60 Incredible Adobe Illustrator Graphics Tutorials

Adobe Illustrator is a comprehensive vector graphics environment with new transparency in gradients and multiple art boards that invite you to explore more efficient ways to design. Below we have gathered a list of 60 awesome Adobe Illustrator tutorials that will surely help you to become better at designing illustrations for your projects.

If you know more Adobe Illustrator tutorials that dazzle then please leave a link of it in the comments section and we will try to feature them too. You may also like to subscribe to my RSS Feed to stay updated with the, latest articles and events at makecashnow.biz.

1. 3D Effects

1.1 3D Rings in Illustrator

Illustrator CS2’s 3D Effect is a powerful tool for creating three-dimensional objects – but it doesn’t give you a true 3D environment that lets your objects interact with each other. So what do you do if you want a vase with rings floating around it or intersecting wedding bands? With some careful grouping and layer arrangements, you can coax Illustrator into simulating a real 3D world.

1.2 Spin the Bottle with 3D Revolve

In this tutorial, you’ll see some of the ins and outs of the 3D Revolve Effect by rendering a three dimensional wine bottle with a label. This Effect allows you to revolve an outline profile of the right side of an object around a center axis to create a 3D object. Considering how simple the feature is to use, the results are really quite remarkable.

1.3 Adobe Illustrator in 3D

Let’s tap into some of the 3D features of Adobe Illustrator. Though Illustrator doesn’t offer a 3D environment like a true 3D application, it does give you the ability to create 3D objects that can be modified within a 3D space. Texture mapping and light sources similar to those found in the high-end 3D applications are also available.

1.4 3D Pill

With this tutorial you’ll learn how to create a 3D pill to cure your design headaches!

2. Basic Tutorials

2.1 Fancy Stars

Fancy stars aren’t just for Christmas! Learn all about blending options in this short but sweet tutorial, and try out some different shapes to get some cool variations on the same theme.

2.2 Folder Icon

You’ll learn how to make a folder icon with this tutorial.

2.3 Glassy Button

You have probably already seen this tutorial somewhere before or know how to make glassy button with Photoshop. But I’m going to show you here is done with Illustrator in 3 simple steps.

2.4 Soccer Practice Cone

With this tutorial you’ll get some practice using the Revolve effect and learn how to make a soccer practice cone!

2.5 Spirograph Effect

Remember the Spirograph? Relive your childhood memories with this simple yet stunning effect. Learn the “Ctrl+d” shortcut to save tons of time with repetitive tasks and try out some different brushes to get some cool variations on the same idea.

2.6 Web 2.0 Badge

Learn how to make a Web 2.0 badge to give away on your website with this tutorial.

3. Drawing Effects

3.1 The Anatomy of a Vector Illustration

The pattern of vector illustrations is best viewed or represented as a hierarchy or “tree”. The illustration itself would be at the top and its various parts would descend below it.

3.2 Creative Arabic Calligraphy in Adobe Illustrator

This tutorial will guide you on how to draw creative Arabic fonts in Adobe Illustrator, this type of calligraphy is called “Free Calligraphy” as it is not “restricted” to a strictly set of rules on how the letters should be drawn and connected as with other forms of Arabic Calligraphy.

3.3 Create a Blissful Vector Scene

Follow this Adobe Illustrator tutorial through the process of creating your own simple vector scene form scratch.

3.4 Make a Stylized Christmas Tree in Illustrator

In this tutorial, I will show you how you can quickly make a stylized Christmas tree in Illustrator, you can decorate it as the way you like & maybe you can use it as a Christmas card to send it to your friends & beloved!

3.5 Halloween Pumpkin

Let’s have some fun. Learn how to draw a realistic Halloween pumpkin in Illustrator so you can attach to your ecard or email.

3.6 Skull Tattoo

In this tutorial you will learn about the Pen Tool, pathfinders, and transforming objects while making a fairly basic but cool looking skull tattoo. Once that’s done, all that’s left to do is add it to a photo of your arm to make sure it looks good, and then go to the tattoo artist to get it done for real. Simple!

4. Logo Design

4.1 Creating Stylish Business Logo with Techie Background

This tutorial will show you how to create a stylish business logo with techie background in Adobe Illustrator.

4.2 Create a Logo in Illustrator 8.0

This tutorial will show you how to create type on the top and bottom of the same circle and how to slice the circle.

