Illustrator 2026
Fundamentals Training Course
On this 3-day beginner to intermediate class you will learn Adobe Illustrator by completing a series of Real World projects. Our instructors will lead you step-by-step through each project, teaching the correct workflow, how to master each tool and show you useful shortcuts to speed up your production. This hands-on training is a proven method for those looking to learn Illustrator.
What's Included
- Certificate of Course Completion
- Training Manual
- FREE Class Repeat (valid for 6 months)
3 Days
$900.00
Live face-to-face instructor
No minimum class size - all classes guaranteed to run!
This course is ideal for designers, marketers and anyone who is pursuing a career in graphic design. No prior experience of Illustrator is needed. Training available on Mac and PC.
Detailed Course Outline
Learn the core concepts of vector design, navigation, and modern Illustrator workflows.
- What’s new in Illustrator 2026
- Lecture: Raster vs Vector (real-world usage)
- Lecture: Artificial Intelligence: (Automation vs Generative)
- Creating New Documents, Presets, and Workspaces
- Working with Images: Open, Place, Embed, Export
- Core Vector Design Workflows used in professional projects
Create artwork efficiently using shape tools and precision drawing features.
- Working with Shapes, Lines, and Smart Guides
- Hidden Shape Tool features and dynamic controls
- Combining shapes to create clean vector artwork
- Popular graphic design techniques using simple geometry
Build confidence creating and modifying custom vector artwork.
- From clip art to clean design assets
- Introducing the Pen Tool with no fear required
- Why the Pen Tool is easier than you think
- Anatomy of the Pen Tool: anchors, handles, curves
- No-skills-needed drawing techniques
Understand type fundamentals and create professional typography layouts.
- Typography basics in Illustrator and Adobe Fonts
- Paragraph text versus Display text
- Making text look intentional and readable
- Introduction to text effects (shadows, glows, and outlines)
Bring all the design elements and images together into one flowing project and create variations for review.
- AI fundamentals: automation versus generative systems
- Vector Generative Art panels and menus
- Prompt structure and refinement strategies
- Exploring controlled variations and filters
Export clean, optimized artwork for screen, print, and digital delivery.
- Essential file formats and when to use them
- Exporting for Screen: Web, Social Media, Video
- Exporting for Digital Distribution: PDF and Interactive PDFs
- Exporting for Print: CMYK workflows and best practices
Learn the core power tools used in professional Illustrator workflows.
- Compound Paths explained clearly
- Compound Shapes with Pathfinder
- Refining complex artwork
- Common mistakes and cleanup strategies
Use compound shapes and paths to create a more advanced
level of vector graphics.
level of vector graphics.
- Logo, branding, and icon techniques
- Shattering designs, cut effects, and offsets
- Faux texturing and controlled complexity
- Troubleshooting tools that appear broken
- The Mockup Tool fully integrated in Illustrator 2026
Speed up production using symbols and reusable artwork.
- What symbols are and why they matter
- Creating, editing, and managing symbols
- Symbol Tool deep dive
- Building complex artwork with symbols
Push typography further with advanced controls and creative effects.
- Character and Paragraph panel deep dive
- Glyphs, ligatures, and stylistic alternates
- Custom typography for branding
- Text effects and Text on a Path workflows
Unlock expressive tools that expand Illustrator’s creative range.
- Warp tools and controlled chaos
- Blend Tool techniques both retro and modern
- Pencil, Smooth, Shaper, and Path tools
- Magic Wand, Lasso, and hidden selection tricks
Combine raster and vector effects intelligently.
- Raster Effects in Illustrator and resolution control
- Why raster effects exist in vector workflows
- Professional use cases for raster effects
- Typography versus artwork versus effects rendering
- Exporting artwork with effects intact
Build, manage, and reuse professional color systems.
- Swatches, Gradients, and Color Theme Libraries
- Sampling and extracting color from artwork
- Working with Spot Colors
- Color management and fi le format implications
Use AI-powered and traditional recoloring tools.
- How Recolor Artwork works in Illustrator 2026
- Applying AI recolor to existing artwork
- Saving alternate color themes to Libraries
- Understanding limitations and best practices
Create expressive and production-ready brush artwork.
- Brush types explained clearly
- Creating basic and advanced brushes
- Applying and editing brush strokes
- Performance considerations and cleanup
Deliver accurate color across print and screen workflows.
- Color Settings and synchronization
- Working with color libraries including Pantone
- Print-focused color setups
- Screen-based color workfl ows
- Fundamental color correction techniques
Go further with A.I. in Illustrator to explore useful web tools and functions like Adobe Express.
- Extend Illustrator using Adobe’s AI ecosystem.
- What Firefly is and where it appears
- Illustrator and Adobe Express workfl ows
- Moving designs between Express and Illustrator
- Using Firefly web tools alongside Illustrator
Generate, refine, and adapt AI-created vector artwork.
- Vector Generative Art fundamentals
- Applying AI to media creation workfl ows
- AI color continuity and style control
- Working with references and stylization
- Deconstructing and redesigning AI artwork
- Using third-party generative content responsibly
Our outlines are a guide to the content covered in a typical class. We may change or alter the course topics to meet the objectives of a particular class.
