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Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp - Introduction rating: 5 stars from 180 reviewers
"I enjoyed my Illustrator class with Michael. He was engaging and made us feel at ease with our questions. I would definitely take another class with him." - Christina K
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Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp

Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp
Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp: Course Overview
This comprehensive Adobe Illustrator bootcamp training teaches foundational skills through advanced topics over four consecutive days. The Illustrator bootcamp covers the same materials as the introductory and advanced Illustrator courses, delivered as an intensive program over four consecutive days. Participants learn to use the pen tool, how to transform existing shapes, how to use layers to organize artwork, and discover the power and versatility of vector artwork. This four-day intensive Illustrator course also covers troubleshooting for production personnel as well as advanced techniques for interesting design effects. The bootcamp starts with entry-level topics then migrates to more advanced skills as the week progresses. If you would prefer to take the introductory and advanced courses separately, you can find dates for them in the Illustrator classes section of our site.
All Illustrator courses at our training centers or at your location are led by a live instructor in the same classroom with you. If you do not want to travel to one of our classroom locations, we also offer live online Illustrator training.
Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp: Course Length
This four-day Illustrator bootcamp training is available as a regularly scheduled class at AGI’s classroom locations, as a private or custom course at your location, or as a live online course. This Illustrator training class is delivered by the instructors who wrote the Adobe Illustrator Digital Classroom. You learn from Illustrator experts in a small group setting when you take an Illustrator class with AGI.
This course is available individually or as part of these certificate programs:
Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp - Course Dates
All classes are led by a live instructor. Class times listed are Eastern time.
Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp: Complete Topics Covered
Module 1: Getting to Know the Adobe Illustrator Workspace
- Exploring the Illustrator interface
- Choosing a workspace
- Opening a file
- Using artboards
- Changing your view
- Zooming and scrolling
- Using tools and panels
- Exploring the Control panel
- Working with panels and the dock
- Saving workspaces and shortcuts
Module 2: Adobe Illustrator Essentials
- Using Illustrator's shape tools
- Repositioning and visually resizing the shapes
- Putting the Transform panel to work
- Constraining a shape
- Entering exact dimensions
- Selecting artwork
- Using the shape and transform tools
- Introducing layers
- Cutting and pasting objects
- Repeating transformations
Module 3: Adding Color
- Exploring the Appearance panel
- Changing colors in Illustrator
- Adding effects
- Using Live Paint
- Adding a symbol
- Saving swatches
- Selecting the same color
- Creating a color group
- Using the Color panel
- Adding Pantone colors
Module 4: Working with the Adobe Illustrator Drawing Tools
- Understanding the Pen tool
- Drawing straight, curved and hinged lines
- Tracing images
- Creating a tracing template
- Working with Image Trace
- Using the Line, Pencil and Eraser tools
- Editing existing paths
- Adding and removing points
- Cutting and joining paths
- Combining shapes with the Shape Builder
Module 5: Exploring Additional Adobe Illustrator Color Options
- Adding tonal values with gradients
- Customizing an existing gradient
- Saving the gradient
- Applying a second instance of the gradient
- Using the Gradient panel
- Updating a gradient
- Creating and using patterns
- Creating a bounding box
- Applying the pattern
- Editing a pattern fill
- Locating existing patterns
- Finishing up the illustration
- Creating a Color Group
- Using the Color Guide
Module 6: Working with and Formatting Text using Illustrator
- Formatting text
- Paragraph formatting
- Using paragraph and character styles
- Editing styles
- Putting text on a path
- Warping text
- Putting text in a shape
- Creating outlines
- Checking spelling
- Using Find and Replace
Module 7: An Introduction to Illustrator's Layers
- Getting to know the Layers panel
- Using layers to organize your illustrations
- Using the Layers panel to make selections
- Creating new layers
- Showing and hiding layers
- Locking and unlocking layers
- Rearranging layers
- Moving items between layers
- Remembering layers when pasting
- Creating a template layer
Module 8: Working with symbols in Illustrator
- Understanding symbols and instances
- Cleaning out the symbol library
- Creating symbols
- Editing symbols
- Importing a symbol library
- Modifying symbol instances
- Using the symbolism tools
- Editing nested symbols
- Replacing symbols
- Saving symbol libraries
Module 9: Using Adobe Illustrator effects and transparency
- Working with the Appearance panel
- Applying effects
- Editing effects
- Using graphic styles
- Creating and saving graphic styles
- Working with object transparency
- Experimenting with multiple opacities
- Understanding blending modes
- Saving and importing graphic styles
- Applying graphic styles to layers and symbols
Module 10: Exporting and saving files from Illustrator
- Saving using the AI format
- Saving an illustration with layers
- Saving a layered PDF
- Exporting for Photoshop
- Integrating with InDesign
- Integrating with Flash
- Integrating with Microsoft Expression Blend
- Integrating with Premiere and After Effects
- Saving as EPS
- Saving for Web
Module 11: Advanced Illustrator blending techniques
- Using the Blend Tool in Adobe Illustrator
- Applying a gradient
- Understanding linear vs. radial gradients
- Using Gradient Mesh options
- Adjusting a mesh
- Revisiting Blend Options
- Selecting multiple mesh points
- Overlapping images
- Using the Mesh tool
- Adding a highlight
Module 12: Adobe Illustrator new features
- Using the adjustable user interface
- Image Trace
- Pattern Options panel
- Gradients on strokes
- Make Mask and Release button
- Expandable color spectrum
- Character panel enhancements
- Transform panel additions
- Redesigned Control pane
Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp: Prerequisites
We recommend that you have the Adobe Illustrator application before starting the class so that you are able to practice upon course completion. You can purchase the software, license Creative Cloud, or obtain a trial version of it at from the Adobe website.
Course Materials for Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp
You will receive a comprehensive course manual for this class developed by the Adobe Certified Instructors at AGI. AGI instructors that have created many of the official Illustrator training guides and books for Adobe Systems, including the Adobe Illustrator Digital Classroom. You can see examples of our training content by viewing our Illustrator tutorials.