Illustrator Course
8 lessons, € 795-, ex VAT
Course Fees
Course in a group
€ 795,- excluding VAT
€ 946,05 including VAT
Personal training
€ 1095,- excluding VAT
€ 1.305,05 including VAT
UWV, DWI or WWIK?
Attending via UWV/DWI/WWIK?
If you want the UWV/DWI or WWIK to pay for your course you will have to give them an estimate. Special fees can apply to courses that are reimbursed through these services to fall within the allocated budgets. Look on this page for more information.
Course fees include
Course fees include the following
Lesson material
Course fee and exam fee
Extra telephone and on-line support
Personal homework corrections
8-week courses and education extras:
Syllabus
A month long extra help
Lesson count
Course in a group
8 weekly lessons
Personal training
A special schedule is possible, contact us for more information.
Enrolling and starting dates
You want to attend a course?
Go to this page.
You can also use the small reaction form on this page. We will need more information to send you the invoice though, we shall ask you for this in an e-mail.
Reactions
Zeer degelijk
Dit is een zeer degelijke cursus die goed de basis van Illustrator uit de doeken doet. De sfeer is goed en nodigt uit om vragen en opmerkingen te plaatsen waar ook goed en professioneel op wordt gereageerd. Het cursusmateriaal is uitgebreid en de oefeningen sluiten aan op de behandelde stof. Het huiswerk sluit ook aan op de afgelopen lessen en zijn van goed niveau, zelfs voor de mensen die al wat ervaring hebben met Illustrator. Het vergt wel een paar uur per week om het huiswerk te maken maar het heeft dan ook tot doel om routine op te bouwen.
Tot slot; de geboden faciliteiten zijn goed en er zijn mogelijkheden om met de verschillende versies van Illustrator (CS3/4/5)) te werken.Kortom; deze cursus is de prijs meer dan waard!
JanHas
Professional training
This school is so different that I hope they will stay this way for ever and not grow into one of those fast-school facilities. Professional training, personal coaching and homework corrections. What more do I need? Thanks miss, had to get used to your sense of humor but wow!
W. Young
Eindelijk leuk
Ik ben al op meerdere scholen geweest, het moest er snel, het moet met standaard materiaal, er is geen begeleiding... Eindelijk vind ik naar school gaan leuk en vooral inspirerend en leerzaam! Deze school is een echte aanrader!
Neil Jurgens
Net begonnen
Ik ben net begonnnen met deze cursus maar het bevalt me nu al goed! Ik krijg na deze twee lessen elke keer trouw antwoord op mijn vragen. Had ik niet verwacht, heel erg bedankt en sorry dat ik zoveel vragen stel!
M. Sluizer
Inspirational
Illustrator is a very extensive application and I must say I dreaded the course. But due to the teacher's patience I found the course to be not only clear and helpful but truly inspirational. I am looking forward to the advanced course.
Bette Lawson
Patience with the pen
I really lost heart when the pen tool was addressed. I didn't understand it at all. Due to the teacher's patience and clear responses I finally got it and I must say I truly enjoy using it now. Excellent course!
Amanda Reyes
Top!
Geweldige cursus! Zo uitgebreid en praktisch. De begeleiding is zeer goed. Ik heb uiteindelijk 3 cursussen gevolgd. Ik ontwerp voor mijn eigen bedrijf en nu doe ik alles digitaal en ben zo onafhankelijk van andere ontwerpers. Top! Ga zo door.
Yisa Lin-Ting
Saturated
I learned not only the basics but even features used by professionals. The course was saturated with incredibly useful information. Thanks!
Raymond Rowe
Alles afgevinkt
De cursus is heel goed en professioneel. Ik heb voor de cursus een lijst gemaakt van alles wat ik wilde leren tijdens deze cursus en heb alles kunnen afvinken.
E. van H.
Ontzettend duidelijk
Ik ben echt zeer tevreden over de inhoud van de cursus die ik heb gevolgd. Naar mijn idee wordt de beschikbare tijd zeer nuttig gebruikt tijdens de lessen. Het lesmateriaal is zo ontzettend duidelijk dat je er genoeg aan hebt om alles thuis nog eens door te nemen en vervolgens de huiswerkopdrachten te maken. Mij sprak het tempo wel aan, het gaf me het gevoel dat ik snel en veel leerde.
Ook ben ik zeer te spreken over het feit dat ik steeds zo snel een reactie ontving per email als ik huiswerk toestuurde of iets te vragen had.
Aimée Hoen
Er werkelijk iets aan hebben
Les krijgen en weten dat je er ook werkelijk iets aan gehad hebt. Dit stimuleert enorm. Geweldig lesmateriaal!!!
