Thursdays
6:30PM-9:30PM
V107
Course Alignment
General Education Outcomes are the knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and behaviors that students are expected to develop as a result of their overall experiences with any aspect of the college, including courses, programs, and student services, both inside and outside of the classroom. The General Education Outcomes specifically learned in this course are:
- Communication
•Recognize the Adobe Illustrator workspace
•Implement design principles and copyright rules
•Create basic shapes to design various types of artwork
•Utilize drawing tools, including the pen tool, to create curved and straight paths
•Input and adjust type in an image
•Organize artwork into layers
•Implement effects and graphic styles to give artwork depth and dimension
•Design and create an animated character with a complete background story and props for inclusion in your portfolio
Faculty Contact Information
One-half hour before class time
Amber Gocken
agocken@kcc.edu
Course Information
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Recognize the Adobe Illustrator workspace
- Implement design principles and copyright rules
- Create basic shapes to design various types of artwork
- Utilize drawing tools, including the pen tool, to create curved and straight paths
- Input and adjust type in an image
- Organize artwork into layers
- Implement effects and graphic styles to give artwork depth and dimension
- Design and create an animated character with a complete background story and props for inclusion in your portfolio
- Welcome to the Land of Adobe CC and Adobe Illustrator
- A Quick Tour
- Getting to Know the Work Area
- Selecting Artwork
- Using Shapes
- Combining Shapes and Paths
- Transforming Artwork
- Creating an Illustration with the Drawing Tools
- Using Color to Enhance Signage
- Typography
- Adding Type to a Poster
- Layers; Gradients, Blends and Patterns
- Using Brushes to Create a Poster
- Effects and Graphic Styles
- Artwork for a T-Shirt
- Masking and Placing Images
- Exporting
Adobe Illustrator Classroom in a Book
(2025 Release)
By: Brian Wood
Adobe Press
ISBN-13
978-0-13-537684-3
Additional Materials:
•USB Drive (4 GB OR hiGhER) •
Program students only:
Wacom Intuos Medium Pen and Touch Tablet (three choices)
MODEl: pth460K0a, pth660, pth860
Final grading scale by points:
900-1000 = A
800-899 = B
700-799 = C
600-699 = D
599-0 = F
1. Quiz Scores (90 point - lowest score dropped)
2. Homework Assignments (300 points) and Projects (400points)
3. Discussions (90 points)
4. Final Presentation (120 points)
Business, Technology & Human Services
Dean, Paul Carlson; 815-802-8858; V105; pcarlson@kcc.edu; Division Office – W102; 815-802-8650
ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION
Students are expected to be in class on time.
Don’t be late. Students are responsible for all
materials presented during their absence(s).
Check CANVAS if you are absent, all due
materials will be listed according to weekly
modules. Regular attendance is expected to
all scheduled classes, there are NO excused
absences.
If you need to contact me, PLEASE EMAIL
ME. I typically check this course daily, but on
weekends it isn’t my top priority, and I skip
days. That in NO WAY means that I don’t
want to hear from you if you have a question.
FINAL PRESENTATION
The final presentation in this class is
mandatory. It is worth 120 points. If you fail
to present, you will lose those points (120), as
well as, your attendance and participation
points (90) and your final grade will not be an
“A” or a “B.”
Software Requirements
This course will require a high-speed Internet connection for
Canvas and the Adobe Creative Cloud Software. You do not
have to purchase this software, you may use the Graphic
Design Lab, V107, which has the software installed. You may
work in the lab when there is no class in session. You can
choose to purchase the Adobe Software at your own expense.
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS
•Canvas: Students are expected to login to
Canvas each week for additional learning
content. Delivery of instructional material will
be made through Canvas only. Students must
have access to a high-speed Internet
connection for successful completion of this
course. KCC email and/or Canvas will be used
to deliver Web site addresses, test dates,
assignment directions/due dates, etc.
•Keep all work from each assignment/project.
Assignments and projects from this course
will also be likely additions to your portfolio in
the future.
•Syllabus: Students should read/review the
Syllabus and Course Calendar to become
familiar with instructorʼs policies and course
content.
•Gmail: correspondence should be via KCC
student Gmail accounts.
•Announcements: Log-in and check Canvas
often.
•Assignments: Check Canvas weekly for
assignments. Weeks begin on Thursdays
(Day 1) and end on Wednesdays (Day 7
Week 1, 1/15/2026 — Welcome to the Land of Adobe
CC Class Objectives:
• Review syllabus
• Review e-mail and Canvas info
• The Mac OS environment
• Adobe Creative Cloud and Illustrator
Week 2, 1/22/2026 — What's New in Adobe Illustrator 2025
Release; A Quick Tour; Getting to Know the Work Area
Class Objectives:
• Objects on a Path
• Text to Vector Graphic
• Gen Shape Fill (Beta)
• Mockup Improvements
• Star as a Live Shape
• Opening an Illustrator file
• Exploring the workspace
• Working with panels
• Changing the view of artwork
• Navigating multiple artboards
In-Class Activities:
• Assignment #1: Principles of Design, Due Week 3
Week 3, 1/29/2026 — Techniques for Selecting Artwork;
Make a Logo with Shapes
Class Objectives:
• Selecting objects
• Aligning objects
• Working with groups
• Exploring object arrangement
• Creating a new document
• Working with basic shapes
• Working with drawing modes
• Using Image Trace to convert images into editable vector art
• Using Text to Vector Graphic
In-Class Activities:
• Quiz #1: Illustrator Work Area
• Assignment #2: Create a Postcard, Due Week 4
We e k 4,2/5/2026 —Editing and Combining Shapes and Paths; Transforming Artwork.
