Adobe Illustrator training in-class or online
Introduction to Illustrator training

2 days
In centre:
£375+ VAT
Live online:
£345+ VAT

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Birmingham / Bromsgrove training centre

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Manchester training centre

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Milton Keynes training centre

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Reading training centre

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Key details

Key details

Illustrator training course for beginners, teaching key techniques for creating and editing vector graphics quickly and effectively.

Adobe Illustrator is the industry-leading application for working with vector graphics. The comprehensive set of tools and features available provides everything you need to produce extraordinary graphics for print, video, the web and mobile devices.

Introduction to Illustrator training covers key tools and features, teaching you how to:

  • Use Illustrator’s powerful drawing tools to work with shapes and layers, and apply effects and styles.
  • Create sophisticated artwork and graphics for print, web, interactive, mobile and motion designs.
  • Create logos with special type effects.
  • Use Illustrator’s powerful Image Trace and Live Paint tools.

You also investigate the most effective ways of integrating Illustrator into your workflow.

This course is ideal for new and novice Illustrator users who needs to create illustrations, logos, maps, graphs, diagrams, advertisements and other graphics.

Upcoming course dates

Live online training
Birmingham / Bromsgrove
Cardiff
Manchester
Milton Keynes
Nottingham
Sheffield
View all course dates and book

In-class or online

This course is available in-class at eight centres or live online.

Expert trainers

Illustrator courses are hosted by Adobe Certified Professionals with vast experience of using the application professionally. See Expert trainers.

How will I learn?

Illustrator training is hands-on and practical.

Our trainers teach the necessary theory then demonstrate techniques step-by-step. You then practice the techniques taught on a computer running Illustrator. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to ask questions.

Windows or Mac

Illustrator works almost identically on the Windows and Mac platforms.

Our centres offer both Windows and Mac computers for delegates to use, so you can choose to carry out exercises on the platform you’re familiar with.

Illustrator training guide and certificate

Course delegates receive:

  • A practical Illustrator training guide, to refer to during the course and use as a refresher after. Choose from a printed, bound guide or a PDF – whatever suits you best. If you’re participating online and you choose a printed guide, we’ll post this to you.
  • An e-certificate confirming successful course completion. Click here to see an example of the certificate you receive.

After course support

Following Illustrator training, delegates are entitled to 30 days’ email support from their Illustrator trainer to help with any post-course issues. For further details, see Support.

Prerequisites

No prior Illustrator knowledge is necessary.

Illustrator version

Training is based primarily on Illustrator 2024. The techniques taught are relevant to all recent releases of Illustrator.

All Illustrator training is suitable for both Windows and Mac users.

Our guarantees to you

We offer:

On-request Illustrator training available

Introduction to Illustrator training is also available on-request, i.e. one-to-one training or a ‘closed course’ for your group, hosted at one of our centres, your venue or online.

On-request Illustrator training can be tailored to take into account any existing knowledge you have, and the work you’re going to be doing. Please contact us for a quote.

General information

General information

Course times

9.30am–4.30pm.

Payment

Payment for Illustrator training can be made by:

  • Bank transfer. Please call 01527 834783 for our bank details.
  • Card. All major credit and debit cards accepted. Payment can be made securely online or over the phone. Card payments are processed by Stripe. Armada doesn’t record or store your card details.

Purchase orders

We accept purchase orders from UK-registered companies and public sector organisations.

Cancellations and transfers

You can cancel a booking on a scheduled training course, or transfer to a later course, without penalty providing you give us 10 working days’ notice. Any fees already paid will be refunded.

If you cancel a booking on a scheduled Introduction to Illustrator course giving less than 10 working days’ notice, or request a transfer to a later course, a cancellation/transfer fee is payable. The fee charged depends on the notice period given. For details, see cancellation terms.

Different terms apply for the cancellation or postponement of an on-request course (one-to-one training or a ‘closed course’ for your group). For details, see course cancellations.

Terms and conditions

Training course bookings are subject to our terms and conditions.

Expert trainers

Expert trainers

Introduction to Illustrator training courses are hosted by:

Matt Haddock

Matt Haddock Autodesk Certified Instructor

Matt is one of the UK’s leading creative software trainers. He has hosted training in Adobe’s core graphics packages, InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop, at all levels, for over 20 years.

Matt brings a wealth of industry knowledge. When not training, he continues to work as a graphic designer, working on a variety of projects in areas including promotion, identity, publishing and graphics.