M.H.
Cursus: eye-opener
Deze cursus is een echte eye-opener. Ik kan nu al mijn ontwerpen digitaliseren wat een hoop tijd scheelt. Bedankt voor de goede begeleiding!
Janneke van Bremen
Bedankt
Ik kijk sinds ik met de eerste cursus begon heel anders naar de wereld en ontdek steeds meer dingen die met Illustrator zijn gemaakt. Het is zo opvallend! En het mooiste is: ik heb er nu werk mee gevonden. Heel erg bedankt!
Jeltsje van Maerlen
Great, people!
Thanks for the course. Really inspiring. I am coming back for more courses. Great, people!
Stan Brown
Hard werken
Het was hard werken zeg. Maar alle moeite waard! Ik heb er echt tijd voor moeten maken en gelukkig werd me op het werk ook de ruimte gegeven om dat te doen. Ik gebruik het nu in mijn functie van webdesigner en maak de nieuwsbrieven en presentaties op. Echt te gekke cursus!
Joris van Barneveld
Ideaal
Ik had deze cursus nodig voor mijn positie als marketing manager. We krijgen regelmatig Illustrator files toegestuurd ter revisie. Tot op heden waren dergelijke bestanden abracadabra voor mij. Nu niet meer. Ik redigeer en wijzig alles direct en kan instructies geven aan de editors overzee. Ideaal!
Linda d. J.
Illustrator Bijbel
Leerzame cursus, met duidelijke uitleg en uitgebreid naslagwerk ( een soort illustrator bijbel ).
Ik heb met heel veel plezier de cursus gevolgd !
H.M. V.
Dwarfed
I though this course would be easy, I have worked with Illustrator for a few years now. I stepped into your class room with a big ego. I am now dwarfed! But I love it ;)
Andrew Delaney
Illustreren
Al jaren was ik creatief bezig en ik wilde dit uitbreiden naar digitaal tekenwerk. Dat lukt me nu heel goed. Ik kan mijn eigen tekeningen mooi opmaken in Illustrator en ze bovendien van tekst voorzien. Ik ben echt heel blij met deze cursus. En wat een prachtig naslagwerk.
Merel de Jonge
Cursusmateriaal
Kijk, aan jullie cursusmateriaal heb ik nog eens wat. Dit is pas het echte werk. Geweldig!
Boris van den Heuvel
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Illustrator Course
Home> Adobe Courses> Illustrator Course
Illustrator Course alternatives
What is Illustrator?
Illustrator is an Adobe application, just like Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Flash and InDesign.
Illustrator helps you create vector objects. The application is particularly powerful because it allows you to combine these crisp, sharp objects with fotos and text. You will learn how to use Illustator to create designs, illustrations and layouts for posters and flyers.
Adobe Illustrator has been around since the nineties of the previous century and from that moment on it has been evolving into a powerful environment in which you can integrate images, text and vector objects into a fascinating design. You will get to know most of the possibilities of Illustrator during the Illustrator Course and the Illustrator Advanced Course.
Examples
Browse through this booklet to see examples from our lesson material.
Short course outline
The graphic designer of today is expected to know how to use many applications. He should not only know how to create layouts and artwork for print, he should also know how to create, edit and publish graphics for the Internet. During our Illustrator course you will learn what to pay attention to when you create graphics for all media and you will learn many techniques to help you fulfill your graphic needs.
When you learn Illustrator it is important to really understand the basics first. Anyone can create a nice looking image but to create artwork that is well editable and managable is very important. During this course you will get in-depth training on how to create professional graphics that can be used in many media.
Read more in the tabs.
- Brochure
- Content
- Extra Info
- Location
- Software
Brochure
Download the brochure on the Illustrator Courses. Please note this brochure is being translated: it is in Dutch.
Illustrator course introduction
During this course you will learn how to create graphic files. You are going to learn how to edit and manipulate them with the many tools Illustrator has in store for you. We focus on students with a professional graphic objective. The course is aimed at both graphic designers and illustrators in the designing, fashion and other creative industries.
At the end of the course you will be able to create graphic files from scratch and to edit third-party files and designs.
Concise outline
The course is very extensive. The following outline merely reflects a fraction of what will be addressed.
1. Getting acquainted
During this lesson of the Illustrator Course you will start using Illustrator. You will learn how it works, what it looks like and how tools work. We shall also explain the different document options you can use.
You are going to use Illustrator to create objects from scratch during this lesson. We shall teach you how to use different tools to create an Illustation.
