Illustrator Essentials

This class is three sessions: October 10, 24, and 31.

What will you be learning?

This class is designed to teach the fundamental tools used in Adobe Illustrator, the premier vector graphics software on the market. Students will also learn techniques used by graphic design professionals.

How will the class be structured?

• Introduction to the class; my background and experience

• Introduction to Adobe Illustrator history: samples, my work

• Introduction to Adobe Illustrator workspace

• Live Trace demonstration

● Control Panel; Artboards; Menus; Panels;

• Toolbox ­ Selection tools, Shape tools, Reshaping tools

• 10 min Break

• Quick student introductions: Name & interest in Illustrator

• Layers & Groups

• Exploration of tools and techniques

• What you can do: Students will explore specific images

• Q&A

• Study session; practice

How should students prepare?
Read up on the Adobe Illustrator Platform via Wikipedia
Purchase a previous version of Adobe Illustrator (CS4+)or download the trial version of Adobe Illustrator CC (the most current version)

What will you get out of this course?
When completed, this class will have given you a basic understanding of the Illustrator workspace, including Panels and Menus which give you extended capabilities. You will be able to use some tools in the Toolbox allowing you to create shapes and distort those shapes. Finally,you will understand how to layout objects, move them around and organize their positions.

Beginner Level
Have a desire to learn vector graphics for fun, graphic arts or design. Must be familiar with either Mac or Windows operating systems (whichever student will be using) and have access to the software, version CS4+.

Teacher Bio
Ruben Young is a graphic artist and illustrator from California. Taught in the ways of graffiti and aerosol art in his adolescence, he eventually found his way to graphic design, web design &digital illustration. Ruben has 12 years experience in Graphic & Web Design and over 20 years experience in graffiti and illustration. His focus is on creating custom art, graphics & websites for individuals, small to medium sized businesses and nonprofit organizations.