Digital Illustration

General Key Learning Areas

• Core Illustrator tools: selection tools, paths, layers, transformations

• Vector line drawing & editing

• Advanced digital illustration and shading techniques

• Creating logos, ads, comics, and characters

• Drawing from photos and in stages (faces, figures, scenes)

• Realistic rendering with gradients, mesh, shadows, and transparency

• Pattern making, custom brushes, filters, effects & live paint

• Symmetry, alignment, and professional composition

• Working from hand-drawn sketches to digital artwork

• Style development aligned with current trends

• Saving and managing illustration files professionally

• Homework and guided exercises each week

Who’s this course for?:

Ideal for aspiring professionals or those enhancing existing skills, the course teaches both artistic and technical aspects of digital illustration using Adobe Illustrator.

We welcome absolute beginners as well as those that are a bit rusty and need to brush up on their design skills and update their portfolio.

What does the course give me?

You’ll graduate with a professional portfolio, advanced Illustrator skills, and a Certificate of Completion ready to launch or grow your career in publishing, advertising, gaming, fashion, and beyond.

Our course is geared towards making sure our graduates have the best possible chance of employment as we ensure that they have the skills needed to become a practising graphic designer in the industry. Our Adobe course is Affinity recognised and certified as a portfolio course. You will gain the technical and conceptual skills needed to become a practising graphic designer, as well as industry-relevant skills needed.

You will graduate with a portfolio (BY FAR THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT TO FINDING WORK), so you can immediately get into the industry. In the design industry, the emphasis above any qualifications is your work and that’s where a strong portfolio is necessary. A portfolio is a must-have for every graphic designer or anybody working in the creative industry–no questions asked. A portfolio displays your originality and serves as a platform for potential clients to view your work.

What is the course duration?

The course lasts 7 months in total. There is a more intensive option over 4 months. Students receive 45 hours of live teaching plus 7 hours of additional support for feedback and mentoring. Around 120 hours of self study and assignments bring the total learning time to 172 hours. These tasks focus on building a diverse, client ready portfolio through real world challenges like character design, editorial illustration, and concept development. Lessons are flexible and available mornings, afternoons, and evenings, seven days a week. Time slots are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Where do classes happen?

The Digital Illustration Course is a structured 7-month online programme taught through weekly 90-minute one-to-one lessons with a private tutor. We use an online e-learning platform including Zoom.

Classes are designed for creatives of all levels, it helps students build technical skills and develop a unique visual style through personalised instruction and guided practice with qualified teachers.