Adobe Illustrator Classroom in a Book (2020 release)

Learn Illustrator the Adobe way

Adobe Illustrator Classroom in a Book (2020 release) is an official Adobe Press training workbook designed around hands-on practice. Rather than presenting Illustrator as a feature list, it moves through guided lessons that help readers build real skills step by step: navigating the workspace, selecting and combining artwork, drawing with vector tools, managing color, working with type and layers, and shaping finished illustrations for practical use.

Written by Brian Wood, this edition follows the familiar Classroom in a Book approach—structured, lesson-based, and grounded in doing rather than just reading. It is a strong fit for learners who want a clear path through Illustrator’s core tools without having to piece everything together from scattered tutorials.

What the lessons cover

• Workspace basics, selection, and alignment
• Shapes, paths, and vector drawing tools
• Pen tool and Curvature tool practice
• Color, swatches, gradients, and Live Paint
• Type, layers, effects, brushes, and graphic styles
• Project-based work such as posters, postcards, signage, and apparel artwork

A practical learning format

The book is built for active learning. Each lesson advances through a specific task or project, so readers can see how Illustrator’s tools work together in real design situations. That makes it especially useful for students, self-learners, and designers who prefer a structured classroom-style workbook over a purely reference-driven manual.

Digital companion access

This edition is supported by companion lesson files and a Web Edition, helping readers follow the exercises and practice along with the material. For anyone building Illustrator confidence from the ground up, that combination of instruction and guided practice is the book’s real strength.

Best for

Readers looking for an official, lesson-based introduction to Adobe Illustrator will find a focused, practical learning path here—one that emphasizes workflow, tools, and repeatable technique.