Software

Software trials

During the courses we use the latest software version and the one right before it. You can try out the software here during class and download a trial from the Adobe website. A trial is fully functional for a month.

Purchasing hardware and software

As a reseller for both Adobe software and Wacom tablets you can buy these products from us. Of course we are available for advice prior to purchasing the hardware or software.

Call for more information: 020 6820080.

Or have a look on this page for Adobe software, or this page for Wacom hardware for more information.

Illustrator Course for Architects

This course will teach you how to create professional graphics that can be integrated into your technical designs. You are going to get to know the tools to help you do just that.

We expect our students to have a professional interest in graphics. The course is aimed at architects, garden designers and stylists who are required to develop graphics, mood boards and technical designs.

The first part of the course will be focusing on getting to know the tools you will need later. This first part of the course is the same for all Illustrator courses (except the Advanced course and modules). You will have to understand how things work first. We shall then move on to more concrete examples of art production for architects, town planners and garden designers. This will help you create a good presentation file for your customers.

Short outline

The course is very extensive. The following represents a fraction of what will be addressed.

1. Getting acquainted

During this lesson of the Illustrator Course you will start using Illustrator. You will learn how it works, what it looks like and how tools work. We shall also explain the different document options you can use.

You are going to use Illustrator to create objects from scratch during this lesson. We shall teach you how to use different tools to create an Illustation.

The following topics will be addressed during this course lesson.

Using the different menus and palettes
Looking at the different view options and presentations
The artboard, the printing area
Colour settings
Colour environments
Creating files
Different settings for different file types
Creating the first illustrations with the basic objects
Using colour swatches, gradients and patterns
Ordening the artboard and objects
Technical aspects of documents
Saving files in different ways

You are going to create a few illustrations during this lesson.

2. Creating and editing illustrations

The name of the application says it all: Illustrator. The appliation is created to illustrate, to create. You are going to do this during this lesson of the Illustrator Course. Whether you're in fashion, work as an architect or in PR: you will learn how to use the many drawing tools in Illustrator. You are going to digitize your own drawings and get to know the first techniques to do just that.

The following topics will be addressed during this course lesson.

Using layers
Cleverly use layer options
Creating free objects
Creating your own illustrations
Using the drawing tools
Integrating path styles
Digitizing your own artwork
Tracing sketches and fotos

3. Special transformations and using paths

During this lesson of the Illustrator Course you will start using the many transformation tools Illustrator has to offer. Objects will be split, recomposed, merged and much more.

The following topics will be addressed during this course lesson.

Splitting and merging paths
Transforming objects in many ways
Special transformations
Using the path options
Automatic transformations

4. Cutting and assembling &
Adjusting colours professionally

During this lesson you will learn how to professionally adjust, manage and combine colours. You will also learn how to use the different types of masks that Illustrator has in store for you. You are going to need them frequently in the near future so it's a good idea to understand how they work.

The following topics will be addressed during this course lesson.

Colours and adjustments
Colour management

See an example of what you will learn during this lesson.

5. Cutting and adjusting paths and masks

During this lesson you will learn how to cut and combine paths to create stunning artwork. You will also learn how to trace images and scans.

The following topics will be addressed during this course lesson.

Masking techniques
Different types of masks
Masking artwork in detail and in broad outlines
Special fill techniques

See an example of what you will learn during this lesson.

6. Text module: typography in Illustrator

During this part of the Illustrator Course you will learn how to use text and what you can do with it in Illustrator. Since it's birth, Illustrator has known many options for using and integrating text. And over the years things have improved beyond your imagination. Being the creative application that it is, text offers many options to create smashing designs. You are going to learn how to use simple text, how to create text on paths and indeed inside them and even how to integrate masking and text. All sorts of handy techniques will be addressed during this lesson of the Illustrator Course.

The following topics will be addressed during this course lesson.

Typography
The different text types
Using text styles
Using paragraph styles
Settings for text
Settings for paragraphs
Managing fonts
Creating special text in maps and town plans

7. Speciale transformaties, grafieken en extra objecten

During this lesson of the Illustrator Course for Architects you will learn how to use graphs. You are going to learn how to insert them into designs and plans. Managing graphs in Illustrator is a rather intuitive process and you will understand how it's done.

