Illustrator CC (2014): Essentials

Acadia Training


Course introduction

Adobe Illustrator is the industry's premier vector-drawing environment for creating graphics that scale across media. In this course, you will learn to design complex vector shapes and illustrations with gradients, patterns, blending objects, effects, strokes and the new features in Illustrator CC. During the course, participants will learn essential design skills to create marketing collaterals, posters, handle typography, compliment designs with colors, and tips to save hours of unnecessary hard work.



Course Outline


Essential Basics

  • Familiarizing with the Interface elements
  • Resetting, Customizing and Saving a Workspace
  • Creating a Personalized Custom Tool Panel
  • Using the Zoom Tool & Various Zoom Techniques
  • Customizing a Document Profile for a Print Project
  • Creating New Artboards to Handle Several Design Collaterals in an Illustrator Project
  • Setting an Exact Measurement for Each Artboard
  • Using Rulers and Setting the Ruler Origin
  • Working with Smart Guides

Selection & Alignment Techniques
  • Learning the Various Basic Selection Techniques
  • Select Points & Paths with the Sub-Selection Tool
  • Making a Quick Selection with the Magic Wand
  • Making an Advanced Selection Based on Similar Graphic Characteristics
  • Automatically Align Objects for a Layout
  • Controlling Objects Alignment with a Key Object
  • Automatically Distribute Spacing between Objects
  • Organizing Objects with Groups
  • Working in the Isolation Mode

Compositing an Illustration with Shapes
  • Drawing with the Shape and Line Tools
  • Editing and Beautifying corners with Live Corners
  • Reshaping Paths & Shapes Intuitively with Ease
  • Creating Shapes with Specified Measurements
  • Adjusting the Visual Characteristics of the Shapes
  • Applying Advanced Stroke Adjustments to a Shape
  • Working in the Outline Mode for Better Visibility
  • Creating Beautiful Curves using the Eraser Tool
  • Converting an Image into an Editable Shape using the Image Trace command

Transformation Techniques
  • Applying Various Transformations: Scale, Reflect, Rotate, Distort, Shear, Perspective Scale etc.
  • Enhancing designs using the Free Transform Tool
  • Creating an Artistic Form from a Basic Shape
  • Creating a Realistic Hard-Edge Vector Shadow
  • Adjusting the Transparency of Objects
  • Applying Multiple Transformations Instantly
  • Re-applying Multiple Transformations in One Step
  • Enforcing Consistency Across the Design Collaterals with Exact Object Placements

Illustrating with Drawing Tools
  • Drawing with the Pen and Pencil Tools
  • Learn to create smooth paths automatically
  • Create controlled and natural illustrations with the advanced features of Pencil Tool
  • Drawing Open and Closed Paths
  • Illustrating with Straight and Curve Paths
  • Converting smooth points to corner points
  • Creating Curve Paths with the Pen Tool
  • Decorating the Ends of a Path with Designs
  • Creating a Dashed Line
  • Deleting and Adding Anchor Points

Essential Basics of Colors
  • Knowing the Different Color Modes
  • Using the Color and Swatches Panels
  • Creating and Saving Frequently-Used Colors
  • Adding and Modifying a Color Swatch
  • Using the Color Picker Menu
  • Saving Related Colors in a Color Group
  • Getting Inspirations for Color Applications using the Color Guide Panel
  • Saving Colors Defined by the Harmony Rules

Creating Complex Effects with Blending
  • Saving Color Gradients for Reusability
  • Designing with Linear & Radial Gradients Blends
  • Adjusting the Direction and Angle of Gradient Fills
  • Beautifying a Stroke with a Stroke Gradient
  • Determining the Visual Output of a Stroke Gradient
  • Sharing the Same Gradient Among Different Objects
  • Creating Gradient Colors with Advanced Methods
  • Using Transparency to Create a Translucent Gradient
  • Duplicate and Transform Objects with Blending
  • Specifying the Settings of an Object Blend
  • Creating Complex Shapes and Colors with Blending

