Adobe Illustrator for Beginners | FREE COURSE
At a glance
- Length
- 3 hr 17 min
- Channel
- Envato Tuts+
- Video from
- Apr 2020
- Rating
- ⭐⭐ Great video · 2/2
- Best for
- Beginners with no design experience learning Adobe Illustrator basics
What this video answers
- Do I need to own Adobe Illustrator to take this course?
- Can I download the exercise files to follow along?
- How long does it take to complete the course?
- Will this course teach me to design logos professionally?
- What if I get stuck on a difficult tool?
What This Adobe Illustrator Beginners Course Covers
Envato Tuts+ offers a comprehensive free course on Adobe Illustrator designed specifically for people with no prior experience in the software or design. The video runs over three hours and walks through everything from opening the program for the first time through exporting finished work for print and web. The approach is methodical and confidence-building—the instructors assume nothing and build each concept step by step.
The course is structured around practical skills rather than theory. Rather than explaining design philosophy or art history, the video focuses on hands-on techniques you can apply immediately. Downloadable source files are provided so viewers can follow along with the same assets the instructor uses, turning the course into an interactive learning experience.
Key Moments
Key Strengths of This Illustrator Training
- Covers essential drawing tools in depth, including the Pen Tool, Curvature Tool, Pencil Tool, and Shape Builder, with dedicated segments for each
- Includes a practical logo-design exercise that lets you apply multiple techniques in one real-world project
- Progresses from foundational document setup through advanced skills like pattern creation and image vectorization
- Provides downloadable exercise files from both direct links and GitHub, so you can work alongside the instructor
- Addresses both creative output (drawing, effects, distortion) and practical finishing skills (exporting, file formats)
- Explicitly designed for absolute beginners—no prior design or software knowledge required
Who Should Take This Illustrator Course
This course suits anyone picking up Illustrator for the first time, whether you're exploring a new skill, preparing for a graphic design career, or building creative assets for a business or side project. If you've opened Illustrator before and felt overwhelmed, this structured approach will clarify what each tool does and when to use it. The course assumes no design background, so prior artistic skill is not a barrier.
It's particularly valuable for people who learn best by doing rather than reading manuals. The combination of video instruction, downloadable files, and step-by-step exercises creates multiple ways to absorb each concept. The verdict: this is a solid, free entry point that removes the intimidation factor from learning professional design software.
Common Questions About This Illustrator Training
Do I need to own Adobe Illustrator to take this course?
Yes, you need access to Adobe Illustrator. The video does not cover how to obtain the software or discuss trial versions, but Adobe offers a free trial and subscription options for individual or educational use.
Can I download the exercise files to follow along?
Yes. The video description includes links to download source files directly and via GitHub. Having these files lets you work alongside the instructor using the exact same assets, which speeds up learning.
How long does it take to complete the course?
The full video is over three hours. You can watch it in one sitting or break it into sections—each major topic (drawing, color, type, effects, exporting) stands somewhat independently, so you can focus on what interests you first.
Will this course teach me to design logos professionally?
The course includes a logo exercise and references a separate paid course on logo design, so it covers enough to create a basic logo. However, it focuses on software skills rather than design theory or professional branding strategy.
What if I get stuck on a difficult tool?
The course breaks down complex tools like the Pen and Curvature tools into dedicated segments. You can rewatch those sections or jump directly to them using the chapter timestamps. The video also provides downloadable files so you can compare your work to the instructor's.
Key Terms
- Shape Builder Tool
- A tool in Illustrator that lets you combine or divide overlapping shapes to create more complex forms.
- Pen Tool
- A fundamental drawing tool that creates precise paths and curves by clicking anchor points.
- Curvature Tool
- A tool designed to draw smooth, curved lines more intuitively than the Pen Tool by clicking and dragging.
- Vectorize
- The process of converting a raster image (pixels) into vector format (scalable paths and shapes) so it can be resized without losing quality.
- Gradient
- A smooth color transition from one shade to another, used to fill or color objects in Illustrator.