He has a friendly, familiar approach to training, encouraging delegates to ask questions and take full ownership of the skills they learn.

Lynne Telfer

Lynne Telfer Autodesk Certified Instructor

Lynne Telfer is highly experienced instructor with over 25 years’ experience working as a professional trainer.

In the late nineties, Lynne worked for Adobe as a trainer and consultant, hosting courses in FrameMaker and other applications at all levels for Adobe’s clients. She’s provided training in Adobe’s Technical Communication and Creative applications ever since.

Lynne has expert knowledge of:

  • Adobe FrameMaker – both Unstructured and Structured use.
  • Adobe RoboHelp.
  • Adobe Creative Cloud applications: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and Acrobat.
  • Adobe’s e-Learning tools – Captivate and Presenter.
  • Microsoft Office suite of applications, covering the mainstream applications Word, Excel and PowerPoint to advanced level.

Lynne has a BA Hons in Educational Practice from Oxford Brookes University.

Simon Dry

Simon Dry Autodesk Certified Instructor

Simon is a highly-experienced design professional, whose previous roles have included Designer, Project Manager and Creative Director. He has expert knowledge of a range of applications, including Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop, hosting courses in these applications at all levels. Simon continues to work as a graphic designer, working on a variety of projects for Blue-Chip clients in areas including press and digital ads, photography, website design, social media.

Simon’s also an AI expert, who focusses on ways that the emerging AI technology can be utilised by business to improve productivity and maximise potential.

Alistair Dabbs

Alistair Dabbs Autodesk Certified Instructor

Alistair is a highly-experienced trainer with expert knowledge of various Adobe creative applications including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects and Premiere Pro. He has held Adobe Certified Instructor (ACI) status for almost 20 years, delivering courses in both English and French.

Alistair has worked in a wide range of publishing roles including prepress production, graphic design and editorial production. He has delivered workshops and chaired debates at IT industry conferences.

When not training, Alistair works as a journalist and technical writer, writing on topics including digital imaging, computer arts, fintech, data security, AI and VR. He is a regular contributor to various computer and graphic arts magazines including The Register and Ars Technica, and is the author/co-author of several published books, including the best-selling Digital Designer’s Bible.

Richard Bird

Richard Bird Autodesk Certified Instructor

Richard is an Associate of the Learning and Performance Institute (TAP accredited) with 30+ years’ experience in the design industry and 20+ years’ training experience.

He began his career at the London College of Printing, and then worked as a magazine designer and art editor. Later, on switching to the advertising industry, he made a name as a freelance typographer and studio manager working for top London studios including Domino, Mustard and Face. Richard enjoys bringing his wealth of knowledge and experience to others.

Richard’s extra-curricular interests include horse riding, military history, travel and typography.

Phil Talbot

Phil Talbot Autodesk Certified Instructor

Phil works as a professional graphic designer and illustrator.

He’s a long-standing Adobe Design Specialist with expert knowledge of Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Creative Cloud Express and Acrobat. He has used all of these applications extensively for over 25 years.

Phil’s professional qualifications and extensive experience provide an ideal base to train delegates using blended learning techniques to improve the individuals’ and organisations’ capabilities. He has worked with and trained many blue-chip organisations.

Philip Odell

Philip Odell Autodesk Certified Instructor

Philip is a highly experienced instructor specialising in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat and FrameMaker.

Philip began his working life with Texas Instruments, before joining Adobe in 1995, where he worked for five years. Philip still has links with Adobe, manning their stands and carrying out presentations when they’re exhibiting in the UK.

For the last eighteen years, Philip has worked as a graphic design specialist, consultant and trainer. He continues to use Adobe applications extensively in his day-to-day professional work.

