How to Learn Adobe Illustrator Fast as a Beginner (Dan Scott’s Essentials Course Review)
If you’ve ever opened Adobe Illustrator, stared at all the tools, and thought, “Where do I even start?”—you’re not alone. Adobe Illustrator can feel intimidating at first. But with the right course, learning how to use it becomes surprisingly doable and fun.
In this post, I’m reviewing one of the most popular beginner-friendly Illustrator courses online: Adobe Illustrator Essentials by Dan Scott. Spoiler alert: It’s incredibly beginner-focused, practical, and affordable. Whether you’re a graphic design student, aspiring logo designer, or just curious about digital illustration, this course could be your perfect starting point.
Let’s dive into everything you need to know—and why this course might just be your Illustrator shortcut.
Why Adobe Illustrator Essentials?
There are a lot of courses out there for Adobe Illustrator. What makes this one stand out?
The Adobe Illustrator Essentials course is taught by Dan Scott, an Adobe Certified Instructor with a reputation for clear and relatable teaching. It’s specifically designed for complete beginners who want a no-fluff, practical approach to learning. From day one, you jump right into Illustrator and start making things—logos, shapes, icons, and even full layouts.
Rather than focusing on theory, Dan gets you involved with real-world design exercises. And according to hundreds of user reviews across Reddit, Quora, and design forums, this makes all the difference. You’re not just watching; you’re doing.
Course Highlights (What You’ll Learn)
This course isn’t long for the sake of being long. It’s efficient while covering every core skill a beginner needs.
Here are the major skills you’ll master:
- Navigating the Adobe Illustrator interface
- Using drawing tools like the Pen and Curvature tools with ease
- Working with color, gradients, and palettes
- Adding custom typography and text effects
- Building vector shapes, patterns, and icons
- Exporting graphics optimized for print and web
What I loved most? You get access to downloadable practice files that go with the exercises. So you’re not left guessing how to follow along—everything’s set up step by step.
Who Is This Course Best For?
This course shines for:
- Graphic design beginners
- Students looking to build a portfolio
- Freelancers just starting in logo or icon design
- Anyone intimidated by Illustrator’s interface
If that’s you, Adobe Illustrator Essentials is a perfect fit. But let’s be real—if you’ve already worked with Illustrator and want advanced tools (think pattern brushes or 3D effects), this course may feel too basic.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Best For | Not Ideal For |
|---|---|
| Absolute beginners | Intermediate/advanced Illustrator users |
| Self-taught creatives | Designers needing pro-level hacks |
| Affordable first-time learners | Those preparing for Adobe certification |
Course Pricing: Big Value, Small Investment
One of the biggest perks? It’s super affordable.
On Udemy, the course is often discounted to between $15–$20 (regular price $54.99). And here’s the kicker—it’s free on Envato Tuts+ if you already have a subscription. That’s an insane amount of value for the depth of hands-on training you get.
When comparing it to subscription-based options like LinkedIn Learning or pricier courses that run over $100, Illustrator Essentials clearly wins on cost-to-value ratio.
✅ A Reddit user even said: “It felt like getting a design bootcamp for the price of a pizza.”
Real Reviews from Real Learners
You don’t have to take my word for it. The community feedback backs this course hard.
- “Dan Scott’s explanation style removes the fear of Illustrator. I learned more in 4 hours than I had in months.” – Reddit
- “Perfect pace and great exercises. I finally made a logo I’m proud of.” – Quora
- “This course helped me build the foundation I needed for freelance work.” – DesignForum.net
While researching, I found nearly zero complaints. The only mild frustrations came from:
- Slight content variation across platforms
- Limited content for advanced users needing deeper dives
That said, it still holds a 4.6+ average across most review platforms tied to Udemy and Envato.
(Source: Udemy Adobe Illustrator Courses)
Comparison with Similar Courses
When you look at the competition, Adobe Illustrator Essentials holds its own—especially in beginner-focused education.
Quick rundown:
- Illustrator for Beginners (Udemy): Good course, but longer runtime and higher price
- Envato Tuts+: Free version of Adobe Illustrator Essentials, but without extended bonuses
- LinkedIn Learning: Great if you’re already paying for the platform, but assumes more experience
If what you need is a straightforward, value-packed beginning journey into Illustrator, Dan Scott’s course is the clear choice.
Final Verdict: Is Adobe Illustrator Essentials Worth It?
Yes—especially if you’re starting from scratch.
Adobe Illustrator Essentials by Dan Scott checks the three big boxes for beginners: clear guidance, hands-on learning, and affordability. Dan’s approachable teaching style makes it feel like you’re learning from a design-savvy friend who gets the struggles of being a newbie.
If you want to:
- Learn Adobe Illustrator fast
- Build real-world design pieces from day one
- Avoid paying hundreds for similar training
Then this course is an ideal fit. It’s not flashy, but it works—and that’s what really counts.
Get in. Learn Illustrator. Start creating.
✅ Learned something from this review? Feel free to share or drop a comment if you’ve taken the course—I’d love to hear how you’re using Illustrator!