Illustrator Fundamentals: Intermediate (1 Day)

Course Description

Adobe Illustrator is an essential design tool for anyone who needs to express ideas visually in print, on the web, and in any other medium. In this 1-day intermediate course, you will get a focused overview of the interface, tools, and drawing features of Illustrator. You will learn, step-by-step, key techniques for workspace navigation, selection, shape creation, precise drawing tools, and the Pen tool. This combination of instructor-led demonstration and hands-on practice is led by our experienced instructors.

Who Should Attend

Creative professionals seeking the fastest, easiest and most comprehensive way to learn Illustrator.

Prerequisites:

Practical working knowledge of computers and basic Mac OS X or Windows skills.

Course Outline:

Note: The curricula below comprise activities typically covered in a class at this skill level. The instructor may, at his/her discretion, adjust the lesson plan to meet the needs of the class.

Restoring default preferences and managing workspaces
Exploring tools, Control panels, and navigating multiple artboards
Selecting, grouping, hiding, locking, and aligning objects
Exploring object arrangement and selecting similar objects

Lesson 2: Basic Drawing & Shape Creation

Creating documents and working with basic shapes
Utilizing drawing modes (Draw Normal, Behind, Inside)
Using Image Trace to convert raster images to vector artwork
Working with artboards, rulers, and transformation guides

Lesson 3: Precise Drawing Tools & Editing Shapes

Drawing with the Curvature tool, Pencil tool, and Join tool
Editing paths, combining shapes, and using the Pathfinder panel
Creating compound paths and applying custom stroke options (dashed lines, arrowheads)
Modifying path stroke thickness with the Width tool

Lesson 4: Drawing with the Pen Tool

Understanding anchor points, direction handles, and curved paths
Precision vector drawing using the Pen tool
Adding, deleting, and editing anchor points and control handles