Adobe Illustrator Basics for Beginners
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Adobe Illustrator Basics for Beginners
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Instructor: Skillshare
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There are 4 modules in this course
This beginner-friendly course is perfect for aspiring designers, creatives, and anyone curious about using Adobe Illustrator—even if you've never drawn a thing in your life. With expert guidance from instructor Khara Plicanic, you'll learn how to build graphics, not just draw them, using Illustrator’s powerful vector tools.
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to: * Navigate Illustrator’s interface with ease * Create custom brushes and experiment with color palettes * Use the Pen Tool confidently with a foolproof, frustration-free method * Understand key features like layers, strokes, fills, and basic effects * Apply time-saving tips and shortcuts to streamline your workflow To be successful in this course, no prior experience is necessary—just a willingness to explore and try new things. Everything you need is included: helpful reference files, shortcut guides, and even progressive project versions so you can follow along at your own pace. Whether you're brand new to Illustrator or you've tried and given up before, this course is designed to help you finally “get it” in a way that’s fun, clear, and confidence-boosting. Instructor bio: A professional photographer and designer for more than 20 years, Khara’s a natural born teacher who’s been sharing inspiration & know-how with fellow creatives around the world for nearly two decades. Her fun and approachable teaching style has earned her rave reviews on global platforms including CreativeLive and AdobeMax and she's honored to be a regular presenter at CreativePro, Photoshop Virtual Summits, and DesignCuts Live. She's authored several books with Peachpit and Rockynook publishers, been a featured speaker at a local TEDx event, and regularly creates content for CreativePro, PixelU, My Photo Artistic Life, and more. When Khara's not making futile attempts at reclaiming hard drive space or searching the sofa cushions for a runaway Wacom pen, she can be found plotting her next craft project, catching up with her favorite latenight hosts, or trying to remember where she left her phone. Find her at KharaPlicanic.com
Start your journey in Adobe Illustrator by learning the essential interface, tools, and techniques for building your first designs. This module sets the stage with fundamentals and gets you hands-on quickly by focusing on core vector shapes—key building blocks for all future projects.
What's included
3 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
3 videos•Total 26 minutes
- What You'll Learn•2 minutes
- Illustrator Fundamentals•4 minutes
- Building With Shapes•20 minutes
1 reading•Total 30 minutes
- Project Instructions•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Module 1 Quiz•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- New Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
This module focuses on the creative potential of Illustrator’s intermediate tools. You’ll explore how to blend shapes, transform objects, and work confidently with color—all critical skills for taking your designs beyond the basics and developing a more professional, polished look.
What's included
3 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt
3 videos•Total 37 minutes
- Blend and Shape Builder Tools•10 minutes
- The Magic of Transform Functions & Effects•14 minutes
- Tips & Tricks for Working with Color•13 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Module 2 Quiz•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- New Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
Push your creative limits by experimenting with dynamic drawing tools and styling techniques. In this module, you’ll learn how to add flair to your designs with layered strokes, custom brushes, and advanced drawing workflows—perfect for developing a unique, expressive illustration style.
What's included
4 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt
4 videos•Total 46 minutes
- The Super (N)ifty Pencil Tool•9 minutes
- Rocking the Rotate Tool•15 minutes
- Adding Multiple Strokes and Fills•7 minutes
- Creating a Custom Brush + "Draw Inside"•15 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Module 3 Quiz•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- New Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
End the course by mastering the most important tool in Illustrator—the Pen Tool—and ensuring your work is ready to share. You’ll also learn how to export your projects properly and get inspired to take the next steps in your Illustrator journey.
What's included
3 videos1 assignment1 peer review1 discussion prompt
3 videos•Total 22 minutes
- Making the Pen Tool Painless (For Real!)•17 minutes
- Saving and Exporting•5 minutes
- Next Steps•1 minute
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Module 4 Quiz•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
- Course Project•60 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- New Discussion Prompt•10 minutes
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