The Illustrator Level1 Fundamentals class is very similar to what you will get studying Digital Illustration / Graphic Design in high school or college & is focused on learning the software. Level 1 is where the sequence starts which goes over the fundamental tools. As students complete Level 1, they can continue learning and advance to Level 2 where more in advanced lessons are taught building on what has already been learned.  

During the school year, I usually teach 16 week semester long classes at "regular school". Level 1 is the first 4 weeks of learning in my high school and college freshman class. Level 2, is weeks 4-8. Students should really start with Level 1 so that they can get the fundamentals down. Unless they have taken a different high school or college level class in Adobe Illustrator, you will want them to start at the beginning so they have a solid foundation. Students who jump into Level 2, without my specific skill set learned in Level 1, may have some learning gaps. Students who may have had a little Adobe Illustrator should still take Level 1, so they have a solid background foundation in it and can really excel.

Students will Learn:

1) How to open, create a new file & save their .AI (adobe illustrator files) 
2) How to navigate the illustration software (move around)
3) How to select design art elements (Selection Tool), to Move, Rotate and Scale the design art elements
4) Students will gain an understanding of  Fills & StrokeStudents will Learn:

1) How to open, create a new file & save their .AI (adobe illustrator files) 
2) How to navigate the illustras in Vector Artwork
5) How to change the colors of the fills & strokes of vector artwork
6) How to access the color picker and the swatch, gradient & pattern libraries
7)  How to use the Illustration software to create vector shapes for their designs  (polygons,circle, stars etc.)
8)  How to modify their shapes and drawing by using the Direct Selection Tool for further control over their illustrations
9) How to use the Paintbrush tool to draw directly inside of Adobe Illustrator using a mouse or Stylus drawing tablet
10) How to export their Adobe Illustrator Artwork for web (as a jpeg) so it can be displayed on social media or printed

Projects for Level 1 (Intro to Illustrator) are focused around creating a beginning illustration using the tools & techniques.

I have taught Digital Illustration for the last 5 years, in a college setting for highschool & college age groups, as well as a modified for kids version of a similar illustration class as a Summer Camp for jr.high age group - highschool. 

My personal experience is that I am a professional artist & also enjoy teaching as an art based technology instructor. I have  BA  Degrees in Media arts /  Digital Media Communications & have worked as professional Graphic Artist for 20 years. 

I am offering this class as a unique offering because suddenly I am finding myself teaching ALL my illustration classes online & am currently home due to the nationwide school shut-down. I have 3 elementary aged children and have been putting them in all sorts of cool classes, when it occurred to me that I could share my illustration course to lots of artist who are jr.high & highschool age kids & teens who may also be currently affected by the school shut - down.   

Homework Offered
Students will have art / design related work to do on the digital demonstration file. Students can drop their finished work into forum discussion / drop box on external website. Students will have digital art projects based around the learning lessons. 
1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Progress is assessed by completion of the digital design art files & a final project. 
Grades Offered