Develop your Illustrator capabilities across multiple workshops. These sessions cover the techniques behind scalable, versatile vector graphics.
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 a vector graphics program that’s used to create artwork like logos, icons, and illustrations. Professionals like Visual Artists, Web Designers, and Graphic Designers all work with Illustrator to make artwork for use in web, print, and mobile outlets. Part of the Adobe Creative Cloud (CC), this industry-standard Graphic Design tool has been around for nearly four decades since its release in 1987. The artwork Illustrator users make is created by points, lines, and shapes, which come together to create eye-grabbing designs. This app can repurpose or resize illustrations for many purposes such as product packaging or branded merchandise. One of the main benefits of using Illustrator is it can drastically cut down on the time needed to create professional-grade illustrations that can be mass-produced.
Studying Adobe Illustrator is a great way to learn how to create many types of engaging artwork and illustrations, all of which are infinitely scalable and can be resized for many purposes. Illustrator training has applications in many industries, including advertising, fashion, and graphic design. Those who work with this application can efficiently create artwork that’s intended to help consumers identify products, convey meaning, or spark interest. Most product packaging in Canada is created using vector graphics, which means that most companies that sell products in bulk will need to hire someone who has training in Illustrator.
In addition to its myriad professional uses, Illustrator training is also a great option for non-professionals who want to complete creative tasks. This user-friendly application helps aspiring entrepreneurs establish and maintain a consistent online identity. Those who wish to sell crafts on Etsy can work with Illustrator to design packaging or branding materials. Musicians work with it to create decals. Even activists in the nonprofit sector in Toronto rely on this app to make logos that are easy to recognize. Since effective, clear visual communication is valued across industries and professions, Illustrator continues to be an in-demand tool for both creative professionals and non-professionals.
When you sign up for an Illustrator course, you may not be certain what to expect. All courses differ in terms of their difficulty level, duration, and scope (some programs focus entirely on Illustrator, whereas others are broader and teach several Adobe CC apps). While all coursework differs, most programs provide instruction on this program’s core features and functions such as how to create and edit basic shapes, share or save work, work with the Pen tool, and use the toolbars.
Illustrator courses often teach students how to create and edit basic shapes using the Shapes tool. Once a shape is created, its properties can be adjusted by using the Properties panel. Those who wish to resize, move, or rotate a shape can do so via the Selection tool. Illustrator users who want to change several similar or identical shapes can do so by activating the Global Editing feature.
Illustrator coursework will likely provide instruction on how to save and share illustrations. Participants learn how to easily export their work in formats like PDFs, SVGs, JPEGs, or PNGs. Most beginner-level classes also teach learners how to use the Package command to share their creations with others.
Illustrator provides users with basic and advanced toolbars. Those working with this app can create multiple toolbars or customize the existing ones. Introductory-level coursework will likely teach students how to work with the basic toolbar, which has a range of useful tools like the Pen, Hand, and Text tools.
One of Illustrator’s most popular features is the Pen tool. Training programs often cover how to create lines by connecting anchor points. They also teach skills like how to add corner points, create curves with controlled paths, remove direction lines, or set the stroke fill and weight.
Illustrator training doesn’t only teach hard skills, students also learn how to be better collaborators. Since live training programs often provide students with the opportunity to complete group projects, coursework is an opportunity for learners to become better at clearly communicating their ideas, receiving or giving constructive feedback, and articulating their artistic vision in a group setting. Those who graduate from these programs benefit from the feedback from their peers and the instructor and graduate better able to promote their skills.
Before you get started learning Illustrator, you may wonder how difficult it will be to work with this vector graphics tool. While Illustrator is considered to be largely accessible to novices, some may still be a bit intimidated when they get started due to the many tools and functionalities this program offers.
The challenges you’ll encounter when studying Illustrator are largely dependent on how you intend to use your training. Those interested in creating basic designs will likely find it much easier and faster to learn this tool than those looking to create professional-grade business logos. Students who already know how to work with other Adobe CC apps like Photoshop or InDesign may find it easier to pick up Illustrator since they’re already familiar with Adobe’s basic interface layout. Additionally, learners who have prior design training will likely find it more intuitive to use Illustrator than those new to basic design concepts.
It’s common for Illustrator users to struggle more in the initial phases of learning this app, especially as they explore how to use its capabilities. It can feel daunting to try to learn all 87 tools that come with it. Some tools, including the Type or Pen tools, are important to learn early on, whereas others, like the Symbol Sprayer, aren’t as essential and can be learned at a later time. It can be hard to determine which tools to learn and when.
Another struggle some learners have when studying Illustrator is figuring out what types of projects are most useful for completing. Some individuals who are new to Illustrator may be confused if it’s better to complete their creative project using Photoshop or Illustrator. While these programs have some similarities, Photoshop is a raster graphics program that uses pixels to create images and Illustrator is a vector graphics program that uses shapes, lines, and points to create images.
