Mastering Geometric Grid-Based Designs in Adobe Illustrator from Udemy

Level up your Illustrator skills & unleash your creativity by taming & mastering a range of tools & techniques for creating precise, eye-catching & unique geometric designs in Adobe Illustrator with our special tips & workflows ranging from beginner to advanced levels.

It is fascinating how many completely different things you can create by only using geometric elements as a basis for your design. Working with geometric shapes and creating precise, coherent and original work can seem like a complex and laborious process, but it does not have to be. Versatile tools available in Adobe Illustrator make the creation of even more elaborate geometric designs relatively quick and painless, and with this course I invite you to tame and master a range of Illustrator tools & techniques so you can easily work with precision, speed up your workflow and unleash your creativity by focusing on the most fun and important part of the creative process which is experimenting with different compositions and developing your visual ideas.

I am Evgeniya Righini-Brand, a graphic designer with 5 years experience teaching graphic design at university and an online teacher with over 140k students. In this course I will share with you my special tips, tricks & workflows for creating bold, eye-catching & unique geometric designs in Adobe Illustrator and my favourite game-changing approach to developing and using custom geometric grids as a creative instrument and structural basis for your designs. Apart from showing you how to take full advantage of Adobe Illustrator's tools and techniques, I will also share with you how to methodically develop and tackle creating geometric designs one step at a time, and highlight design principles and considerations to help you make conscious design decisions and push the boundaries of your creativity.

Whether you are into creating elaborate geometric designs, or something minimalistic, or something in-between, this course will provide you with a framework which you can use to create:

surface patterns;
print designs,
illustrations & graphic art;
digital lettering & custom typefaces;
packaging designs;
logos* & icons;
infographics.

This course is suitable for graphic designers, illustrators, surface pattern designers & digital artists who are interested in creating geometric designs, and I will walk you through everything you need to know to create precise and exciting geometric grid-based designs in Adobe Illustrator. Whether you want to create your very first geometric design in Illustrator or take your geometric designs and Illustrator skills to a next level and unlock your creative potential by exploring new creative techniques, this is a course for you.

In this course you will learn:

How to take advantage of document settings and Illustrator preferences to have a smooth workflow and work with precision;
How to easily create a range of standard but versatile geometric grids and how to get the most out of a range of Illustrator tools when devising custom grids;
How to use your grids to develop both shape-based and linear designs;
How to add more personality to your geometric designs by styling them in a number of different ways;
And how to finalise your designs and prepare them for output.

I cannot wait to see what you create.

What students say:

Sara: "I have explored the tools mentioned before but not to that extent. The courses I have attended at school don't even come close to the level of excellence given in this class. Evgeniya is a really fantastic teacher and you can bet she knows her craft. I recommend this class to anyone really wanting to explore grids, geometric shapes and start really mastering Adobe Illustrator."
Elspeth: "I wish I had been able to take this class years ago. It would have saved me a lot of time and energy if I'd known how to design based on custom grids, which are so simple to make in Illustrator once you know how. Very comprehensive but easy to understand class with lots of basic know-how but also more advanced tips and tricks and advice on creating attractive grid-based designs in Illustrator."
Maria: "You're given a lot of tools, resources, and inspiration that will have you making geometric designs long after you've finished the class exercises. It becomes this meditative and satisfying process that helps you produce content that can be used for any type of design project: surface patterns, brand identities, statement swag, etc. So versatile and yet such a powerful method of creating. "

* In this course we will be developing grids as systems of various adjacent modules, which you can build upon in any desired way. And whilst you can use the tools & techniques covered in this course to create any kind of geometric designs you want, in this course I won't be concentrating on working with geometric shapes in a more freehand way when shapes are loosely arranged in relation to each other (which is often used in logo design).

What's inside

Learning objectives

How to get the most out of illustrator tools and speed up your workflow when devising precise custom grids.
A range of techniques for developing shape-based and linear designs based on geometric grids.
Design principles and considerations to help you push the boundaries of your creativity.
How to methodically develop and tackle creating geometric designs one step at a time.
Creating a range of standard but versatile geometric grids.

