Adobe Illustrator for Graphic Design
A course by Valeria DubinVisual Communication Expert
A course by Valeria Dubin, Visual Communication Expert
Learn how to use Illustrator to develop any graphic design project from scratch
Having a graphic communication strategy is the foundation of any project, and the best tool for developing its entire visual and graphic universe is Adobe Illustrator, the most popular and indispensable program for designers around the world.In this six-course Domestika Basics, graphic designer and art director Valeria Dubin teaches you how to use the software from scratch to create graphic projects from start to finish.
Valeria, with her extensive experience working with brands like Barceló Hoteles, La Xunta de Galicia, and the CCCB as well as on projects such as Pixar: 25 Years of Animation at the Caixa Forum in Barcelona, Spain, teaches you to use the program to create a logo and corporate stationery, as well as design patterns, textures, and a promotional poster.
Start by familiarizing yourself with the basic elements of the Illustrator interface and how to adjust them to your needs. Learn the difference between a pixel and a vector, discover how to create a document, and get to know the general workspace including key components like the properties panel and the toolbar.
After finishing up a tour of the text tools, learn to create and edit vectors. Design a brand’s logo from a specific typeface and convert it into an editable vector.Then, do a small illustration of a symbol with basic lines and, once it is ready, join both elements with the path and shape modifying tools before giving your design an identity using the Symbols panel.
Move on to design an advertising poster. Learn to work with photographs and see how to convert them into vectors and create special paints, gradients, and strokes for a stunning poster. Now it's time to edit bodies of text, organize your piece using layers, and prepare the final artwork.
To wrap up this Domestika Basics, explore all the possibilities that Illustrator has to offer for storing and exporting projects. See the different settings and options for creating PDF files and learn how to configure the print settings of your files.
Finish this Domestika Basics by Valeria Dubin with all the skills you need to create professional-grade work for any graphic design project using an efficient workflow in Adobe Illustrator.
Technical Requirements
⦁ A computer with Windows 7 (or higher) or macOS 10.12 (Sierra) ⦁ Adobe Illustrator CC (you can buy it or download the seven-day trial version on the Adobe website). ⦁ A graphics tablet is also recommended although not essential.
Recommended software & tools for this course
Reviews
- 1 month ago
Bom curso para iniciantes, prático e dinâmico, gostei!
- 5 months ago
La explicación es excelente, no pierde tiempo ni por un momento, explica absolutamente todo y da buenas referencias.
- 5 months ago
El curso es claro, bien planteado. Lo recomiendo
- 6 months ago
Haber realizado el curso básico de Illustrator con la profesora Valeria Dubin ha sido una experiencia muy satisfactoria y enriquecedora. Me siento contento por todo lo aprendido, ya que el contenido fue claro, práctico y fácil de aplicar. Valeria demostró un gran compromiso, explicando cada tema con profesionalismo y mucha paciencia. Sin duda, su excelente trabajo hizo que el curso fuera ameno, útil y altamente recomendable.
- 6 months ago
Este curso ha sido un gran apoyo en mis tareas diarias. Me ha permitido comprender las artes con mayor claridad y validarlas para su uso en proyectos. Valeria es una excelente profesora.
Valeria currently works as a freelance designer collaborating on graphic design projects geared towards spaces, like signage for the old Estrella Damm factory, or strategy and brand building projects for clients like the El Miracle cheese factory and The Family Language English school.
Content
Course 1 – Introduction
- U1
Pixel vs Vector. Why Illustrator
- Pixel vs Vector. Why Illustrator
- U2
First load of the program and Creation of a new document
- First load of the program and Creation of a new document
- U3
Your workspace
- Your workspace I
- Your workspace II
- U4
The properties panel. From the idea to the canvas!
- The properties panel. From the idea to the canvas!
- U5
Your toolbox
- Your toolbox
Course 2 – Brand Design
- U1
The text. Designing a logo
- The text. Designing a logo
- The text. Designing a logo II
- U2
The drawing. Designing a symbol.
- The drawing. Designing a symbol
- The drawing. Designing a symbol II
- U3
Creating a brand Modification of shapes and strokes.
- Creating a brand Modification of shapes and strokes.
- U4
The symbol library. Your brand always the same.
- The symbol library. Your brand always the same.
Course 3 – Pattern Creation
- U1
Geometric shapes and the base of your pattern.
- Geometric shapes and the base of your pattern.
- U2
Paint and color: the color in Illustrator.
- Paint and color: the color in Illustrator.
- U3
Organization and transformation of objects. Creating the base unit of your pattern.
- Organization and transformation of objects. Creating the base unit of your pattern.
- Organization and transformation of objects. Creating the base unit of your pattern II
- U4
The tracer and clipping masks.
- The tracer and clipping masks.
- U5
Rules, guides and grids. The design is good when necessary.
- Rules, guides and grids. The design is good when necessary.
- U6
Edit colors globally. If you don't like how it looks ... change it!
- Edit colors globally. If you don't like how it looks ... change it!
- U7
Other reasons to create a pattern
- Other reasons to create a pattern
Course 4 – Design of Corporate Apps
- U1
Defining the applications of your identity. The work tables.
- Defining the applications of your identity. The work tables.
- U2
The graphic elements of your corporate identity. Import other illustrations.
- The graphic elements of your corporate identity. Import other illustrations.
- U3
A text with character! Working with style
- A text with character! Working with style
- U4
Ready to present! Work with effects and graphic styles.
- Ready to present! Work with effects and graphic styles.
- Ready to present! Working with effects and graphic styles II
Course 5 – Design of an Advertising Poster
- U1
Blessed picture. Working with images
- Blessed picture. Working with images
- U2
Image tracing. From pixel to vector.
- Image tracing. From pixel to vector.
- U3
Gradients, transparencies and blending modes
- Gradients, transparencies and blending modes
- U4
The client has the word. Working with external texts.
- The client has the word. Working with external texts.
- U5
Get organized and work with layers
- Get organized and work with layers
- U6
The final art
- The final art
Course 6 – Export, Storage and Printing
- U1
Export and storage
- Export and storage
- Export and storage II
- U2
Adobe PDF file creation
- Adobe PDF file creation
- U3
Print
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
This course is designed for beginners and requires no prior experience with Illustrator or graphic design—just basic computer skills.
All you need is a computer with Adobe Illustrator installed, preferably the latest version. Internet access is also recommended to download course resources and materials.
You’ll learn to use both basic and advanced Illustrator tools, create logos, geometric patterns, symbols, apply gradients and transparencies, work with clipping masks, and prepare final files ready for print or digital media.
Vector graphics are based on mathematical formulas and can be scaled without losing quality, while raster graphics are made up of pixels and can become blurry when resized.
You’ll learn to use shape, path, and color tools to design original logos, organize elements in layers, and apply visual effects to achieve a professional look.
Yes, the course includes creating geometric patterns using basic shapes, organizing elements, and defining motifs to use in backgrounds and corporate designs.
You’ll learn how to create custom symbols that you can easily reuse and edit throughout your projects, helping maintain visual consistency in brand identity.