Adobe Illustrator Classes

If you’re an aspiring graphic designer, photographer, social media professional, or just want to have fun with Adobe Illustrator, this is the article for you!

Most commonly, Adobe Illustrator is used for making vector graphics. These types of graphics are especially useful in design, because they aren’t made with pixels. This means they will be clear and easy to see, no matter how large or small you make them. Additionally, Adobe Illustrator is compatible with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign, so transferring graphics and images between the platforms is easy, especially through Creative Cloud!

No matter your aspirations or intentions, we have put together this list of affordable online courses to get you started quickly.

Here are our handpicked online courses for learning Adobe Illustrator.

Introductory Courses in Adobe Illustrator

1. Adobe Illustrator CC: The Complete Guide

In this 20-lesson Adobe Illustrator course, Jason Hoppe, an Adobe-certified expert and instructor, will show you how to become an “effective designer” and “bring your ideas to life.” More specifically, in this Illustrator course, he will walk you through how to use drawing tools, editing tools, effects, and more, so you can create beautiful icons, logos, and illustrations using Adobe Illustrator. This course is designed for Adobe Illustrator “newbies,” but those who take the class will leave it knowing hidden features and tricks that are commonly used by experts to create their designs.

• College credits: NO
• Price: $84 on sale ($99 regular price), or $25 a month for the Creator Pass
• Financial aid or scholarships: NO
• Mobile learning: YES
• Self-paced learning: YES
• Flexible deadlines: YES
• Time needed for completion: 20 lessons ranging from 28 minutes to 57 minutes, 26 seconds
• Languages: English
• Vendor: CreativeLive

Note: Prices for all courses listed in this article are true on the date of publishing, but are subject to change.

2. Illustrator CC 2019 MasterClass

As the bestselling Adobe Illustrator course on Udemy, this Illustrator MasterClass will teach you all you need to know to efficiently do graphic design on Adobe Illustrator. Those who take the class can expect to learn how to design logos, turn photographs into vector artwork, create vector illustrations, and much more. No prior knowledge is needed to take this course, but, by the time you finish it, you will be able to use the platform at an expert level.

• College credits: NO — Certificate of Completion only
• Price: $12.99 on sale ($199.99 regular price)
• Financial aid or scholarships: NO
• Mobile learning: YES
• Self-paced learning: YES
• Flexible deadlines: YES
• Time needed for completion: 12 hours, 30 minutes
• Languages: English with subtitles in English, Indonesian, Italian, Polish and Romanian
• Vendor: Udemy

3. Adobe Illustrator CC – Essentials Training Course

This course is designed for those who are entirely new to Adobe Illustrator. The instructors do a great job at giving you slow and thorough instructions, so you can leave the class with a solid understanding of every aspect of the platform. The instructors will walk you through how to use tools such as the shape builder tool, the curvature tool, the width tool and others, so that you can do graphic design that stunning and foolproof. You’ll even have an opportunity to put your Adobe Illustrator skills to the test by practicing drawing logos for real-world brands.

• College credits: NO — Certificate of Completion only
• Price: $12.99 on sale ($199.99 regular price)
• Financial aid or scholarships: NO
• Mobile learning: YES
• Self-paced learning: YES
• Flexible deadlines: YES
• Time needed for completion: 8 hours
• Languages: English with subtitles in English, Italian, Polish, Romanian, and Spanish
• Vendor: Udemy

4. Adobe Illustrator Creative Cloud: Essentials for Creating Projects

In this Adobe Illustrator Creative Cloud course, Brian Wood — a web developer, author, and Adobe Illustrator expert — will walk you through a series of projects that will teach you how to create color, work with text, import images, create custom patterns, use brushes and symbols, and much more. Even if you enter this course as a beginner, you will leave it as an expert. Towards the end of the course, you’ll have the opportunity to “tackle more advanced topics,” such as the perspective grid, the shape builder tool, blends, and more.

• College credits: NO
• Price: $41 on sale ($49 regular price), or $25 a month for the Creator Pass
• Financial aid or scholarships: NO
• Mobile learning: YES
• Self-paced learning: YES
• Flexible deadlines: YES
• Time needed for completion: 56 lessons ranging from 1 minute, 23 seconds to 45 minutes, 27 seconds
• Languages: English
• Vendor: CreativeLive

5. Adobe Illustrator CC Mastery: Zero to Hero in Illustrator

This course is designed for both business owners who are tired of outsourcing their logo designs and for those aspire to start working as freelance logo designers. The instructor, Chad Neuman, has worked for years as a logo designer and Adobe Illustrator, and in this 3-hour course, he will show you how to create custom shapes, apply effects and styles, draw with pen and brush tools, create basic logos, and more.