Course content

Course content

Introduction

  • Interface – window, panels and menus
  • Bitmap vs vector graphics
  • Locating help

Drawing basics

  • New documents – document setup
  • Basic shapes – rectangles/ellipses
  • Viewing – preview/outline
  • Object Stacking order
  • Selecting and modifying shapes
  • Colour – fills and strokes

Selections

  • Selection and Direct select tools
  • Magic Wand and Lasso selections

Simple drawing

  • Shaper tool – ‘predictive’ drawing
  • Pencil tool – freehand drawing
  • Eraser
  • Curvature tool – simple, smooth, more accurate shapes

Drawing – pen tool

  • Drawing with the pen tool
  • Modify shapes – cut, join, align
  • Alignment/smart guides
  • Drawing using guides
  • Drawing over a template

Fills and textures

  • Colour theory – RGB/CMYK
  • Colours – creating, editing, sharing Spot colours – Pantone™
  • Creating Gradients
  • Libraries – sharing/accessing various elements throughout Illustrator and CC
  • Accessibility; checking for colour blindness and colour contrast

Transformations

  • Free Transform tool
  • Scale, rotate, reflect and shear tools
  • Repeating transformations

Editing

  • Grouping/Locking/Visibility
  • Isolation mode
  • Align, distribute and group objects

Symbols

  • Symbols – updateable graphics Modifying symbols

Layers

  • Introduction to layers
  • Creating layers, locating an object within a layer, moving items from layer to layer
  • Controlling layers – viewing, locking, printing

Saving and file formats

  • Saving – file types – ai, eps, pdf…
  • Exporting – file types
  • Share on behance – online showcase

Preferences

  • Configuring preferences – units, increments, grids/guides, interface…

New artboards

  • Artboard tool – rotating, moving, resizing

Styling

  • Brushes – art, scatter, calligraphic, bristle, pattern
  • Effects – Applying editable effects as bitmap or vector

Type

  • Type characteristics – size/leading/tracking…
  • Point and area type tools
  • Importing type
  • Text wrap
  • Spell checking
  • Outlining type – pros and cons
  • Touch type tool – adjust individual letters
  • Downloading Adobe Fonts

Clipping masks

  • Masking objects
  • Creating and modifying a clipping mask

Tracing

  • Image Trace – vectorising bitmap images
  • Live Paint – quicker painting for areas

Combining shapes

  • Compound paths Shapebuilder tool
  • Pathfinder – combine several shapes
Live online training

Live online training

Online training lets you participate in a live Illustrator course from your place of work or home.

We do everything possible to make your online training experience as close as possible to actually being in the classroom. You can:

  • See and hear our trainer, and the other delegates participating in the course…
    Live online training - see your trainer and the other course delegates
  • Watch our trainer demonstrate techniques in Illustrator.
  • Interact by speaking, or using chat.
  • Share your screen with our trainer, and allow them to take control to explain something.

Like our in-class courses, online Introduction to Illustrator courses…

  • Are presented by Adobe Certified Instructors.
  • Give you plenty of opportunity to carry out assisted, practical exercises using Illustrator.
  • Offer 30 days’ email support from your trainer.

All you need is an Internet-connected computer with…

  • Illustrator installed. If you don’t have access to Illustrator, we can usually send you a link to fully-functional trial software to download and install.
  • A webcam and audio capability. If your computer running Illustrator doesn’t have these, you can use a second device, such as another computer or tablet. See Hardware recommendations for live online training for further details.

If there’s anything you’re not sure about we’ll do our best to help you. We won’t, however, be able to assist with your Illustrator installation.

We provide everything else…

  • Links to download the files, resources, etc. you’ll use in your course.
  • A training guide. For most courses, you can choose from a printed copy that we post to you, or a PDF.

In the week before your course, we’ll send you an email containing everything you need to prepare for and participate in the training. Then, a couple of days before your course, we’ll give you a courtesy call to make sure you have everything in place and answer any questions you may have.

Please note that we are not able to record scheduled online courses for privacy reasons.

When you attend live online training, you’re participating in a real course, hosted by a real trainer, in real time

 

Discounts and bundles

Discounts and bundles

To make your Illustrator training as affordable as possible, we offer:

Illustrator training bundle

Book classroom-based courses in:

for £545 + VAT (classroom-based) or £495 + VAT (live online training), saving £75 + VAT in both cases.

The bundle price will be applied automatically when you add these two courses to your basket.

Training discounts

Multiple places

If you book multiple places on any courses, we can offer you:

  • 5% discount if you book two places.
  • 10% discount if you book three places.
  • 15% discount if you book four places.
  • 20% discount if you book five or more places.

This can be for several people attending one course, one person attending several courses, or a combination.

These discounts are available for both classroom-based courses and live online training.

Concessions

We offer a 10% discount on scheduled Illustrator course places to:

  • Students, teachers and lecturers.
  • People who work for a registered charity.
  • ISTC members.

These discounts are available for both classroom-based courses and remote training.