4.3 Logo Design in Adobe Illustrator

In this tutorial you will learn to illustrate some of the process of logo design using Adobe Illustrator. However, this is not so much a tutorial on the use of Adobe Illustrator as it is a way to show you one method of the “process” of refining an image to a corporate identity (logo) or stylized illustration. The basic process here could be applied to any application.

4.4 Xbox 360 Logo

This tutorial shows you, how to make Xbox logo using Adobe Illustrator.

4.5 Zune Logo

This tutorial shows you, how to make Zune logo using Adobe Illustrator.

5. Photo Effects

5.1 Adobe Bridge Icon

This tutorial will show you how to replicate the Adobe Bridge icon in Illustrator CS2 using the same techniques as the Photoshop Splash Page Tutorial.

5.2 3D Objects and Transparencies to Make a Vector Cola Bottle Design

In this tutorial, we’ll be taking those skills up a notch and discussing how Illustrator deals with transparency in 3D objects. In just a few steps you’ll have created a plastic cola bottle, which is ideally suited for those of you involved in product marketing.

5.3 Envelope Distort

In this tutorial, you will learn how to use Illustrator CS Envelope Distort tool to make a trendy fashion ad.

6. Text Effects

6.1 Old School Type – Line Gradients

The process for creating the base logo is not included in this tutorial. Instead, we are going to take the base logo and add that cool “line gradient” effect that you see inside the actual letters. This gives the text an old-school or vintage feel to it. This look is prevalent in wood engraving and sign lettering. You can do this effect with any typeface or font because the principle is the same.

6.2 Stylish Wave Text Effect

This tutorial shows you how to make a stylish wave text effect using Adobe Illustrator.

6.3 Creating an Environmentally Friendly Green Type Treatment

In the following Illustrator tutorial, you will learn how to create a Green type treatment. It works great for logos and other design elements.

6.4 Create a Swirly Type Treatment

In this Illustrator tutorial you will learn how to create a swirly type treatment. With a free font, some brushes, and gradients you can easily create this type treatment. Moreover, you can apply these techniques to other type treatments, logos, and illustrations as well.

6.5 Vibrant 3D Pixel Type Treatment

In this tutorial, you will learn how to create a fun 3D pixel font type treatment. Using a free font, gradients, and Illustrator 3D filter, you will easily create a type treatment that you can apply to many other fonts.

7. Creative Graphics Design

7.1 Super Cool Abstract Vectors in Illustrator and Photoshop

This tutorial will show you how to design a Cool Abstract Vectors in Illustrator and Photoshop.

7.2 Cool Vector Flower

This tutorial will show you how to design a Cool Vector Flower.

7.3 Fine Line Design

This tutorial will show you how to design a Fine Line Design.

7.4 Flare Tool Fun – Illustrator Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to have fun with the Flare Tool.

7.5 Font Flowers

This is an easy and fun trick you can use in Illustrator to create flowers out of letters. You can use any fonts and any colors. The following examples are made from the letters in my name SYDNEY.

7.6 Create a Glowing Abstract Light Vector Graphic

In the following tutorial, you’ll learn how to create a glowing light abstract vector graphic. The great thing about this tutorial is it doesn’t use any raster effects. The final illustration is all vector! In this tutorial, you’ll utilize blends, different blend modes, and gradient meshes. Moreover, these techniques are real easy to apply to other illustrations.

7.7 Make a Fairy-Tale Inspired Magical Hand Shaped Vine

In this tutorial, you’ll see the intermediate to advanced Adobe Illustrator artist how to make a fairy-tale inspired magical vine that is shaped like a hand. You should have a basic understanding of Adobe Illustrator tools before you begin this tutorial.

7.8 Stylish Vector Flower

In this tutorial you’ll learn how to make Stylish Vector Flower using Adobe Illustrator.

7.9 Swirly curls in Adobe Illustrator

This tutorial shows you how to make swirly curls in Adobe Illustrator.

7.10 Create A Water Texture

It is starting to warm up oustide, so it is only fitting I start with wading water, like in a pool. It is a relatively quick and easy technique using Illustrator’s Effects, Simplify, Offset Path and some bright colors.

8. Other Tutorials

8.1 Turn a Boring Bar Graph into a 3D Masterpiece

In this tutorial, you’ll learn to plot an accurate bar graph using Adobe Illustrator’s Graph Tool. We’ll also render the graph to give it additional visual appeal. Successful completion of this tutorial requires an intermediate knowledge of Illustrators tools.

