Watch and Learn Illustrator!

1 - Cylinder (Time: 8:15)
Here is a simple trick to make a cylinder without using a 3D effect. This tutorial uses basic shapes and the Pathfinder Palette. You could do this in almost any version of Illustrator.

2 - Cube (Time: 5:50)
Starting out with a polygon, learn to construct an isometric cube using Pathfinder divide. The cube can then be used as a basic building block like Lego to construct isometric style illustrations.

3 - Rotate Flower (Time: 7:39)
Here you can learn how to manipulate objects using the Direct Selection Tool. You will also learn about changing the point of origin and the beauty of Transform Again. After completing the tutorial you will end up with a graphic flower but the principle can be used on any illustration where objects are evenly spaced around a circle such as teeth on a gear or points on a clock. Applies to any version of Illustrator.

4 - Vanishing Point (Time: 5:56)
Using the Scale Tool send object back to a vanishing point. This concept can be very useful when creating illustrations that require perspective. This will work in any version of Illustrator.

5 - Ribbon (Time: 9:10)
This demonstration shows you how to construct a ribbon type graphic, a common element in food and beverage packaging. You will learn to reflect an object over a center point as well as being introduced to the Envelope Distort feature in Illustrator. This demo will work in all the more recent versions of Illustrator.

6 - 3D Lamp (Time: 11:21)
This tutorial introduces the use of the 3D effects in Illustrator. Using 3D Revolve; the tutorial walks you through creating a lamp and lampshade. In this tutorial you will also learn how to map a pattern to the shade. You will need to have either Illustrator CS or Illustrator CS2.

7 - Animate Type (Time: 9:55)
In this exercise you will learn a method for creating a Flash animation, (SWF) by exporting a file containing a blend in Illustrator. This works in Illustrator CS and CS2.

8 - In Front Behind (Time: 8:48)
A trick of the eye fools people into thinking that you have made Saturn's rings go around the back of the planet and that your Olympic rings are really interlocking. This is a very useful exercise in lots of situations. Can be accomplished in any version of Illustrator.

9 - Mesh (Time: 22:56)
Learn to create rich airbrush style illustrations using the Mesh Tool once known as the Gradient Mesh Tool. In this exercise I will show you how to illustrate an apple but the technique could be used in lots of situations to create subtle transitions of tone. Will work in all the more recent versions of Illustrator.

10 - Profile (Time: 14:00)
This exercise illustrates how relatively complex illustrations can be created by combing simple shapes using Pathfinder. It also shows how the Pencil Tool can be used to manipulate existing lines. Will work in all the more recent versions of Illustrator.

11 - Type Round Path (Time: 10:06)
This tutorial demonstrates a very practical skill useful in logo design, putting type on a path and making it wrap around a circle. A good example of this typographic effect would be the Starbucks logo. This works in almost any version of Illustrator although there are some slight differences in really early versions of the software.

12 - Thought & Speech (Time: 5:32)
This is a very simple exercise in constructing a speech bubble and thought bubble using the Ellipse Tool and the Pathfinder Palette. There are slight differences in early versions of Illustrator.

13 - Selecting (Time: 10:09)
This video explains pretty much everything you need to know about selecting objects in Illustrator.

14 - Repeat Pattern (Time: 9:51)
Learn to create a repeatable pattern that you can apply a fill. This exercise is simple but can be very useful. This concept can add a new dimension to your Illustrator projects. Works in most versions of Illustrator in the same way.

15 - Gradients 1 (Time: 10:26)
In this demo you will learn how to use gradients to create a shiny button that could be use in web design. This tutorial teaches you how to use the Gradient Tool and Palette and also how to create an opacity mask. Works the same in the last few versions of Illustrator.

16 - Gradients 2 (Time: 7:04)
Using gradients create a reflection cast by a piece of type. A dramatic type effect that when used in the right context can add sophistication and dimension to your artwork. This is a pretty simple exercise that any beginner can do and it will impress your friends. Works the same in most versions of Illustrator.

17 - Radiating Lines (Time: 12:12)
This video tutorial is a retro 70's typographic effect that is great for club flyers or promotional graphics where demanding attention is paramount. Experiment with the basic concept to create other dynamic results. Also this tutorial introduces you to a couple of unique properties of the program that help in developing an over all understanding of the software. This tutorial is basically the same in most versions of illustrator.

18 - Graphic Styles (Time: 5:05)
This is an introduction to the use of graphic styles. You will also learn a little about working with the appearance palette to create a set of radiating strokes around a shape. Works in the last few versions of Illustrator in the same way.

19 - Envelope Distort (Time: 12:06)
Learn how to manipulate the shape of type or objects using the Envelop Distort > Make with Warp feature in Illustrator. This feature has been a part of Illustrator for the past several versions of the software. Learning this simple feature will open up a whole new approach to image construction and type manipulation.

20 - Clipping Mask (Time: 5:12)
Get acquainted with a very important concept in Illustrator that of Clipping Masks. You will learn how to cut away the background of a bitmap image that has been placed in Illustrator but you can use the same concept on vector objects. Works the same way in almost versions of Illustrator.

Our Risk-Free Lifetime Money-Back Guarantee

Purchase as many videos as you like. If you discover that the videos do not completely and successfully train you on that subject, simply contact us anytime at support@technicallead.com and we will give you a complete refund.

Why such a generous guarantee? It is simple. We know how powerful the videos are and we know that they will help you. It is our way of assuring you that - in the case that you do not receive maximum benefit from the videos or if for whatever reason you are not completely satisfied - you won't have to pay for something you can't use.

However, you will never know until you try. That's why we are giving you as much time as you need to evaluate the videos. If they don't live up to your expectations you are not out a dime.

Enhanced Training Option: One-On-One Support

Introducing your secret weapon, otherwise know as, your personal mentor. ($97.00 Value)

At any time, you can send an email to your mentor to help you resolve any question you might have. You can even send your files, so he can diagnose the problem quickly and get you back on track. This service is invaluable, because it can save you countless hours trying to solve a problem, not to mention the frustration we have all experienced when we miss just one vital step. How many times have you been just 30 seconds away from putting your fist through the computer screen or tossing your keyboard across the room? Well those days are over. Now when you hit a roadblock, you can just take a deep breath, fire off an email to our experts and do something productive while we work on the solution. Your One-On-One Support is good for 30 days. Within those 30 days, you will have a total of 1 hour of email access to your personal mentor.

 

Enhanced Training Option: Live Training Class

You get a live training class with one of our experts. ($200.00 Value)

This is NOT a webcast where the communications go one-way. You will have an opportunity to interact with the presenter. This special event will be conducted in a two-hour segment with the instructor, live. With the live training class, we bring the classroom training to you WITHOUT the travel cost of airfare, hotel, meals away from home, and car rental. And the great thing about this is that you can attend the live class over and over, as many times as you like. It's all included with your tuition. Just think about being able to brush up on your skills with a live instructor anytime you need to! Our live training classes are constantly being scheduled. We try to hold them at various times to meet the diverse needs of our customers. You may see which classes are currently scheduled by clicking here:

Current Live Training Class Schedule