Adobe
Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator gives everyone the ability to be an artist. It doesn't matter if you can draw or not, everyone has the capability to be an illustrator. With a little practice with the pen tool you will find yourself creating things you never thought possible though vector art.

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The Basics

Goal of this Tutorial:

We are going to take a pretty detailed look at Adobe Illustrator, its interface and what it is used for. We will break down where to find the different elements and how to customize them to match your own personal workflow.

Download the file below in order to follow along.
Worksheet
Goal of this Tutorial:

In this lesson we will review the interface of Adobe Illustrator and then we will do a deep dive into the basics of vector design, anchor points and paths inside of this program. We will experiment with how to adjust and alter these shapes using our selection tools and the handlebars.

Download the file below in order to follow along.
Worksheet
Goal of this Tutorial:

In this lesson we are going to take a much deeper dive into the pen tool so that you can begin getting comfortable with creating within this program. The pen tool requires practice to get comfortable with, so let's get to practicing.

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Worksheet
Goal of this Tutorial:

In this lesson we will discuss many of the things that can be done with color and how to utilize the gradients within Adobe Illustrator. This program is really defined by stacking and coloring shapes to produce your desired graphics.

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Worksheet

Intermediate Lessons

Goal of this Tutorial:

To understand and utilize shapes in order to create more complicated and cleaner graphics. We will look at the various shape tools and how they can be adjusted to meet our needs within Adobe Illustrator.

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Worksheet
Goal of this Tutorial:

We will take a closer look at how to create and manipulate and combine different shapes within Adobe Illustrator in order to create more complex graphics. The Shape Builder tool can be used to turn very simple shapes into much more interesting shapes with just the click of a button.

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Worksheet
Goal of this Tutorial:

We will take a look at the Layers Panel and the different things that you can do with it to create the proper hierarchy. We will also spend some time practicing with your pen tool to help reinforce those skills.

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Worksheet
Goal of this Tutorial:

In this lesson we will take a basic look at the type tools and the different things that you can do with them. We will also spend a little time talking about typography and how using your text can draw your audience in, get attention as well as delivering your clients message. You have a huge potential to be creative with type.

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Worksheet
Goal of this Tutorial:

We will focus on the pencil tool and look at how the smooth tool can help us with the pencil tool. We will look at basics of environment creation, building scenes that your characters may walk through. Please follow along in class today.
Worksheet
Goal of this Tutorial:

In this lesson we will look at how we can trace out realistic images where the shapes and colors are not as easily defined. Remember that everyone has a unique eye and this is your place to show your attention to detail.
Worksheet

Advanced and Challenges

Goal of the Tutorial:

We are going to look at how we can take very basic shapes, putting them together in a geometric pattern, in order to create more detailed, complex graphics.

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Worksheet
Goal of this Tutorial:

We will gain a basic understanding of what the brush tool is used for and what it is not while creating our own custom brushes. We will experiment with the different effects as well as looking at the symbols panel.

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Worksheet
Goal of the Tutorial:

To look at Illustrator's ability to repeat vector shapes in a pattern in order to create textures and style within the program. Afterwards we will focus on blending different shapes together in order to create steps of size or color in the blend.

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Worksheet
Goal of the Tutorial:

Today I am going to throw a challenge at you to see what you are capable of with your drawing tools. Pick an image you would like to trace and see how quickly you can trace it out to match the original.

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Worksheet
Goal of the Tutorial:

In this challenge I am looking to see if you can continue a style of tracing that has been started by someone else. Many time you will find yourself working in teams and you will need to be able to match other designers style.

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Worksheet
Goal of this Tutorial:

We are going to look at how to create the multiple different file types that you or your clients may need from this program at some point.

No worksheet needed for this lesson

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