I started as a programmer several years ago, and then began working as a PHP Web Developer. In the past year, I've tried to learn front-end web design. I thought Photoshop was the right way to go initially. I am by no means a Photoshop expert, but I am fairly well versed in many of it's primary features. Now, I'd really like to learn Illustrator as well.

 

Generally when learning, I really prefer a series video tutorial to introduce myself to learning features or technique in any technical aspect. Usually, if those are not sufficient, I then look for articles online to fill in the blanks. However, my initial search for a series of video tutorials to learn Illustrator has not been very successful. I've found one series which looks like it could be informative on TutsPlus but it requires a paid subscription to access it.

 

I just thought I'd ask here if anyone had any suggestions for a good series which teaches how to use Illustrator tools and techniques rather than teaching how to reproduce one specific image. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I learnt to use Illustrator a long time ago when it came in a box with a printed manual! I still prefer to use a book to learn from myself. So I would give that a go as I'm sure there are several good ones available. By the way I think Illustrator is a great tool to use for web design. I rarely use Photoshop for layouts.

I learnt to use Illustrator a long time ago when it came in a box with a printed manual! I still prefer to use a book to learn from myself. So I would give that a go as I'm sure there are several good ones available. By the way I think Illustrator is a great tool to use for web design. I rarely use Photoshop for layouts.

 

Yeah, I do have one book but for some reason I find myself using them mostly for reference then I do initial learning. I've found classrooms or video tutorials help lay the foundations for learning quite well in my case. I did look for some good books, but the only one I could find was the official book by Adobe, or something like that. It isn't great.

 

I do agree that Illustrator seems awesome. I like Photoshop as well, but the more I learn about Illustrator (mostly been seeing what it's capable of, not how to use it yet) it seems a lot cleaner.

Apples. Oranges. Photoshop, while not perfect, is a widely-accepted tool for mocking up websites, whereas Illustrator is best left to what it does best: creating vector assets. I've been given whole designs as .AI files and believe me, the net result was me desperately wishing I could stab someone in the face over the internet.

Apples. Oranges. Photoshop, while not perfect, is a widely-accepted tool for mocking up websites, whereas Illustrator is best left to what it does best: creating vector assets. I've been given whole designs as .AI files and believe me, the net result was me desperately wishing I could stab someone in the face over the internet.

 

Yeah definitely. When I started learning Photoshop, I guess I was assuming it was an all-in-one tool for image creation. I do find it very useful for setting up layouts for websites, and still use it primarily for that. I'm not loving it when it comes to trying to create a new picture from scratch though and I think Illustrator will scratch that itch if/when I am able to learn to use it well.

 

Still looking for video tutorials, if anyone has any tips and/or links it would be greatly appreciated!

I'm in a pretty similar position I find the Adobe Classroom in a book series excellent for getting off the ground with Adobe products

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Adobe-Illustrator-CS5-Classroom-Book/dp/032170178X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340631192&sr=8-1

 

that'll get you started

Hello, I find Lynda.com an excellent resource for video tutorials on all the computer packages. You can pay monthly for approx £16 a month. It has so many courses at all levels and I have found it really helpful over the past year.

Yeah definitely. When I started learning Photoshop, I guess I was assuming it was an all-in-one tool for image creation. I do find it very useful for setting up layouts for websites, and still use it primarily for that. I'm not loving it when it comes to trying to create a new picture from scratch though and I think Illustrator will scratch that itch if/when I am able to learn to use it well.

 

Still looking for video tutorials, if anyone has any tips and/or links it would be greatly appreciated!

 

 

oddly enough I learned photoshop by creating signature graphics for online gamers on gaming forums

 

unfortunately it appears studiommo.com is now down as it was home for 100s of very talented artists

I don't know of this helps but sometimes looking on YouTube helped, as some people post the main qualities as video diaries of them creating things using illustrator, I'm sure you have already tried this but just in case....

for what you want, you should go with Lynda.com or total training DVDs, i went over the total training one and its great, if a bit slow paced.

 

id also recommend Chris spooners blog.

 

~evu.