8.2 Create a Vector Film Slate Icon

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create a vector film slate icon. The tutorial uses some basic shapes, some gradients, and even a blend. Moreover, you can easily customize this tutorial with your own logo or typography.

8.3 How to Create a Vector iMac Graphic in Illustrator

Follow this Adobe Illustrator walk through to create a vector based reproduction of the popular Apple iMac computer. Using simple shapes and tools that can then be put into practice to create further icon style images.

8.4 Keyboard Shortcuts For The Pen

Usually, when first learning the software, the novice will go to the tool palette to switch back and forth between the pen and other tools. This is very time consuming and there are provisions in the software to switch tools without having to select them from the tool palette.

8.5 Tasty Tentacles Brush

The simple brush we are going to make can be used for many basic shapes: tentacles, flames, tribal tattoos, trees… ummm… spooky monster tongues?

8.6 Creating a Quick and Easy Glass Bowl in Illustrator

With just a circle, a few ovals and the Inner Glow effect, you can create a quick and very useful glass bowl image in Illustrator. And once you master this technique, it can be easily adapted for many different uses.

8.7 Complicate Orb Icon

This will be the last tutorial of creating Icon from me. This tutorial will teach you doing more complicate button icon or Orb effect Icon using Illustrator.

8.8 Business Coupon Design – Illustrator Tutorial

Make a basic coupon for an electronics company. An easy task with Illustrator. This tutorial is intended for beginners and teaches a lot of basic skills.

8.9 How to Make Festive Vector Gift Boxes

Get ready for the holiday season with this festive gift box tutorial. Successful completion of this tutorial requires a solid understanding of Adobe Illustrator’s tools as this advanced tutorial moves at a quick pace. We’ll be working with Illustrators 3D tools, Brushes, Gradients, and Blurs to create these holiday presents.

8.10 Fireworks for New Year

Here is a quick tutorial to help you create a 2009 Happy New Year card. You will learn how to create realistic vector fireworks in this tutorial. The final fireworks look simple yet elegant, perfect for sending to your clients.

8.11 How to Design a Media Player with Vector Tools

In this tutorial, we’ll be using basic Illustrator tools to create a Media Player design. This is an excellent tutorial for beginners to Illustrator, as it’s mostly creating and manipulating basic shapes to arrive at a polished final result.

8.12 How to Make Realistic Skate Wheels in Illustrator

Using Illustrator’s 3D Revolve tool, we will create a set of realistic skateboard wheels and map our own artwork on the wheel. We will cover advanced techniques, such as using the revolve tool, preparing the artwork, mapping it to the 3D surfaces, and some cool tricks for adding the finishing touches.

8.13 Create a Pulsing Poster with a Vinyl Record and Grunge Type

In this tutorial, we’ll explain how to create a vinyl record with blends and opacity masks. We’ll also create some funky pulsing elements, grunge typography, and put it together into a unique poster design.

8.14 Realistic Curtain

This lesson assumes that you already have a basic understanding on how the gradient mesh works. Therefore, we will move on to create a realistic curtain using the gradient mesh.

8.15 Design Gift Boxes Using Illustrator’s 3D Tools

Quickly make wrapped and unwrapped gift boxes using Illustrator’s built-in 3D Extrude & Bevel effect. Learn how to make a fully editable 3D ribbon and masked 3D typography. Also, we’ll be creating sparkles using Symbol Tools.

8.16 How to Make a Delicious Vector Orange in 9 Decisive Steps

Learn how to create a semi-realistic vector orange with simple shapes, tools, and multiple effects. This tutorial is possible for a beginner to complete, though is aimed at an intermediate Illustrator user.

8.17 How to Create Your Own Vector Cartoon Character

This awesome tutorial shows you how to easily create your own cartoon character using Adobe Illustrator.

8.18 Monster Character

This awesome tutorial shows you how to easily create your own cartoon monster using Adobe Illustrator.

8.19 Trendy Geometric Lines Design

This awesome tutorial shows you how to easily create trendy geometric line design using Adobe Illustrator.

8.20 Fun Film Design

With a little experimentation and imagination, you can use tools in not-so-obvious ways to create really interesting and seemingly complex effects. In this tutorial, we’ll use a number of basic shapes and a photo to create a simple filmstrip. Then we’ll map that art to a 3D shape that we’ll create and manipulate entirely in Adobe Illustrator.

8.21 Trendy Circles

This awesome tutorial shows you how to easily create trendy geometric circles using Adobe Illustrator.

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