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  • Berkeley Global

Illustrator I

DESIGN X461

40711
Delivery Options Online

Adobe Illustrator is the industry standard tool for creating vector graphics, a must have skill in any graphic designer's toolbox. Through step-by-step instructions, you will learn to use Illustrator's powerful drawing tools to create drawings, icons, logos, brand identity and original print and digital artwork. 

You will build your knowledge for infographics, products, posters, photorealism drawings and other promotional marketing materials. You will learn how to use many crucial tools offered in the software such as pen and anchor points, Bézier curves, which allows you to draw anything you can think of. Other important aspects of this course are the following: transformation, selection, direct selection, type, blend, eye dropper and many more tools. We will teach you how to work with layers and organize your drawings, color palettes and gradients, as well as Illustrator's amazing typographic capabilities. This course is for both print and web designers, however, students need to learn how to use the tools accordingly, so your designs can be excellent for both formats. With the work produced in this course you will be able to add this to your personal portfolio.

Take a peek at the astonishing digital illustrations by Sophia Roudané and Jeff Faes for the photorealism project.

Course Outline

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Course Objectives
University of California, Berkeley, Extension designs the best possible online learning experience for you with an inimitable Adobe Illustrator syllabus to prepare you with skills needed and a quality portfolio to become a confident design professional.

  • Learn vector-based drawing skills
  • Master the pen tool in Illustrator
  • Build knowledge of all the major tools and panels
  • Ability to transition thumbnails and sketches into vector-based artwork
  • Be able to visually interpret content clearly and creatively
  • Gain knowledge in printing techniques
  • Learn to design logos, icons and infographics
  • Draw digital design

What You Learn

Adobe Illustrator class will be taught as hands-on, step-by-step exercises led by the instructor, supplemented with instructor demonstrations of more advanced features. There will be weekly assignments to be completed outside of class.

  • Vector-based lines and shapes
  • Anchor points
  • Compound shapes
  • Pen tool
  • Artboards
  • Attributed panel
  • Pathfinder panel
  • Shape builder tool
  • Clipping masks
  • Typography
  • Transparency panel
  • Opacity masks
  • Blend modes
  • Perspective drawing
  • Charts and graphs
  • Intro to shape and drawing tools
  • Vector vs. raster art
  • Logo redesign
  • Brand research and design development
  • Applying colors and patterns
  • Combining shapes with pathfinder
  • Applying colors and patterns
  • Combining shapes with pathfinder
  • Creating compound paths
  • Principles of icon design
  • Icons for infographics
  • Wrapping and warping text
  • Simplifying complex shapes

How You’ll Learn

All of the design classes are conducted remotely including: video classes, mentor-led learning and peer-to-peer support through our student online platform called Canvas. 

  • Lectures
  • Reading assignments
  • Weekly assignments
  • Small-group activities
  • Homework assignments
  • Capstone project

Is This Course Right for You?
For any prospective students who are interested in the Professional Program in Graphic Design and any designers who want to become more proficient with this vector drawing and design program for use in their professional careers. Our experienced instructor provides practical Information in Adobe Illustrator skills and monitors your development along with peer-to-peer support on our student online platform.


Other classes to be considered: Illustrating Children’s Books, InDesign, Photoshop

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Sections

Section 052

Jun 10 to Aug 12

Type: Live Online

Instructor:

  • Steve Werner

Cost: $945.00

See section 052 Details

Type Live Online

Days

T

Time

6:00PM to 9:00PM Pacific Time

Dates

Jun 10, 2025 to Aug 12, 2025

Location

Live Online

Schedule and Location

View Details

Instructional Hours

30.0

Location

Live Online

Delivery Options

Online

Available for Credit

2 semester units

Section Notes

Course meets June 10 to August 12

Enroll early to secure a space for this course. Enrollment will not be accepted after the second class meeting.

Type Live Online

Access classroom-style interactive learning from anywhere in the world! Attend scheduled online sessions with your instructor and classmates in addition to completing your coursework.

Live Online format allows you to take classes from anywhere with an internet connection. Learn more about this format.

Equipment

The following minimum recommendation for Graphic Design:

  • Apple MacBook or PC

    • 8 to16GB RAM

Software

  • Student Discount: Adobe Illustrator  https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/buy/students.html 

Section Materials

  • Textbook

    (Optional)

    Adobe Illustrator Visual QuickStart Guide by Lisa Fridsma

    Peachpit Press 1st edition ISBN 978-0-13-759774-1

Fall 2025 enrollment opens on June 16!

This course applies to the following programs:

Professional Program in Graphic Design

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Required Courses

  • Visual Design Principles
  • Illustrator I
  • InDesign
  • Typography Fundamentals
  • Photoshop I
  • Web Design With HTML5 and CSS3
  • Graphic and Web Design Portfolio

Courses for Further Advancement

  • Essentials of Motion Graphics
  • Adobe Digital Tools
  • Diagramming and Prototyping for UX
  • Illustrating Children's Books
  • Essentials of User Experience (UX) Design
  • User-Interface (UI) Design
  • Branding

Learn More About This Program

Professional Program in User Experience (UX) Design

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Required Courses

  • Essentials of User Experience (UX) Design
  • Diagramming and Prototyping for UX
  • Visual Design Principles
  • User Research for UX
  • Information Architecture (IA) and Content Strategy
  • User-Interface (UI) Design

Electives

  • UX Design Portfolio
  • Qualitative Research: Design, Implementation and Methods
  • Quantitative UX Metrics and Research
  • Accessibility in UX Design
  • Web Design With HTML5 and CSS3
  • Typography Fundamentals
  • Illustrator I
  • Photoshop I
  • InDesign
  • Branding

Learn More About This Program

Notes

Departmental contact: extension-graphicdesign@berkeley.edu


Instructional Types

Live Online
Live Online courses provide an interactive learning experience with scheduled synchronous online sessions held via Zoom video conferencing (Pacific Time). Learn more about the Live Online format.
Online, Start Anytime
Continuous enrollment course begins when you enroll. You have a minimum of 90 days and a maximum of 180 days to complete the course.
Online, Fixed Date
Enroll in this course by its start date and complete it by its specified end date. There are no live sessions, but plenty of opportunities to collaborate with your classmates and instructor.
Classroom
Take classes in-person at one of our buildings or partner locations.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

All of our courses are taught in English. If English is not your first language, please use the following test scores as guides in order to be successful:

  • TOEFL: 90
  • IELTS Academic Format: 7
  • DAAD: C1
  • TEM-4 or TEM-8: Level 70
  • Duolingo: 125

Note: You do not need to submit test scores.

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Berkeley, CA 94704-7000

extension@berkeley.edu

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Steve Werner

Steve Werner is an independent educator, writer and consultant in computer graphics. He earned a Bachelor of Science with Honors at the University of Washington. With thirty years of experience, he has developed and taught beginning and intermediate level courses at numerous companies. He teaches Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and Acrobat. A recognized expert in his field, he is an Adobe Certified Instructor and an Adobe Community Professional. He co-authored Moving to InDesign and Real World Adobe Creative Suite 2, both by Peachpit Press. He was an Electronic Media Manager at Central Graphics & Training Manager at Rapid Lasergraphics. He has been an instructor at many industry conferences including the InDesign Conference and Print and ePublishing Conference. He has authored numerous technical articles in his field for the past twenty years and is currently a contributor to InDesignSecrets and InDesign Magazine.

DESIGN X461 - 052 - Illustrator I

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