Build your illustration and branding skills in Adobe Illustrator through practical exercises in vector-based design.
Learn how to draw and edit vector graphics using Adobe Illustrator. This course covers the basics and advanced features, including the Pen tool, effects, layers, masks, and more. Perfect for creating logos, icons, and packaging.
Begin your journey as a professional graphic designer by learning the essential skills and tools used by industry experts. Gain hands-on experience in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator, and create a stunning portfolio to showcase your talent to potential employers or clients.
Build professional-level Illustrator skills and earn your Adobe Certified Professional credential through hands-on classes, private tutoring, and real-world projects. This certification program covers everything from vector drawing to logo design, giving you the tools to succeed on the exam.
Illustrator is Adobe’s industry-standard vector graphics editing software. With Illustrator, users can create illustrations, logos, website mockups, icons, and typography using vector graphics. Illustrator has become a popular design software among Content Creators, Graphic Designers, Marketers, and Architects.
Adobe developed Illustrator for the Mac computer in 1985 and released the software in 1987. The co-founder and CEO of Adobe, John Warnock, created Illustrator to automate tasks for his Graphic Designer wife. Before Illustrator’s release, graphic design depended on raster-based programs, which utilize pixels to represent images. Illustrator’s focus on vector graphics is intended to render graphics infinitely scalable. Since Illustrator’s initial release, Adobe has published 29 generations of the software, including a subscription-based version only accessible to Creative Cloud subscribers.
Marketing teams use Illustrator to create graphics for marketing campaigns, including social media content, magazine advertisements, and billboard ads. Illustrator’s vector-based nature provides designers with the perfect tool to create scalable designs that won’t lose quality, no matter how much you need to scale the design up or down. Designers can use the same advertisement across print mediums without worrying about losing clarity or detail. This feature also allows teams to work quickly when trying to produce uniform designs for different mediums.
Illustrator isn’t just for commercial use. You can use Illustrator when working on personal projects. People turn to Illustrator to create invitations, design artwork, and experiment with typography. If you want to test out Illustrator for a personal project but find yourself worrying about the cost, sign up for a free trial or enroll in Illustrator training where you can get hands-on experience with the many purposes of Illustrator.
In a beginner-level Illustrator class, you’ll learn the fundamentals of using Illustrator, including the program’s interface, how to use tools and panels, and how to set up documents. Some classes include lessons with the vector Pen Tool using drawing templates to help you master this powerful and challenging feature. You can also expect to learn about the different types of graphics that users can create with Illustrator.
Professionals who use Illustrator, like Graphic Designers and Marketers, often need to work in a team setting. In an Illustrator class, you may have the chance to work with a team on design projects. Team-based projects will allow you to improve your communication and collaboration skills, including conflict resolution.
Illustrator is a complex program that can prove challenging for some individuals to learn. The program’s interface sometimes overwhelms learners because of its many tools and features. It helps to familiarize yourself with the workspace and frequently used tools before attempting to create graphics.
Another challenging aspect of Illustrator is the Pen Tool. This tool has a high learning curve. The Pen Tool requires precision, which can feel awkward for designers used to drawing freeform. The tool also lacks immediate feedback, meaning what you’re drawing does not appear on the screen until you’ve completed the path, making it harder to gauge your progress. Despite these challenges, with enough practice and expert guidance, you can master Illustrator.
You can develop basic skills in Illustrator within about one to two weeks. Basic-level skills include navigating the interface, creating shapes, and using simple tools. If you have no prior experience with Illustrator or similar software, you may need a few more weeks of consistent practice to ensure you have the basics down. Intermediate-level skills, like using the Pen Tool and layers, take around one to three months to develop. Most individuals take about three to six months, possibly more, to develop advanced-level Illustrator skills. Advanced users can create intricate illustrations and work with complex typography. The more real-world practice you have with Illustrator, the faster you’ll master the software.
You can enroll in an in-person or online Illustrator program. In-person classes allow you to learn Illustrator in a traditional classroom environment. You’ll attend scheduled sessions with other students and learn from an expert instructor. In-person classes are commonly available in metropolitan areas on weekdays, evenings, or weekends. If you can’t attend in-person or no classes are available in your area, consider a live online course. These classes offer a similar structure to in-person sessions, but take place remotely. You’ll log on to the instructor’s choice of web conferencing platform and learn from the comfort of your home or office.
