GDES-360 spring 2021 / David Ramos, American University Design

Learning Illustrator

In this class, you’ll rely on a number of software programs, including your choice of Illustrator or an equivalent vector drawing program. (See the software section of the syllabus.)

If you already know Illustrator well, you might want to review details about how to work with paths and select objects, but you will likely otherwise be able to rely on your existing skills.

If you’re new to Illustrator, or your Illustrator skills are limited, start working through the LinkedIn Learning tutorial on the program. (The AU Library provides instructions on how to get access to your LinkedIn Learning account.)

If you’re working with a different vector drawing program, you’re responsible for learning how to use it.

Illustrator tutorials

Focus on key tutorials, in this order:

Illustrator basics (~20 min. runtime)

Selections and basic line tools (~12 min. runtime)

Color and strokes (~20 min. runtime)

Drawing (~13 min. runtime)

Organizing projects (~10 min. runtime)

Alignment, stacking, and transformations (~9 min. runtime)

Type (~12 min. runtime)

Raster images (~6 min. runtime)

Output (~5 min. runtime)