Sources: Shape Builder Tool · Pen Tool · Curvature Tool · Vectorize · Gradient — definitions cross-referenced with Wikipedia
Video by Envato Tuts+ on YouTube. If you enjoyed it, please subscribe to their channel and show your support for the great video.
Description
Learn how to use Adobe Illustrator for beginners in this free course.
►The broadest range of asset categories, all in one place: https://elements.envato.com/?utm_campaign=yt_tutsplus_Ib8UBwu3yGA&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=youtube.com&utm_content=description
Start by mastering the Illustrator basics, and then learn to create effects, patterns, and more. This free Adobe Illustrator course is aimed at helping beginners learn how to use Adobe Illustrator easily and quickly. You don’t need any previous knowledge of the software, and you don’t need design or illustration skills. We’ll start right at the beginning and work our way through each topic step by step. If you’ve never opened Illustrator before—or maybe you’ve opened it and struggled—this course is for you! By the end, you'll know how to draw in Adobe Illustrator, how to make a pattern in Illustrator, and so much more.
► Learn more Adobe Illustrator with our free course, Mastering Logo Design in Adobe Illustrator: https://youtu.be/YycxaAK2MZ4
Find the Source Files (Exercise Files) Here and Follow Along! https://s3.amazonaws.com/cms-assets.tutsplus.com/uploads/users/71/courses/1234/attachment/SourceFiles-FromTopAdobeIllustratorBeginners.zip
Or, download the Source Files from GitHub (hit the green CODE button and then Download ZIP): https://github.com/tutsplus/adobe-illustrator-for-beginners
Read more on Adobe Illustrator for Beginners and follow along on Envato Tuts+: https://design.tutsplus.com/adobe-illustrator-for-beginners--ytc-5c?utm_campaign=yt_tutsplus_Ib8UBwu3yGA&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=youtube.com&utm_content=description
1 Introduction
00:00:00 1.1 Welcome to the Course
00:01:43 1.2 Getting Started
2 How to Draw in Illustrator
00:07:42 2.1 Setting Up Our Document
00:12:10 2.2 Drawing With Shapes and Lines
00:33:30 2.3 Grouping and Arranging
00:46:54 2.4 Drawing With the Shape Builder Tool
01:01:12 2.5 Exercise: Draw a Custom Logo
01:11:31 2.6 How to Use the Curvature Tool in Illustrator
01:29:14 2.7 How to Use the Pen Tool in Illustrator
01:40:58 2.8 How to Use the Pencil Tool in Illustrator
01:51:23 2.9 Using Brushes
3 Color
01:58:55 3.1 Working With Color
02:07:04 3.2 How to Use the Gradient Tool in Illustrator
4 Type and Fonts
02:13:39 4.1 How to Use Type and Fonts in Illustrator
5 Effects and Patterns in Illustrator
02:23:47 5.1 Liquifying and Distorting in Illustrator
02:35:05 5.2 Bending and Warping Shapes and Text
02:41:59 5.3 How to Make a Pattern in Illustrator
02:53:44 5.4 How to Vectorize an Image in Illustrator
6 Exporting
03:04:33 6.1 Exporting for Print and Web
7 Conclusion
03:15:39 7.1 What Next?
• @tutsplusdesign on Twitter https://twitter.com/TutsPlus
• @danlovesadobe on Twitter https://twitter.com/danlovesadobe
• @bringyourownlaptop on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bringyourownlaptop/
Find more amazing Adobe Illustrator Tutorials from Envato Tuts+
• Create Professional Logos in an Instant! | Adobe Illustrator https://youtu.be/C0t1bMhKZ0Q
• Make a Halftone Effects Pattern and Brushes | Photoshop and Illustrator https://youtu.be/xQINX_6DcGg
• How to Make a Watercolor Brush in Adobe Illustrator https://youtu.be/APzkcH27HY0
• Create an Isometric Type Effect in Adobe Illustrator https://youtu.be/FUPvu3kaN3o
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► Download Unlimited Stock Photos, Fonts & Templates with Envato Elements: https://elements.envato.com/?utm_campaign=yt_tutsplus_Ib8UBwu3yGA&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=youtube.com&utm_content=description
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