• College credits: NO — Certificate of Completion only
• Price: $12.99 on sale ($94.99 regular price)
• Financial aid or scholarships: NO
• Mobile learning: YES
• Self-paced learning: YES
• Flexible deadlines: YES
• Time needed for completion: 3 hours
• Languages: English with subtitles in English, French, German, Italian, Portugese, and Spanish.
• Vendor: Udemy

6. Illustrator CC Beginner

This Illustrator CC Beginner course will introduce you to the many tools available on Illustrator, so that you can use the platform to create websites, flyers, business cards, brochures, logos, and more. Specifically, this course will teach you basic drawing techniques, alignment, and how to effectively use color, among other techniques. It is the first of three Adobe Illustrator CC courses available on Quick Start. If you’re new to Adobe Illustrator, you should absolutely take this course before moving on to the intermediate or expert online courses.

• College credits: NO — Certificate only
• Price: 7-day free trial and then subscriptions are $39.99 a month on sale (typically $44.99 a month)
• Financial aid or scholarships: NO
• Mobile learning: YES
• Self-paced learning: YES
• Flexible deadlines: YES
• Time needed for completion: 2 hours
• Languages: English
• Vendor: QuickStart

Advanced Courses in Adobe Illustrator

7. Illustrator CC Intermediate

This Illustrator CC Intermediate Course builds off of information taught in Illustrator CC Beginner (listed above). In this course, you will learn more complex techniques, such as how to make and use brushes, how to cut vectors, how to include effects, and much more. If you already have a rudimentary understanding of Adobe Illustrator, it is likely safe for you to bypass the beginner course and start with this one.

• College credits: NO — Certificate only
• Price: 7-day free trial and then subscriptions are $39.99 a month on sale (typically $44.99 a month)
• Financial aid or scholarships: NO
• Mobile learning: YES
• Self-paced learning: YES
• Flexible deadlines: YES
• Time needed for completion: 2 hours
• Languages: English
• Vendor: QuickStart

8. Illustrator CC Advanced

Illustrator CC Advanced builds off of information taught in both QuickStart’s Illustrator CC Beginner and Illustrator CC Intermediate online courses. Specifically, in this course you can expect to learn how to live trace, live paint, use the symbol sprayer, and much more. As the final instructional course on the platform, those who complete it will leave knowing everything they need to do graphic design and create beautiful vector graphics and images.

• College credits: NO — Certificate only
• Price: 7-day free trial and then subscriptions are $39.99 a month on sale (typically $44.99 a month)
• Financial aid or scholarships: NO
• Mobile learning: YES
• Self-paced learning: YES
• Flexible deadlines: YES
• Time needed for completion: 1 hour
• Languages: English
• Vendor: QuickStart

9. Adobe Illustrator CC — Advanced Training Course

This course, geared towards those who already understand the fundamentals of Adobe Illustrator, will help you improve your productivity, speed and workflow when using the platform. The Instructor is an Adobe-certified Adobe Illustrator expert, and he swears that even those who have an advanced understanding of Illustrator will walk away from this course knowing something new. Specifically, you’ll learn advanced anchor point and pen tool tricks, how to create 3D icons, how to create custom lettering, and much more. Perhaps most importantly, you’ll be able to add “advanced Illustrator user” to your resume after completing this course!

• College credits: NO — Certificate of Completion only
• Price: $12.99 on sale ($199.99 regular price)
• Financial aid or scholarships: NO
• Mobile learning: YES
• Self-paced learning: YES
• Flexible deadlines: YES
• Time needed for completion: 8 hours
• Languages: English with subtitles in English, Italian, Polish, and Romanian
• Vendor: Udemy

10. Adobe Illustrator Advanced Vector Artwork

This course is designed for anyone interested in learning Adobe Illustrator, no matter their skill level. In the beginning of the course, the instructor will walk you through the basics of Illustrator, such as how to design and implement shapes. As the course progresses, however, you will learn more advanced techniques, such as how to use the brush tool, how to set blending modes, and more. And by the end of the course, you’ll have the Adobe Illustrator skills to pursue graphic design and develop advanced, professional-grade vector graphics and illustrations.

