know how to save it and share it with others. Most programs teach students how to easily export their work into popular formats like PNGs, PDFs, and JPEGs. Beginner-level programs also usually provide instruction on how to share Illustrator artwork with others using the Package command.

Collaborating with Others

In addition to teaching students to use Illustrator’s various features and functions, coursework also prepares learners to be more effective communicators and collaborators. Because live training programs typically include group projects, those who enroll in these programs have the chance to become better at expressing their ideas, giving and receiving constructive feedback, and explaining their artistic vision to others. Graduates from these programs benefit greatly from the feedback and support they receive from their instructor and peers and leave better able to promote themself and their skill set.

How Hard is it to Learn Illustrator?

Once you decide you’d like to study Illustrator, you may wonder how challenging it will be to learn this vector graphics application. Although Illustrator is considered by most to be accessible to novices, some students may still be intimidated when they get started with this app because of the many functionalities and tools that it offers.

The difficulty you can anticipate encountering when studying Illustrator is dependent on how you ultimately want to apply your knowledge. Those who are looking to create basic designs will usually find it much faster and easier to become familiar with Illustrator than those who will be using it to design professional-quality business logos. Students who are already familiar with Adobe CC apps like InDesign or Photoshop may find that it’s easier to learn Illustrator than others since they already have experience with Adobe’s basic interface layout. Additionally, learners who studied design before enrolling in an Illustrator class will find that they have a foundation on which to build their training, which may make it easier to master this app.

What Are the Most Challenging Parts of Learning Illustrator?

Most Illustrator learners will find that the initial phases of learning this application are the most challenging, in particular, learning how to use its many capabilities. While it can feel daunting to attempt to learn all 87 tools Illustrator includes, the good news is that most students won’t need to work with all of them. Some tools, such as the Pen or Type tools, are better to learn early on since they’re more commonly used. Other capabilities, such as the Symbol Sprayer, aren’t as crucial; most learners can hold off on learning them till a later time. However, some individuals may struggle to know which tools to learn and when to do so.

Another challenging aspect of learning Illustrator is deciding which types of projects should be completed with this app. Those who are new to Illustrator may not be certain whether to use Photoshop or Illustrator to complete a creative project. Even though these programs have similarities, they differ in important ways. Photoshop, a raster graphics application, uses pixels to make images. Illustrator, on the other hand, is a vector graphics app for creating images with points, lines, and shapes.

How Long Does it Take to Learn Illustrator?

All learners differ in terms of the knowledge they bring to the Illustrator learning process, as well as their goals for studying this app. For those who want to learn Illustrator basics, such as how to navigate its interface, it should take only a few hours to do so. Becoming familiar with how to create basic shapes and illustrations will take most learners several days. Those interested in mastering Illustrator’s advanced features to use them in a professional setting will require more time and practice. Typically, training courses like bootcamps require between several days and a full week of time to graduate. Certificate programs that teach Illustrator are longer and require several weeks or months to complete.

Should I Learn Illustrator In Person or Online?

Both in-person and online Illustrator classes are available for Canadians. Each format has its unique advantages and drawbacks.

Most learners find that studying Illustrator through live coursework is the most effective and engaging way to truly master this app. Live online or in-person courses provide students with real-time access to an instructor who’s there to answer questions and provide immediate clarification and support. Students who attend live online classes using Zoom or a similar teleconferencing platform can even opt to share their screen with the instructor (with permission) for additional help. Live coursework also affords students the opportunity to learn alongside others in their cohort, which can provide an added sense of community and camaraderie. In-person classes in Canada take place at a designated training facility that has the most current Adobe CC apps already installed and ready to use. It’s important to keep in mind that in-person classes will require participants to commute to and from each meeting, which means learners must have reliable transportation. This training format may therefore be prohibitive for those who live in remote areas or don’t have access to a car. Live coursework also requires students to attend regularly scheduled classes, which often take place multiple times a week. This can pose challenges for those who work full-time or have busy personal lives.

