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Go at your own pace
5 Sessions / 10 hours of work per session
Price
Premium membership $20/month (Preview session 1 free)
Credit Eligible ($300 USD)
Included w/ premium membership ($20/month)
Skill Level
Beginner
Video Transcripts
English, Spanish; Castilian, Russian, Chinese, Portuguese
Topics
Illustration, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign

Not available for purchase in India

Open for Enrollment

Introduction to Graphic Illustration

Open for Enrollment
You can also start immediately after joining!

Would you like to enroll?

Enrollment for this course has closed. But you can enroll in a future offering (please select)

Enrollment has closed

Go at your own pace
5 Sessions / 10 hours of work per session
Price
Premium membership $20/month (Preview session 1 free)
Credit Eligible ($300 USD)
Included w/ premium membership ($20/month)
Skill Level
Beginner
Video Transcripts
English, Spanish; Castilian, Russian, Chinese, Portuguese
Topics
Illustration, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign

Not available for purchase in India

Course Description

In today’s diverse consumer market, illustration exists through many forms of expression breaking with traditional roles of the illustrator. Through a series of projects, students will explore the translation, production and distribution of their visual ideas. Through the integration of design principles and drawing skills, students gain an opportunity to discover new possibilities for illustrated visual expression in the market.

A student should have basic drawing skills, basic digital tool skills (Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop) and understanding in fundamental design theory, in order to take this class.

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schedule

This course is in adaptive mode and is open for enrollment. Learn more about adaptive courses here.

Session 1: What is good Illustration? (December 24, 2024)
How do you achieve originality? A good illustration should communicate the right message to the right audience. This session will focus on graphic design principles that make illustration effective for communication. We will also look at artistic expression—your illustration should show your passion!
9 lessons
1. Class Introduction
2. Case Study
3. What Makes Good Illustration?
4. Stylistic Approach
5. Conceptual Approach
6. Abstract Lines
7. Texture Pattern and Shape
8. Assignment Introduction Narrative Self Portrait (Premium Exclusive)
9. Session Recap
Session 2: Digital Tools Demos (December 31, 2024)
This session will offer several tutorials in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign, covering basic to advanced techniques for professionally presentable images, including cover some of the most useful functions to create an image.
7 lessons
1. Digital Tools Session Intro (Premium Exclusive)
2. Case Study (Premium Exclusive)
3. Adobe Illustrator Tutorial (Premium Exclusive)
4. Adobe Photoshop Tutorial (Premium Exclusive)
5. Adobe InDesign Tutorial (Premium Exclusive)
6. Digital Tools Assignment Introduction (Premium Exclusive)
7. Session Recap (Premium Exclusive)
Session 3: General Project Process (January 7, 2025)
This session will go over how to professionally execute an illustration project through a structured, workflow process.
6 lessons
1. Project Process Introduction (Premium Exclusive)
2. Case Study (Premium Exclusive)
3. General Process Breakdown: Thumbnails (Premium Exclusive)
4. General Process Breakdown: Pencil Comps (Premium Exclusive)
5. General Process Breakdown: The Final Composition (Premium Exclusive)
6. Assignment Intro and Recap (Premium Exclusive)
Session 4: Compositional Study (January 14, 2025)
In this lecture, using design principals, I will explain different ways to achieve effective composition in illustration.
5 lessons
1. Session 4 Introduction (Premium Exclusive)
2. Case Study (Premium Exclusive)
3. Compositional Study and Stylization Tips (Premium Exclusive)
4. Demonstration of Concepts (Premium Exclusive)
5. Assignment Introduction and Re-Cap (Premium Exclusive)
Session 5: Projects (January 21, 2025)
This session will focus on hand-drawn typography using illustration/illustrative typography. Illustrative poster. Illustrative trade ad using a product photo.
5 lessons
1. Session Introduction and Case Study (Premium Exclusive)
2. Assignment Introduction (Premium Exclusive)
3. Project Process (Premium Exclusive)
4. Art Direction (Premium Exclusive)
5. Class Outro and Recap (Premium Exclusive)
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Learning Outcomes

Below you will find an overview of the Learning Outcomes you will achieve as you complete this course.

Instructors And Guests
What You Need to Take This Course

• Equipment: Computer with installation privileges, pencil, paper

• Software: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign 

Additional Information

PLEASE NOTE: Taking part in a Kadenze course For-Credit does not affirm that you have been enrolled or accepted for enrollment by the institution offering this course. Successfully completed For-Credit courses are recognized by the offering institution, and transferability of credits into or between institutions is at the sole discretion of the issuing and receiving institutions. Some institutions may require additional information from you in order to generate an official transcript from the institution. In addition, completion of a course for credit shows up on your Kadenze resume/portfolio, which can be valuable for presentation to potential employers, or schools to which you might apply.

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  • Be Polite. Show your fellow students courtesy. No one wants to feel attacked - ever. For this reason, insults, condescension, or abuse will not be tolerated.
  • Show Respect. Kadenze is a global community. Our students are from many different cultures and backgrounds. Please be patient, kind, and open-minded when discussing topics such as race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or other potentially controversial subjects.
  • Post Appropriate Content. We believe that expression is a human right and we would never censor our students. With that in mind, please be sensitive of what you post in a Peer Assessment. Only post content where and when it is appropriate to do so.

Please understand that posts which violate this Code of Conduct harm our community and may be deleted or made invisible to other students by course moderators. Students who repeatedly break these rules may be removed from the course and/or may lose access to Kadenze.

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