Adobe Illustrator: stage 1

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 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 design and illustration:
• Creating tracing templates
• Plotting and amending paths with Bezier pen tools
• Using pencil, cutting and join tools
• Merging and subtracting shapes with the Shape Builder tool.
• Differences between the Blob brush and Paintbrush tools
• Creating brushes
• Creating a basic pattern
• Working with features for logos and icons
• Introduction to the Type tools
• Using layers to organise your 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 designs
• Use the Pen tool to plot paths and manipulate curves
• Set up and manage tracing templates
• Format and manipulate type
• Create brushes to use with the Paintbrush tool
• Create a simple graphic or illustration
• Use basic transformation tools to transform artwork.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This is an introduction to Adobe Illustrator. However, students should be confident and competent computer users on a Mac or Windows PC and be proficient with a mouse and keyboard in either a creative software, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint or equivalent and should be able to download, upload, save, open and retrieve files. Some awareness of design for print or any other art/design practice would be useful.

You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. 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, practical exercises, tutorials, group and individual assistance. Student preparation and homework outside class times is strongly encouraged.

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?

A pen and paper to take notes. 

When you enrol on a course at the City Lit, you are entitled to student discount on Adobe Creative Cloud. For more information please visit this page City Lit student discount on Adobe Creative Cloud | City Lit

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

City Lit offers a variety of progression courses in this subject area. Please click here to view our courses

Disclaimer: Use of Third-Party Software
This course might require you to either use your own personal account or create an account for the purposes of this course. City Lit cannot accept any responsibility for any failings of the third party or provide technical support. Whilst using the software you will be responsible for abiding by the providers terms and conditions and maintaining your own work.