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Graphic Design
Understand the difference between vector vs raster
Identify best use cases for Illustrator
Understand scalability and resolution independence
Navigate the Welcome Screen
Create new documents for print, web, and social
Understand artboards vs canvas
Customise workspaces and panels
Topics:
Properties Panel (CC 2026 updates)
Control Bar vs Contextual Task Bar
Toolbars: Basic vs Advanced
Smart Guides overview
Create and resize artboards
Use multiple artboards for layouts
Reorder and rename artboards
Export individual artboards
Create rectangles, ellipses, polygons, stars
Use Live Shapes and corner controls
Modify shapes non-destructively
Understand anchor points and paths
Create straight and curved paths
Control handles accurately
Edit existing paths
Exercises:
Tracing simple icons
Creating clean geometric shapes
Draw smooth curves quickly
Edit paths without handles
Combine Pen + Curvature tools
Use Selection vs Direct Selection tools
Select anchor points, paths, and objects
Group, isolate, and lock artwork
Align objects precisely
Use key objects
Distribute spacing evenly
Use Smart Guides effectively
Understand RGB vs CMYK
Apply fills and strokes
Create and manage swatches
Use Global Colours
Create linear, radial, and freeform gradients
Apply gradients to strokes
Use the Gradient Tool interactively
Use Point Type, Area Type, and Type on a Path
Adjust character and paragraph settings
Use OpenType features
Outline text safely
Edit anchor points in letterforms
Prepare typography for logos
Combine shapes visually
Subtract and merge areas
Create custom icons and logos
Unite, Minus Front, Intersect, Exclude
Use destructive vs non-destructive workflows
Organise complex artwork
Lock, hide, and reorder layers
Use sub-layers correctly
Name layers properly
Prepare files for handoff
Avoid common beginner mistakes
Stack multiple fills and strokes
Apply effects non-destructively
Re-edit effects at any stage
Apply shadows and glows correctly
Avoid rasterising artwork accidentally
Sketch → build → refine
Use grids and alignment
Balance typography and icon design
Create a clean, scalable logo mark
Save AI files properly
Export SVG, PDF, PNG, JPG
Understand print-ready PDFs
Use Export for Screens
Optimise SVGs
Export multiple sizes efficiently
Avoid common Illustrator mistakes
Improve speed and accuracy
Build confidence with daily practice
Know when to use Illustrator vs Photoshop vs InDesign
Create professional vector artwork from scratch
Design icons, logos, and layouts confidently
Prepare artwork for print, web, and branding use
Work efficiently using modern Illustrator CC 2026 workflows
Peter Meehan, your course instructor, brings over 20 years of experience in graphic design & Adobe Creative Media.
Holding a degree in graphic design, he has worked with thousands of students from global giants such as Sky, Citibank & more.
Claire Youd
Both course content and instructor knowledge is exceptional – fresh, engaging and relevant. The ongoing support that Big Rock Designs provides is a real plus. I plan to attend future courses and would recommend other do too!
Joanne Doherty
Although my Photoshop knowledge was very limited, I found the organised sessions very easy to follow and I was over the moon at the amount I had learned. I’m looking forward to putting it all into practice in the coming months ahead.
Lorna McGivern
As someone who has attended numerous digital workshops and training I can honestly say Big Rock Academy’s introduction to Photoshop was the best I’ve ever experienced. They excelled in teaching us the logic behind the main tools in a very easy to understand way.
Rachael Weir
I just completed the Advanced Photoshop course at Big Rock Academy and I’m extremely pleased with what I’ve learnt. I now feel equipped to put it into practice in my job. I had a great teacher and I was able to really get to grasps with the software very quickly.
Live, instructor-led training in graphic design, marketing & video production.
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