Adobe Illustrator with Design Thinking

The course teaches how to use Adobe Illustrator to create logos, symbols, sketches and typographic elements. Design thinking as an approach to problem solving and developing new ideas as well as an introduction to artificial intelligence in a professional environment round off the course.
  • Certificates: Design Thinking" certificate
    Certificate "Design with Adobe Illustrator CC"
  • Examination: Praxisbezogene Projektarbeiten mit Abschlusspräsentationen
  • Teaching Times: Full-time
    Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:35 p.m. (in weeks with public holidays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:10 p.m.)
  • Language of Instruction: German
  • Duration: 5 Weeks

Design Thinking

Introduction to Design Thinking (approx. 1.5 days)

Design Thinking process at a glance

The most important rules and phases of Design Thinking

Practice-oriented approaches and applications

Digital tools and AI in the innovation process


Phase 1: Research (approx. 0.5 days)

Methods of user-centered research

Interview techniques and needs analysis

AI-supported research and information processing


Phase 2: Synthesis (approx. 0.5 days)

Analysis and structuring of findings

Development of problem definitions and personas

Visualization and clustering of results


Phase 3: Ideation (approx. 0.5 days)

Creative techniques for developing ideas

Methods for finding and evaluating solutions

Use of generative AI in the ideation process


Phase 4: Prototyping (approx. 0.5 days)

Development of initial solution approaches and mockups

Introduction to rapid prototyping and click dummies

Digital tools for the visualization of concepts


Phase 5: Testing (approx. 0.5 days)

Methods for carrying out tests and feedback rounds

Analysis and optimization of solution approaches

Iterative work and agile further development


Project work (approx. 1 day)

To consolidate the content learned

Presentation of the project results

Design with Adobe Illustrator CC

Basics of Vector Graphics and AI-Assisted Work (approx. 1 day)

Differences between raster images and vector graphics

Anatomy of a path

Resolution, scalability, and file formats

Overview of the current Illustrator interface

Introduction to AI-powered features (e.g., Generative Recoloring, Text-to-Vector Graphics)

Overview of Adobe Firefly and the integration of generative AI features into Illustrator


Setup and Navigation (approx. 1 day)

The Right Color Space (RGB, CMYK, Web)

Color Management Basics

Customizing presets

Custom Toolbar and Workspaces

Artboards (including for responsive layouts)

Rulers, guides, and grids

Zoom and View

Information panel and history

Creative Cloud Libraries and cloud-based workflows


Drawing Objects (approx. 2 days)

Transforming, Aligning, Pathfinder

Organizing objects hierarchically

Working in groups

Organizing objects into layers

Modifying appearance properties

Shape tool and masks

Width and Blend tools

Graphic styles and symbols

3D and material effects (current features)

Using AI-powered tools for rapid development of shape variations and layout ideas


Images (approx. 1 day)

Link, embed, and crop pixel images

Organize image material efficiently

Vectorize pixel images (Image Trace)

AI-powered vectorization and recoloring 

Mockup features for presentations


Paths and Free Forms (approx. 2 days)

Creating, modifying, and combining shapes

Editing grid and anchor points

Editing, connecting, and simplifying paths

Intuitively deforming objects

Working precisely with the Pen Tool

Developing creative shape variations using AI-powered features


Brushes (approx. 1 day)

Brush tips and brush types

Creating Your Own Brushes

Using libraries

Developing style variations and creative effects with the help of modern features


Color Schemes and Patterns (approx. 2 days)

Colors for areas and outlines

Color Swatches panel, color swatch libraries

Using Adobe Color

Color assistance, harmonies, and conversion

Global colors, spot colors

Gradients and freehand gradients

Transparency panel

Recoloring images

Pattern options

Basics of accessible color design


Text Design (approx. 1 day)