Using geometric grids as a creative instrument.
How to set up your adobe illustrator document and preferences to have an efficient workflow.
How to add more personality to your geometric designs by styling them in a number of different ways.
Tips & tricks for creating surface patterns based on your geometric designs.
How to troubleshoot and finalise your designs to prepare them for output.

How to get the most out of illustrator tools and speed up your workflow when devising precise custom grids.
A range of techniques for developing shape-based and linear designs based on geometric grids.
Design principles and considerations to help you push the boundaries of your creativity.
How to methodically develop and tackle creating geometric designs one step at a time.
Creating a range of standard but versatile geometric grids.
Using geometric grids as a creative instrument.
How to set up your adobe illustrator document and preferences to have an efficient workflow.
How to add more personality to your geometric designs by styling them in a number of different ways.
Tips & tricks for creating surface patterns based on your geometric designs.
How to troubleshoot and finalise your designs to prepare them for output.

Syllabus

Course introduction and overview of using geometric grids as a design instrument.

Introduction & Course Overview

Understanding Geometric Grids

Set up Adobe Illustrator documents, Workspace, Preferences & View Settings to work efficiently & precisely with geometric elements & custom grids

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides a framework applicable to surface patterns, print designs, illustrations, graphic art, digital lettering, custom typefaces, packaging designs, logos, icons, and infographics

Taught by a graphic designer with 5 years of university teaching experience and experience teaching over 140k students online

Focuses on using geometric grids as a creative instrument, which can add a unique structural basis to designs

Requires Adobe Illustrator, so learners will need a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud to fully participate in the course

Explores document settings and Illustrator preferences to promote a smooth workflow and precise geometric element manipulation

Reviews summary

Mastering geometric grid design in illustrator

According to learners, this course offers a deep dive into geometric grid-based designs in Adobe Illustrator, led by an expert and engaging instructor. Students praise the incredibly practical techniques for creating custom grids and say it's a game-changer for workflow and precision, significantly simplifying complex tasks and boosting confidence. While the core grid content is highly valued and often described as worth the price alone, a few students felt the styling sections could be more advanced or that some topics felt rushed or overly technical for beginners. Overall, it's seen as essential for anyone serious about geometric design or mastering related Illustrator skills.

May be best suited for intermediate users.

"It feels more geared towards experienced Illustrator users than beginners."

"I found the course material dry at times. It's very technical and focused..."

"Highly recommend for intermediate users."

Significantly improves workflow and design accuracy.

"The step-by-step approach to building custom grids was a game-changer for my workflow."

"The focus on efficiency and precision using specific Illustrator tools is spot on."

"Life-changing for my design process! I used to struggle with aligning elements perfectly. This course teaches you how to build a framework that makes precision easy."

"Mastering grids has made a huge difference in my design speed and accuracy."

Instructor is highly knowledgeable and effective.

"Evgeniya is a fantastic teacher - clear, concise, and knowledgeable. Highly recommend!"

"Evgeniya's teaching style is superb. She breaks down complex ideas into manageable steps."

"The instructor is very engaging and easy to understand."

"The instructor's knowledge of Illustrator is incredible, and she shares so many useful tips and workflows."

Comprehensive coverage of creating custom grids.

"This course demystifies the process and provides incredibly practical techniques... The sections on creating custom grids... were particularly useful."

"none have focused so deeply on the power of grids for generating complex designs. The step-by-step approach to building custom grids was a game-changer for my workflow."

"The depth covered on custom grids is amazing. I never knew Illustrator could be used in this way."

"Mastering grids has made a huge difference in my design speed and accuracy. This course is highly specialized but delivers exactly what it promises."

Some sections may feel rushed or overly technical.

"However, I found the course jumped around a bit between topics. Some sections felt rushed."

"I found the course material dry at times. It's very technical and focused, which is good for some..."

Styling content could be more advanced or diverse.

"I found some of the styling sections a little basic..."

"I was hoping for a bit more advanced techniques in the styling section, perhaps more on gradients or complex textures."

"Also, the styling examples were a bit repetitive... perhaps not as comprehensive for overall geometric design styling."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Mastering Geometric Grid-Based Designs in Adobe Illustrator with these activities:

Review Adobe Illustrator Basics

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Reviewing fundamental Illustrator skills ensures a solid foundation for mastering geometric grid-based designs.

