Adobe Illustrator: stage 1
Course Code: VG481
Choose a start date
Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This practical course stage offers a rounded introduction to Adobe be it for design or illustration. Best known as the vector application for creating logos and icons Illustrator is widely used in the graphic design, illustration, fashion, packaging, marketing and branding industries for print and web.
Participants who will attend the full course will receive a City Lit certificate of attendance electronically for their CV or CPD records. The certificate will show your name, course title and dates of the course you have attended.
What will we cover?
• Introduction to the Illustrator environment:
• Terminology, workspace and artboards
• Grids and guides
• Paths, strokes and fill
• Working with colour for print and screen
• Creating, manipulating and transforming basic shapes
• Working with features for logos and icons:
• Setting up a tracing template
• Plotting and amending paths with Bezier pen tools
• Using the Pencil, cutting and join tools
• Introduction to the Type tools
• Manipulating type and type on a curved path
• Simplifying artwork and information
• Uses for Blends and gradients
• Introduction to the Paintbrush and Blob Brush tools
• Working with Layers
• Using the transformation tools to transform artwork
• Saving work.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Navigate the Adobe Illustrator interface
• Use drawing tools to create basic shapes and designs
• Use the Pen tool to create and manipulate curves
• Place and trace over a tracing template
• Format and manipulate type
• Create an icon or a logo
• Create a simple info graphic
• Use transformation tools to transform artwork.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an introduction to Illustrator. Students should have good computing skills with some knowledge of Mac or Windows systems and be confident in using the keyboard and mouse either in using the Microsoft Word processing program or with text based creative software.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instruction. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught using a range of techniques including workshops, short lectures, demonstrations, and by completing practical exercises on Computer. Each student has access to a computer for practical work. Student preparation and homework outside class times is strongly encouraged. Notes will be provided.
Should you wish to practice homework you will need to have access to your own Adobe® Creative Cloud licence for Illustrator, which is what will be used to teach this course.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No costs. Should you wish to practice outside class time, you will need to have access to your own licensed Adobe® Creative Cloud software.
Pen and notepad for note taking. You may also find that having a couple of sheets of A4 paper and a ruler to hand would also be useful. Handouts for this course will be provided electronically and are best viewed in Adobe Acrobat Reader (or, if you have full Creative Cloud, Acrobat DC) so may want to have Acrobat on your computer.
As a City Lit student, you may be entitled to student discount on Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Please visit the Adobe website Creative Cloud for education webpage for full details.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please click here to view our courses in the Adobe Creative Cloud.
Gita’s practice as a graphic designer and illustrator spans many years and disciplines within the field. She has worked in print and screen-based media across major broadcast, corporate, NGO, publishing and state sectors. Gita went digital in 1991. She brings her experience and knowledge to teaching Adobe Creative Cloud apps for design and Illustration in different departments within Visual Arts at City Lit. She started teaching evening and weekend courses at City Lit in 2006, having previously provided bespoke workplace-training for companies and organisations. Her classes are regarded as fun, friendly and challenging, with extensive resources for both in-and-after course study.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
