Self-Paced Illustrator Bootcamp

This course includes

30 hours of project-based training from experts
25 training videos
Access to Adobe Illustrator (1 month)
Learn from an Adobe Certified Professional
1-on-1 bonus training
Proprietary workbook included
Retake for free within 1 year
Access to class recordings (30 days)
Verified digital certificate of completion
Learn at an accredited institution

This course is self-paced. For live online or in-person instruction, take the Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp.

Learn Adobe Illustrator at your own pace in this self-paced course while exploring logos, patterns, and typography. Create a wide range of graphics using drawing tools, the Pen tool, type, compound paths, effects, layers, masks, patterns, blends, and color techniques designed for both print and web.

Build confidence with the Pen tool through step-by-step drawing templates and learn how to construct complex shapes from simpler ones. By the end of the course, you will have the skills needed to create polished, professional graphics for a variety of projects.

Video Training Preview

Lesson 1: Illustrator Foundations

Lesson 2: Building & Exporting Graphics

Lesson 3: Mastering the Pen Tool

Lesson 4: Color, Strokes, & Patterns

Lesson 5: Advanced Appearance & Effects

Lesson 6: 3D, Mockups, & AI Tools

Tuition

Full Tuition

$975
Due before the class starts

This course includes

30 hours of project-based training from experts
25 training videos
Access to Adobe Illustrator (1 month)
Learn from an Adobe Certified Professional
1-on-1 bonus training
Proprietary workbook included
Retake for free within 1 year
Access to class recordings (30 days)
Verified digital certificate of completion
Learn at an accredited institution

Learning Experience Highlights

Training from government‑experienced instructors

Receive instruction from subject‑matter experts who bring proven government experience.

Specialized for government & DoD

Courses that are regularly updated based on feedback and industry developments, ensuring versions are mapped to federal competencies.

The instructor was wonderful and so knowledgeable. The course materials were extremely relevant to what my job is. I feel like I can be better because of this class.
— 2025 student

Three professionals sit in black chairs with laptops and notebooks, engaged in conversation against a red wall.

Real-world solutions

Directly addressing the day-to-day challenges of federal employees.

125+ departments & agencies served

Your trusted training partner, equipping public service professionals with the skills and knowledge to excel in their roles and drive meaningful impact.

100% Online. Start Anytime

24/7 access to our premium course videos and projects.
Access to Adobe Illustrator (1 month)
Industry experts are assigned as your course instructor. Message your instructor with any questions.
Participate in GSUSA online discussion forums — share ideas and receive additional support.
Hands-on quizzes and mini projects to test and reinforce concepts.
1-on-1 live training with an industry expert to review any course material or project.

1-on-1 Bonus Training Included

We want you to leverage the skills you’ll learn. In addition to 30 hours of hands-on, self-paced training, you’ll receive one live 1-on-1 training session where you can:

Review any concepts or projects from class
Receive assistance applying skills to your own project

Learn more and see terms and conditions

Teacher helping a student 1-on-1

Earn a Certificate of Completion

Upon completion of this course, you’ll receive an official certificate testifying to your mastery of the curriculum. We’ll send you a link where you can download your certificate, share it online with your friends, post it to your professional network on LinkedIn, and view all your earned certificates. Congratulations on your achievement!

Shareable on

Sample credential for completion of Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp (Self-Paced)

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A government training instructor in a suit gestures while teaching in front of a whiteboard covered with notes and diagrams.

A person in professional attire holds a Graduate School USA folder, symbolizing participation in government training programs.

Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp (Self-Paced) Curriculum

What You'll Learn at a Glance

Create a wide range of graphics, including icons, patterns, and typography
Use the Pen tool to draw vector artwork, with tracing templates that help you practice and master this essential tool
Work with shapes, appearance settings, and pathfinders to create powerful visual effects
Design colorful vector graphics using gradients and blends
Create patterns for use in graphic and fashion design
Save and prepare files for web, digital use, or print

Project Examples

Learn practical skills by working on real projects with instructor guidance and lectures to strengthen and improve your skill.

Styling Appearance in Illustrator

With Illustrator’s powerful Appearance panel you can use multiples strokes, effects, and more to style your vector graphics.

Create Repeating Patterns in Illustrator

Learn to create patterns you can use in graphic design or fashion design.

Product Mockups in Illustrator

Create realistic product mockups to visualize and show clients how your design will look in real life.