The following topics will be addressed during this course lesson.
Using the different menus and palettes
Looking at the different view options and presentations
The artboard, the printing area
Colour settings
Colour environments
Creating files
Different settings for different file types
Creating the first illustrations with the basic objects
Using colour swatches, gradients and patterns
Ordening the artboard and objects
Technical aspects of documents
Saving files in different ways
You are going to create a few illustrations during this lesson. Have a look at an example of what you will learn during this lesson.
2. Creating and editing illustrations
The name of the application says it all: Illustrator. The appliation is created to illustrate, to create. You are going to do this during this lesson of the Illustrator Course. Whether you're in fashion, work as an architect or in PR: you will learn how to use the many drawing tools in Illustrator. You are going to digitize your own drawings and get to know the first techniques to do just that.
The following topics will be addressed during this course lesson.
Using layers
Cleverly use layer options
Creating free objects
Creating your own illustrations
Using the drawing tools
Integrating path styles
Digitizing your own artwork
Tracing sketches and fotos
Look at an example of what you will learn during this lesson.
3. Special transformations and using paths
During this lesson of the Illustrator Course you will start using the many transformation tools Illustrator has to offer. Objects will be split, recomposed, merged and much more.
The following topics will be addressed during this course lesson.
Splitting and merging paths
Transforming objects in many ways
Special transformations
Using the path options
Automatic transformations
See an example of what you will learn during this lesson.
4. Colour adjustments and cutting techniques
During this lesson you will learn how to professionally adjust, manage and combine colours. You will also learn how to use the different types of masks that Illustrator has in store for you. You are going to need them frequently in the near future so it's a good idea to understand how they work.
The following topics will be addressed during this course lesson.
Colours and adjustments
Colour management
See an example of what you will learn during this lesson.
5. Cutting and adjusting paths and masks
During this lesson you will learn how to cut and combine paths to create stunning artwork. You will also learn how to trace images and scans.
The following topics will be addressed during this course lesson.
Masking techniques
Different types of masks
Masking artwork in detail and in broad outlines
Special fill techniques
See an example of what you will learn during this lesson.
6. Text module: typography in Illustrator
During this part of the Illustrator Course you will learn how to use text and what you can do with it in Illustrator. Since it's birth, Illustrator has known many options for using and integrating text. And over the years things have improved beyond your imagination. Being the creative application that it is, text offers many options to create smashing designs. You are going to learn how to use simple text, how to create text on paths and indeed inside them and even how to integrate masking and text. All sorts of handy techniques will be addressed during this lesson of the Illustrator Course.
The following topics will be addressed during this course lesson.
Typography
The different text types
Using text styles
Using paragraph styles
Settings for text
Settings for paragraphs
Managing fonts
Creating stationery
Designing packaging
Revamping a flyer
Colour managing
See an example of what you will learn during this lesson.
7. Special transformations and graphs
During this lesson of the Illustrator Course you will use graphs. You are going to manage, edit and restyle them and learn how to import graph data. Creating and managing graphs in Illustrator is not a chore.
The following topics will be addressed during this course lesson.
Special transformations
Graphs
Graph management
Data management
Applying graph styles
Exporting Illustrator files
Exchanging Illustrator files
Answering questions
Addressing your work
See an example of what you will learn during this lesson.
8. Module test (exam)
During this module your skills and knowledge will be tested by a professional teacher and coach. You will do a few test assignments and send in a final assignment. If you have sent in homework during the course and succeed for the exam you will receive the certificate.
Since the courses are pretty intense the test can be attended on special Test Fridays. This allows you to choose your own testing date and time. Look on this page to find the dates.
Course intensivity
All our courses offer intensive training. This is because we want our students to find a job after the course. To make this even more realistic we keep track of the changes in the world of design and the software updates. Working with very old software versions is not an option unless a student needs to use it. Keeping track of all the changes is very important to us: it makes it possible to be a player in the dynamic, multi media oriented world of design.
Teachers
During our courses you will have a personal coach who is a professional in the world of design. Experience in the field of print and press makes this coach irreplacable while you study. You can ask your coach all the questions you may have and notice you will most often get the answer. While you attend the course you can send your coach your homework files and extra files in which 'things don't work'.
Duration
The course duration depends on the type of training you attend. Go to the course's page to find out more. The most common type of training is group training and personal training, have a look at the options for these courses.
Speed course
Personal and reserved training
5 weeks
Upon agreement
Group course: one lesson, once per week. This can be in the morning, afternoon or evening.
Personal training and reserved training can have special schedules.
Time slots
The times for group courses are fixed.