Please call us if you qualify for a discount. Evidence of your status that entitles you to a discount may be requested.

Terms and exclusions

Only one of the above discounts can be applied to any booking.

The above discounts are not available for on-request course bookings (one-to-one training or a ‘closed course’ for your group).

Price guarantee

When you book training with Armada, we want you to be certain that you’re not paying over-the-odds. So, if you book a place on any scheduled (public) course and then find the same course at a lower price elsewhere, we will match that price.

To qualify for the price match:

  • The course you find must be comparable. By this we mean it must:
    • Cover the same subject.
    • Be the same duration or longer.
    • For classroom-based courses, be in the same region, i.e. within 50 miles of our centre.
    • For online training, be a live course, i.e. not pre-prepared e-learning content.
  • The lower price must be advertised on the other company’s website.

To claim a price match, just call any time before attending your course and tell us where you saw the price.

Testimonials
“The training was easy to follow and well paced. Lynne was patient and had no trouble going back if someone missed something. Would recommend!”

Pippa D

“The course was very insightful and we learned a lot of good stuff to take away and apply to our work. Simon was a great teacher and a good person to do the course with.”

Peter M

“Excellent instructor, well paced and never felt left behind. A very helpful course that provided all the building blocks required to start using Illustrator confidently.”

Antonia R

“The pace was just right and a lot of areas were covered. Very professionally delivered by everyone at Armada, with lots of help and support given. Very impressed with the teaching quality and the fact that Tim went back and researched answers to questions he wasn't 100% sure on.”

Daisy A

“Tim has been a great trainer, would recommend this course to anyone wanting to learn Illustrator - I now feel confident to use this software at work.”

Charlie G

“The trainer, Lynne was patient kind and understanding. As a person who has never used this application before, I feel I could navigate the program a lot easier after the two days so thank you.”

Fiona G

“Really helpful course, I began the course with little knowledge or confidence in using Illustrator and I have left feeling a lot more confident with way more skills and knowledge.”

Jade B

“Very good training from Lynne, very informative and happy to answer any questions or wait when anyone got stuck, 10/10.”

Todd S

“Great course, would recommend for anyone looking to get into illustrator or further their Adobe knowledge.”

Matthew B

“I really enjoyed the course. I found I gained a lot of confidence in Illustrator, which previously I had no experience using. This will be very helpful and I look forward to practicing with my own projects”

Milly C

“A really helpful 2 days, really enjoyed the course with Lynne.”

Megan B

“Lynne was very good at responding to questions asked and was very knowledgeable. She also showed many shortcuts to make life easier and work faster. Really enjoyed this and found it very helpful.”

Lucy A

“Lynne was a fab trainer. The breaks were at good points and the course didn't feel tiring in any way. Went through everything at a great pace and in the ideal depth. ”

Brandon D

“Lynne was extremely helpful and patient when given lots of questions. She was very knowledgeable and fun for the team. I loved how practical the course was, it made it easy to learn as we went along.”

Olivia M

“Very good clear, calm and informative delivery made the course a pleasure. Thanks!”

Seth M

“Great course and the tutor was a pleasure to work with.”

Charlotte A

“Instructions were very thorough and clear to follow, I liked that Phil would ask us about what we would like to create in illustrator and show us the best tools/methods of achieving the results we'd like. I alsolike that you send out the files and documents well in advance of the course dates as well make sure we have the right set up etc so we can participate on the day. Great training course.”

Victoria P

“Really useful training days with a friendly and helpful trainer. ”

Brittany P

“Excellent 2 days training.”

Lynda D

“Thoroughly enjoyed the course, allowed me to gain and strengthen skills using Adobe Illustrator. Very impressed with the presentation of the course and couldn't fault the care provided throughout the 2 days. Many thanks!”

Mark C

“Very good course which has expanded my knowledge, and has made me more confident in using the software.”

Aaron J

“Phil was great, very knowledgeable and was very good over Zoom.”

Kelly R

“Very happy with the course. Lynne was an excellent trainer. Approachable, professional and knowledgeable. I was also very pleased with how easy the zoom call was.”

Bo Kelly

“Well pitched course, easy to follow and understand. Thanks Lynne.”

Steve R

“It was a great 3 days interactive course, I learnt loads, just need to put it into practice now! Thanks, Phil for your expert knowledge & patience, really appreciated it! ”

Dan H

“Phil was a great instructor, he didn't rush us and was on hand to answer any questions we had along the way. He was patient and helpful.”

