Adobe Illustrator is one of the most popular graphic design tools. If you want to become a graphic designer or illustrator, learn the software from which you should start.
I’m talking about courses, NOT tutorials because as a professional graphic designer, you need to learn the knowledge and understand the concept other than how to use the tools. Tutorials can help you solve a specific problem, but they usually don’t get too deep into the knowledge.
You don’t have to get a college degree to become a graphic designer because there are so many online courses and other resources available. Honestly, when I was a graphic designer student in college, some of my software classes were online.
In this article, you’ll find a list of Adobe Illustrator classes and courses for beginners and intermediates that’ll help you learn and improve your Adobe Illustrator and graphic design skills.
I can’t list out all the amazing courses but I picked some of the best ones. Some classes are targeted more at the tools & basics while others focus more on specific subjects such as logo design, typography, illustration, etc. I hope you find one that fits your needs.
1. IllustratorHow 30 Day Graphic Designer Pro
This course is designed and created from a learner’s perspective. You’ll not only learn Illustrator basics but also the creative process to create any artwork for your specific project.
The cool thing about this course is that there’s an exclusive Facebook group where you can ask any question you have about the course, and connect with other graphic designers in the group.
You will find all aspects of graphic design like logo design, typography design, and even portfolio/career tips. So by the end of the course, you’ll be able to have 4-5 pieces ready to put in your portfolio.
2. Udemy – Adobe Illustrator Courses
Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced, you’ll find Adobe Illustrator courses for different levels. All courses are taught by experienced real-world professionals, and they will guide you through the fundamentals of Adobe Illustrator step by step with some exercises.
This Adobe Illustrator CC – Essentials Training Course is highly recommended for beginners because practice is the key when you first start, and this course includes different projects that you can do following the instructor.
By the end of this course, you’ll learn how to create logos, make vector patterns, illustrate, etc. You should have more than 30 projects that you can choose to add to your portfolio.
3. Domestika – Adobe Illustrator Online Courses
This is where you’ll find Adobe Illustrator courses focusing on different graphic design careers, like Adobe Illustrator courses for fashion design, e-commerce, branding, illustrations, etc.
If you’re a beginner, and not sure which direction you’ll be heading to, the Adobe Illustrator for Beginners or Online Portfolio for Children’s Book Illustrators can be helpful. Both courses are around eight hours, and you’ll learn the basic tools and techniques that you can use to create your own projects, including typography, illustration, print ads, etc.
If you’re a graphic designer who’s interested in looking for improving your drawing skills using Adobe Illustrator, you can also find some advanced classes in different types of illustrations.
4. SkillShare – Online Adobe Illustrator Classes
The classes on SkillShare are for all levels of Adobe Illustrator users. From the Adobe Illustrator Essential Training class, you can learn the tools and basics following the examples.
The beginner course will give you a general idea of what you can do with the tools and you can practice your skills with some hands-on class projects.
If you’re already quite familiar with the tools and basics but want to improve some specific skills like logo design, typography, or illustration, you’ll also find the course that you need.
For example, logo design can be a challenge for many entry-level graphic designers, and this logo design course with Draplin will help you understand more about the logo design process and you can use the skills on your future projects.
5. LinkedIn Learning – Illustrator Essential Training
From this Illustrator Essential Training class, you’ll learn how to use different tools to create shapes and patterns, play with colors, and manipulate images.
The learning method of this course is “do as you learn”, so the course pack includes 20 quizzes that you can practice and test your learning result.
After completing this course, you can also get a certificate on LinkedIn, which can be helpful for your career. Well, your portfolio is still the most important factor that decides whether you’ll get a position or not.
6. CreativeLive – Adobe Illustrator Fundamentals
This is a beginner course that covers the must-know basic tools of Adobe Illustrator such as pen tool, type & fonts, lines & shapes, and colors. You’ll be learning the tools and basics by following and practicing some real-life project examples.
The 5-hour course is broken down into 45 lessons and videos including one final quiz at the end of the course. You should be able to use the mix of the basic tools to create something awesome that you can put into your portfolio.
7. Logos By Nick – Adobe Illustrator Explainer Series
This is a course that’ll guide you through the very details of Adobe Illustrator tools and features. You’ll find more than 100 videos explaining the basics of each tool, and you’ll have access to the videos whenever you need them, as they don’t expire.
I like how Logos By Nick breaks down the courses into short videos because it’s easier to follow and gives you time to process and practice before moving on to the next topic.
Another cool thing about this course is that you’ll have access to their private community if you’re taking the class, so you can ask questions when you run into any troubles during your learning process.
Final Thoughts
These are all great platforms to learn and improve your Adobe Illustrator skills or graphic design skills in general. No matter if you’re just starting out or have a couple of years of experience, there’s always more to learn about graphic design and what you can do with Adobe Illustrator.
Have fun learning!
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