Are Illustrator Bootcamps Worth It?

What is Illustrator?

Adobe Illustrator is an application used by artists to create graphics. These graphics are used in everything from book publishing to visualizing data. Adobe Illustrator was released in 1986 as a fairly simple vector graphics program, focusing on a pen tool that would allow users to create smooth or curved lines and basic images. This changed over the years as each update introduced new features and abilities. By the late 1990s, Illustrator had transformed from a tool focused on basic lines and shapes to a comprehensive artistic platform that could help design intricate graphics. These days, it is used to create logos, posters, brochures, and other similar materials. Illustrator is an excellent tool for bringing creative visions to life.

Many industries use Illustrator for their design needs. When you’re looking at menu icons on a website, they are likely done in Illustrator. Similarly, posters for concerts, album covers, and promotional materials for small businesses are frequently edited with this program. The reason that Illustrator is such a popular choice is because it uses vector graphics rather than Raster graphics. The difference between the two is that Raster graphics will become pixelated as they grow in size or scale. Vector graphics can be edited indefinitely without compromising the quality. Because Illustrator is an Adobe product, it can easily be integrated with Adobe’s other art-based software like Photoshop or InDesign. Using these complementary programs together can simplify the process of graphic design, and provide all the tools necessary to take on high-quality projects.

What can you do with Illustrator?

Much of Illustrator’s functionality is in design. This means that from a hobby perspective, once you’ve learned this program, you’re able to practice things that interest you, such as fashion, marketing, or brand design. If you want to start your own company, you can create a logo, packaging design, or flyers and brochures without having to outsource. For those more crafty individuals, Illustrator is a great application for making small items to sell at craft fairs or online, like stickers or wall art. Do you have an upcoming wedding? Do the invitations through Illustrator. Want to create a uniform for your staff? Design t-shirts or other iron-on graphics with Illustrator. Whether you’re enhancing your social media presence or developing unique products, using Illustrator opens up a world of possibilities.

There are also plenty of industries that are looking for employees with Illustrator experience. Advertising and marketing is a big one. Banner ads, social media graphics, and email campaign graphics are regularly needed in this field. Illustrator can help with magazine ads and other promotional materials. And even though other software is dominant in the entertainment industry, Illustrator can still be used to manage game art, character design, and other important visual elements. Those in education or healthcare can use Illustrator to create diagrams and charts or update patient and student portals so that they are more accessible and visually appealing. The most common industry for this software is graphic design. Illustrator is a great tool for creating everything from logos to business cards. Thanks to Adobe’s ability with scalable graphics, Illustrator is highly useful in any industry that works with visuals.

Though Illustrator is an application and not a job title, there are plenty of roles that can benefit from a working knowledge of this software. Web developers and digital designers, or those who design, maintain, create, and test websites, are in demand. This is a rapidly growing field, and adding Illustrator to your resume or professional portfolio can make a big difference in job opportunities. Interior designers use Illustrator to compile design ideas and produce visualizations of interior layouts. Advertising, promotions, and marketing management are also areas of growth that regularly use this software to create visually appealing advertisements for media. Having Adobe Illustrator experience can enhance any professional portfolio, but it is especially relevant in any position that requires visually engaging content. Those skilled in this software are in a great position to take advantage of creative and unique design-related job opportunities.

What other class types exist?

There are a variety of in-person and online course options for learning Illustrator. To pick the best one, you’ll need to take into account your learning style, goals, and finances. Bootcamps are just one of several class formats, but they are highly recommended for several reasons, and hold up well against their alternatives for those who are looking for an immersive, comprehensive, and fast-paced learning experience. Bootcamps are especially effective for those who want to eventually apply their skills in a professional context. Let’s talk about what sets them apart.

Bootcamps Compared to College

College classes can be quite lengthy. Though they are comprehensive and often serve the additional goal of helping you fill credits for a degree or certificate, they require a longer commitment and can go anywhere from a semester-long to a full-year course. A bootcamp is a more condensed way to learn Illustrator, which will allow students to pick up specific Illustrator skills in a shorter period. College programs also cover more general education. Courses that teach Illustrator may not be dedicated specifically to that program or software. Even courses that are Illustrator-specific will likely review content that is related to the design software, rather than focusing fully on the functionality of the program. Bootcamps are traditionally designed to teach a skill rapidly, which means that with a bootcamp, you are more likely to have a focused curriculum centered only around that program, with the help of hands-on projects or other relevant tasks.

Bootcamps Compared to Self-Learning

Self-learning is a great tool for those on a budget, those looking to get more involved in their community, and those who prefer flexible learning set at their own pace. With self-learning, it is the student’s responsibility to vet their educational materials, and not all levels of content are available for free online. In many cases, intermediate, advanced, and professional materials are still behind a paywall. A bootcamp is a more structured approach to content. It is intensive and provides a curriculum, deadlines, and access to a network of peers and industry professionals who can help you prepare for a career in a related field.

Bootcamps Compared to Short Courses

Though there is overlap between the structure of bootcamps and short courses, there are also big differences. Short courses are a great option for those who need intensive classes with a shorter window of commitment. Short courses are generally a few hours to a few weeks long, whereas a bootcamp typically goes from several weeks to several months. Short courses are ideal for those who want highly specified content, but due to their length, they are generally focused on filling knowledge gaps of learning about a specific component without including any broader scope. Bootcamps can act as the middleman between short courses, and traditional, full-length courses, especially at the collegiate level. They are not too long of a commitment, but they are intensive, offer a good deal of structure, and focus on transforming students according to specific outcomes. They are also more likely to offer additional resources like career services, mentorship, or networking opportunities.

Why Learn Illustrator with a Bootcamp?

Learning Illustrator through a bootcamp offers several advantages. Since Bootcamps emphasize practical application, their hands-on projects are a great way to learn techniques, tips, and tricks that can be transferred to a professional setting. There’s also the added benefit of networking opportunities, or building up important connections that can help you find the most relevant career path after your course. Many bootcamps offer a certificate of completion that can be used to enhance your portfolio or social media. An important note is that this is different from certification, but there are certification classes that might include a bootcamp as part of their package. Overall, bootcamps are the perfect way to grow your skills while also gaining access to valuable and sometimes exclusive resources that you can’t get anywhere else. 

Learn Illustrator with Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop has an Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp that will walk you through beginner and advanced features, including the pen tool, effects, layers, masks, and other fundamentals. This bootcamp is perfect for those who want to learn how to create packaging, logos, and branded materials. With a focus on drawing and editing vector graphics, you can learn to differentiate between the different types of graphics, like logos, icons, or patterns. The hands-on projects are technical and relevant, so by the time you leave, you’ll be comfortable with creating patterns for fashion & graphics, packaging for personal or professional business use, and posters that allow you to show off your creativity. These projects are also a great addition to a portfolio, and with feedback from industry professionals, this bootcamp can help you greatly improve your job opportunities.

Noble Desktop also has an Illustrator Certification Program that can help you become an Adobe Certified Professional. This certification program offers the Illustrator bootcamp group class, hours of private tutoring, custom workbooks, and bonus videos for the pre-exam review. The goal is to prepare you for the Adobe Certified Professional exam. A bonus for this program is that you can retake both the course and exam within one year for free. Becoming certified can not only validate your skills but act as an endorsement of your abilities with Illustrator. You can access a higher earning potential in your professional career and gain a competitive advantage with your resume, profile, or social media.