Draw Vectors with Illustrator’s Pen Tool

Illustrator’s Pen tool is powerful but challenging. We’ll guide you in how to use it, so you can draw custom vector shapes.

Convert Pixels into Vectors in Illustrator

Convert hand sketches or pixel-based art into vector graphics using “Image Trace”.

Create & Edit Vector Graphics in Illustrator

Learn how to use the foundational vector drawing tools and combine basic shapes (like rectangles and circles) to create more complex vector shapes faster and easier.

Course Syllabus

Download Syllabus PDF

Section 1

Drawing with Basic Shape Tools

Drawing Ovals & Perfect Circles
Creating Precise Shapes
Setting Fill & Stroke Color
Using the Eyedropper to Copy Formatting
Navigating a File: Zooming & Scrolling
Outline & Preview Views

Shape Controls

Rounded Rectangles
Polygon Tool & Triangles
Star Tool
Scaling Corners & Strokes

Line Tools, Variable Width Strokes, & Rotate Tool

Line, Arc, & Spiral tools
Width tool & Variable Width Strokes
Rotate tool
Flipping Horizontally

Building Complex Shapes with Basic Shapes

Using the Direct Selection Tool to Move Individual Points
Using the Pen tool to Remove Anchor Points
Deleting Anchor Points
Joining
Aligning
Working with Groups

Section 2

Pathfinder

Comparing Pathfinders
Pathfinders vs Shape Modes
Live Compound Shapes

Image Trace

Image Trace
Converting Hand-Drawn Sketches into Vectors
Adding Color with Live Paint

Social Media Graphics with Type, Photos, & Vectors

Importing Photos
Sample Colors with the Eyedropper Tool
Adding Type
Adding Vector Shapes
Using the Curvature Tool to Curve Lines
Working with Multiple Artboards
Saving Illustrator Files That Contain Linked Photos

Exporting as JPEG, PNG, & SVG

Exporting SVG Files
Exporting Multiple Artboards with “Export for Screens”
Exporting Parts of a File Using “Assets Export”

Section 3

Drawing with the Pen Tool: Straight Lines

Drawing Straight Lines with the Pen tool
Offset Path

Drawing with the Pen Tool: Curves

Drawing Curves with the Pen tool
Anchor points & direction points

Drawing with the Pen Tool: Corners & Curves

Drawing Corners & Curves with the Pen tool
Changing a Curve to a Corner with the Anchor Point Tool

Color Swatches & Gradients

Using Color Swatches
Creating Gradients

Section 4

No Smoking Sign

Tracing Over an Image
Working with Templates Layers
Basic shape tools
Grouping objects

Join, Average, & Aligning Points

Join Command vs Join Tool
Average Command
Aligning Anchor Points

Strokes: Dashed, Dotted, Gradients, & More

Using the Width Tool for Strokes on Shapes
Rotating Copies
Gradient Strokes
Radial Repeat
Creating a Dashed & Dotted Strokes

Patterns

Creating & applying patterns
Scaling, Rotating, & Moving patterns
Editing Patterns

Section 5

Clipping Masks

Making a Clipping Mask
Adding Things Into a Clipping Mask
Adding a Stroke to the Clipping Mask

Masking with Type

Using Type as a Clipping Mask
Putting Photos into Type

Blending Objects

The Blend tool
Blending Options
Adjusting the Spine

The Appearance Panel & Multiple Strokes

Adding Multiple Strokes Using the Appearance Panel
Adding Strokes to Objects vs Groups
Adding an Offset Stroke

Section 6

3D Text

Adding a 3D Effect to Type
Render with Ray Tracing
Rendering Resolution

3D Revolve: Making a Soda Can

Adding a 3D Revolve Effect
Adding a Label Design onto the Soda Can
Adjusting the Lighting

Putting a Design into a Mockup Photo

Using the Mockup Feature with Your Own Photo
Blending the Design into the Mockup

Recoloring Artwork

Creating Color Variations using the Recolor Feature
Pulling Colors from a Photo
Creating & Using a Color Group

Generate Vectors with Adobe’s AI (Artificial Intelligence)

Having AI (Artificial Intelligence) Draw Vectors for You
Using Adobe’s Firefly AI in Illustrator

Installment Plan Breakdown for Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp (Self-Paced)

The first installment is due one week before the first class. Subsequent installments are spread out evenly across the duration of the course.

Installments
	10% non-refundable deposit
$975.00	Total You Pay

See the Installment plan FAQ for more information.