Illustrator 101

Duration: 4 weeks

Please select your course date from the drop down menu.

Classes generally start the first Monday of every month and continue for 4 weeks.

Illustrator enables you to create professional vector artwork. (What is vector? It means it can be scaled to any size, small and large!) This is a great class for those who love design and want to start creating their own projects, and small business owners who want to be able to work on their own graphics.

Illustrator 101 is for those with little or no experience in Illustrator, or those who have a basic knowledge of the program. We start with the absolute essentials! The course includes an overview of the entire program, and tutorials on the most important tools in the toolbar, with an extra emphasis on the pen tool, one of Illustrator’s most intimidating tools. You will learn the most common, basic functions of Illustrator, including how to make and manipulate objects and text, and how to make your hand-drawn artwork into vector graphics. You will also learn how to create artwork for both print and web. Homework assignments are practical and fun.

The Nicole’s Classes application is a downloadable program you install on your computer. (The link to download will be provided the day the class starts.) Learning is divided into 4 weeks and within those weeks you can learn at your own pace, anytime, anywhere. There are no set class times, though homework is due every Sunday night and there may be scheduled chats with the instructor. Our classes are flexible, fit into most any schedule and we happily welcome international students!

Illustrator 101 has no prerequisite courses. Just have Illustrator installed on your computer and you’ll be ready to go! If you don’t have Illustrator yet and are unsure if it’s the right program for you, Adobe offers a free 30-day trial.

Illustrator 101 has a textbook that is an excellent companion to the online course. With fun images and step-by-step instruction, you’ll be able to use this book as a reference long after you’ve finished your course!

Textbooks are not included in the price of the class, but may be purchased together for a discount. Please enter ONLINEBUNDLE at checkout when purchasing the course and textbook together to save 7% on both items (not valid on sale products).

Alma Loveland is a graphic designer whose passion for Illustrator has driven her to learn all the ins and outs of the program. Seldom is a student able to stump her with a question! With her husband, Alma owns an art and design company, Ollibird, and is known for her clean, cheerful style. She uses Illustrator to design mobile apps, and products and identities for a variety of companies. Get a sense of her teaching style by watching a few of her free tutorials and reading a few Illustrator-related blog posts here at Nicole’s Classes! Feel free to drop her a line if you have any questions about taking this course!

“I just wanted to thank you for the amazing Illustrator 101 class. I never imagined I could learn so much about this (new to me) program in just four weeks, and your course made it so easy. I was never fustrated or confused. Thank you for sharing your amazing class with me!” —Briana, Illustrator 101 student

“I used to be so intimidated by Illustrator and knew that not knowing it would limit what I could offer my customers. I took your intro class earlier this year and I’m just so thrilled with what I was able to learn in such a short amount of time!… Now that I’ve learned that oh so wonderful live trace feature (amongst others), I was able to use my existing drawings and make them scaleable. Anyway, I just wanted to take the time to thank you, Alma and the rest of your team for providing such an easy way for a designer like myself to learn quickly and effectively.” —Gina, Illustrator 101 student

“I just wanted to extend a thank you for the class and the material covered. I learned so much in the four weeks, enjoyed the practice and appreciated the advice when given. The course was recommended to me by a friend and I would do the same again to anyone who wants to learn this type of software.” —Frances, Illustrator 101 student