If you want to learn Illustrator but can’t attend live sessions, check out asynchronous courses available online. These on-demand style courses allow students to learn at their preferred pace by logging into a virtual classroom and working through course material independently. Asynchronous courses offer a flexible option for busy students who can’t find time to attend live instruction. However, they lack live feedback from instructors, which can make it harder to troubleshoot or ask questions in real time.
Before enrolling in an Illustrator course, you can learn the basics of Illustrator online for free. Free on-demand short-form Illustrator classes from Udemy and Coursera will teach you foundational principles. Training centers and schools also upload tutorials to YouTube to help beginners familiarize themselves with the software. If you have questions or want to learn Illustrator tips and tricks, online forums are a great place to find community support. After learning the basics for free online, consider formal training options to expand your skill set and explore advanced Illustrator functions.
If you have design aspirations, consider learning other design programs alongside Illustrator. Adobe Photoshop lets users manipulate images and create graphics for both print and digital projects. You can design in Illustrator and import the project into Photoshop for editing. InDesign is another Adobe product used in publishing. It’s ideal for layouts for books, magazines, and brochures. You can use Illustrator to create assets and import them into InDesign to complete your project.
If you want to level up your skills, learning UX/UI design alongside Illustrator can be helpful. Understanding UX/UI design principles will allow you to create user-friendly interfaces for websites and apps. Within Illustrator, you can apply your knowledge of color and typography to design accessible and aesthetically pleasing digital experiences.
Ready to find a career where your Illustrator skills are useful? Explore these industries in Orlando where professionals use Illustrator and related design tools regularly.
Over 74 million tourists visited Orlando in 2023, drawn by the city’s theme parks, dining, sports events, and warm climate. Graphic Designers in the tourism industry use Illustrator to design advertisements and infographics. Illustrator is often used to create travel brochures, maps, social media graphics, and merchandise.
The aerospace industry is a key part of Orlando’s economy. Major industry players such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman are active in the area. Nearby Kennedy Space Center has also played a role in developing the local aerospace presence. Designers in this industry use Illustrator to create technical drawings, branding materials, and training assets.
Orlando’s film and television industry has grown thanks to its varied locations, production facilities, and support from film festivals and local events. Adobe Illustrator plays a key role in this industry. Designers use it to create concept art, storyboards, marketing assets, and title graphics. Some studios also design Illustrator assets that are later incorporated into visual effects.
Looking to use your Illustrator skills professionally? Here are common job titles and salaries where Illustrator plays a key role.
Digital Designers create visual content using digital tools such as Illustrator. They work on websites, logos, social media campaigns, and user interfaces. A successful Digital Designer understands design theory and can communicate effectively with clients, designers, and Project Managers. The average salary for a Digital Designer in Orlando is $66,000.
Digital Marketers promote products and services using digital platforms. They’re responsible for content marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, and campaign analytics. This role requires creativity, design knowledge, and data analysis skills. Digital Marketers in Orlando earn an average annual salary of $55,000.
Product Managers oversee the development of a product from concept to launch. They manage budgets, timelines, and team workflows while solving problems and analyzing data. Product Managers in Orlando earn an average of $123,500 per year.
Ready to learn Illustrator? You can enroll in Orlando-based or live online Illustrator classes today.
Noble Desktop’s Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp is a live online course that teaches basic and advanced Illustrator features. You’ll practice using the Pen Tool and create vector graphics with gradients and blends. This 18-hour course includes hands-on training in small groups, plus one 1-on-1 mentoring session to review class topics or receive feedback on your work.
The Illustrator Certification Program prepares students for the Adobe Certified Professional exam. In addition to 18 hours of small-group training, the program includes two 3-hour private tutoring sessions. You can also opt to replace the exam with an additional hour of private tutoring.
Certstaffix Training offers a three-day Adobe Illustrator 2024 Course for beginners. Students will learn how to create varied visual designs, work with color and typography, and master the fundamentals of Illustrator 2024. Classes can be taken remotely with a live instructor or delivered onsite for teams. Graduates receive a certificate of completion and a digital badge.
Ed2go and the University of Central Florida offer an on-demand Adobe Illustrator CC course covering certification topics and more. Suitable for beginners and advanced users, the course teaches vector graphics, advanced tools, and Illustrator workflows for real-world projects.
Does your team need Illustrator training? Noble Desktop provides live online and onsite corporate training tailored to your business’s needs. Group vouchers are available at a discount, and employees can choose their own schedules from a selection of approved classes.
Contact corporate@nobledesktop.com to learn more or schedule a free consultation to find the best Illustrator training solution for your team.