Touch-Type text tool

Area and path text

Filter fonts and assign fonts

Using Adobe Fonts

Variable fonts

Converting Text to Paths

Typography for print and web

Developing layout variations with AI-powered features


Charts (approx. 1 day)

Settings and data entry

Import from Excel

Chart designs

Coloring and editing charts

Creating modern infographics

Development of alternative layout and color variations


Illustrator for Web Design and UI/UX (approx. 3 days)

Color Modes and Color Management for the Web

Preparing Artboards for Responsive Design

Working with a grid system

Components, variants, and design system basics

Page Design – From Wireframe to Mockup

Designing Web-Optimized Vector Graphics

Creating and optimizing SVG icons and illustrations for digital products

SVG export

Designing UI components: icons, buttons, forms, and checkboxes

Efficient variant development using the latest Illustrator features


Data Export and Sharing (approx. 1 day)

Saving vector graphics correctly

Print preparation and PDF output

Color profiles and PDF standards

Export for responsive web design

SVG optimization

Best practices for SVG files on the web (performance, scalability, accessibility)

Exporting CSS properties

Transfer to the printer or developer


Project work (approx. 4 days)

To consolidate the content learned

Presentation of the project results



Changes are possible, the course content is updated regularly.

By the end of the course, you’ll be familiar with the most important features in Illustrator and will be able to create and edit vector graphics. You’ll optimize graphics for print and the web and make strategic use of the latest AI-powered features to generate ideas, develop variations, and increase efficiency.

The course also teaches the design thinking approach, which can be used to develop innovative and user-centered solutions for complex challenges. You will learn about the principles and the structured, iterative process of design thinking and find out how practice-oriented tools, digital tools and artificial intelligence support creative and interdisciplinary innovation processes.

Media designers, graphic designers, web designers, UI/UX designers, communication designers, textile designers, individuals with degrees in (interior) architecture, as well as professionals in artistic fields or those who play a key role in the conception, design, and practical implementation of digital and print media and wish to expand their knowledge.

Your future area of application can be in the print and digital sector, but above all in the creation of advertising media. The knowledge you acquire is in demand across all sectors in all areas of design and graphics. With the appropriate know-how, self-employment is also an interesting prospect.

Your meaningful certificate provides a detailed insight into the qualifications you have acquired and improves your career prospects.

Didactic concept

Your lecturers are highly qualified both professionally and didactically and will teach you from the first to the last day (no self-study system).

You will learn in effective small groups. The courses usually consist of 6 to 25 participants. The general lessons are supplemented by numerous practical exercises in all course modules. The practice phase is an important part of the course, as it is during this time that you process what you have just learned and gain confidence and routine in its application. The final section of the course involves a project, a case study or a final exam.

 

Virtual classroom alfaview®

Lessons take place using modern alfaview® video technology - either from the comfort of your own home or at our premises at Bildungszentrum. The entire course can see each other face-to-face via alfaview®, communicate with each other in lip-sync voice quality and work on joint projects. Of course, you can also see and talk to your connected trainers live at any time and you will be taught by your lecturers in real time for the entire duration of the course. The lessons are not e-learning, but real live face-to-face lessons via video technology.

 

The courses at alfatraining are funded by Agentur für Arbeit and are certified in accordance with the AZAV approval regulation. When submitting a Bildungsgutscheinor Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein, the entire course costs are usually covered by your funding body.
Funding is also possible via Europäischen Sozialfonds (ESF), Deutsche Rentenversicherung (DRV) or regional funding programs. As a regular soldier, you have the option of attending further training courses via Berufsförderungsdienst (BFD). Companies can also have their employees qualified via funding from Agentur für Arbeit (Qualifizierungschancengesetz).

We will gladly advise you free of charge.

0800 3456-500 Mon. - Fri. from 8 am to 5 pm
free of charge from all German networks.

Contact

We will gladly advise you free of charge. 0800 3456-500 Mon. - Fri. from 8 am to 5 pm free of charge from all German networks.