Designing with Typography
  • Working with the Point and Area Types in a Poster
  • Adding Headlines in a Poster Design
  • Introducing Text Wrap in an Area Type
  • Adding and Using fonts from Typekit
  • Importing Text from Other Applications (i.e. Word)
  • Resolving Overflow Text with Text Reflow
  • Improving Text Legibility with Area Type Columns
  • Specifying Precise Characteristics for the Columns
  • Decorating Text with Essential Text Formatting
  • Applying Additional Text Attributes such as Leading, Kerning, Tracking etc.
  • Making Creative Arrangements Intuitively on Text using the Touch Type Tool
  • Adding Symbols using Glyphs
  • Changing Paragraph Attributes
  • Distorting Text with Envelope Warp
  • Reshaping a Text to a Shape with an Object Warp
  • Wrapping Text Around an Object
  • Flowing Text Along an Open Path
  • Filling the Interior of a Closed Shape with Text
  • Creating Text Outlines & Expanding Appearances
  • Compiling an Illustrator Project with the Relevant Images, Graphics and Fonts into a Package

Mastering Layers
  • Creating and Reordering Layers
  • Improving the Hierarchy of Layers with Sub-layers
  • Duplicating and Locking Layers
  • Pasting and Retaining the Hierarchy of Multiple Layers from Another Illustrator Project
  • Hiding Portions of a Layer using Clipping Mask
  • Instantly Locating an Object’s Layer in a Project
  • Prevent Unwanted Edits on Other Layers with Layer Isolation

Decorating Paths with Brush Effects
  • Working with Different Types of Brushes
  • Getting Acquainted with the Brushes Panel
  • Defining a Custom Stroke Effect with an Art Brush
  • Knowing the different declarations of an Art Brush
  • Decorating Paths and Shapes with Custom Brushes
  • Designing an Unique Logo Effortlessly
  • Defining a Brush Effect with Bitmap/Raster Images
  • Removing a Brush Stroke Effect from a Path
  • Creating and Altering a Customized Art Brush for Different Effects
  • Loading Preset Brushes from the Brush Libraries
  • Creating and Saving Pattern Swatches
  • Defining a Customized Pattern Brush
  • Using the Auto Corner Generation Types
  • Creating a Frame Design with a Pattern Brush
  • Refining a Pattern Brush for Specific Need



Available Course Sessions


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Trainer Profile


RICKY SOH

A self-professed technophile, Ricky's fascination for computer software developed into a passion for sharing his knowledge in I.T. With more than 16 years in the I.T. training industry, Ricky's extensive experience comes from teaching as a polytechnic lecturer and corporate instructor.

At Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Ricky taught programming languages as well as web design and web development. As a corporate instructor, Ricky has been an Adobe Certified Instructor and Adobe Certified Expert since 2006. Due to his numerous Adobe certifications, he has been conferred the highly coveted title of "Adobe Certified Instructor - Creative Suite Master". Some of his major clients include GlaxoSmithKline, NOL, AIA, SPH, and Seagate. He has also collaborated with People's Association in organising and conducting I.T. courses for the public in community clubs.

With his diverse experience and broad knowledge, Ricky is an excellent facilitator whose previous participants have greatly benefitted from his insights. Besides understanding the needs of his participants, Ricky's strengths are his clear, focussed delivery and his ability to generate enthusiasm. His affable personality and cheerful style means his lessons are always interesting and engaging.

HAN GUANGWEN

As an official Training Partner of Adobe System Inc, Han is an Adobe Certified Instructor, Certified Expert Specialist and Certified Expert Master. A creative design veteran, Han graduated from the prestigious Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) program as a Distinction holder and worked as a successful graphic designer before switching to his true passion - training.

With detailed explanations and humorous style, Han's trainees gain a strong understanding of each design tool and technique in a fun and easy-going setting. Emphasizing on the practicality of each design approach, Han backs each lesson with industrial-relevant scenarios, examples and case studies. As a dedicated trainer, Han's trainees benefit from having him as a supportive advisor in their projects afters attending his courses.



 

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