On-demand Illustrator training is a flexible alternative to live classes. These programs were pre-recorded and placed online, where students can access them on their own time. One of the main benefits of this type of training is that students get to dictate their own learning pace; they can pause and rewind lessons or even rewatch them to ensure they’re learning the material. It’s up to each student how long they wish to spend each day on their training. Some learners may prefer to spend a full weekend learning Illustrator’s basic tools, whereas others may find it more convenient to pace their studies out over several weeks during their lunch break at work. Another incentive for self-paced classes is cost. Whereas live classes can cost hundreds of dollars or more, asynchronous content is usually a much more affordable learning option. Those who opt for on-demand coursework should keep in mind that no instructor will be present for lessons. Therefore, it’s up to each student to find answers on their own to any questions they have.

Can I Learn Illustrator Free Online?

Professional Illustrator training can be costly. The good news is that there are many free online resources to help you learn this app:

Noble Desktop has free Illustrator tutorials and seminars available for those who are interested in learning actionable tips and real-world applications for Illustrator.
Many free Illustrator videos are available on YouTube. Often, these are high-quality tutorials that provide instruction on basic or advanced skills. Some YouTube content only takes a few minutes to watch. Noble Desktop’s Free Seminars page provides pre-recorded content on various Adobe CC apps, Illustrator included. They also provide a graphic design YouTube playlist that covers how to create fashion designs and color images.
Adobe’s official website is another useful resource for learners at all levels. It offers tutorials and pragmatic information on topics like navigating Illustrator’s workspace or creating vector artwork. These tutorials each provide a step-by-step guide that breaks the information into understandable segments that are easy to apply to projects. Adobe also has a robust online community where people can pose questions and find answers.
Udemy and other on-demand educators provide free courses and tutorials that focus on Illustrator. Several Udemy classes take two hours or less to watch and are available for no cost. These include Illustrating with Adobe Illustrator CS, Adobe Illustrator for UX/UI Design, and 3 Useful Tips & Tricks in Adobe Illustrator.

While free resources can be a great place to start in a longer Illustrator learning journey, they usually aren’t sufficient on their own to provide learners with the type of training necessary to perform advanced Illustrator tasks or use this app in a professional setting. Live coursework provides a more effective way for most people to fully learn Illustrator.

What Should I Learn Alongside Illustrator?

Illustrator is commonly used alongside other Adobe CC applications, including InDesign and Photoshop. For this reason, some learners choose to learn all three of these core tools at the same time or back to back. InDesign is the industry-standard application for page design and desktop publishing. It’s used for creating books, magazines, or newspaper spreads, as well as multi-page documents. Photoshop, on the other hand, helps users retouch or edit images. This tool is a go-to for creative individuals who want to enhance pictures or artwork, clean up color, or edit backgrounds. Photoshop has capabilities for manipulating individual photos and large batches of photos. Classes like Noble Desktop’s Creative Cloud Bootcamp, teach Illustrator alongside InDesign and Photoshop so graduates leave with a well-rounded skill set.

Industries that Use Illustrator

Illustrator training is a useful skill in many industries in Canada, including advertising, manufacturing, retail, and nonprofits. Read on to learn more about the role this popular app plays in these core sectors.

Advertising

In Canada, the advertising industry is one of the most prominent sectors in the country. Canada is a world leader in advertising spending. Ad expenses in 2024 have reached $23 billion, which places it in sixth place worldwide. The Canadian digital advertising market expanded by almost 10% in 2023. Those employed in advertising in Canada often work with Adobe Illustrator to create logos and trademarks, as well as print assets like business cards and one-sheeters. Illustrator knowledge is also handy for designing billboards, branding elements, website mockups, and social media graphics.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing is another staple of the Canadian economy. This sector plays a crucial role in the country’s GDP. Many types of manufacturing are prevalent in Canada, including automotive, aerospace, gas, textiles, and oil. Nearly 10% of the country’s GDP in 2023 came from the manufacturing industry. Currently, over 1.7 million Canadians work in manufacturing. The majority of jobs in this sector are in Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta; they account for 81% of the country’s manufacturing revenue. Within Canada’s manufacturing sector, Illustrator can assist with tasks like packaging design, apparel design, and industrial design. Because

Retail

In 2022 in Canada, the retail industry was worth an estimated CA $473 billion. Nearly a quarter-million retailers work in Canada. It’s projected that this industry will grow by 4% by 2027. Within the retail sector, those who know how to use Illustrator to create iconography, graphics, and illustrations. It also can help merchants visualize floorplans so they can maximize space and product sales. This application also can be used to create presentation boards, technical drawings for constructing garments, labels and packaging designs, and even app icons for mobile devices.