In the case of personal and reserved training special time slots can be booked.
Afternoon classes
Evening classes
13:00 - 15:00/15:30 or
14:00 - 16:00/16:30
18:30 - 20:30
Call us for more options: 020 6820080.
Estimated homework time
You will need about 8 hours per lesson. Most students spend even more time because they enjoy the work.
Verwacht denkniveau
Het niveau van de cursus ligt tussen MBO en HBO in. Er wordt van u verwacht dat u thuis zelfstandig kunt werken maar ook goed kunt meekomen in een groep.
Starting dates
The courses start about every two months. Go to this page to see the dates of the courses.
Applying
Go to the course's page or this page to apply. We shall send you an application form to fill out and after we receive it back from you we shall send you the invoice for the course.
Location
The courses are taking place in Amsterdam. Our location is very easily accessed by tram, bus, metro and even train. Of course you can use the car as well. All necessary facilities are available on the premises.
Literature and lesson material
LearningTrain keeps track of the developments of Adobe software. Using our Adobe contacts makes this even easier. The literature we consult is always up to date and the lesson material is often hot from the press.
Applications
We have a trial for you so you can do the homework. But of course you can also download the trial from the Adobe website.
During class we usually use the most recent version of the software and the version before that. This makes sure you are aware of the developments in the software and that you can create the best designs for your projects. The design market is pretty competitive, having the correct software gives you an extra edge.
Operating system
The Adobe applications have ben developed for both Windows and Mac and are available for both operating systems. Working with Illustrator, Photoshop, Dreamweaver and Flash means it's platform independant. While you are studying here you will usually work on a Windows machine. If you are used to working on a Mac you will hardly notice the difference: you will be inside the Adobe environment and this is platform independant.
Extra help
During the courses you can use your coach's knowledge to help you along. You can send in files and of course, homework. Homework is checked: since we choose to correct homework by hand this results in high quality training.
The location
The courses take place in Amsterdam. Our location is easily accessed by car, tram, bus, metro and even train. There is a railway station around the corner.
Companies and groups of individuals sometimes prefer in-company training. This makes working with company files easier. Call us for the options for in company training: 020 6820080.
Software
Software trials
During the courses we use the latest software version and the one right before it. You can try out the software here during class and download a trial from the Adobe website. A trial is fully functional for a month.
Purchasing hardware and software
As a reseller for both Adobe software and Wacom tablets you can buy these products from us. Of course we are available for advice prior to purchasing the hardware or software.
Call for more information: 020 6820080.
Or have a look on this page for Adobe software, or this page for Wacom hardware for more information.
FAQ on Illustrator and the course
What can I do with Adobe Illustrator?
When do I need an Illustrator course?
How difficult is an Illustrator course?
What is resolution independant artwork?
What is Adobe Illustrator?
Illustrator is Adobe application, just like Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Flash and InDesign. Illustrator has been around since the nineties of the previous century. As time progressed Illustrator has developed into a wonderful environment in which great graphics can be created. You are going to explore most options in Illustrator during our Illustrator Course and Illustrator Course Advanced.
In Illustrator you use vectors. Vectors are at the heart of resolution independant artwork. It is a great application to create flyers, posters and business cards and also, as the name suggests, to create illustrations. it is the standard in the world of design to create and edit digital illustrative material.
During our Illustrator Course you will learn how to add and edit text, to create illustrations, how to add graphics to combine all this artwork into a perfect design.
What can I do with Illustrator?
Adobe Illustrator is used to create digital artwork. You can create professional layouts for, for instance, posters and flyers. Small printed material such as leaflets and booklets can also be created in Illustrator.
It is also used to trace sketches and scans to create smooth vector objects. This means it is a great application to digitize patterns that are easy to edit. Changing colours can be done in no time, adding special fills is as easy as it gets. Designers will find Illustrator an intuitive and extremely useful application to work with. The number of fashion designers discovering Illustrator are increasing, greatly overshadowing the numbers of Canvas users. Stylists and designers alike: they all enjoy designing in Illustrator.
Of course it is also used to create free artwork. Illustrator is at the heart of many a book cover and children's books illustration. The possibility to add fotographic material to the Illustrator vector objects makes it the best application to create creative designs.
Working with graphs is very easy in Illustrator and creates graphs that are pleasant to look at.
There is much more to be said about Illustrator: give it a try. It is a must-have application for all creatives.
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When do I need an Illustrator course?
You will find Illustrator particularly useful if you work in certain industries. The fashion design industry is one of them: designing and tracing sketched designs is something that is very easy to do. Creating special stroke styles, defining stitching and ribbing: it's all very easy in Illustrator.
