Big Rock Digital
Graphic Design

Adobe Illustrator Training Course

Instructor-led Illustrator training, from your first shape to professional vector artwork, logos and branding assets.

Training

Instructor-led

Duration

1–2 days

Times

10am – 4pm

Class size

6 learners max

View Course Outline

About this course

Learn Adobe Illustrator with a live instructor

Our Adobe Illustrator courses are designed for both beginners looking to build a strong foundation in vector design and illustration, and experienced users wanting to develop more advanced creative and production workflows.

Delivered live online to learners in Belfast, Dublin, and across the UK, these instructor-led courses provide practical, hands-on training in creating professional vector artwork, illustrations, logos, icons, marketing assets, and digital graphics using Adobe Illustrator.

The Beginner course focuses on core tools and essential design workflows, helping learners understand the Illustrator interface, shapes, paths, typography, colour, layers, and how to create clean, scalable artwork for print and digital use.

The Advanced course is designed for users who already understand the fundamentals and want to refine their skills through advanced illustration techniques, precision drawing, complex vector workflows, branding assets, creative effects, workflow automation, and professional production processes.

Suitable for designers, marketers, illustrators, content creators, and communications professionals, the courses emphasise practical workflows, creative confidence, and industry-standard techniques used across branding, advertising, social media, packaging, and digital content creation.

By the end of the course, participants will be able to confidently create polished, professional vector artwork and design assets using efficient Adobe Illustrator workflows for both print and digital projects.

What you'll need

  • Adobe Illustrator
  • A reliable internet connection

Course levels

Pick the right starting point

Intro / Intermediate

£395 + VAT

Build a strong foundation in vector design: the interface, shapes, paths, typography, colour and layers for clean, scalable artwork.

Duration
2 days
Times
10am – 4pm
Delivery
Virtual

Advanced

£475 + VAT

For confident users: robust document structures, advanced typography and style systems, asset management, automation, colour accuracy and professional output.

Duration
1 day
Times
10am – 4pm
Delivery
Virtual

Bundle · Intro / Intermediate + Advanced

Save £75

£795 + VAT

Book both courses together — three days taking you from the fundamentals to professional-level vector workflows.

Course outline

What you'll learn

Day 1

Learn how to:

  • Over view of Adobe Illustrator

Learn how to:

  • Understand the difference between vector vs raster
  • Identify best use cases for Illustrator
  • Understand scalability and resolution independence

Learn how to:

  • Navigate the Welcome Screen
  • Create new documents for print, web, and social
  • Understand artboards vs canvas
  • Customise workspaces and panels

Topics:

Properties Panel (CC 2026 updates)Control Bar vs Contextual Task BarToolbars: Basic vs AdvancedSmart Guides overview

Learn how to:

  • Create and resize artboards
  • Use multiple artboards for layouts
  • Reorder and rename artboards
  • Export individual artboards

Learn how to:

  • Create rectangles, ellipses, polygons, stars
  • Use Live Shapes and corner controls
  • Modify shapes non-destructively

Learn how to:

  • Understand anchor points and paths
  • Create straight and curved paths
  • Control handles accurately
  • Edit existing paths

Topics:

Tracing simple iconsCreating clean geometric shapes

Learn how to:

  • Draw smooth curves quickly
  • Edit paths without handles
  • Combine Pen + Curvature tools

Learn how to:

  • Use Selection vs Direct Selection tools
  • Select anchor points, paths, and objects
  • Group, isolate, and lock artwork

Learn how to:

  • Align objects precisely
  • Use key objects
  • Distribute spacing evenly
  • Use Smart Guides effectively

Learn how to:

  • Understand RGB vs CMYK
  • Apply fills and strokes
  • Create and manage swatches
  • Use Global Colours

Learn how to:

  • Create linear, radial, and freeform gradients
  • Apply gradients to strokes
  • Use the Gradient Tool interactively

Day 2

Learn how to:

  • Use Point Type, Area Type, and Type on a Path
  • Adjust character and paragraph settings
  • Use OpenType features

Learn how to:

  • Outline text safely
  • Edit anchor points in letterforms
  • Prepare typography for logos

Learn how to:

  • Combine shapes visually
  • Subtract and merge areas
  • Create custom icons and logos

Learn how to:

  • Unite, Minus Front, Intersect, Exclude
  • Use destructive vs non-destructive workflows

Learn how to:

  • Organise complex artwork
  • Lock, hide, and reorder layers
  • Use sub-layers correctly

Learn how to:

  • Name layers properly
  • Prepare files for handoff
  • Avoid common beginner mistakes

Learn how to:

  • Stack multiple fills and strokes
  • Apply effects non-destructively
  • Re-edit effects at any stage

Learn how to:

  • Apply shadows and glows correctly
  • Avoid rasterising artwork accidentally

Learn how to:

  • Sketch → build → refine
  • Use grids and alignment
  • Balance typography and icon design

Topics:

Create a clean, scalable logo mark

Learn how to:

  • Save AI files properly
  • Export SVG, PDF, PNG, JPG
  • Understand print-ready PDFs

Learn how to:

  • Use Export for Screens
  • Optimise SVGs
  • Export multiple sizes efficiently

Learn how to:

  • Avoid common Illustrator mistakes
  • Improve speed and accuracy
  • Build confidence with daily practice
  • Know when to use Illustrator vs Photoshop vs InDesign

Success stories

What our learners say

"Both course content and instructor knowledge is exceptional – fresh, engaging and relevant. The ongoing support that Big Rock Designs provides is a real plus. I plan to attend future courses and would recommend other do too!"

C

Claire Youd

Adobe Illustrator

"Although my Photoshop knowledge was very limited, I found the organised sessions very easy to follow and I was over the moon at the amount I had learned. I’m looking forward to putting it all into practice in the coming months ahead."

J

Joanne Doherty

Adobe Illustrator

"As someone who has attended numerous digital workshops and training I can honestly say Big Rock Academy’s introduction to Photoshop was the best I’ve ever experienced. They excelled in teaching us the logic behind the main tools in a very easy to understand way."

L

Lorna McGivern

Adobe Illustrator

"I just completed the Advanced Photoshop course at Big Rock Academy and I’m extremely pleased with what I’ve learnt. I now feel equipped to put it into practice in my job. I had a great teacher and I was able to really get to grasps with the software very quickly."

R

Rachael Weir

Adobe Illustrator

FAQs

Adobe Illustrator course questions

Choose Intro / Intermediate if you're new to Illustrator or self-taught and want solid foundations in vector design. Choose Advanced if you already use Illustrator confidently and want to work at a professional level. Not sure? Send us an enquiry and we'll advise.

All our courses are live, providing interactive sessions with certified instructors for real-time guidance and support. You also get a full recording of your course.

You'll need Adobe Illustrator installed, plus a reliable internet connection, as all sessions are live online.

Yes, participants receive a certificate of completion to showcase their newly acquired skills.

Yes, we offer tailored training for individuals, teams, and businesses to ensure the content meets your specific needs.

Enrol

Book your Adobe Illustrator course

Tell us which level suits you and we'll come back to you with the next available dates.

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