$270
Tuition Cost per Credit
< 1 year
Average Completion*
Turn Your Creative Ideas Into Professional Designs
Great design starts with a great idea—and the ability to bring that idea to life.
The Adobe Illustrator for Graphic Design & Digital Illustration Micro-Credential at Athens State University gives you focused, practical training in one of the industry’s leading tools for creating professional graphics, illustrations, logos, and visual assets.
Whether you’re an aspiring designer, a creative professional, a business owner, or simply looking to add a valuable digital skill to your toolkit, this micro-credential helps you develop practical Illustrator skills you can put to work immediately.
Program Overview
Adobe Illustrator is a powerful vector-based design application used by graphic designers, illustrators, marketers, artists, and creative professionals to create scalable artwork for print and digital applications. The Adobe Illustrator for Graphic Design & Digital Illustration Micro-Credential provides focused instruction in using Illustrator as a professional design and illustration tool.
You’ll learn how to work with the tools and features used to create and refine vector artwork while developing an understanding of the design principles behind effective visual communication. The micro-credential is designed to emphasize practical application, allowing you to build skills that can translate directly into creative projects and professional work.
The micro-credential can complement an existing degree or professional skill set and is particularly well suited for students and professionals in graphic design, marketing, communications, digital media, advertising, entrepreneurship, and related fields.
Program Details
You’ll develop practical skills for creating professional-quality vector artwork in Adobe Illustrator. You’ll learn how to work with shapes, paths, typography, color, layers, and other core Illustrator tools while exploring techniques for creating and editing digital illustrations and graphic designs.
You’ll also learn how to approach Illustrator as part of a broader design process. Rather than simply learning where tools are located, you’ll develop the ability to use those tools intentionally to create visual solutions that communicate an idea or message effectively.
Through hands-on work, you’ll gain experience creating digital illustrations and graphic assets that can be adapted for a variety of applications, from branding and marketing materials to social media graphics, publications, presentations, and other digital and print projects.
Study at the Alabama Center for the Arts
Join an amazing, supportive, and uplifting community of creatives at the Alabama Center for the Arts. The campus, located in beautiful downtown Decatur, consists of state-of-the-art facilities where students can take a variety of courses in art, theatre, graphic design, visual communications, and music. Additionally, a modern three-story residence hall offers apartments in various configurations, so you can live close to where you study!
Your Career Advantage Starts Here
Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator is a valuable skill for professionals who create or manage visual content. The software is widely used in graphic design, advertising, marketing, publishing, branding, illustration, and digital media.
The micro-credential can help strengthen your qualifications for creative and digital roles such as graphic designer, digital illustrator, visual designer, production artist, marketing specialist, content creator, or brand designer. It can also give professionals in other fields the technical skills to create polished visual materials without relying entirely on outside design resources.
For freelancers, entrepreneurs, and small-business owners, Illustrator skills can provide additional flexibility to develop logos, promotional materials, illustrations, social media graphics, and other branded content. Combined with an existing degree or professional expertise, the micro-credential can help you stand out as a more versatile creative professional.
Explore your career pathways with the Adobe Illustrator micro-credential program, including anticipated salaries, annual job growth, and even active job listings through the Career Concourse portal.
$65k
Art Director Estimated Entry Salary
$84k
Art Director Estimated Median Salary
Estimated salary and employment information based on labor market data provided by Career Concourse and is intended for informational purposes only. Actual salaries and employment outcomes vary based on factors such as experience, location, industry, and employer and are not guaranteed upon degree completion.
Admissions & Aid
Athens State University is proud to offer the lowest tuition of any public, four-year university in Alabama, making it possible to earn a certificate while keeping your education affordable. Combined with flexible online learning, scholarships, and financial aid opportunities, our degree programs in Art deliver exceptional value and a strong return on your investment.
Why Choose This Program at Athens State?
At Athens State, you’ll have the freedom to explore your creativity while building the skills and confidence to turn your passion for the arts into a meaningful career. With flexible degree options, personalized instruction, and opportunities to develop your craft through hands-on experiences, our Arts programs are designed to meet you where you are and help you move toward where you want to go.
Designed for Today’s Artists
Build the artistic, creative, and professional skills you need to pursue careers in the arts, education, design, and other creative fields. You shouldn’t have to choose between advancing your education and advancing your career. Athens State’s degree programs are designed to work alongside your lifestyle.
More Creativity. Less Student Debt.
Earn a high-quality arts degree in a supportive, innovative environment at the Alabama Center for the Arts in Decatur from Athens State University, one of Alabama’s most affordable public universities. A degree from Athens State gives you more value for your investment, setting you up for success from the very beginning.
Learn from Experienced, Supportive Faculty
Our faculty combine academic excellence with genuine care and concern. At Athens State, you will receive personalized guidance and mentorship from experience faculty who are invested in your creative development and success. You’re not facing the college journey alone — our dedicated, knowledgeable faculty and staff walk alongside you each step of the way.
Our Faculty
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*Average completion time varies by student and depends on prior credits
transferred to Athens State and the number of courses taken per semester.
Please consult with your Student Success Coach and faculty advisor for your personalized plan of study.