Visit our store: Shop 200+ folder styles & get free shipping! Shop Folders

The Top 60 Free Adobe Illustrator Tutorials for 2018

The Top 60 Free Adobe Illustrator Tutorials for 2014When you create printed marketing materials, your designs are little like Alice from Alice in Wonderland. Alice is constantly shrinking or growing as she explores different parts of Wonderland. Likewise, you’ll often need your design elements to shrink or grow, depending on what the situation calls for. That’s why learning how to create scalable vector illustrations in Adobe Illustrator is absolutely essential.

Adobe Illustrator can be a tricky program to learn, but if you’ve used some of the best Photoshop tutorials, you’re already one step ahead of the curve. To help you get a little closer to mastering the Adobe suite, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite Illustrator tutorials.

Basic Illustrator Tutorials for Beginners

Whether you’re just starting out with Adobe Illustrator or need a refresher on the essentials, these tutorials are full of helpful tips, tricks and secrets to get the most from the program. From instructional lessons on how to use different tools to more advanced tips for adding texture, depth and brand cohesion to your design, we guarantee that you’ll learn at least one new thing you didn’t know about Illustrator.

1. How To Get Started with Adobe Illustrator CS6 – 10 Things Beginners Want To Know How To Do

How To Get Started with Adobe Illustrator CS6 - 10 Things Beginners Want To Know How To Do

2. Add Depth and Texture in Illustrator


Add Depth and Texture in Illustrator

3. Easy Shape Building in Illustrator


Easy Shape Building in Illustrator

4. Illustrator’s Pen Tool: The Comprehensive Guide

Illustrator's Pen Tool: The Comprehensive Guide

5. How to Create a Retro Logo Design


How to Create a Retro Logo Design

6. Playing Keepaway with Logos and Small Type

Playing Keepaway with Logos and Small Type

7. Tips for Working with the Gradient Mesh Tool In Illustrator

Tips for Working with the Gradient Mesh Tool In Illustrator

8. How to Reduce EPS File Size


How to Reduce EPS File Size

9. Build Experiments Into Your Workflow (No longer available)

Build Experiments Into Your Workflow

10. How to Create Outstanding Modern Infographics

How to Create Outstanding Modern Infographics

11. How To Create A Negative Space Logo


How To Create A Negative Space Logo

12. How to Create an Identity Package in Illustrator

How to Create an Identity Package in Illustrator

Illustrator Text Tutorials

We’ve provided you with some amazing text tutorials for Photoshop that can help you enhance the text in your designsóbut if you really want to make an impression, try hand-crafting your own vector text art in Illustrator. These text tutorials will help you build truly unique word art and typography from the ground up.

13. Create a Vibrant 3D Pixel Type Treatment

Create a Vibrant 3D Pixel Type Treatment

14. Learn to Create a Variety of Script Lettering

Learn to Create a Variety of Script Lettering

15. Blueprint-Style Text in Adobe Illustrator


Blueprint-Style Text in Adobe Illustrator

16. Creating an Environmentally Friendly Green Type Treatment

Creating an Environmentally Friendly Green Type Treatment

17. Create a Variety of 3D Lettering Effects for Poster Design

Create a Variety of 3D Lettering Effects for Poster Design

18. How to Use Typography to Create a 3D Text Effect

How to Use Typography to Create a 3D Text Effect

19. Create a Retro Folded Text Effect in Illustrator (No longer available)

Create a Retro Folded Text Effect in Illustrator

20. Create a Custom Paint Marker Typo using the Blob Brush in Illustrator (No longer available)

Create a Custom Paint Marker Typo using the Blob Brush in Illustrator

21. Create a Polished Raised Type Treatment


Create a Polished Raised Type Treatment

22. Design a Headline Typeface (No longer available)

Design a Headline Typeface

23. Create a Grimy Text Treatment with a Pen Tablet


Create a Grimy Text Treatment with a Pen Tablet

Illustrator 3D Tutorials

Apart from scalability, one of the of the best reasons to use vector art is its ability to give your design elements a sense of dimension. Illustrator’s capacity for 3D design allows you to draw realistic looking objects and add visual interest to text, icons and graphs.

24. Creating 3D Cylinder Graphic in Illustrator


Creating 3D Cylinder Graphic in Illustrator

25. How to Create Advertising Billboard Using 3D Effects

How to Create Advertising Billboard Using 3D Effects

26. Create Cool 3D Infographics

Create Cool 3D Infographics

27. How To Map Artwork onto 3D Objects with Illustrator (No longer available)

How To Map Artwork onto 3D Objects with Illustrator

28. Create Isometric Grid-Based 3D Lettering in Illustrator


Create Isometric Grid-Based 3D Lettering in Illustrator

29. Create a Professional 3D Twitter Icon in Illustrator (No longer available)

Create a Professional 3D Twitter Icon in Illustrator

30. Combine 3D Effects With Blends in Adobe Illustrator

Combine 3D Effects With Blends in Adobe Illustrator

31. Video Tutorial: Use Illustrator’s 3D Capabilities (No longer available)

Video Tutorial: Use Illustrator's 3D Capabilities

32. Turn a Boring Bar Graph into a 3D Masterpiece

Turn a Boring Bar Graph into a 3D Masterpiece

Illustrator Logo Tutorials

It’s basically impossible to make a good logo design as a raster image because it’s destined to become distorted and grainy once you try to resize it. These tutorials will help you learn how to create scalable vector logos from concept to finished pieceóa must-have skill for any professional print designer.

