Illustrator Beginner Crash Course

Duration: 7 Hours (Including Breaks and Hands-on Exercises)
Target Audience: Beginners who want to learn the fundamentals of vector design
Course Type: One-to-One or Small Group


Session 1: Getting Started with Illustrator

📌 Objective: Understand the Illustrator interface and basic tools for vector design.

Topics Covered:

• Navigating the Illustrator workspace (Tools, Panels, Artboards)

• Understanding vector vs. raster graphics

• Creating and saving a new document (Print, Web, and Mobile settings)

• Customizing workspace and preferences

✔️ Hands-on Exercise: Set up a new document, explore the interface, and adjust the workspace layout.


Session 2: Working with Shapes & Paths

📌 Objective: Learn how to create and manipulate vector shapes and paths.

Topics Covered:

• Drawing basic shapes (Rectangles, Ellipses, Polygons, Stars)

• Using the Selection, Direct Selection, and Group tools

• Combining and modifying shapes with the Pathfinder tool

• Drawing with the Pen Tool (Straight and Curved Paths)

• Editing anchor points and Bezier curves

✔️ Hands-on Exercise: Create a simple icon or logo using basic shapes and path tools.


Session 3: Understanding Colors, Strokes & Fills

📌 Objective: Explore colour options and styling techniques for vector artwork.

Topics Covered:

• Using the Swatches panel and Color Picker

• Applying and editing gradients

• Stroke weight, dash patterns, and stroke alignment

• Creating and saving custom colour swatches

• Introduction to transparency and blending modes

✔️ Hands-on Exercise: Design a colourful badge or sticker using gradients and custom colours.


Session 4: Working with Text & Typography

📌Objective: Learn to create and style text effectively in Illustrator.

Topics Covered:

• Adding and editing text (Point Text vs. Area Text)

• Choosing fonts, adjusting size, and formatting text

• Creating and applying text styles

• Typing on a path and text warping

• Outlining text for custom vector effects

✔️ Hands-on Exercise: Design a typographic poster with customized text effects.


Session 5: Using Layers & Organizing Artwork

📌 Objective: Understand how to manage complex projects efficiently using layers.

Topics Covered:

• Working with the Layers panel for organization

• Grouping and locking objects for easier editing

• Arranging objects (Bring Forward, Send Backward)

• Using guides, grids, and smart alignment tools

✔️ Hands-on Exercise: Organize a multi-element design using layers and alignment tools.

 

Session 6: Exporting & Final Project

📌Objective: Learn how to finalize and export artwork for different uses.

Topics Covered:

• Exporting for print vs. digital (PDF, PNG, SVG, EPS)

• Understanding resolution and file formats

• Saving and organizing files efficiently

• Introduction to Adobe Illustrator shortcuts for faster workflow

✔️ Final Project: Create a custom logo or social media graphic using all the learned techniques.