Adobe Illustrator Essentials Review: Is It Worth It for Beginners?
If you’ve ever wanted to create stunning vector graphics, logos, or illustrations, chances are you’ve considered learning Adobe Illustrator. As one of the most powerful graphic design tools, Illustrator can be intimidating for beginners. That’s where Adobe Illustrator Essentials comes in.
This online course promises to take complete beginners from zero to pro, teaching the key skills needed to create professional designs. But does it live up to the hype, or are you better off with another course? In this detailed review, we’ll break down everything you need to know, including course features, pricing, user reviews, and alternatives.
Why Learn Adobe Illustrator?
Before diving into the course review, let’s talk about why learning Illustrator is a valuable skill.
Adobe Illustrator is the industry-standard software for vector graphics, widely used by graphic designers, illustrators, and branding experts. Whether you want to design logos, create digital artwork, or make custom graphics for social media, Illustrator gives you the tools to bring your vision to life.
However, mastering the software can be overwhelming. With a complex interface and countless tools, many beginners struggle to get started—which is why taking a structured course can make a huge difference.
Adobe Illustrator Essentials Course: What’s Inside?
The Adobe Illustrator Essentials course is designed for complete beginners, covering everything from the basic interface to advanced design techniques. Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Understanding the Illustrator interface and tools
- Creating and manipulating shapes efficiently
- Mastering the Pen tool and Bezier curves (a must-have skill for designers!)
- Working with color theory and applying colors to your designs
- Typography and text effects to enhance your graphics
- Using brushes and textures for unique illustrations
- Managing layers and artboards for better workflow
- Exporting your designs correctly for print, web, and other mediums
Additionally, some versions of the course come with:
- Practical hands-on projects to reinforce learning
- Downloadable exercise files to follow along
- Access to a student discussion community
🚀 Whether you’re looking to create your first digital illustration or design a professional logo, this course gives you a step-by-step approach to mastering Illustrator.
🌟 What We Love
- ✔ Beginner-friendly: Perfect for those with zero experience
- ✔ Practical hands-on exercises for better learning
- ✔ Taught by experienced designers and Adobe Certified Experts
- ✔ Lifetime access (on most platforms) so you can learn at your own pace
- ✔ Frequent sales make it an affordable option
⚠ Potential Drawbacks
- ❌ Doesn’t cover advanced design techniques
- ❌ Pacing can be slow for those with prior design experience
- ❌ Requires Adobe Illustrator subscription (not included in the course)
- ❌ Instructor quality varies depending on the platform you choose
While this course is great for beginners, if you’re already comfortable with graphic design, you might find the content too basic.
What Real Students Are Saying
✅ Positive Reviews
💬 “This course made Illustrator so much easier to understand!” – Reddit user
💬 “I struggled to learn Illustrator before, but this course finally explained things in a way that made sense.” – Udemy student
💬 “Love the hands-on projects. I actually feel confident using Illustrator now.” – Verified review
❌ Critical Reviews
⚠ “Some lessons were a bit slow for me, but it’s perfect if you’re brand new to Illustrator.” – Quora user
⚠ “I was hoping for more advanced techniques, so this wasn’t the best fit for me.” – Trustpilot review
✅Overall, most students highly recommend this course for beginners, though some with prior experience found it too basic.
How Does This Course Compare to Competitors?
If you’re deciding between different Adobe Illustrator courses, here’s how Illustrator Essentials stacks up against the competition:
| Course | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe Illustrator Essentials (this course) | Beginners | Often on sale for $19.99 (Udemy) |
| Adobe Illustrator CC – Essentials Training (Daniel Scott, Udemy) | Structured learning with certifications | $89.99 (frequent discounts) |
| Learn Adobe Illustrator: Fundamentals (Brad Colbow, Skillshare) | Casual learners, good for hobbyists | Free with Skillshare membership ($32/month) |
| Illustrator 2023 Essential Training (Deke McClelland, LinkedIn Learning) | Professionals looking for intermediate skills | Free with LinkedIn Learning subscription ($39.99/month) |
🔎 Best Choice for Beginners: If you’re new to Illustrator, Adobe Illustrator Essentials is an excellent starting point.
🔎 Want a more advanced course? Daniel Scott’s Udemy course or LinkedIn Learning’s training might be better options.
Is Adobe Illustrator Essentials Worth It?
💡 Is this course the best Adobe Illustrator course for beginners? Yes, if:
- ✅ You’re brand new to Illustrator and need structured guidance
- ✅ You want a budget-friendly course with hands-on practice
- ✅ You like step-by-step learning with real projects
🚀 Skip this course if:
- ❌ You already have experience with Illustrator and want advanced design techniques
- ❌ You prefer learning without structured tutorials
🔥 Final Score: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
✅ Great for beginners | ✅ Affordable | ✅ Engaging lessons
Where Can You Get This Course?
The Adobe Illustrator Essentials course is available on multiple platforms, but we recommend purchasing it on Udemy due to frequent discounts.
💰 Pro Tip: Udemy often runs sales, bringing the price down to as low as $19.99 instead of the full price of $89.99!
Final Thoughts
Adobe Illustrator Essentials is a solid course for beginners looking to master the basics of vector design. While it may not cover super-advanced topics, it provides a strong foundation and hands-on projects, making it an excellent starting point for aspiring graphic designers.
If you’ve been struggling to learn Illustrator on your own, this course can save you hours of frustration.
✅ Ready to start designing like a pro? Enroll in Adobe Illustrator Essentials today!
Have questions about the course? Drop a comment below and let’s discuss!