Kayla M

“Great course! Very helpful and informative, definitely leaving with a broad range of skills to practice.”

Lauren P

“Enjoyed the course very much! Phil was great at keeping us interested, and explained every step very clearly. Loved to be involved!”

Orune M

“It was a great course, very easy to ask for help/reminders/further detail etc. Enjoyable! ”

Gill W

“Thank you Lynne, fantastic course and ready to use Illustrator!”

Joe T

“It was a great course, very easy to ask for help/reminders/further detail etc. Enjoyable!”

Gill W

“Friendly/helpful and knowledgeable trainer”

Steph L

“The course covered a good range of aspects of Adobe Illustrator. Trainer was helpful and engaging. Would definitely come back to Armada for other training courses.”

Philippa A

“Phil was a brilliant teacher once again and I learned a lot of techniques which I can put to use right away.”

Ben A

“Excellent introduction was given today. Philip answered all of our questions and enabled us to gain a great insight on how to use the software. I would highly recommend Armada.”

Rachel S

“Very good two day intensive course. Covered all the basics and was happy to cover content that was asked about that would usually have been included in the advanced courses. I would recommend for people new to Adobe Illustrator.”

Samantha J

“Superb training session. Mark Gatter is incredible, interesting and informative. I would recommend this to anybody who wants to get their head around Adobe InDesign and PhotoShop. Now completed the Illustrator course again with Mark, once again the course material has been extremely useful for understanding the basics of a complex program and I think I will be able to use it with more confidence now.”

Matt B

“Delighted with my second course at Armada Reading. Lynne was absolutely amazing and very patient with us. I will definitely book again on another course - thank you very much.”

Mel B

“Phil is the best trainer. Well managed. Learned a lot. Thank you!”

Leigh Ann F

“This is the third course I have done with Armada! The courses are great, easy to follow and very helpful! Would definitely recommend all of these courses again!”

Emma J

“Thank you to Pete for running such an insightful and detailed Illustrator course. Learnt absolutely loads. Really useful hints and tips. Can't wait to go and fully investigate my own projects.”

Melissa Y

“Attended the 2 day Adobe Illustrator course taught by Mark, his teaching was very thorough and he clearly had a lot of knowledge to apply to his teaching. The facilities at the Sheffield site are very modern, clean and fresh with the usual tea and coffee facilities. I would recommend Armada and use them again for future courses.”

Harry H

“Superb training session. Mark is incredible interesting and informative. I would recommend this to anybody who want to get their head around Adobe InDesign and PhotoShop. Now completed the Illustrator course again with Mark, once again the course material has been extremely useful for understanding the basics of a complex program and I think I will be able to use it with more confidence now.”

Matt B

“Great overview of Adobe Illustrator, Philip was very knowledgeable and provided guidance throughout. Would thoroughly recommend Armada!”

Jordan M

“The course was great for really breaking down the basics of using Illustrator. I feel very confident I can navigate around the software competently so can now begin to build more advanced skills.”

Alex B

“Course was great! Learned a lot of things.”

Kala M

“Very impressed with the Introduction to Illustrator course - comprehensive yet also very easy to follow and understand. The practical tasks are great as they help you to quickly apply the knowledge as you learn it. Would thoroughly recommend.”

Sarah F

“The Introduction to Illustrator course was comprehensive yet easy to follow and understand. Covered a wide range of areas of the programme and I now feel much more confident when using it. The practical tasks too were very helpful as they gave you the opportunity to apply what you have learnt.”

Sarah F

“Great course, very insightful and useful. Tailored to your needs and really feel like I achieved something and have new skills which will be very useful inside and outside of work.”

Laura C

“Great training, went from not knowing anything to wanting to explore much more of the illustrator programme. Thanks again Philip.”

Roberto M

“Excellent trainer!”

Callan W

“Learnt a lot from these two days of training and was explained very well and overall good”

Ben F

“This is my 3rd course with Pete and once again it was delivered in a high quality and professional manner.”

Dean R

“Great training, went from not knowing anything to wanting to explore much more of the illustrator programme. Thanks again Philip.”

Roberto M

“Great experience from start to finish, relaxed yet focused atmosphere, very small class size.”

Tiphanie M

“It gave me exactly the basis of knowledge I was and have been looking for in Illustrator for sometime.”

Alex E