Research Guides: Adobe Illustrator 2023: Online Learning Resources

What's Covered in this Guide?

When Should I Use Adobe Illustrator?

How is Illustrator different from Photoshop?
Photoshop vs Illustrator for Design - What's the Difference?
This video explains the difference in function between Illustrator and Photoshop. You'll learn the difference between vector graphics (used in Illustrator) and raster graphics (used in Photoshop).

How Do I Access Illustrator? Is it Free?

The Adobe Creative Cloud, which includes Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, and other creative applications, is available for free to all current GW students, faculty, and staff. Follow GW IT's instructions to download onto your university-owned or personal device. You may download to a maximum of two devices at a time.

Free Online Illustrator Courses and Tutorials

The following websites offer access to online courses and tutorials designed to get you started with Illustrator or, if you are already familiar with with the software, to master new skills. Many additional resources are available via online search.

Adobe Illustrator Free Course for Beginners (45:58)
Pixel and Bracket created this tutorial for those who have never touched Illustrator before.
Adobe Illustrator for Beginners Video Tutorial (3:17:15)
A free course by Envato tuts+. You can watch the entire course, or you can select a specific topic to learn about.
Learn Illustrator
Adobe offers a large library of video tutorials designed for every skill level, from beginner to expert.
Linkedin Learning Illustrator tutorials
LinkedIn Learning is offered free to all students, faculty, and staff at GW.
TO ACCESS LINKEDIN LEARNING:
-Click on the LinkedIn Learning Illustrator tutorials link above to access the website.
-Sign in with your Colonial email and password.
-Choose Sign in with Single Sign-On.
-Once in the program, enter "Illustrator" in the search window up top to display available video courses and shorter tutorials.
-Each course or tutorial indicates whether it is targeted to beginner, intermediate, or advanced learners.
Adobe Illustrator tutorials
Adobe offers Illustrator video tutorials for beginners on individual topics, such as creating shapes and using the pen tool. As GW has a site license for the program, these tutorials are offered free to GW students, faculty, and staff.
Illustrator Tutorials YouTube channel
Access free video tutorials to learn how to do specific tasks in Illustrator, such as logo creation and image tracing. Not affiliated with adobe.com.
The Complete Beginner's Guide to Adobe Illustrator
Tasty Tuts has put together a course for beginners that includes online video tutorials on a range of topics that are divided into three sections build on one another: Introduction, Essential Practice, and Create a Project.
Illustrator Topic Tutorials
Pixel and Bracket offers a variety of video tutorials on a range of topics, such as how to export your Illustrator project to Adobe Acrobat, and how to draw smooth lines using the paint brush tool.
Adobe Illustrator tutorials: 42 lessons to improve your skills
Creative Bloq offers tutorials (including video tutorials) to suit beginners as well as experts. There's even a beginner's tutorial for people using Illustrator on an iPad.

Tutorials on Individual Topics in Illustrator

Vector vs. Raster Graphics Explained
Learn the differences between vector graphics (used in Illustrator) and raster graphics (used in Photoshop).
Pen Tool Beginner's Guide (6:47)
A clear and relatively short introduction to the Pen Tool in Adobe Illustrator.
Pen Tool Beginner's Guide (14:15)
This video created by Made by Mighty provides an easy-to-follow introduction to the Pen Tool.
Learn how to use the Pen Tool
This pen tool tutorial created by Veerle includes a downloadable pen tool exercise.
How to Use the Pathfinder Tool
Learn how to combine overlapping individual shapes to create more complex shapes.
How to type on a path (4:14)
Learn how to create text along a curved path, such as a circle or wavy line.
Illustrator's Type Tool: A Comprehensive Introduction (13:22)
This video from Envato tuts+ introduces you to all the ways you can create type (vertically, on a path, etc.) in Illustrator.
Beginner Logo Tutorial (10:55)
Learn how to create a simple logo in this tutorial designed for beginners.
Adobe Color CC (formerly Kuler)
Easily create harmonious color palettes, or explore a vast library of existing color palettes for use in your project.

Adobe Illustrator for Scientists

Check out the Illustrator YouTube channel that offers tutorials geared specifically toward scientists. Learn how to draw a synapse or a lipid bilayer. Or create a simple DNA strand.