Browse courses on Adobe Illustrator

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Review the interface and basic tools.
Practice creating and manipulating basic shapes.
Familiarize yourself with layers and grouping.

Read 'Adobe Illustrator Classroom in a Book'

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Reading this book will provide a strong foundation in Adobe Illustrator, which is essential for creating geometric grid-based designs.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Read the chapters on basic tools and shape manipulation.
Follow the tutorials on creating and editing vector graphics.
Experiment with different techniques and tools.

Recreate Existing Geometric Designs

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Practicing recreating existing designs will help you internalize the techniques taught in the course.

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Find examples of geometric grid-based designs online.
Attempt to recreate them in Illustrator using the course's techniques.
Compare your results with the original and identify areas for improvement.

Four other activities

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Document Your Grid Design Process

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Documenting your process reinforces learning and allows you to reflect on your design choices.

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Choose a geometric grid-based design to create.
Document each step of the process, including tool selection and design decisions.
Create a blog post or presentation summarizing your process and learnings.

Design a Surface Pattern

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Designing a surface pattern applies the course's techniques to a real-world project.

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Develop a geometric grid as the basis for your pattern.
Create a repeating tile using the grid.
Apply the pattern to a mock-up product, such as fabric or wallpaper.

Build a Geometric Design System

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Creating a design system solidifies your understanding of geometric principles and Illustrator's capabilities.

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Define a set of geometric shapes and rules for their use.
Create a library of reusable components in Illustrator.
Document the system's principles and guidelines.

Study 'Grid Systems in Graphic Design'

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Studying this book will provide a deeper understanding of the theory behind grid systems, enhancing your design skills.

View Melania on Amazon

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Read the chapters on grid structure and hierarchy.
Analyze examples of grid-based designs in the book.
Apply the principles to your own geometric designs.

Career center

Learners who complete Mastering Geometric Grid-Based Designs in Adobe Illustrator will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Surface Pattern Designer

A Surface Pattern Designer creates original designs for various surfaces, such as textiles, wallpaper, and product packaging. A course focusing on mastering geometric grid-based designs in Adobe Illustrator directly supports this role by providing the skills to create intricate and repeating patterns. The course teaches how to develop shape-based and linear designs using grids, which are fundamental to surface pattern design. A Surface Pattern Designer can then easily create visually appealing and marketable designs, using geometric shapes as the course describes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Surface Pattern Designer

Textile Designer

A Textile Designer creates designs for woven, knitted, or printed fabrics. This course on mastering geometric grid-based designs in Adobe Illustrator is highly relevant because geometric patterns are a staple in textile design. The course helps Textile Designers develop skills in creating precise and repeatable patterns, which are crucial for textile manufacturing. The covered techniques for styling geometric designs and creating surface patterns would be directly applicable to creating unique and marketable textile designs. A Textile Designer will find great value in understanding how to work efficiently with grids to boost visual creativity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Textile Designer

Graphic Artist

A Graphic Artist creates visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, or captivate consumers. This course helps a graphic artist learn how to create geometric patterns in Adobe Illustrator. The course content on developing shape-based and linear designs, coupled with styling techniques, helps Graphic Artists produce eye-catching visuals for diverse applications. The Graphic Artist can then translate learnings into more creative and compelling designs using geometric shapes, such as print designs, illustrations and graphic art, with more precision.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic Artist

Illustrator

An Illustrator creates images that convey a message or mood, often for books, magazines, and advertising. This course on mastering geometric grid-based designs in Adobe Illustrator directly benefits an Illustrator by providing advanced techniques in creating precise and visually appealing geometric illustrations. The Illustrator can develop unique styles and enhance their portfolio with intricate geometric designs, and they will be able to add more personality to geometric designs through styling.

See salaries and explore the career path for Illustrator

Logo Designer

A Logo Designer specializes in creating visual identities for brands, often involving abstract or geometric shapes. While the course mentions it won't focus on freehand work, the underlying principles of creating geometric grids and precise shapes in Adobe Illustrator provide a strong foundation for Logo Designers. The course helps Logo Designers develop skills in creating consistent and aesthetically pleasing logos and icons that represent a brand effectively. The course is valuable as it focuses on developing grids as systems of modules so that the Logo Designer builds upon and designs logos that are visually unique.