Class Objectives:
• Editing paths and shapes
• Combining shapes
• Reshaping a path
• Using the Width tool
• Using Intertwine
• Assembling the sign
• Assembling the poster
• Creating and editing artboards
• Working with rulers and guides
• Transforming content
• Using repeats
• Working with the Puppet Warp tool
• Introducing the Dimension Tool
In-Class Activities:
• Quiz #2: Selecting and Shapes
• Assignment #3: Abstract Art, Due Week 5
Week 5, 2/12/2026 — Using the Basic Drawing Tools
Class Objectives:
• Creating with the Curvature tool
• Creating dashed lines
• Creating with the Pencil tool
• Adding arrowheads to paths
In-Class Activities:
• Quiz #3: Shapes and Paths
• Assignment #4: Fresco Drawing, Due Week 6
Week 6, 2/19/2026 —Drawing with the Pen Tool, Using Color to Enhance Artwork
Class Objectives:
• Why use the Pen tool?
• Starting with the Pen tool
• Put your learning into practice!
• Editing paths and points further
• Exploring color modes
• Working with color
• Working with Live Paint
In-Class Activities:
• Quiz #4: Drawing Tools
• Assignment #5: Make your own color page, Due Week 7
• Project #1: Design App Icon, Due Week 8
Week 7, 2/26/2026 —Typography
Class Objectives:
• What is type?
• Rules of type.
• Acceptable and unacceptable fonts.
• Watch documentary.
In-Class Activities:
• Quiz #5: Using Color
• Assignment #6: Watch Documentary/Study Questions,
Due Week 8
• Project #1: Design App Icon, Due Week 8
Week 8, 3/5/2026 —Adding Type to a Document
Class Objectives:
• Adding text
• Formatting type
• Resizing and reshaping type objects
• Creating and applying text styles
• Creating text lists
• Wrapping text
• Curving text on a path
• Warping text
• Creating text outlines
• Exploring Retype
In-Class Activities:
• Assignment #7: Farmer's Market Poster, Due Week 9
• Project #2: Your Name in Font, Due Week 10
3/8/2026 — 3/15/2026 SPRING BREAK!!!!!!!
Week 9, 3/19/2026 — Organizing Your Artwork with Layers;
Gradients, Blends and Patterns Class Objectives:
• What are layers?
• Creating layers
• Editing layers and objects
• Creating a clipping mask
• Working with gradients
• Creating blends
• Getting creative with patterns
In-Class Activities:
• Quiz #6: Typography
• Assignment #8: Create an Invitation, Due Week 10
• Project #2: Your Name in Font, Due Week 10
Week 10, 3/26/2026 —Using Brushes to Create an Ad
Class Objectives:
• Working with brushes
• Using Calligraphic brushes
• Using Art brushes
• Using Pattern brushes
• Using Bristle brushes
• Working with the Blob Brush tool
In-Class Activities:
• Quiz #7: Layers, Gradients, Patterns and Blends
• Assignment #9: Vector Buddy Portrait, Due Week 11
• Project #3: You, Too, Can Create a Masterpiece, Due
Week 12
Week 11, 4/2/2026 — Effects and Graphic Styles
Class Objectives:
• Using the Appearance panel
• Using live effects
• Applying a Photoshop effect
• Applying 3D effects
• Using graphic styles
• Scaling strokes and effects
In-Class Activities:
• Quiz #8: Brushes
• Assignment #10: Area Business Poster, Due Week 12
• Project #3: You, Too, Can Create a Masterpiece, Due
Week 12
Week 12, 4/9/2026 —Exploring Time-Saving
Techniques
Class Objectives:
• Working with symbols
• Working with Creative Cloud libraries
• Creating a mockup
• Working with global editing
In-Class Activities:
• Quiz #9: Effects and Graphic Styles
• Assignment #11:Design your own T-Shirt, Due Week 13
• Project #4: Set of Vinyl Stickers, Due Week 14
Week 13, 4/16/2026 — Placing and Working with Images; Exporting
Class Objectives:
• Placing image files
• Masking content
• Working with image links
• Packaging a file
• Creating a PDF
• Exporting artboards and assets
• Inviting others to edit
• Sharing for review
In-Class Activities:
• Quiz #10: Symbols
• Assignment #12: Large-Scale Travel Poster, Due Week 14
• Project #4: Set of Vinyl Stickers, Due Week 14
Week 14, 4/23/2026 Creating Fat Heads/Vinyls
Class Objectives:
• How to Create stickers/vinyl tutorial
• Create artwork to print
In-Class Activities:
• Project #5: Character Landscape, Due Finals Week
• Final Presentation: Character, Due Finals Week
Week 15, 4/30/2026 —Final Production
Class Objectives:
• Laser Engraver work
• Final Project Production
• Final Presentation Production
In-Class Activities:
• Project #5: Character Landscape, Due Finals Week
• Final Presentation: Character, Due Finals Week
Week 16, 5/7/2026 —Final Production
Class Objectives:
• Laser Engraver work
• Final Project Production
• Final Presentation Production
In-Class Activities:
• Project #5: Character Landscape, Due Finals Week
• Final Presentation: Character, Due Finals Week
Finals We e k, 5/14/2026 —Final Presentation
Class Objectives:
• Final Presentation
College Policies, Resources and Supports
For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide.
KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:
- Clubs and organizations
- Counseling and referral services
- Office of disability services
- Student complaint policy
- Transfer services
- Tutoring services, etc.
The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at https://kcc.libguides.com/copyright.
|Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.