Since no two learners are the same, the timeframe for learning Illustrator is largely subjective and depends on the knowledge that the student brings into their studies, as well as their ultimate goals for learning this app. Those interested in learning only the basics, like how to navigate Illustrator’s interface, will only take a few hours for most individuals. Using it to create basic shapes and illustrations will require an average of a few days. However, to truly master this app’s advanced features for professional use will take longer. Most training courses, like bootcamps, span several days or a full week. Certificate programs tend to be longer and may require weeks or months of study.
The decision whether to study Illustrator through in-person or online training is an important consideration. There are advantages and drawbacks to each format.
For most learners, studying Illustrator through live coursework, either in-person training or live online classes, is the most effective and engaging way to master this software. Students not only benefit from the real-time support from the instructor, who’s there to answer questions in real time, but also the support of the other learners in their cohort. Those who attend live online classes can even grant the instructor permission to share their screen for additional help. Those who attend class in-person in Toronto can take advantage of the training center’s computers, which all have the most current Adobe CC apps ready to use. Those interested in live coursework should keep in mind that in-person training typically takes place in or near Toronto. This type of study may be prohibitive for those who don’t have access to reliable transportation. Live training also requires that students attend classes that meet regularly, which can pose challenges for those with full-time jobs.
The most flexible way to learn Illustrator is through on-demand classes. These programs were recorded at an earlier time and are available online for students to watch on their own time, at their own pace. Each student gets to determine their learning speed and when they wish to complete coursework. Some individuals may prefer to devote an entire weekend to studying this app’s basic features, whereas others may prefer to space their studies out over several weeks. Cost is a major incentive for asynchronous training. Unlike live classes, which can cost hundreds of dollars (or more), self-paced training is typically a much more affordable option. It’s important to remember that no instructor is available in on-demand classes, which means it’s up to the students to find answers on their own to any questions they have.
It can be expensive to enroll in professional Illustrator training. The good news is that many excellent resources are available for free online:
Although free resources can provide a great starting place in a longer Illustrator learning journey, they usually aren’t sufficient for those who want to apply their training professionally or learn this application’s advanced features. Live courses are often a more effective way to fully learn Illustrator.
Because Illustrator is often used with other Adobe CC apps like Photoshop or InDesign, some learners opt to learn all three at the same time or back to back. InDesign is the industry-standard desktop publishing application used for page design and layout in newspapers, magazines, or books. It’s also a great resource for creating multi-page documents.
Photoshop is used to retouch or edit images. This popular application is a go-to for those who want to create or enhance their artwork or photos, clean up their color, remove red-eye, or change backgrounds. Large batches of photos, as well as individual images, can all be manipulated using Photoshop. Some courses, including Noble Desktop’s Adobe Creative Cloud Bootcamp, teach Illustrator alongside Photoshop and InDesign.
Illustrator is a staple tool across industries, especially those where marketing materials are used to quickly convey messages and drive sales. In the following sections, some top Toronto industries in which Illustrator training is useful will be explored.
Toronto’s supermarket industry is one of the city’s most prominent sectors. The grocery store and supermarket industry in Ontario is worth CA $37 billion. Nearly 4,000 grocers and supermarkets can be found in Ontario. Within Toronto’s supermarket industry, Illustrator training is helpful because it can help supermarkets create coupons or promotional handouts to advertise sales. Since it’s vector graphics software, the images created in Illustrator can be scaled down or up without affecting their quality. This makes it a useful tool to print banners and signs that vary in size.
Toronto is the largest financial center in Canada and the second-largest financial industry located in North America. Some of the country’s most prominent banks like the Bank of Montreal or the Royal Bank of Canada, are headquartered in Toronto. The city is also celebrated for providing one of the safest banking systems in the world. Those who know Illustrator and work in finance rely on this app for many purposes. Its templates are a great resource for creating polished annual reports. This app also can help create vector graphics that can be printed on signs or banners to advertise.
Canada is a worldwide leader in advertising spending, and Toronto is the country’s largest media market. Currently, Canada ranks sixth in the world with ad expenses, which totals CA $23 billion in 2024. Nearly 1.1 million Canadians work in marketing careers in Canada, which is over 6% of the country’s total workforce. In 2023, the Canadian digital advertising market grew by nearly 10% and ranked sixth in the world. The job demand in Canada remains high for marketing professionals who specialize in communication, content marketing, digital marketing, data analysis, or project management.
Marketing and advertising professionals use Illustrator to design trademarks, logos, and print collateral like one-sheeters and business cards. Illustrator training is also useful for making social media graphics, website mockups, branding elements, and billboard designs.
