Project-based Learning with Illustrator

Project-based Learning with Illustrator (ILL_ATC101)

Course Length: 3 days
Delivery Methods: Available as private class only
Course Overview

If you have a group of five or more people who need to get up to speed on Illustrator quickly, this project-based Illustrator course is what you are looking for. After introducing your team to the Illustrator interface, one of our expert instructors will guide you through multiple real-world Illustrator projects.

The course can be customized to help you get started on an Illustrator project of your own.

Course Benefits
  1. Become familiar with a wide array of Illustrator features.
  2. Gain experience completing real-world projects with Illustrator.
  3. Leave class with a portfolio of projects that you build yourself.
Course Outline
  1. Getting to Know the Interface
    1. Explore the Illustrator Interface
    2. Understanding the Application Frame
    3. Explore the Arrangement of Illustrator Panels
    4. Identifying and Accessing Illustrator Tools
    5. Customizing Tools Panels
    6. Create a Saved Workspace
    7. Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts
    8. Explore the Illustrator Document Window
    9. Explore the Arrangement of Multiple Documents
    10. More about the Control Panel
    11. Moving Around an Illustrator File
  2. Project 1: Campground Icons
    1. Stage 1: Setting up the Workspace
      1. Create a New Document
      2. Define Smart Guide Preferences
      3. Draw Rounded Rectangles
      4. More about Working with Live Corners
      5. Understanding Selection Basics
      6. Control Fill and Stroke Attributes
      7. Control Object Positioning
      8. Understanding Alignment Options
      9. Align and Distribute Objects
      10. Import Template Images
      11. Manage Multiple Layers
    2. Stage 2: Drawing with Basic Shapes
      1. Numerically Transform Drawing Objects
      2. Shear and Reflect Drawing Objects
      3. Manage Artwork with Groups
      4. Using the Group Selection Tool
      5. Create Artwork with Lines
      6. The Stroke Panel in Depth
      7. Draw with Live Shapes
      8. Transforming Objects with the Bounding Box
      9. Understanding the Free Transform Tool
      10. Explore Artwork Outlines
      11. Working with GPU Preview
      12. Draw with the Shaper Tool
      13. Draw with the Pencil Tool
      14. Edit Individual Grouped Elements
      15. Editing Similar Shapes with Global Edit
      16. Project Review
      17. Portfolio Builder Project
  3. Project 2: Regatta Artwork
    1. Stage 1: Drawing Complex Artwork
      1. Prepare the Drawing Workspace
      2. Use the Pen Tool to Trace the Sketch
      3. Understanding Anchor Points and Handles
      4. Understanding Anchor Point and Bezier Curve Tools
      5. Reshape Line Segments
      6. Editing Anchor Points with the Control Panel
      7. Drawing with the Curvature Tool
      8. Build Shapes from Overlapping Paths
      9. More about the Shape Builder Tool
      10. Use the Draw Behind Mode
      11. Using the Draw Inside Mode
    2. Stage 2: Coloring and Painting Artwork
      1. Create Global Custom Color Swatches
      2. Add a Color Gradient
      3. Edit Global Color Swatches
      4. Understanding Color Terms
    3. Stage 3: Creating the Finished Poster
      1. Manage Artwork with Sublayers
      2. Lock and Hide Artwork
      3. Create Shapes with the Blob Brush Tool
      4. Combine Shapes with the Pathfinder
      5. The Pathfinder Panel in Depth
      6. Save the File as PDF
      7. Project Review
      8. Portfolio Builder Project
  4. Project 3: Identity Package
    1. Stage 1: Working with Gradient Meshes
      1. Set up the Workspace
      2. Create a Gradient Mesh
      3. Understanding Gradient Mesh Options
      4. Work in Outline Mode
      5. Edit the Gradient Mesh Lines
    2. Stage 2: Working with Type
      1. Create Point-Type Objects
      2. Point Type vs. Area Type
      3. The Character Panel in Depth
      4. Manipulate Type Objects
      5. More about Working with Fonts
      6. Convert Type to Outlines
      7. Create Custom Graphics from Letter Shapes
    3. Stage 3: Working with Multiple Artboards
      1. Adjust the Default Artboard
      2. Managing Artboard Options
      3. Use the Layers Panel to Organize Artwork
      4. Copy the Artboard and Artwork
      5. Convert Mesh Objects to Regular Paths
      6. The Appearance Panel in Depth
      7. Add Spot Color to the Two-Color Logo
    4. Stage 4: Combining Text and Graphics
      1. Work with Placed Graphics
      2. Create the Envelope Layout
      3. Print Desktop Proofs of Multiple Artboards
      4. Project Review
      5. Portfolio Builder Project
  5. Project 4: Ski Resort Map
    1. Stage 1: Working with Custom Swatches
      1. Manage the Swatches Panel
      2. Define Gradient Swatches
      3. Apply and Control Gradients
