Online tutorials are a great way to learn designing vector graphics. Most of them don’t cost you anything except in terms of time and dedication. However, not all tutorial sites are created equal. You may find them more, less or sometimes not at all helpful, depending upon what point of learning curve you are at and what a given tutorial site has to offer. Moreover, a learner may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of sites out there and may be confused as to which ones to follow. So, we have tried to compile a short list of 5 best online tutorial sites to learn Adobe Illustrator and vectors.
1. Vectips
Vectips offers a huge collection of tips, tricks, tutorials and inspirational roundups on vectors and Illustrator. The site was started by a professional and passionate vector artist, Ryan Putnam. Looks as though the site has a new management now, it nevertheless continues to be as helpful and popular as ever before. The tutorials are written in a layman’s language and are extremely easy to follow. Regular addition of new tutorials keeps the site brimming with utility for its loyal users.
2. Adobe
What could be a better place to learn an application from the folks themselves who designed it! The official website of Adobe, the company behind Illustrator, has some essential tips and tutorials to help you get started and keep moving forward. The ‘Get Started’ section on the site contains an overview of the application, short tutorials for beginners (most of them on using various tools), and some step-by-step projects. There are more of basic tutorials listed under the ‘Learn Essentials’ section. If you are looking for some advanced techniques, you should visit the ‘Key Techniques’ section.
3. Lynda.com
Lynda.com is a membership based site that offers online courses on a wide spectrum of topics including Adobe Illustrator. Though you can preview course videos and details without any restriction, you need to login to the site to go through the complete course. Also note that though some of the courses are free, most of them require you to buy a paid subscription. This vast library of extensive software tutorials in now owned and managed by the popular professional networking company, Linkedin.
4. Astute Graphics
Astute Graphics basically develops and sells plug-ins for Adobe Illustrator but they also have some real helpful tutorials on their site. For example, tutorials on creating Queen Elizabeth portrait, creating festive fireworks, creating sea sunset painting, creating vector smoke, and so on. Apart from vector tutorials, they also feature artists and conduct webinars quite often.
5. MelsBrushes
MelsBrushes is another good site to learn the art of vector graphics; the site is not wholly dedicated to tutorials though. They are more into selling downloadable vector images and printed artwork. You can also download some free vectors and Illustrator brushes from their site. But as an interested Adobe Illustrator student, the sections you’ll find more useful are the ‘inspiration’ and ‘tutorials’ categories on their blog.
Hope you found our compilation helpful. What is your favorite tutorial site for Adobe Illustrator? Do let us know through comments below.
