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Course Description

Instructor: James O'Brien

This course is offered online by Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) Continuing Education.

Students 18 and up encouraged to enroll.

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.

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.

Required materials

Supplies

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

Software
Adobe Creative Cloud

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

Prerequisites

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

Additional Information

This course is offered in partnership with Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD)

As an enrolled student you will receive MCAD user credentials to login to the learning management system, Canvas. This will be provided in an email approximately 4 days before the class begins.

MCAD Canvas Login Information

Contact MCAD Continuing Education at continuing_education@mcad.edu; or call 612.874.3765 for assistance with your account.

Students who enroll in an Extended Studies course may purchase a one-year Adobe Creative Cloud subscription at the reduced price of $250.00.

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Enroll Now - Select a section to enroll in

Section Title
Digital Illustration
Type
ES Online Asynchronous
Dates
Mar 30, 2026 to May 12, 2026
Course Fee(s)
Tuition non-credit $600.00 Click here to get more information
Section Fees
Adobe Creative Cloud $250.00 Optional

Section Notes

Online courses are delivered in an asynchronous format through a series of tutorials and related assignments which students may complete at their own pace on our Learning Management System, Canvas. The instructor is available throughout the course time period for questioning and discussions.

Important: Online courses have firm start and end dates. Each assignment has its own deadline. Extensions are not granted.

As an enrolled student you will receive MCAD user credentials to login to the learning management system, Canvas. This will be provided in an email approximately 4 days before the class begins.
MCAD Canvas Login Information

By completing registration, it is acknowledged that the MCAD Class Policies have been read and understood.