The pattern industry also uses Illustrator to create patterns that can be neatly tiled and that are resolution independant.
Another group of users consists of landscape architects, garden designers and architects. They usually work with CAD and the files look pretty boring to begin with. Adding a bit of Illustrator to the designs can make them come to life.
There are many more designers and illustrators who use Adobe Illustrator. You can think of shoe designsy, the medical illustrations and informative brochures.
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How difficult is an Illustrator course?
The learning curve of Illustrator quickly rises, as do the curves of all our courses. Adobe Illustrator is the most extensive course we have, followed by Adobe Photoshop Course Expert. The other courses though are all pretty intense as well. But difficult? They will demand time for practise. But our teaching method, with a coach beside you all the way and homework correction, ensures the training of the students is well balanced and successful.
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What is resolution independant artwork?
Resolution independant artwork is artwork that is suitable for each resolution. What you design in Illustrator is printable on your own office printer but it's suitable for press as well.
Illustrator artwork can easily be scaled without losing it's quality. This keeps it perfect for print: the printability is not affected. Artwork that you create during the Illustrator course will not become vague and blotty when you scale it, unlike what happens when you upscale in Photoshop. Have a look at the following example.
Of course there are things to consider when you want to reproduce truly artwork independant artwork, you will learn all about this during the Illustrator Course Advanced. This course addresses pre-press settings and preflight tests for checking documents. This will create a document that will print well, no matter which printing technique is used.
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Which Illustrator course should I attend?
We offer you different Illustrator courses and the names say it all. The basis though is the same for all courses even though the courses for Fashion designers and architects will contain examples for just these students. Have a look on the different Illustrator course pages:
Illustrator courses
Illustrator Course
Illustrator Course Advanced
Illustrator Course for Fashion Designers
Illustrator Course for Architects
Modules
Illustrator Course Patterns
Illustrator Course Tracing Clothes
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I know Photoshop, what is the difference with Illustrator?
The biggest difference is that Photoshop works with pixels (raster files, bitmap files) and that Illustrator mainly works with vectors. These vectors are very handy to create artwork that is resolution independant. This type of artwork will look great when projected, too, and one can zoom in on them without quality loss. If you upscale objects in Photoshop, or indeed zoom in, you will lose quality, even if it's visual quality.
Illustrator allows you to work efficiently and easily when you create a design. Changing colours of objects, separating colours, moving elements around: there is no better application for free artwork than Adobe Illustrator. It is even used to design websites. You can not build a website in Illustrator of course, but design-wise nothing beats it.
Photoshop is used to edit photos and scans. You can not edit photos in Illustrator.
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Illustrator Course
Illustrator course: learn how to use Adobe Illustrator. This is an extensive course, you will need time to practise. We also have: Illustrator Course Advanced, Illustrator Course For Fashion Designers and Illustrator Course for Architects. Or attend the patterns or fashion tracing course. Read more >
Illustrator Advanced Course
Illustrator Course for students who want use Illustrator professionally, designers who manage prints and print settings, fashion designers who want to create special artwork for collection presentations and students who want to use professional colour settings and editing techniques. Read more >
Illustrator for Fashion Designers
During this course you will first get to know the basics of Illustrator. This is necessary to get you started. Then we shall move on to the more fashion related topics and we shall address the tools you need to do proper fashion illustration and designing in Illustrator. Read more >
Illustrator for Architects
Illustrator Course for architects, city planners and garden designers. Integrating Illustrator into the workflow greatly enhances the designs and adds attractive features. This course first addresses Illustrator basics, then moves on to attractive features for architects. Read more >
Illustrator and Fashion Tracing
Illustrator course for digitizing fashion sketches and designs. Learn the best tools and how to integrate them into your workflow. Illustrator skills are necessary for this course. Novices are better off with either the Illustrator course or the Illustrator for Fashion Designers course. Read more >
Illustrator Course: Patterns
Illustrator course on pattern making techniques. Learn how to create a pattern from scratch and how to use it in designs. And Illustrator would not be Illustrator if it didn't let you manipulate your artwork and save different versions of it. We shall teach you all the tricks. Read more >
Illustrator Course
Illustrator Course Advanced
Illustrator Fashion Designers
Illustrator for Architects
Illustrator Fashion tracing
Illustrator Patterns
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Starting dates
Go to this page to find out when a particular course starts and to enroll in a course.
need special training?
Most students attend the course in a group. But other training types are available to you too. You can think of personal training or training on demand. Read more about this on this page.
It's A Deal
In between jobs and lack funds for proper training? Look on this page for information.