• College credits: NO — Certificate of Completion only
• Price: $12.99 on sale ($89.99 regular price)
• Financial aid or scholarships: NO
• Mobile learning: YES
• Self-paced learning: YES
• Flexible deadlines: YES
• Time needed for completion: 8 hours, 30 minutes
• Languages: English with English subtitles
• Vendor: Udemy

Specialty Courses in Adobe Illustrator

11. Freeform Gradients in Adobe Illustrator CC

In this course, which is also taught by Jason Hoppe, you will learn how to effectively use the new gradient tool included in Adobe Illustrator. For those who don’t know, a gradient is an obvious blend of two or more colors — think about a sunburst-colored guitar or the “Back To The Future” logo, for example. Throughout the course, you will be taught how to create and edit gradients, and you’ll receive some advice on when to use gradients in your logos and designs. Hoppe says the course is useful for beginners and experts, alike. However, he moves pretty fast throughout the lessons. Without at least a rudimentary understanding of Adobe Illustrator, it may be difficult to follow along.

• College credits: NO
• Price: $24 on sale ($29 regular price), or $25 a month for the Creator Pass
• Financial aid or scholarships: NO
• Mobile learning: YES
• Self-paced learning: YES
• Flexible deadlines: YES
• Time needed for completion: 5 lessons ranging from 4 minutes, 33 seconds to 30 minutes, 8 seconds
• Languages: English
• Vendor: CreativeLive

12. UI & Web Design using Adobe Illustrator CC

Although it may look advanced, no prior knowledge of Adobe Illustrator or web design is needed to take this course. The instructor will slowly and calmly walk you through the steps to create a responsive website that can be used on mobile and desktop. In addition to teaching you how to build a sitemap and create wireframes, the instructor will show you how to make custom icons and logos that can be used for your website. At the end of the course, there is a project with set tasks that you can complete for a “fake” client. Instead of homework, the instructor refers to completing the project as “career development.”

• College credits: NO — Certificate of Completion only
• Price: $12.99 on sale ($199.99 regular price)
• Financial aid or scholarships: NO
• Mobile learning: YES
• Self-paced learning: YES
• Flexible deadlines: YES
• Time needed for completion: 8 hours
• Languages: English with subtitles in English, Indonesian, Italian, Polish, Portugese, Romanian, Spanish, and Thai  
• Vendor: Udemy

13. Design Surface Patterns From Scratch

Years ago, instructor Bonnie Christine turned her dream to become a surface pattern designer into a reality, and in this course, she will teach you how to use Adobe Illustrator to do the same. In the first section of the course, Christine will walk you through the basics of Adobe Illustrator and how to think creatively when making your surface pattern designs. In the second half, she will teach you how to create the designs and apply them to “fun things” like iPhone cases, pillow cases, and more.

• College credits: NO
• Price: $41 on sale ($49 regular price), or $25 a month for the Creator Pass
• Financial aid or scholarships: NO
• Mobile learning: YES
• Self-paced learning: YES
• Flexible deadlines: YES
• Time needed for completion: 31 lessons ranging from 17 minutes, 4 seconds to 42 minutes
• Languages: English
• Vendor: CreativeLive

14. Logo Design in Adobe Illustrator – for Beginners & Beyond

Adobe Illustrator is one of the most powerful design tools for logo creation, and in this course you’ll learn how to make them yourself. Whether you’re interested in making a logo design for your own company, you wish to become a freelance logo designer, or you’re just interested in playing around with the platform, this is the class for you. The instructor, who’s an award-winning logo designer, will thoroughly explain how to use Adobe Illustrator’s many tools to pursue graphic design and create state-of-the-art vector graphics that can boost your personal brand and potentially make you some money.

• College credits: NO — Certificate of Completion only
• Price: $12.99 on sale ($199.99 regular price)
• Financial aid or scholarships: NO
• Mobile learning: YES
• Self-paced learning: YES
• Flexible deadlines: YES
• Time needed for completion: 7 hours
• Languages: English with subtitles in English and Italian
• Vendor: Udemy

How Taking Adobe Illustrator Courses Can Help Aspiring Graphic Designers

Adobe Illustrator is one of the most powerful and versatile tools in graphic design. Whether you are designing logos, illustrations, icons, or typography, Adobe Illustrator offers a range of features especially on Creative Cloud that make it an essential program for anyone pursuing graphic design. For anyone aspiring to be a graphic designer, learning Adobe Illustrator is crucial to building a professional portfolio and developing a solid design skill set. Taking formal Adobe Illustrator classes can significantly accelerate learning Adobe Illustrator and provide a structured approach to mastering the software. Below, we will explore the various ways in which taking Adobe Illustrator courses can help aspiring graphic designers.

1. Structured Learning Path

One of the most significant advantages of enrolling in Adobe Illustrator classes is the structured learning path it provides. Unlike self-taught learning, which can be fragmented and overwhelming, a well-designed course offers a clear progression from beginner to advanced levels. Adobe Illustrator classes typically begin with the basics—understanding the interface, tools, and core concepts like vector vs. raster graphics—before moving on to more complex topics like advanced techniques in illustration, typography, and color theory. This structured approach ensures that those aspiring to learn graphic design build a solid foundation before moving on to more advanced topics.

