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Design and social media - Intermediate

Adobe Illustrator: Vector Graphics, Logos and Illustration

Learn vector design with Adobe Illustrator (and free alternatives): the Pen tool, shapes, colour, type, logos, icons…

About this course

Logos, icons, maps, posters and many illustrations are made as vector graphics: pictures built from clean paths that stay sharp at any size. Adobe Illustrator is the professional program for this work. It is a paid subscription application with a free trial, so this course also shows the free alternatives, such as Inkscape and browser-based vector editors, and where their menus differ. The ideas you learn are the same in every program.

You will start with the difference between vector and raster graphics, then set up documents and artboards and learn to select and transform objects. Next come paths, anchor points and handles, the Pen tool, shape building with Pathfinder and Shape Builder, strokes and brushes. You will then work with colour, type and layers, follow a professional logo process from sketch to vector, trace images, design icons on a grid, and test a logo at small size and in one colour.

The final modules cover flat illustration, patterns, symbols and mockups, then exporting to SVG, PDF, PNG and other formats, preparing files for print, packaging a logo with a one-page brand sheet for a client, and the basics of copyright and simple client agreements. Every lesson ends with a hands-on task, so you finish with a portfolio of real work.

What you will learn

  • Explain the difference between vector and raster images and choose the right one for a job
  • Set up Illustrator documents, artboards and colour modes correctly for screen or print
  • Draw accurate shapes and curves with the Pen tool, paths, anchor points and handles
  • Build logos and icons with Pathfinder, Shape Builder, strokes and grids
  • Use swatches, global colours, gradients, type and outlines, and organise files with layers
  • Follow a logo design process and test a logo at small size, in one colour and on backgrounds
  • Trace images with Image Trace and create flat illustrations, patterns and simple mockups
  • Export for web and print, and deliver a logo package with a brand sheet while respecting copyright

Course content

6 modules · 23 lessons · 7 h 30 min · 7 quizzes

Module 1: Vector foundations and the workspace4 lessons

Understand vector graphics, set up a document and artboards, and learn to select and transform objects, in Illustrator or a free alternative.

  1. Vector versus raster, and why logos must be vector 15 min
  2. The Illustrator workspace, documents and artboards 20 min
  3. Free alternatives: Inkscape and browser vector editors 15 min
  4. Selecting, moving and transforming objects 20 min
  5. Quiz: 7 questions
Module 2: Paths, the Pen tool and shapes4 lessons

Learn how paths, anchor points and handles work, draw with the Pen tool properly, and build shapes with Pathfinder and Shape Builder.

  1. Paths, anchor points and handles 20 min
  2. The Pen tool done properly 25 min
  3. Shapes, Shape Builder and Pathfinder 25 min
  4. Strokes, brushes and the Width tool 20 min
  5. Quiz: 8 questions
Module 3: Colour, type and organisation4 lessons

Use swatches, global colours and gradients, understand RGB, CMYK and Pantone, work with type and outlines, and keep your files tidy with layers.

  1. Colour: swatches, global colours and gradients 20 min
  2. RGB, CMYK and Pantone at concept level 15 min
  3. Type in Illustrator, and outlining text 20 min
  4. Layers, groups and keeping files organised 15 min
  5. Quiz: 8 questions
Module 4: Logos and icons4 lessons

Follow a professional logo process from sketch to vector, trace and clean up images, design icons on a grid, and test a logo before delivery.

  1. The logo design process: sketch, concept, vectorise, refine 25 min
  2. Image Trace and cleaning up traced artwork 20 min
  3. Icon design on a grid 20 min
  4. Testing a logo: small, one colour and on backgrounds 15 min
  5. Quiz: 8 questions
Module 5: Illustration, patterns and mockups3 lessons

Build flat illustrations from shapes, repeat artwork with symbols and patterns, and present designs on simple mockups.

  1. Flat illustration from simple shapes 25 min
  2. Symbols, patterns and repeating artwork 20 min
  3. Effects, transparency and simple mockups 20 min
  4. Quiz: 8 questions
Module 6: Exporting, printing and working with clients4 lessons

Export in the right formats, prepare files for print, package a logo for a client with a brand sheet, and understand copyright and basic contracts.

  1. Exporting: SVG, PDF, PNG, EPS, AI and Export for Screens 20 min
  2. Preparing for print: bleed, outlines, CMYK and overprint basics 20 min
  3. Packaging a logo for a client: file set and a one-page brand sheet 20 min
  4. Copyright, licences and client contracts 15 min
  5. Quiz: 8 questions
Final exam

30 questions. Pass with 70% or more to earn your certificate.

What you need

  • Comfortable using a computer, folders and files
  • Graphic Design Fundamentals (graphic-design-fundamentals) or equivalent knowledge is helpful
  • No Illustrator experience needed; a free trial of Illustrator, or the free Inkscape editor, is enough to practise

Further reading

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