Enhance your design expertise with this three-day Intermediate Illustrator course. Create intricate vector artwork using advanced tools, patterns, gradients, and 3D effects. Strengthen your creative workflow and produce polished, professional designs. Book your Illustrator course today.
The Illustrator Intermediate Course is a three-day training for designers who already understand the basics of Illustrator and want to take their skills further. Conducted at our London training centre or live online, the course blends guided instruction with practical exercises to help you create complex and professional-quality artwork.
Throughout the training, you’ll explore advanced drawing tools, gradient and colour techniques, and creative applications such as patterns, 3D effects, and image tracing. You’ll also learn to manage design assets efficiently using Creative Cloud libraries and enhance text with custom effects and transformations. Each session includes step-by-step demonstrations followed by practical exercises, giving you hands-on experience with real-world design tasks.
Led by our certified instructors, this course provides personalised feedback and creative guidance to help you improve both technically and artistically. By the end of the course, you’ll have the expertise to produce sophisticated vector graphics, polished typography, and visually dynamic compositions suitable for print, branding, and digital design.
Here is what you will learn on this Illustrator course in more detail. Click the topics below to explore what is covered in each section.
Building on your foundational drawing skills, this section focuses on mastering Illustrator’s more advanced tools for precision vector work. You will learn how to:
Draw and refine paths using the Pen and Curvature tools
Edit anchor points and handles with the Direct Selection tool
Slice and divide paths using the Scissors and Knife tools
Understand the relationship between paths, anchor points, and handles
Enhancing line work and brush detail allows for more expressive and dynamic illustrations. In this section, you will practise:
Setting up custom width profiles with the Width tool
Using Illustrator’s Brush Library for artistic and calligraphic effects
Creating scatter and pattern brushes for unique stroke designs
Graphic Styles streamline your workflow by allowing you to save and reuse formatting and effects. In this section, you will learn to:
Access and use Graphic Style Libraries
Create, save, and edit custom styles
Apply styles efficiently to maintain design consistency
Patterns are essential for creating complex, decorative designs and surface artwork. This section guides you through:
Creating and editing patterns using Pattern Mode
Modifying pattern tiles, spacing, and overlap settings
Saving, exporting, and applying custom pattern fills
Adding depth and realism to vector artwork requires a strong understanding of gradient techniques. In this section, you will explore:
Working with gradient styles and the Gradient Annotator
Creating Freeform gradients with points and lines
Applying gradients across multiple objects and combining them with transparency effects
Turning raster images into editable vector artwork opens new creative possibilities. You will learn how to:
Use Image Trace and refine results with advanced options
Clean up traced artwork using selection and eraser tools
Convert traced images into usable vector shapes and patterns
Effective colour control helps create cohesive and professional designs. In this section, you will explore:
Creating and managing colour swatches and swatch groups
Understanding Spot vs. Process colour types
Applying advanced recolouring techniques using the Recolour Artwork panel
Illustrator’s 3D tools enable you to add dimension and realism to vector graphics. In this section, you will practise:
Applying Extrude, Revolve, and Inflate 3D effects
Adjusting perspective, lighting, and materials
Rendering 3D objects using Ray Tracing for high-quality results
Leverage Creative Cloud to manage assets and collaborate efficiently. This section covers:
Saving and syncing documents in Creative Cloud
Downloading fonts and colour themes
Creating and sharing CC Libraries for consistent branding
Typography plays a crucial role in design communication. This final section explores:
Manipulating letter shapes and outlines
Applying Warp options and creating shapes from text
Converting text into 3D forms and combining type with graphics
Every Docklands Media course comes with a range of added benefits to support your learning at no extra cost.
Receive an official certificate of completion to validate your training. Ideal for portfolios, CVs, or proving your skills in Adobe Illustrator.
Access our email and phone support for a lifetime. Contact us with any technical questions related to what you have learned on your Adobe Illustrator course.
Need a refresher? Retake the same Adobe Illustrator course for free within 24 months. A great way to solidify your learning or get up to speed with new software updates.
Receive training notes, project files, and 7-day access to instructor-led video tutorials. Perfect for reinforcing key lessons and practising at your own pace.
Along with your certificate of completion, you’ll have the option to take the official Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) exam for £175 + VAT. This globally recognised certification highlights your creative expertise and proves your job-ready skills. Select the exam option when booking to include it with your course.
We're committed to providing the best training experience possible. That's why we offer a range of discounts and flexible payment options to make your Adobe Illustrator course more accessible and affordable.
Get discounted rates when booking for two or more people, or if you're enrolling from a charity. Save 5–15% depending on your group size or institution type.
Book your Adobe Illustrator course at least three months in advance and get 10% off. Secure your place early and save on top-quality creative training.
If you're not fully satisfied on the first day of your Adobe Illustrator course, let us know. We'll do our best to make it right—or refund you in full. No hassle, no risk.
Spread the cost of your training over 3, 6, or 12 months. Our instalment plans help make creative learning more accessible, with interest rates as low as 5%.

Szabina is one of the most talented and loved instructors, specialising in Adobe's design applications. As well as being an Adobe Certified Pro, her love for sharing her knowledge with others is what makes her an exceptional teacher.
Hear directly from professionals and teams who’ve trained with us, sharing their experiences and the impact our training has had on their creative journeys.
As well as creative individuals, we are also the preferred training provider for some of the most successful global brands and organisations.
Just a few of the common questions asked by our students.
No prior experience is required. Our courses guide you step by step, whether you’re completely new to vector graphics or looking to refine your existing skills.
The training uses the latest Adobe Illustrator version to ensure you learn the newest features and workflows. Older versions are generally compatible with most exercises, but updating is recommended.
Yes. Exercises are based on real-world design scenarios, allowing you to apply your skills immediately to professional or personal projects.
Absolutely. Illustrator is a key tool for creating logos, vector graphics, social media content, and marketing materials. The skills gained are directly applicable across creative roles.
Yes. You’ll practice creating scalable vector logos, icons, and branding assets suitable for both digital and print applications.
Yes. The completed projects can form part of a professional design portfolio to showcase your Illustrator skills to employers or clients.
Yes. While Illustrator has many features, guided hands-on training ensures beginners quickly understand the interface and start creating professional work.
Contact us today to learn more about our courses and how we can help you achieve your creative goals.
Take your vector design further with our Adobe Illustrator Intermediate Training Course at Docklands Media. Designed for users with prior Illustrator experience, this course helps you refine your workflow and create more complex, professional-grade vector graphics, illustrations, and layouts with confidence.
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