2. Expert Guidance and Mentorship

Learning through Adobe Illustrator classes often means you have access to experienced instructors who can provide personalized feedback, advice, and support. This expert guidance helps aspiring graphic designers avoid common mistakes and learn best practices right from the start. Instructors can also share real-world insights that go beyond textbook knowledge, offering tips on how to use Illustrator in a professional context, optimize workflows, and troubleshoot design problems.

Having someone who is already an expert in Adobe Illustrator can accelerate learning Adobe Illustrator, especially for beginners who may find the software overwhelming at first. The opportunity to ask questions, receive feedback, and engage in discussions with an instructor can also deepen understanding and boost confidence.

3. Hands-On Practice and Projects

Adobe Illustrator is best learned through hands-on experience. Taking a course provides aspiring designers with practical exercises and assignments that allow them to apply what they’ve learned. Many courses offer real-world projects, like designing logos, creating vector illustrations, or developing marketing materials. These projects not only build proficiency in using Adobe Illustrator but also help students develop a portfolio of work that showcases their abilities.

Hands-on projects allow learners to test their skills in different design scenarios, which enhances creativity and problem-solving. Instructors often give feedback on these projects, helping learners refine their work and approach, which is essential for building a professional-level skill set.

4. Mastering Tools and Techniques

Adobe Illustrator is a feature-rich program, and it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by its extensive toolset. A course typically covers all the essential tools, such as the Pen Tool, Shape Tools, Pathfinder, and the Type Tool, among others. It also teaches various advanced techniques, such as:

• Creating custom brushes and patterns
• Using layers and masks
• Working with gradients and effects
• Building precise vector artwork
• Understanding color theory and the application of color in design

Courses often go deeper into each of these tools, helping learners understand how to use them efficiently and creatively. By mastering these tools and techniques, those who are pursuing graphic design can produce polished, professional-quality designs in less time, improving both their productivity and their creativity.

5. Learning Industry Standards

For aspiring graphic designers, it’s crucial to not only learn how to use the software but also to understand industry standards and best practices. Adobe Illustrator courses typically teach design principles that are in line with current trends and expectations in the graphic design industry. This includes the importance of creating scalable vector graphics, optimizing files for print and web, and working with the right file formats.

By learning these standards in a structured setting, aspiring designers can ensure that their work meets the expectations of clients and employers. This knowledge also helps them stay competitive in a fast-evolving industry, where staying up to date with software features and design trends is critical.

6. Efficiency and Workflow Optimization

A key benefit of taking Adobe Illustrator classes is learning how to work more efficiently. Advanced courses often cover time-saving tips, keyboard shortcuts, and workflow optimization strategies. For example, students may learn how to set up custom workspaces, automate repetitive tasks, or use the appearance panel to make non-destructive edits.

Efficiency is vital in a professional design environment where meeting deadlines and managing multiple projects are the norm. Learning how to work smarter, not harder, allows aspiring designers to produce high-quality work in less time, improving their employability and value in the industry.

7. Networking and Community Engagement

Many Adobe Illustrator courses offer students the chance to engage with a community of like-minded individuals. This can be a valuable networking opportunity, especially for aspiring designers who are just starting in the field. Interaction with peers, instructors, and alumni provides opportunities for collaboration, feedback, and learning from others’ experiences. In some cases, students may even get access to exclusive design challenges, workshops, or events that further build their network and exposure in the design community.

Additionally, a strong community can serve as a support system when facing challenges in the learning process, as students can share resources, ask for advice, or get feedback on their work.

8. Certification and Career Opportunities

Completing an Adobe Illustrator course, particularly a certification program, can enhance an aspiring designer’s resume and make them more attractive to potential employers. Adobe certifications are recognized in the industry as proof of a designer’s skills, which can help open doors to job opportunities, freelance gigs, and internships. A certification validates that the designer has a certain level of proficiency with Adobe Illustrator, which is a desirable skill for many graphic design roles.

Conclusion

Taking Adobe Illustrator courses provides aspiring graphic designers with a comprehensive, structured approach to learning the software and mastering the tools necessary for professional design. From learning the basics to mastering advanced techniques, online Adobe Illustrator courses offer essential skills, industry knowledge, and the opportunity to build a strong portfolio. With expert guidance, hands-on projects, and an emphasis on industry standards and efficiency, these online Adobe Illustrator courses provide aspiring designers with the tools and confidence to succeed in the competitive field of graphic design.

For more online courses, check TUN’s list of curated classes, or use the online classes search engine to find the best online courses in any subject.