      4. Using Spot Colors in Gradients
      5. Edit a Path Profile
      6. Creating Variable-Width Stroke Profiles
      7. Create a Custom Pattern
    2. Stage 2: Working with Brushes
      1. Create a New Art Brush
      2. Understanding Art Brush Options
      3. Control an Art Brush Stroke
      4. Expand Brush Strokes into Objects
      5. Create Pattern Brush Tiles
      6. Create a New Pattern Brush
      7. Understanding Pattern Brush Options
      8. Save Custom Brushes
      9. Working with Adobe CC Libraries
    3. Stage 3: Using Symbols
      1. Open Custom Symbol Libraries
      2. Control Symbol Instances
      3. Replace Symbols
      4. Spray Symbols
      5. Modifying Symbol Sets
      6. Understanding Dynamic Symbols
      7. Create a Clipping Mask
      8. Project Review
      9. Portfolio Builder Project
  6. Project 5: Letterfold Brochure
    1. Stage 1: Creating Documents that Fold
      1. Use Artboards to Create the Panel Layout Structure
      2. Control Artboard Size and Position
      3. Create Margin and Bleed Guides
      4. Create Folding Marks
    2. Stage 2: Working with Imported Images
      1. Place Layout Images
      2. Manage Linked and Embedded Files
      3. Warp a Graphic Object
      4. Crop Images in Illustrator
      5. Unembedding Images
    3. Stage 3: Working with Imported Text
      1. Import Text for the Inside Panels
      2. Thread Multiple Type Areas
      3. Work with Hidden Characters
      4. Using the Find and Replace Dialog Box
      5. Define Paragraph Styles
      6. Import Styles from Other Files
      7. Define a Character Style
    4. Stage 4: Fine-Tuning Text
      1. Apply Smart Punctuation
      2. Control Hyphenation and Justification
      3. Format Tabbed Text
      4. Check Spelling
      5. Create a Job Package
      6. Export a PDF File for Print
      7. Project Review
      8. Portfolio Builder Project
  7. Project 6: Candy Packaging
    1. Stage 1: Building the File Structure
      1. Create the Package File from a Template
      2. Use Image Trace to Create a Complex Image
      3. Understanding Image Trace Options
      4. Sample Colors and Create Custom Swatches
    2. Stage 2: Working with Styles and Effects
      1. Transform and Warp Design Elements
      2. Apply a Warp Effect
      3. Understanding the Glyphs panel
      4. Create a 3D Effect
      5. Create Type on a Path
      6. Type on a Path Options
      7. Place a Native Photoshop File
      8. Apply Transparent Effects
      9. Understanding Transparency Panel Options
      10. Creating an Opacity Mask
      11. Use the Touch Type Tool
      12. Apply a Built-In Graphic Style
    3. Stage 3: Preparing Artwork for Output
      1. Define Raster Effect Settings
      2. Preview Transparency Flattening
      3. More About Outputting Complex Files
      4. Export a PDF File for Proofing
    4. Stage 4: Previewing the Box in 3D
      1. Export Artboards for Screens
      2. Create Symbols for Box Panels
      3. Map the Art to a 3D Box
      4. Project Review
      5. Portfolio Builder Project
  8. Project 7: Consumer Infographics
    1. Stage 1: Creating Charts and Graphs
      1. Distinguishing Types of Graphs
      2. Create a Line Graph
      3. Change Graph Formatting Options
      4. Transform Graph Objects and Graph Components
      5. Format Graph Markers
      6. Unify Template and Graph Elements
      7. Create a Bar Graph
      8. Define Graph Column Graphics
      9. Edit Graph Data
      10. Create a Pie Graph
      11. Edit Pie Graph Elements
    2. Stage 2: Drawing in Perspective
      1. Define the Perspective Grid
      2. Understanding Default Perspective Grids
      3. Draw in Perspective
      4. Moving Objects in Perspective
      5. Work with Type in Perspective
      6. Transforming Perspective Type Objects
      7. Other Perspective Grid Options
      8. Project Review
      9. Portfolio Builder Project
  9. Project 8: Website Interface
    1. Stage 1: Using Color Groups and Live Color
      1. Use a Color Group to Change Multiple Swatches
      2. Use a Color Group to Manage File Colors
      3. More about Recoloring Options
      4. Work with Live Paint Groups
    2. Stage 2: Creating Website Graphics
      1. Examine an HTML Page
      2. Examine the Pixel Grid
      3. Define Object Names
      4. Create a Gradient Page Background
      5. Create Character Styles
      6. Export CSS and Image Files
      7. Manually Export Site Assets
      8. Exporting Assets for Web Design
      9. Project Review
      10. Portfolio Builder Project
Class Materials

Each student will receive a comprehensive set of materials, including course notes and all the class examples.

Live Private Class
  • Private Class for your Team
  • Live training
  • Online or On-location
  • Customizable
  • Expert Instructors
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