When you’re scrambling last minute for a perfect social media graphic, your first stop is most likely not opening up a new file in Adobe Illustrator. Some may say products in the Adobe Suite are going extinct due to new, user-friendly design tools like Canva. However, let me make a case for our grandpa of a tool, Illustrator.
According to the American Graphics Institute, the first version was released in 1987! It was made for the Apple Macintosh Computer (today just known as a Mac). Adobe was developing fonts and creating a language that computers used to connect with office printers. Illustrator supported Adobe’s font development and worked side by side with Photoshop which Adobe distributed and purchased but did not actually develop.
So what makes Adobe Illustrator still relevant in the day of drag-n-drop software? Two words: Vector Images. No, I’m not talking about this Vector…
Vector images are made up of computer-generated paths that can be resized or edited while ensuring the images never become pixelated or blurry. Vector Images can be changed, re-colored, or re-configured at any time. Less advanced programs, I’m looking at you Canva, create raster images that are made for digital use but are difficult to enlarge or print in high resolution. This info was found from this amazing article that compares Canva vs. Illustrator. Check it out if you want a side-by-side comparison!
So why else should you choose Illustrator for your graphic design needs?
Here is a list of Pros:
- Industry-standard for graphic design
- Downloadable software––no internet connection needed (Canva is a website)
- Create completely custom designs and graphics which can be trademarked or sold
- Limitless design options
- Can be connected to other Adobe products in the Cloud (ex: Photoshop, Premiere, Illustrator)
- Can use any font downloaded on your Computer (Canva only lets you do this with an upgraded account)
The Cons are:
- High Learning Curve (will probably need to watch some YouTube tutorials)
- $21 per month or a part of Adobe Creative Cloud Subscriptions
Okay, so you’ve listened to my words and have downloaded Illustrator. What’s next?
Here are some best practices for starting out with this design software:
- Get acquainted or watch tutorials on how to use the main tools: selection, paint, line, type, eraser, etc.
- Understand how to use and organize your document’s layers.
- When creating designs for a company or organization, use colors, fonts, and patterns that fit their branding (unless otherwise instructed).
- Replicate exact colors using HEX or CMYK Color Codes.
- Learn how to use the Mask Tool to quickly create a transparent background or grab a specific element in your design.
- Learn how to export your files correctly.
Adobe Illustrator allows you to create beautiful, high-quality, and unique graphics. You can then use these graphics as Instagram posts, Instagram Stories, Instagram REEL/IGTV Covers, YouTube Thumbnails, Twitter/YouTube Banners, Pinterest Pins, Email Headers, and even Blog Covers. The possibilities are endless!
Your work will stand out (helloooo promotion) because you will be creating your own templates for graphics instead of using generic templates that every other brand is pulling from Canva. You can also fully customize and your designs with no limitations and can print your designs for other marketing purposes.
Still not sure if Adobe is right for you? If you:
- Make graphic designs frequently
- Want your designs to stand out
- Print your designs or use them for more than just social media
- Want to easily send editable files to other team members
- Often work offline while traveling
Then it’s time to try Adobe Illustrator.
Hannah Rodriguez PRL2710 