Illustrator workspace
Overview of the main tools and palettes
Moving around the document
Zooming in and out (Zoom tool, keyboard shortcuts, menus)

Creating a new document
Viewing options, working in artwork or preview modes
Grids, guides and features to help you accurately position objects
Using guidelines – locking, unlocking, and positioning guidelines

Selection tools
Selection tools (Selection, Direct Selection, Group Selection)

Shape tools
Creating shapes (Rectangle, Ellipse, Star or Polygon)
Specify dimensions for a shape
Set a fill colour for an object
Set stroke colour and stroke weight
Drawing with the pencil and paintbrush tools

Modifying shapes and objects
Shape modifying (Transform, Rotate, Scale, Shear)
Duplicate objects
Group objects
Lock objects
Align objects
Set size and position of objects

Custom shapes
Using the Pen tools to create custom shapes and modify shapes
Use Pathfinder to modify shapes
Create compound shapes (e.g. a hollow ring)

Colours
Picking RGB, CMYK & Pantone colours
Using the Eyedropper
Gradients and blends
Saving and modifying colours

Pictures and graphics
Placing photographs and other artwork into Illustrator
Choosing whether to link or embed image files
Checking linked images with the Links palette
Tracing artwork or photographs

Text and typography
Text tools
Create type on the page
Set type colour
Flowing type between two text frames
Basic typography (leading, kerning, tracking, etc.)

Layers
Using Layers to organise images, graphics and text
Creating, deleting and moving selected objects between layers
Visibility and locking layers

Saving files
Saving a document and organising files
Exporting artwork for use in other applications

Day 2 – intermediate Adobe Illustrator course outline

Day two of this Adobe Illustrator course will include a more detailed look at certain tools and techniques, as well as creating more complex artwork and designs. The course can be customised and will normally be based around working with some of your own designs.

Paths and shapes
More work with the Pen tools to create complex custom shapes
Use the Knife & Scissors tools to slice a path or an object in two
Modifying paths – including:
Joining open ended paths
Pathfinder filters
Compound paths
Accurately move & resize objects
Use Align and Distribute

Effects and styling
Use effects and filters to modify objects and shapes
Using the Appearance palette and Expand settings
Using Graphic Styles
Creating textures and patterns
Using transparency and masking options

Type and typography
Use Character and Paragraph palettes to format type
Tabs, hanging indents & tabbed lists
Threading text between text areas
Changing text threading
Wrapping text around objects

Type and paths
Create type which follows the shape of a path
Type on Path options
Convert type into outlines to create an editable path
Use Envelope Distort to distort text shape

Colours and shading
Gradients and blends
Using the Gradient Mesh tool to create complex shading

Brushes
Editing the brush settings
Creating brushes

Graphs
Creating and editing basic graphs

Designing with photos
Creating designs with photographs, artwork, and text
Clipping masks

Saving and exporting
Saving and exporting artwork as different file types for print or web use
Saving PDFs

This is typical course outline, but the exact course content may vary depending on the requirements and needs of those being trained.