You are also going to learn how to create artwork that is both adjustable and dynamic to quickly add these elements into your city plans and designs. Series of trees, buildings or other necessary elements will be addressed.

The following topics will be addressed during this course lesson.

Special transformations
Quick options for repetitive artwork
Special options for serial artwork
Graphs
Graph management
Graph styles
Exporting Illustrator files
Working for CAD
Answering your questions
Looking at your work and progress

8. Module test (exam)

During this module your skills and knowledge will be tested by a professional teacher and coach. You will do a few test assignments and send in a final assignment. If you have sent in homework during the course and succeed for the exam you will receive the certificate.

Since the courses are pretty intense the test can be attended on special Test Fridays. This allows you to choose your own testing date and time. Look on this page to find the dates.

Course intensivity

All our courses offer intensive training. This is because we want our students to find a job after the course. To make this even more realistic we keep track of the changes in the world of design and the software updates. Working with very old software versions is not an option unless a student needs to use it. Keeping track of all the changes is very important to us: it makes it possible to be a player in the dynamic, multi media oriented world of design.

Teachers

During our courses you will have a personal coach who is a professional in the world of design. Experience in the field of print and press makes this coach irreplacable while you study. You can ask your coach all the questions you may have and notice you will most often get the answer. While you attend the course you can send your coach your homework files and extra files in which 'things don't work'.

Duration

The course duration depends on the type of training you attend. Go to the course's page to find out more. The most common type of training is group training and personal training, have a look at the options for these courses.

Group course: one lesson, once per week. This can be in the morning, afternoon or evening.

Personal training and reserved training can have special schedules.

Time slots

The times for group courses are fixed.

In the case of personal and reserved training special time slots can be booked.

Call us for more options: 020 6820080.

Estimated homework time

You will need about 8 hours per lesson. Most students spend even more time because they enjoy the work.

Verwacht denkniveau

Het niveau van de cursus ligt tussen MBO en HBO in. Er wordt van u verwacht dat u thuis zelfstandig kunt werken maar ook goed kunt meekomen in een groep.

Starting dates

The courses start about every two months. Go to this page to see the dates of the courses.

Applying

Go to the course's page or this page to apply. We shall send you an application form to fill out and after we receive it back from you we shall send you the invoice for the course.

Location

The courses are taking place in Amsterdam. Our location is very easily accessed by tram, bus, metro and even train. Of course you can use the car as well. All necessary facilities are available on the premises.

Literature and lesson material

LearningTrain keeps track of the developments of Adobe software. Using our Adobe contacts makes this even easier. The literature we consult is always up to date and the lesson material is often hot from the press.

Applications

We have a trial for you so you can do the homework. But of course you can also download the trial from the Adobe website.

During class we usually use the most recent version of the software and the version before that. This makes sure you are aware of the developments in the software and that you can create the best designs for your projects. The design market is pretty competitive, having the correct software gives you an extra edge.

Operating system

The Adobe applications have ben developed for both Windows and Mac and are available for both operating systems. Working with Illustrator, Photoshop, Dreamweaver and Flash means it's platform independant. While you are studying here you will usually work on a Windows machine. If you are used to working on a Mac you will hardly notice the difference: you will be inside the Adobe environment and this is platform independant.

Extra help

During the courses you can use your coach's knowledge to help you along. You can send in files and of course, homework. Homework is checked: since we choose to correct homework by hand this results in high quality training.

The location

The courses take place in Amsterdam. Our location is easily accessed by car, tram, bus, metro and even train. There is a railway station around the corner.

Companies and groups of individuals sometimes prefer in-company training. This makes working with company files easier. Call us for the options for in company training: 020 6820080.

Software

You can purchase the Adobe software from us, we're an official Adobe and Wacom reseller.

But you can also download a trial though the Adobe website. This trial is valid for a month.

Call for more information: 020 6820080