Nonprofits

Canada is home to over 170,000 nonprofits and charitable organizations. In 2022, this sector contributed more than $217 billion (8%) to the country’s GDP. Many types of organizations operate within the country’s nonprofit industry, including those that focus on social welfare, community development, or advocacy. Knowledge of Illustrator is useful in this sector because it can help nonprofits create marketing materials, such as fliers for events or social media infographics. It’s also a useful tool for creating posters and other digital assets. Nonprofits that want to use Adobe can apply for a free one-year subscription to Adobe Express Premium. Eligible 501(c)3s can also look int Adobe’s discount program for nonprofits.

Illustrator Job Titles and Salaries

Illustrator training can be used in a variety of career paths in Canada, including fashion design, architecture, digital design, and creative direction. The following sections will explore the basic job requirements for each of these roles and the expected salary ranges.

Fashion Designer

Fashion Designers who work in Canada create various types of clothing and accessories. These professionals perform tasks like collaborating with others on prototype designs, working with CAD programs to create designs, researching fashion trends, and presenting ideas to Creative Directors. In Canada, the average yearly salary for a Fashion Designer is $48,000-$58,000.

Architect

Another career path in which Illustrator skills are useful is architecture. Architects are hired to create designs for buildings and other structures. These individuals oversee projects from conception to completion. On a daily basis, they perform tasks like dealing with compliance issues, writing contracts and bids, visiting construction sites, determining budgets, and communicating with clients. Illustrator training helps them create architectural diagrams, concept diagrams, and marketing proposals. Canadian Architects can expect to make approximately $86,000-$96,000 annually.

Digital Designer

Digital Designers in Canada are hired to design digital assets for use on websites, animations, video games, social media, and mobile apps. They generally have a background working with programs like Muse, InDesign, After Effects, Dreamweaver, and Illustrator. Additionally, they rely on knowledge of typography and color. Some Digital Designers focus entirely on one type of design format like advertising, whereas others are involved more broadly with design-related projects. In Canada, the average yearly salary for a Digital Designer is $51,000-$61,000.

Creative Director

Creative Directors oversee creative projects from the brainstorming phase through their completion. They use programs like Photoshop, Bridge, and Illustrator. On a daily basis, Creative Directors create schedules, provide feedback to team members, and create progress reports. Canadian-based Creative Directors make a competitive salary; they earn approximately CA $119,000-CA $129,000 a year.

Illustrator Classes Near Me

If you want to learn how to use Adobe Illustrator to create attention-grabbing artwork and illustrations, you can find Illustrator classes in Canada by using Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool. Courses are taught in Illustrator as well as graphic design.

Those looking to study Illustrator through live online coursework can enroll in Noble Desktop’s

Graphic Design Certificate. This comprehensive program covers a range of basic design concepts and skills. Participants learn how to use InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator to create visually appealing page layouts, edit photographs, and make scalable graphics. Those who graduate from this class leave with a professional portfolio that satisfies professional design standards. They also incorporate branding material like packaging and logos in their portfolios. This certificate program includes six 1-on-1 mentoring sessions.

Students who are interested in focusing their studies entirely on Illustrator can do so in Noble Desktop’s Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp. This program provides hands-on training that’s intended to take learners from beginner to advanced-level training in Illustrator essentials, including how to work with masks, compound paths, layers, and colors. By the end of this program, participants will be able to work with the Pen tool, create complex shapes, and use drawing templates. A 1-on-1 mentoring session is included in this bootcamp. All Noble classes include a free course retake option for up to a year.

Virtual training is also available from Ledet Training. Students can enroll in Illustrator 101 to receive beginner-level instruction that includes guidance on how to work with Artboards, Workspaces, and the Tool Palette. Instruction is also provided on how to use live Paint and the Pen tool. Students will graduate from this program able to create professional effects and multi-layered logos and designs. Ledet Training also offers Illustrator Advanced for those who want to take their existing vector graphics training further. This intermediate-level program offers small class instruction in topics like advanced clipping masks, patterns, graphics, and the appearance panel. Students also study how to customize their workspace, digitize logos, and use the gradient mesh tool.

