Overview
Data is only as powerful as its presentation. This course teaches you to transform raw numbers into clear, compelling visuals using Adobe Illustrator’s charting tools and infographic techniques. Whether you’re creating annual reports, marketing dashboards, or editorial graphics, you’ll learn to communicate data with clarity and style.
You’ll work with Illustrator’s built-in Graph tools, customize chart appearances to match brand guidelines, build information hierarchies that guide viewers through complex data, and create reusable templates for ongoing projects. By the end of the day, you’ll produce infographics that inform and engage.
Format: 1 Day | VILT
Who Should Attend
- Designers creating data visualizations and infographics
- Marketing and communications professionals presenting data
- Report designers working on annual reports and presentations
- Anyone who needs to make numbers visually compelling
What You’ll Learn
- Create and customize charts using Illustrator’s Graph tools
- