Design with Adobe Illustrator CC and layout design with InDesign CC

This course teaches you how to use Adobe Illustrator CC to create logos, symbols and sketches as well as InDesign CC to create sophisticated layouts. The course also introduces you to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in your professional environment.
  • Certificates: Certificate "Design with Adobe Illustrator CC"
    Certificate "Layout design with Adobe InDesign 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: 8 Weeks

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

Layout design with Adobe InDesign CC

Layout basics (approx. 1 day)

Project workflow, planning and conception

Introduction to working environment, user interface and tools

Document and program settings

Workspaces

Important keyboard commands (shortcuts)

Navigation, page and document structure


Artificial Intelligence in the Workflow (approx. 1 day)

AI in design workflows

Copywriting and text optimization (e.g., claims, headlines, translations)

Automating tasks with AI-powered plugins and scripts

Applications for color palettes, mood boards, and typography suggestions

Opportunities, risks, and legal aspects (copyright, ethics)

Prompt engineering: targeted control of AI outputs


Layout creation techniques (approx. 2 days)

Creating page layouts with text/graphics

Margins and columns, guidelines, rulers

Working with frames and corner options

Aligning and transforming objects, Pathfinder

Properties panel

Creating and saving document templates (*.indt)

Layout customization methods (e.g. Liquid Layout)

Creating alternative layouts


Visually implement complex layout ideas (approx. 2 days)

Create design grids for layouts

Use of master pages, nested master pages

Automatic page numbers

Generating section marks

Managing complex layout content with layers

AI-generated color and grid suggestions

Creating accessible layouts (accessibility check)


Text Editing and Typography (approx. 2 days)

Introduction to fonts and font families

Classification and properties

Introduction to Adobe Fonts (Typekit), Variable Fonts

Text placement, import/export options

Text frame linking, Smart text flow

Text editing, hyphenation, page break options

Alignment to the Baseline Grid

Text on a path

Generating text and reviewing typographic suggestions with AI

Use of AI for tone-of-voice adjustments and accessibility


Using Text Formats in a Variety of Ways (approx. 1 day)

Define character and paragraph formats

Defining and inserting GREP and text variables

Creating tables of contents

Libraries, snippets, and object formats

Layout template (template) with text formats

Using the book function

Automatic text variations and content structuring with AI

Collaboration via Creative Cloud Libraries


Working with Lists and Tables (approx. 1 day)

Tabs, bulleted lists, and numbering

Data import and conversion options

Creating and editing tables

Data preparation with AI (converting tables/text)


Working with Images and Graphics (approx. 1 day)

Raster images and vector graphics

Image resolution and color space (RGB, CMYK)

Placing and managing images and graphics

Working with links (control panel)

Importing image data (import/export options) from Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and others

Frame fitting options

Clipping paths and cutouts

Wrapping text around images and objects

Generative image editing, cropping, and retouching with AI

AI-powered background removal and style transfers


Colors, Effects (approx. 1 day)

Print and screen colors

Professionally design, create, and save using colors and color gradients

Use of color sets, e.g., for projects with CI guidelines

Using Adobe Color

Working with effects and transparencies

Soft gradient edge tools

Automatically generate color palettes and CI-compliant suggestions using AI

Automatically suggest trend colors and brand colors


Digital Publishing and Interactivity (approx. 2 days)

On-Screen Presentation and Promotion

Planning, Design, and Implementation of Interactive Documents (PDF, EPUB)

Buttons, hyperlinks, and bookmarks

Animations and page transitions

Embedding AV media, SVG import and export

Fixed-layout e-books (EPUB 3.0)

HTML, CSS, and tag export

Viewer app (e.g., Adobe Digital Editions)

Publish Online feature

Automatically create text/target audience variants with AI


Print output, cross-media publishing (approx. 1 day)

Color management, ICC profiles

Data check, soft proof, and color application

Links and preflight settings

PDF/X export for professional printing

Printing and sharing documents

Saving for the web (e.g., PNG, JPG, GIF, SVG)

Resource-efficient printing and digital strategies

PDF/UA export and quality checking of accessible documents


Project work (approx. 5 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.

In addition, you have quickly and confidently mastered Adobe Systems’ InDesign CC layout software and are able to incorporate text, images, and graphics into sophisticated layouts. With the help of artificial intelligence, you can also streamline work processes.

Media designers, graphic designers, web designers, communication designers, textile designers, content creators, marketing managers, and UI/UX designers; individuals with degrees in (interior) architecture; professionals in the arts; or those who wish to play an active role in the conception, design, and practical implementation of digital and print media and wish to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills—including the targeted use of current AI technologies in the design process.

Your future field of work can be in the editorial print and digital area, but above all in the creation of advertising media. The skills you acquire are in demand across all sectors in all areas of design and graphics.

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.