Illustrator 101, which is available from The Training Company, is an introductory-level class in which students spend several days learning the basic functions and features of Illustrator, including how to use colors and effects and create multi-layered illustrations. Advanced Illustrator is also available from this provider. This program covers Illustrator’s more complex features. Students learn about transparency effects, perspective drawing, 3D drawing, and live trace. Additionally, The Training Center offers a one-day course called Production & Packaging. This class was designed for those who already have prior Illustrator experience and want to apply their knowledge to packaging production. These courses are all available in person in Toronto.

The Training Company has beginner and intermediate-level instruction available on Illustrator. In Illustrator 101, students devote several days to studying the basic features and functions of the app. Participants learn how to work with effects and colors, use the drawing tool, incorporate text, and create illustrations with multiple layers. The Training Company also has Advanced Illustrator for those interested in mastering this program’s more complex features. Those enrolled explore perspective drawing, transparency effects, live trace, gradient mesh, and 3D drawing. This educator also offers Production & Packaging, a one-day course that is intended for those who already have a background in using Illustrator and want to learn how to use this tool for packaging production. These courses are taught in person in Toronto.

Illustrator Corporate Training

Would those at your workplace benefit from learning how to use Adobe Illustrator to create vector graphics? If so, Noble Desktop can provide corporate and onside Illustrator training for some or all of your employees. Noble offers training for those who are just getting started with this application, as well as employees who already have prior design training. Noble can come directly to your workplace in Canada to conduct training or offer it using a teleconferencing platform. Study options are available in graphic design and Illustrator.

If you want to provide training for multiple employees, bulk vouchers can be purchased at a discount for Noble’s regularly scheduled classes. Coursework can also be customized to ensure that your employees get the most out of their instruction. Training sessions can even be scheduled on weekends or weeknights so that those with busy schedules can attend.

To find out more about Noble’s various Adobe Illustrator training options, feel free to contact Noble today to learn more.

Corey Ginsberg

Corey Ginsberg is a professional writer with two decades of experience creating and editing content. She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Carnegie Mellon University, graduating with honors. Corey also holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Florida International University and served as the editor of Gulf Stream Magazine. She has worked with clients such as the Dick’s Foundation, colleges, invention companies, Nike Swim Camp, The Pentagon, The Pittsburgh Robotics Institute, and major design firms. Drawing from a broad creative, technical, and professional writing background, Corey currently writes about a range of technical topics, including computer programming, data analytics, and computer-aided design.

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Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp Learn The Skills Guarantee™

The Training Company Illustrator 101

The Training Company Advanced Illustrator

Key Insights

Learn More About Canada Illustrator Courses

What is Illustrator?

What Can You Do with Illustrator Training?

What Will I Learn in an Illustrator Class?

Working with the Pen Tool

Using Toolbars

Creating Shapes

Sharing & Saving Work

Collaborating with Others

How Hard is it to Learn Illustrator?

What Are the Most Challenging Parts of Learning Illustrator?

How Long Does it Take to Learn Illustrator?

Should I Learn Illustrator In Person or Online?

Can I Learn Illustrator Free Online?

What Should I Learn Alongside Illustrator?

Industries that Use Illustrator

Advertising

Manufacturing

Retail

Nonprofits

Illustrator Job Titles and Salaries

Fashion Designer

Architect

Digital Designer

Creative Director

Illustrator Classes Near Me

Illustrator Corporate Training

Canada Illustrator Courses by School

Adobe Illustrator CC - Part 1

Adobe Illustrator CC - Part 2

Illustrator Certification Course Online (Self-Paced)

Introduction to Illustrator (Self-Paced)

The Training Company

Illustrator 101

Advanced Illustrator

Production & Packaging

Canada Illustrator Corporate & Onsite Training Noble Desktop

Canada Careers & Salaries Related to Illustrator

Related Classes

Other Areas Within Canada

5 Illustrator Courses Available in Toronto

3 Illustrator Courses Available in Ottawa

3 Illustrator Courses Available in Calgary

3 Illustrator Courses Available in Montreal

3 Illustrator Courses Available in Vancouver

Canada Illustrator
Corporate & Onsite Training