Cert Prep: Adobe Certified Associate Illustrator

Study to become an Adobe Certified Associate. ACA certification is a gateway to a career in digital design, and lifelong mastery of Illustrator.

Graphic design is competitive. Make yourself stand out in a crowded field. Become an Adobe Certified Associate by passing the Graphic Design & Illustration Using Adobe Illustrator exam. ACA certification is a gateway to a career in digital design, and lifelong mastery of Illustrator. This course explains the benefits of ACA, how to organize your study efforts, and how to determine when you're ready to take the exam. Each exam objective is covered in detail, from identifying project requirements to exporting your final graphics. Author Mike Rankin also explains what to expect at the testing center, and how to promote your ACA status with potential employers.

Introduction

• Welcome
• How to use the exercise files

1. Become an Adobe Certified Associate

• What is ACA certification?
• The benefits of ACA status
• ACA exam objectives

2. Create a Personal Study Plan

• Assess your current knowledge and skills
• Develop a study schedule
• Find study resources
• Use the Adobe Education Exchange

3. Exam Objectives: Set Project Requirements

• Identify the purpose and audience for graphics
• Review standard copyright rules
• Demonstrate project management knowledge
• Communicate design plans
• Challenge: Start a design project
• Solution: Start a design project

4. Exam Objectives: Identify Design Elements

• Key terminology
• Design principles
• Typography
• Digital image files
• Color
• Challenge: Identify design elements

5. Exam Objectives: Understanding Illustrator

• The user interface
• Use nonprinting design tools
• Use swatches
• Vector drawing concepts
• Brushes, symbols, graphic styles, and patterns
• Use layers and masks
• Export and save files
• Challenge: Understanding Illustrator

6. Exam Objectives: Create Graphics

• Create documents
• Use the drawing and shape tools
• Modify and transform objects
• Use type tools
• Use scanned images and photographs
• Create realistic graphics
• Challenge: Create a new composition

7. Exam Objectives: Archive, Export, and Publish Graphics

• Prepare graphics for the web
• Prepare graphics for print
• Prepare graphics for video
• In practice: Export for multimedia

8. The Exam Process and Beyond

• Register for the exam
• The test center experience
• Test-taking strategies
• Receiving your certificate, logo, and badge
• Compete in the ACA World Championship

Conclusion

• Next steps