Another prominent Canadian sector is nonprofits. In 2022, this industry contributed over 8% to the country’s GDP (CA $217 billion). Toronto alone has over 14,000 nonprofits. Many different types of organizations are included in the country’s nonprofit sector, including those that focus on advocacy, community development, or social welfare. In the nonprofit sector, knowledge of Adobe Illustrator is useful because it can help nonprofit organizations create marketing materials like social media infographics or flyers for events. It also has applications for creating digital or print assets like research posters. Nonprofits interested in working with Adobe can qualify for a free one-year subscription to Adobe Express Premium. Additionally, eligible 501(c)3 organizations can explore Adobe’s discount program for nonprofits.
Adobe Illustrator training can prepare you for many career paths in Canada, including digital design, architecture, fashion design, and marketing analysis. Read on to learn the basic requirements for each of these career paths, as well as the expected salary ranges for each role.
Digital Designers who work in Canada create digital assets for outlets like animations, websites, video games, advertising, mobile apps, and social media. To do so, they draw from their experience using apps like Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Illustrator, Muse, After Effects, and InDesign. They must also be trained in color and typography. While some Digital Designers choose to focus on a particular type of design format such as internet advertising, others focus more broadly on design-related projects. The average salary in Toronto for Digital Designers is CA $55,000–CA $65,000 a year.
Architects create designs for structures like buildings that must be sustainable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. These professionals typically oversee a project from conception to completion. This includes working with budget constraints, tackling issues that arise, ensuring compliance, preparing bids and contracts, visiting construction sites, and communicating with clients. Illustrator training is useful for Architects in Canada because it helps them create architectural diagrams, marketing proposals, and concept diagrams. Toronto-based Architects can expect to make CA $50,000–CA $60,000 annually.
Those who work as Fashion Designers in Toronto are hired to create clothes and accessories. On a daily basis, they research fashion trends, work with computer-aided design programs to generate designs, collaborate to create prototype designs, present ideas to Creative Directors, and supervise how their designs are being produced. The average pay rate in Toronto for a Fashion Designer is CA $45,000–CA $55,000 annually.
Creative Directors carry creative projects out from brainstorming to completion. These individuals regularly work with programs like Illustrator, Bridge, and Photoshop and perform tasks like providing team members with feedback, creating schedules, and making progress report presentations. In Toronto, salary ranges for Creative Directors are competitive; these professionals can expect to make CA $119,000–CA $129,000 a year.
If you’re interested in learning how to create vector graphics using Adobe Illustrator, you can search for Illustrator classes in Toronto using Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool. Coursework is available in Illustrator and graphic design.
Those interested in studying live online can enroll in Noble Desktop’s Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp. This hands-on program progresses from beginner to advanced-level training on core Illustrator skills, including how to work with layers, colors, compound paths, and masks. By course completion, students will know how to use drawing templates, the Pen tool, and complex shapes. All students receive a complementary 1-on-1 mentoring session with tuition.
Noble also offers a Graphic Design Certificate for learners who want to study a range of design-related tools. This rigorous course provides learners with a foundation in basic design skills and concepts. Participants work with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign to create scalable graphics, retouch images, and create visually appealing page layouts. Graduates of this program leave with a professional portfolio that meets professional design standards and includes the design projects they completed during certificate study. They also learn how to add branding material like logos and packaging to their portfolios. Six 1-on-1 mentoring sessions are included with tuition. All Noble classes are available live online and include a free course retake for up to one year.
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 for this 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.
Ledet Training offers live online courses for those interested in studying Illustrator through virtual training. Illustrator 101 offers beginner-friendly training how to work with the Tool Palette, Workspaces, and Artboards. Students also learn how to use the Pen tool and Live Paint. By the end of this program, those enrolled will be able to create professional effects, multi-layered designs, and logos. Illustrator Advanced is also available from Ledet Training for students interested in taking their Illustrator knowledge to the next level. In this intermediate-level program, participants receive hands-on training on how to use the Appearance panel, design advanced clipping masks, work with patterns, add graphs, and customize their workspace. By course completion, students will be comfortable with basic symbolism, logo digitization, and the gradient mesh tool.
If the employees at your workplace in Toronto would benefit from studying Illustrator, Noble Desktop is available to help. Noble offers corporate and onsite Illustrator training for those who are new to this industry-standard application, as well as employees who already have design experience and want to take their skills further. Noble can provide training sessions for some or all of your employees directly at your workplace or remotely using Zoom. Training options are available in Illustrator and graphic design.
If you want to provide training for multiple employees, you can purchase bulk vouchers at a discount for Noble’s regularly offered classes. You can also opt to customize coursework so that each employee will get the most out of their training. Instruction can be provided on weeknights and weekends to accommodate those who have busy schedules.
To learn more about the types of Illustrator training Noble can provide, don’t hesitate to contact Noble Desktop to learn more.