Photoshop gets most of the attention when it comes to tutorials and blog posts, but Illustrator is also an excellent tool for designers. If you’re interested in brushing up your skills, here are my top ten (taking both quality and quantity of tutorials into consideration).
1. VECTORTUTS
VECTORTUTS is still a very new blog, but it’s already a leader in Illustrator tutorials. You’re probably familiar with other sites from the Eden family, including PSDTUTS and NETTUTS, and VECTORTUTS provides the same high quality in its tutorials.
Tutorials of interest:
- Create a Vibrant Digital Collage Mixing Buildings and Vector Shapes on Paper
- Create a Happy Octopus Character
- Learn How to Create Realistic Vector Fire
2. Vectips
Vectips is the home of Ryan Putnam, who also writes tutorials for VECTORTUTS. Unlike some of the other sites on this list, Vectips focuses exclusively on Illustrator.
Tutorials of interest:
3. Veerle’s Blog
Veerle covers a variety of topics related to graphic design on her blog, including some Illustrator tutorials. The quality of her tutorials is excellent and she teaches practical techniques that you’ll be able to use in your own work.
Tutorials of interest:
- Simple Organic Shapes the Illustrator Way
- Creating Seamless Patterns in Illustrator
- Using the Pathfinder and Align Tool in Illustrator
4. Blog.SpoonGraphics
Graphic Designer Chris Spooner publishes tutorials and articles at Blog.SpoonGraphics, including some awesome Illustrator tutorials.
Tutorials of interest:
- How to Create a Vector Safari Compass in Illustrator
- Trendy Geometric Line Design Tutorial (includes use of Photoshop as well)
- Create a Colorful Wavy Abstract Ribbon
5. GoMediaZine
GoMediaZine is a site that somehow I’m not very familiar with, but I quickly subscribed after browsing through the archives. The site is much more than just a tutorial blog, so the quantity of Illustrator tutorials isn’t as high as some of the other sites on this list, but the quality is excellent.
Tutorials of interest:
- A Pseudo-Sugar Skull: From Start to Finish
- Create a Stunning Undersea Painting Using Vector Packs
- Intricate Patterns in Illustrator
6. AiVault
AiVault contains a lot of informative posts for Illustrator users, including tutorials on a variety of different effects.
Tutorials of interest:
- Create an Envelope Icon with a Satin Feel
- Create a Cool Air Balloon Wallpaper
- How to Make Funky Illustrative Backgrounds and Flourishes
7. BittBox
BittBox is an excellent design blog that covers a number of different topics. The Illustrator tutorials are not that frequent or it would be higher on this list, but the quality is excellent.
Tutorials of interest:
- How to Make 3D Vector Vintage Stars
- Working with Illustrator Art Brushes: Options and Adjustments
- Illustrator 101: One Gradient Across Multiple Paths
8. N. Design Studio
N.Design Studio has some of the best tutorials you’ll find. They’re not posted very frequently or this would be near the top of the list.
Tutorials of interest:
9. iStockdiary
iStockdiary has a nice combination of quality and quantity of Illustrator tutorials. The site also includes some premium tutorials for purchase.
Tutorials of interest:
10. BioRUST
BioRUST has a good number of Illustrator tutorials in their archives. Their tutorials are not on as advanced a level as some others on this list.
Tutorials of interest:
July 23rd, 2008
I want to get myself into Illustrator so need all the tutorial sites I can get..hehe. Great list!
July 23rd, 2008
[...] en los blog, pero también Illustrator es una excelente herramienta para los diseñadores. En Vandelay Design hacen una buena selección, por lo que si estás interesado en mejorar tus habilidades con dicha [...]
July 23rd, 2008
Thank you for this post. I’ve been looking for something just like this. There are so many cool things Illustrator can do. I also second having Vectortuts as number one on the list.
July 23rd, 2008
Many thanks for the mention!
July 23rd, 2008
You forgot http://www.illustrationclass.com/ one of the best illustrator site in my opinion.
July 23rd, 2008
[...] este increíble programa de dibujo vectorial, en Vandelay Design nos muestran una lista de diez sitios con tutoriales deIllustrator . Ahora no hay mas excusas, vamos a encontrar cosas sencillas y complicadas, para todo nivel de [...]
July 23rd, 2008
Steven, I want to congratulate you for reaching del.icio.us’ front page once again with this great post.
This is the type of article that makes me want to take some good design-related courses. Someday I will do it… someday…
Oh, and thank you for using the “for:” feature to send me the link. People in my network rarely remember to use this, although everybody knows I’m ever hungry for new links.
July 23rd, 2008
Chris,
You’re welcome. Thanks for the great tutorials and for stopping by to comment.
Karen,
Thank you. I rarely use that feature at del.icio.us but this post was sitting at about 110 bookmarks so I thought I’d try to help it get to the front page. I shared the link with about 5 or 6 friends, I guess it worked.
July 24th, 2008
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July 24th, 2008
Nice resources, thanks for sharing.
July 24th, 2008
Congratulations on the launch, I’ve been waiting for this ever since we had talked about it!
July 24th, 2008
Awesome list of sites — thanks a bunch for sharing them!
July 24th, 2008
I liked most of the illustrator tutorials, but Vectips was quite special for me.
July 24th, 2008
Hey thats great. I’ve been looking for something just like this. There are so many cool things Illustrator can do. I also second having Vectortuts as number one on the list.
July 24th, 2008
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July 25th, 2008
[...] Top 10 Sites for Illustrator Tutorials [...]
July 28th, 2008
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July 29th, 2008
Very helpful, thank you!
July 30th, 2008
great post, thanks for sharing.
July 31st, 2008
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July 31st, 2008
[...] Top 10 Sites for Illustrator Tutorials [...]
August 1st, 2008
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August 2nd, 2008
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August 3rd, 2008
[...] Top 10 Sites for Illustrator Tutorials [...]
August 4th, 2008
I totaly agree with you’re top 10 list. I like gomediazine and vectips the most.
September 5th, 2008
goooooooooooooooooooood vector for me i love ur vetor
September 7th, 2008
[...] VandelayDesign, llega esta lista de 10 sitios donde puedes encotrar material y tutoriales para [...]
October 11th, 2008
thanks for sharing the tutorials!
December 15th, 2008
[...] Top 10 Sites for Illustrator Tutorials [...]
February 10th, 2009
[...] Top 10 Sites for Illustrator Tutorials [...]
February 10th, 2009
[...] Top 10 Sites for Illustrator Tutorials [...]
February 10th, 2009
[...] Top 10 Sites for Illustrator Tutorials [...]
June 3rd, 2009
Thanks for the sites, also if you look for tutorials you might also want to check out these:
http://www.logobee.com/logo-design-tutorial/tutorial.htm
Two helpful tutorials detailing the creation of nice Illustrator effects.