Digital Illustration (Online) | Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Digital Illustration (Online)

Through projects, discussions, and lectures, acquire a thorough understanding of all aspects of digital illustration.

Course description

Learn about the exciting field and practice of digital illustration. Explore the creative process, from creating initial sketches to final illustration critiques. Develop skills in conceptual image making as well as digital painting and drawing techniques in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop.

Demonstrations of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop are provided. Learn about the latest tools and file preparation standards for production, including file formats, color palettes, and image resolution. Assignments have an emphasis on technical achievement and presentation. / Students will have access to Adobe Creative Cloud software throughout the course.

This course can be taken towards the Illustration Certificate.

Open to students ages 18 and above. Review complete policies, including class cancellation policies, before completing your registration.

Class meeting details

This online course is asynchronous, meaning that there are no set class meeting times. Instead, the course is project-based, with 2 to 3 deadlines per week, and students can choose a time and place that works best for them to complete the work. Course activities may include readings; video demonstrations and tutorials; online discussions; projects; and critiques.

Prerequisites

Introduction to Illustration or equivalent experience. Previous experience with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator are helpful, but not required.

Required materials

Supplies

  • pen or pencil
  • notebook or sketchbook
  • USB drive or cloud storage option for saving work

Software
Adobe Creative Cloud (provided by MCAD)

Hardware
A computer capable of running Adobe Creative Cloud software, with internet access, a camera or scanner to capture and upload work.

Class resources

This class uses Adobe Creative Cloud and Canvas, MCAD’s learning management platform. Please see links for more information.

Class savings

Register on or before January 19 and save $25.
Register for more than one class at a time and receive $25 off each additional class (same-day registrations only).
Additional savings. Are you eligible?

Questions

Contact MCAD Continuing Education at continuing_education@mcad.edu or call 612.874.3765.

Register

Title
Non-credit Tuition
$600.00
Not Yet Open for Registration

Registration opens January 5.

  • Date:
    -
  • Time:
    Asynchronous
  • Day(s) of the week:
    Asynchronous
  • Ages:
    Open to students ages 18 and above.
  • Term:
    Spring 2026
  • Instructor: James O'Brien
  • Location:
    Online
  • SKU:
    CSDE 9477 20 SP26

Prerequisites:

Introduction to Illustration or equivalent experience. Previous experience with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator are helpful, but not required.