Discover the Best Illustrator Classes in Chicago
Adobe Illustrator is a graphics editor and design program used to create logos, social media graphics, posters, print ads, and complex illustrations for any medium. It is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud which features Photoshop, InDesign, and Premeire Pro to name a few. Unlike its sister program, Photoshop, which deals with raster graphics, Illustrator is vector based. Vector graphics don’t lose their quality when scaled up or down, making them perfect for print materials and campaigns.
Anyone interested in digital marketing or graphic design needs Illustrator in their toolkit. Learning to use Illustrator opens doors both personally and professionally. It allows you to explore your creativity via graphic design and enrich your skill set in case you’re in search of a career shift. Simply put, you don’t want to try to break into the digital marketing field without Illustrator experience. Mastering Illustrator looks good on a resume, but the main value comes from the confidence you’ll gain in your graphic abilities.
Best Illustrator Classes & Schools in Chicago
Chicago is a hot spot for learning and using all things Creative Cloud. Companies are in need of creative, skillful graphic designers and illustrators to grow their brands, spice up ad campaigns, and sell their image. Taking an Illustrator class in Chicago will give you a competitive edge in this marketing driven metropolis. Luckily, there are many to choose from!
One of the best schools offering Illustrator classes in Chicago is Computer Training Source, Inc. They’ve offered computer software training classes for businesses and individuals since 1991, and it’s the go-to spot for in-person classes for a few reasons. First, the instructors at CTS are chosen for their knowledge of the software they are teaching as well as their ability to present topics in a clear and concise manner. Second, CTS keeps class sizes small. The small classes ensure you’ll receive important personal attention and 1-on-1 time in case you hit any snags while learning Illustrator. Lastly, CTS has multiple learning centers in Downtown Chicago, Schaumburg, and Naperville, making it easier to find a class in your area.
There are many Illustrator options to choose from at CTS, the first being Illustrator Part 1. This course is a beginner level class that will get down to the basics of Illustrator. You’ll learn to draw shapes, use color, and manipulate paths. It also covers basic typography, grouping content, object stacking order, print considerations, layers, and exporting your work for both print and web. There’s a lot to learn when it comes to Illustrator, and this course gives you the comprehensive introduction you’ll need. Illustrator Part 1 is for ages 18 and older and has an average class size of around 10. Visit CourseHorse to check out pricing info and to book your spot.
Also offered at CTS is Illustrator Part 2. This course is offered at an intermediate level, meaning you need to have some prior Illustrator knowledge. Your best path is to take Illustrator Part 1 at CTS, then advance to Part 2, but if you already have some Illustrator experience, you should feel very comfortable with the coursework. Illustrator Part 2 teaches you advanced path manipulation and appearance controls. It covers patterns, symbols, brushes, gradient mesh, perspective drawing, masking techniques, creative effects, print proofing and exporting directly to the web. This class is ages 18 and up and has an average class size of 10. You can check out the course page for booking and pricing info at CourseHorse.
Illustrator Part 3is also offered in-person at CTS, so you can conveniently cover every aspect of Illustrator with the same institution! This course is offered at all levels, but it is recommended you have at least a good grasp on beginner skills. Illustrator Part 3 teaches you the practical application of content based on what you’ve learned in previous Illustrator classes, so the more you know, the more you will benefit from this class. It focuses on content management, streamlining work‐flow and real world design techniques. It’s the perfect course for those looking to round out their Illustrator skills and get a full grasp on how to use those skills outside of the classroom. Like Part 1 and Part 2, Illustrator Part 3 is an ages 18 and up course with an average class size of 10.
If you can’t make an in-person class work or simply prefer to learn from the comfort of your own home, Noble Desktop offers numerous Illustrator courses at beginner to advanced levels.
Noble Desktop is one of the leading online design and coding schools. It boasts an extensive catalog of creative and technical courses including Illustrator in a Day, a 6-hour course that quickly gets you familiar with the essentials. In this course you’ll learn how to create shapes and use the pen tool to draw vector graphics. By the end of this one-day class you’ll be able to control the pen tool, draw straight lines and curves, use colors, layers, brushes, trace images, and create custom artwork!
If you want to learn Illustrator in greater depth, check out their Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp, a comprehensive course that teaches you to master Illustrator in just a few weeks. From logos to patterns, packaging and type, you’ll learn exactly what Illustrator can do. You’ll create numerous graphics throughout the course, using standard drawing tools, the pen tool, type, compound paths, effects, laysers, blends, and more essential toolkit items. This course will also show you how to more easily create complex shapes out of basic shapes that are easier to draw.
Check out scheduling and price info, as well as other course options at Noble Desktop.
Chicago Industries That Use Illustrator
Chicago is teeming with industries in need of skilled graphic designers, brand managers, and marketing professionals. You can use your Illustrator knowledge almost anywhere in the city, but a few industries tend to be a popular match.
The marketing industry involves promoting brands and campaigns to target audiences using print, television, web, or social media advertisements. Professionals in the marketing industry have various job responsibilities depending on the position they are in. Content Developers work on creating the marketing materials for the campaigns. These materials include brochures, infographics, advertisements, videos, and social media content.
With the rise of digital and social media marketing, the marketing industry expects to grow 10% over the current decade. This is considerably faster than the average growth for jobs in the nation. Over the years, marketing has become a highly competitive industry, and having Illustrator experience will put you ahead of the curve.
The fashion industry involves designing and creating clothing, accessories, and footwear. While there are various aspects to the fashion industry, most commonly, you will find Fashion Designer positions. Fashion designers sketch out designs, select the fabrics, and give instructions on how to make the products to create original designs. Accessory Designers follow the same process, specializing in items like handbags, suitcases, belts, scarves, and more. Costume Designers focus on designing and creating pieces for the performing arts and motion pictures.
Architecture is another field in need of talented Illustrators. The architecture industry involves the planning and designing of houses, offices, factories, and other structures. Professionals will have various responsibilities depending on their position within the industry. Architects focus on the plans and designs for buildings while preparing the structure specifications. Civil Engineers design and build infrastructure projects. Construction Managers oversee the process of creating the structure. Drafters focus on converting the designs of architects into technical drawings.
Finally, many sectors are involved in the art and design industry, including illustration, professional photography, video game design, animation, theater, interior design, and film. Content creation can contribute to business marketing, branding, packaging, and sales in art and design careers.
Illustrator Jobs & Salaries in Chicago
Since there is no shortage of industries that utilize Illustrator skills, there’s no shortage of jobs to choose from. Content Developers in Chicago make anywhere from $62,383 a year as Instructional Designers to $118,000 as Senior Content Managers. Content Writers, Content Marketers, and Web Content Specialists are also in demand. Social Media Content Creators and Graphic Designers make anywhere from $40 to $50 thousand to start. Outside of the content creation field, Marketing Analysts start around $78,000 a year while Construction Managers can make around $90,000. No matter what industry you’re interested in, you’ll find a use for your Illustrator skills.