33. Illustrator Type Technique Using Shapes

Illustrator Type Technique Using Shapes

34. Create An Editable Stitched Label Type Treatment


Create An Editable Stitched Label Type Treatment

35. Vintage Badge in Illustrator and Photoshop


Vintage Badge in Illustrator and Photoshop

36. Create a Cool Ribbon Style Logo Graphic in Illustrator


Create a Cool Ribbon Style Logo Graphic in Illustrator

37. How To Create a Cubist Style Logo Design in Illustrator


How To Create a Cubist Style Logo Design in Illustrator

38. How To Create a Colorful Logo Style Icon in Illustrator


How To Create a Colorful Logo Style Icon in Illustrator

39. Create a Badge using Free Resources


Create a Badge using Free Resources

40. Creating a Crazy Cool Logo


Creating a Crazy Cool Logo

41. Create a Colorful Sliced Sphere to use as a Logo Design

Create a Colorful Sliced Sphere to use as a Logo Design

42. Geometric Flower Effect Logo in Illustrator

Geometric Flower Effect Logo in Illustrator

Illustrator Pen Tool Tutorials

The name of the program says it allóIllustrator was made for illustration. These tutorials will help you create colorful, vibrant images, even if you’re not that good at drawing. You’ll learn the basics, like how to convert a raster image into a scalable vector illustrator, as well as advanced illustrative tutorials that will transform you from designer to da Vinci.

43. From Sketch to Vector Illustration

From Sketch to Vector Illustration

44. Tracing a Vector Face From a Reference Photo

Tracing a Vector Face From a Reference Photo

45. 5 Tips for Drawing in Adobe Illustrator CS5

5 Tips for Drawing in Adobe Illustrator CS5

46. Create a Sketchy Hand-Drawn Camera Illustration in Illustrator

Create a Sketchy Hand-Drawn Camera Illustration in Illustrator

47. How To Create a Simple Landscape Scene in Illustrator


How To Create a Simple Landscape Scene in Illustrator

48. Create an Elegant Graphic Illustration (No longer available)

Create an Elegant Graphic Illustration

49. Drawing City Portrait Using Adobe Illustrator Tutorial (No longer available)

Drawing City Portrait Using Adobe Illustrator Tutorial

50. Create a Drip-Effect Portrait in Illustrator


Create a Drip-Effect Portrait in Illustrator

51. Merge Vectors with Photographic Imagery


Merge Vectors with Photographic Imagery

52. Design Retro Isometric Illustrations

Design Retro Isometric Illustrations

Illustrator Pattern Tutorials

Sometimes it’s the little things that can elevate a print design to the next levelósuch as a cool textured background or a funky abstract pattern that draws the eye. These pattern tutorials for Illustrator demonstrate that you don’t have to be good at actual illustration to create a design that’s a true work of art. All you need are a few simple tools and the know-how to use them.

53. Create a Repeating Pattern in Illustrator


Create a Repeating Pattern in Illustrator

54. How To Create Seamless Patterns Using Illustrator CS6


How To Create Seamless Patterns Using Illustrator CS6

55. Create a Retro Triangular Pattern Design in Illustrator


Create a Retro Triangular Pattern Design in Illustrator

56. Create a Vibrant Abstract Vector Design Illustrator


Create a Vibrant Abstract Vector Design Illustrator

57. How to Create Perfect Radial Shapes in Illustrator


How to Create Perfect Radial Shapes in Illustrator

58. Simple Organic Shapes the Illustrator Way

Simple Organic Shapes the Illustrator Way

59. Adding Texture to Your Vector Illustrations

Tutorial on Adding Texture to Your Vector Illustrations : Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

60. Illustrator Full Spectrum Spirograph

Illustrator Full Spectrum Spirograph

61. Trendy Geometric Lines Design Tutorial


Trendy Geometric Lines Design Tutorial

62. How to Use Effects to Create a Cool Design

How to Use Effects to Create a Cool Design

Conclusion

Here’s the bottom line: the more you know about design, the more valuable you are as a designer. If you haven’t gotten to know Adobe Illustrator before now, then take this as a sign that it’s time to buckle down and learn something new.

Do you have any tips for working with Illustrator? Got a favorite tutorial that belongs on our list? We want to hear from you, so leave your comments below!

Vladimir Gendelman
Author: Vladimir Gendelman

As CEO of CompanyFolders.com, Vladimir is a knowledgeable authority in print marketing and graphic design for businesses. With his team of designers and experts, he helps customers put forth the best possible impression with high-quality collateral. Learn more about Vladimir’s history and experience, and connect with him on Twitter.

Get Free Project Advice

Discussion

  1. Wow, what a great collection of illustrator tutorials! Seriously… I have about a third of these open in new browser tabs ready to bookmark and try out. Thanks for a great roundup!

  2. the smooth tool is the best tool for me, especially when wanting organic lines and cleaning up rough drawings.

  3. navinish Kashelkar says

    I am trying submit designs for a t-shirt organization, however whenever i submit the design it gets rejected due to pixel, cos they cannot print it due to pixel..I use adobe photoshopt cs 3..wanted to know which one is better adobe or illustrator and which version.Please assist me with my question

  4. Brett Williams says

    Why are some of these unavailable?

  5. George William says

    Informative tutorials! I’m a graphic designer and these tutorials are very helpful for me. Thanks for sharing.

Add Your Thoughts

*