The 4- or 5-day “bootcamp” style class may look attractive, but it’s a TERRIBLE idea. Your brain cannot absorb the content that fast and you will leave more overwhelmed than when you started.
I know because I used to teach this way - it DOESN’T work. Every student told me it was TOO much in TOO little time.
If you choose to learn Illustrator in fashion school, make sure you:
● Research the teacher and how qualified are they
● Contact past students to get real feedback
“General” Adobe Illustrator Classes
This is a horrible option but I’m obliged to mention it because I know WAY too many designers who’ve done this.
PROS
● None
CONS
● You will learn how to design logos & brochures, but no idea how to relate this to fashion
● You may not even understand why fashion designers need to learn
“graphic design” software
● You will leave more confused than when you started
If you choose to take a “general” AI class, make sure:
● Just don’t do it. PLEASE, don’t.
Learn Illustrator From a Book
PROS
● It’s cost effective
● You get forever “access”
CONS
● Books are expensive and HARD TO UPDATE, so they easily become vintage (and not in a good way like that Chanel bag)
● There is no way to get help or your questions answered
● It requires TREMENDOUS self discipline
If you choose to learn from a book, make sure:
● The book is relevant to your version of AI
● You have discipline to learn from a book instead of letting it gather dust on your shelf (I’ve been guilty)
**And yes, I realize this is a book...a book full of VIDEO tutorials ;)
Get Custom Illustrator Training with a Private Tutor
PROS
● You can focus on the skills you need and ignore the ones you don’t
● You’ll get direct one-on-one support
CONS
● The cost adds up QUICK
● It can be hard to find someone QUALIFIED locally or online who is a good match for you
If you choose to get a private tutor, make sure:
● You find the right person who has a teaching style you like
● You get feedback from past students to make sure the tutor is qualified
● You can afford enough lessons to learn everything you need
Learn Illustrator for Free on YouTube
PROS
● It’s free!
CONS
● You have to sift through a lot of bad stuff to find the good stuff
● You’ll suffer through poor audio / video quality
● You may get a segment of how to do a specific task, but are then left hanging
● You’ll watch graphic design tutorials and try to relate them to fashion #hard
● It requires TREMENDOUS self discipline
PSA: I’m not TOTALLY knocking YouTube. I mean COME ON, I have 100+
videos on there. Maybe you’ve even watched a few!
And later in this guide, I’ll share a ton of them with you, organized in a way to help you find just what you need.
I’m just saying this is not ALWAYS the easiest and quickest route to proficiency.
Remember: Time is money.
If you choose to learn from YouTube, make sure:
piecemeal things together
Learn Adobe Illustrator for Fashion Design From Online Courses
PROS
● Content is more current and easier to update
● You can conveniently learn from the comfort of your own home, 24/7
● You can go at your own pace and view videos over and over
● Depending on the course, you may get perks like:
○ Lifetime access
○ A money back guarantee
○ Interactive support
CONS
● There’s no real “physical” life interaction
● You may or may not get a “certificate”
If you choose to learn from online courses, make sure:
● You can preview content to make sure the teaching style works for you
● The program offers the features you need (ie support, guarantees, etc)
If you aren’t getting what I’m saying by now, let me be totally BLUNT with you:
Online courses are the BEST way to learn. (And yes, I have a few of them.)
But before you open a new browser tab and start googling your options, let’s dig a little DEEPER.
Because when it comes to online courses, there are BIG differences in what you’ll get.
You may learn the tools you need on Lynda or Skillshare for $99.
Or you might shell out $200 for a disjointed course from someone who BARELY knows their stuff.
(NOT NAMING NAMES, BUT I HAVE HEARD STORIES.)
Here’s where they all fall short.
They won’t follow up with you.
Who do you reach out to when things go WRONG?
When you have a meeting next week to present your work and this is a MAKE or BREAK decision for the company?
These are the things that determine the SUCCESS of our career.
What’s the value of that POWERFUL presentation you give. The one when your boss turn to you and says “you’re going to lead this project, you’ve PROVEN you can do this.”
What’s the value of the raise you’re going to get over 5 years, 10 years from now?
The LITTLE moments. It’s having CONFIDENCE. It’s being NOT TERRIFIED to put yourself out there.
These are the things that make or break the journey that we’re all on as fashion designers.
And I’m COMMITTED to being there for YOU in those moments.
That’s not something Lynda.com or any of these other online platforms will give you.
They WON’T be there for you. They WON’T have conversations like THESE:
Because at the end of the day? It’s not JUST about learning Adobe Illustrator for fashion design.
It’s about what learning AI is going to DO for you. How is it going to CHANGE your life?
Get your designs into production like Barbara, a Masterclass graduate?
Knock your client’s socks off (and get your work done in half the time) like Beautiful Flats graduate Holli?
Get the confidence you need to leave your current job?
Or just stop being intimidated and afraid of doing things wrong?
Because you know that more confidence in Illustrator would make you more confident in YOURSELF.
Sound good? Let’s dive into the tutorials now.