See salaries and explore the career path for Logo Designer

Brand Identity Designer

A Brand Identity Designer creates the visual elements that represent a brand, including logos, color palettes, and typography. This course may be useful for a Brand Identity Designer, as precise geometric designs can enhance a brand's visual appeal. The course helps in creating custom grids and shapes in Adobe Illustrator, contributing to a cohesive and professional brand image. The content on styling geometric designs can assist in developing a unique brand identity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Brand Identity Designer

Packaging Designer

A Packaging Designer creates the visual design of product packaging, ensuring it is both attractive and functional. This course may be useful as it helps Packaging Designers develop skills in creating visually appealing geometric designs for packaging, which can make products stand out on shelves. The course's focus on creating precise grids and styling techniques in Adobe Illustrator are beneficial to create visually striking packaging designs. A Packaging Designer improves visual expertise through geometric shapes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Packaging Designer

Print Designer

A Print Designer creates designs for printed materials, such as posters, brochures, and magazines. This course may be useful for Print Designers because the concepts of mastering geometric grid-based designs in Adobe Illustrator directly applies to creating visually balanced and precise print layouts. The course improves skills in generating custom grids and effectively styling shapes, contributing to high-quality print designs. The Print Designer will find great value in designing geometric shapes for printed media.

See salaries and explore the career path for Print Designer

Web Designer

A Web Designer plans, creates, and codes internet sites and web pages, many of which use grids. Though web design may not rely heavily on geometric patterns, a Web Designer can use geometric shapes and layouts to create modern and visually appealing websites. This course may be useful as it hones skills in mastering geometric grid-based designs in Adobe Illustrator to create custom web elements and layouts. The Web Designer will benefit from an enhanced ability to create original and structurally sound web assets.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer

User Interface Designer

A User Interface Designer focuses on the visual layout and interactive elements of digital interfaces, such as websites and mobile apps. A course on mastering geometric grid-based designs in Adobe Illustrator may be useful because it helps refine skills in creating precise and visually harmonious interfaces. The course's focus on grid systems can inform the structure and alignment of user interface elements, leading to a more intuitive and aesthetically pleasing user experience. The User Interface Designer learns how to balance design with geometric shapes and create a useful visual experience.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Interface Designer

Animator

An Animator creates moving images using computer software or by hand, often incorporating geometric shapes and patterns. This course may be useful for an Animator because it enhances skills in creating precise and visually interesting geometric designs, which can be used as elements in animations. The course curriculum on customizing grids and styling shapes can aid in producing unique animated sequences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animator

Motion Graphics Designer

A Motion Graphics Designer creates animated graphics and visual effects for various media. This course may be useful for Motion Graphics Designers, as it helps to develop skills in creating visually dynamic and precise geometric designs, which can be incorporated into motion graphics projects. The course content on mastering geometric grid-based designs in Adobe Illustrator may be beneficial in creating aesthetically pleasing visual effects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Motion Graphics Designer

Architectural Drafter

An Architectural Drafter creates technical drawings and plans for buildings and structures, often using CAD software. This course helps Architectural Drafters develop skills in creating precise geometric designs, which are essential for architectural plans. The course on mastering geometric grid-based designs in Adobe Illustrator may be useful in creating detailed and accurate drawings as geometric design principles apply to digital design overall.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architectural Drafter

Game Artist

A Game Artist creates visual assets for video games, including characters, environments, and user interfaces. This course may be useful for a Game Artist because it refines skills in creating precise geometric designs, which can be used to develop game assets. The course content on mastering geometric grid-based designs in Adobe Illustrator may then be useful in producing visually appealing game designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Artist

Data Visualization Specialist

A Data Visualization Specialist transforms complex data sets into understandable and visually appealing graphics. While not directly related to aesthetic design, this course may be useful as it enhances skills in creating structured and precise visual layouts, which are applicable to infographics. The course, emphasizing geometric grid-based designs in Adobe Illustrator, may then improve a person's ability to create clearer data visualizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Visualization Specialist

Mastering Geometric Grid-Based Designs in Adobe Illustrator

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Mastering geometric grid design in illustrator

Activities

Career center

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