Adobe Illustrator

Learn Adobe Illustrator and create unique digital illustrations, artwork and logos, and prepare graphics for the web using key functions of the Adobe programme while learning the fundamental principles of vector based design.

You will discover in this Adobe Illustrator course how Adobe Illustrator can be used in conjunction with other industry standard software such as Photoshop, InDesign and QuarkXPress.

You will learn:

• what vector based design packages are best suited to produce
• a range of simple editing techniques
• how to use digital illustrations to convey visually striking messages.
• how to do basic preparation of artwork for the web.

Please note: you must have your own copy of Illustrator installed to enrol in our online course.

Who is it for?

Whether you're a novice or an illustration expert, Illustrator offers a range of tools to help you produce professional quality computer graphics.

This practical short evening Adobe Illustrator course is aimed at beginners, and takes place over ten weekly evening classes. You’ll receive quality and up-to-date teaching.

Timetable

Every Thursday for 10 consecutive weeks at 18.30.

City Short Courses follow the academic year, delivering courses over three terms. These include:

• Autumn - October
• Spring - January
• Summer - April

Benefits

Taught by a leading design professional, the Adobe Illustrator short course provides you with a comprehensive basic knowledge of the field of computerised design using the industry's most flexible and exciting vector-based packages.

• A comprehensive overview of computerised design, using the industry's most flexible and exciting vector-based packages. You will learn to produce professional quality computer graphics, using a range of tools, create unique clip-art, Illustrations and logos, prepare graphics for the web; and discover how Illustrator can be used in conjunction with other industry standard packages, such as Photoshop and QuarkXPress/InDesign
• Basic concepts, bitmap images, vector graphics. Setting up a page. Using basic tools, pen, pencil, paintbrush.
• Selecting and grouping objects with magic wand, selection and direct selection tools. Working with objects, anchor points, lines and bezier curves. Geometric objects both manual and with numeric input. Additional tools, smooth, erase, scissor, knife.
• Joining and averaging endpoints. Working with palettes. Groups of objects and layers. Applying appearances and graphic styles to groups and layers.
• Bounding boxes and free transformations. Moving objects. Transformation palette and individual transformation tools. Reshaping and shearing.
• Saving work for print, archiving and for the web. Image formats and their strengths and weaknesses.
• Graphs and charts, building, customizing, transforming Illustrator views, preview and outlines. Illustrator windows and window controls. Zoom functions, context sensitive menus and navigator palette. Show and hide choices, rulers, guides, smart guides, grids and edges. Colour in Illustrator, RGB, CMYK colour systems and libraries.
• Generating ideas on the use of Illustrations in a design process.
• Articulating the messages behind existing illustrations and how that message may be manipulated.
• Creating basic illustrations with the student's own simple message.
• How Illustrator can be used with Photoshop, InDesign, QuarkXPress and other programs.

By the end of the course, you will be able to

• Understand which vector based design packages are best suited to producing, and how the work with leading design packages such as Photoshop, InDesign and QuarkXPress.
• Be familiar with a range of simple editing techniques in vector-based graphic programs.
• Gain an appreciation of the use of digital Illustrations in conveying visually striking messages.
• Undertake basic preparation of artwork for the web.

You will be awarded an official City, University of London certificate if you attend over 70 per cent of the classes. The course is not formally accredited.

Assessment

There’s no formal assessment on this course.

Good working knowledge of the Windows or Macintosh operating system.

English requirements

Applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English.

The tutor will provide materials in class.