JessicaSprague.com

Difficulty:

Here are some quick details of the class:

• Course Type: Self-paced
• Format: Video, online
• Length: Four video Lessons
• Subject: Digital design using Adobe Illustrator
• Instructor: Carina Gardner
• Works for: Adobe Illustrator CS2, CS3 and CS4
• Mac and Windows? Both!
• Who's it for: advanced digital scrapbookers, beginning digital designers

Class goes live on January 1! Register today!

INSPIRE YOURSELF…

to do more. If you are ready to start creating FOR YOURSELF, then Illustrator is the program for you. This self-paced class is set up to help you get comfortable in a graphic designer’s favorite tool: Illustrator. Build and design your own products, templates, cards, and more while streamlining your creative process.

Going back to school to become a designer is a big step and can be costly in resources, time, and finances. You’ll be surprised at how much you will be able to accomplish after this introductory course!

This class is packed with step-by-step lessons, design theory, practical applications, and digital goodies that put me right there beside you as you get started in Illustrator. These techniques are EXACTLY THE SAME ONES I taught to college students in their introductory graphic design classes. You do NOT need to know how to draw to use Illustrator. Learn how to use the drawing tools, learn some introductory design vocabulary and make way for the path to creativity: YOUR creativity.

Click on the link below to launch the Illustrator 101 trailer (this pops up in its own window - be sure to adjust your pop-up blocker accordingly).

Click Here to watch the course intro video.

Here’s a summary of some of the things you will do in the this class:

• I'll walk you through four video lessons, which will introduce you to the basic functions of Illustrator and get you comfortable with the environment. Each video lesson is 45 to 65 minutes long, and is divided into bite-size, do-able tasks that will have you improving your skills in no time!
• My step-by-step video lessons let you see and hear the techniques, at an easy-to-understand pace, with techniques that build on one another. You can stop, rewind, and restart the videos as many times as you need to.
• You'll get a download with all the tools you will need to complete the assignments and tasks.
• I have also jam packed into this course extra digital scrapbooking goodies and vectors in your download!
• You'll receive three bonus lessons with extra exercises that will help you use Photoshop and Illustrator together and help you practice using the drawing tools.
• You can register at ANY TIME, no need to wait for a class date!
• If you have questions during your class, I'll be there to assist in our private Message Board!
• You'll get INSTANT ACCESS to the entire course.
• All of the videos you'll see will be available forever from your course home page at JessicaSprague.com. No expiration, EVER.

NOT Mandatory, but helpful

*if you have a basic knowledge of Photoshop | Why? Because we use Photoshop side-by-side Illustrator as a companion tool. You’ll also feel more comfortable diving into Illustrator if you have a basic working knowledge of Photoshop because the environments are very similar.

Course Overview

Lesson 1: Illustrator Basics

Final product: 5” x 7” birthday card
We’ll focus on:

• Opening a new file in Illustrator
• Vector vs. Pixel
• Conversions of points, picas, and inches
• Art Board
• The selection tool
• The color system; stroke and fill
• The rectangle tool
• Basic text tool
• Copying and pasting
• Simple alignment
• Basic pen tool
• Saving your document
• Exporting a jpg

Lesson 2: Basics and Beyond

Final product: Four 12” x 12” templates
We’ll focus on:

• Guides, grids, and rulers
• Locking objects
• Document set up
• Rounded rectangle tool
• The align tool
• Transforming objects
• Arranging objects
• Building a basic pattern brush
• Layering

Lesson 3: Drawing Tools

Final product: Flower Vignette
We’ll focus on:

• The pen tool
• The brush tool
• The pencil tool
• The path erase tool, scissor tool, and erase tool
• Building calligraphic brushes
• The reflection tool

Lesson 4: Combining Techniques

Final product: 5.5” x 8” birthday card
We’ll focus on:

• Advanced text too
• Tracing tool in black & white and color
• Combining everything you have learned

Bonus Lessons

A. Exporting a jpg file from an Illustrator Document
B. Illustrator templates into useable Photoshop templates
C. More on the drawing tools: Traceable vectors

I can't wait to show you all the amazing designs you can create yourself in Adobe Illustrator! See you in class!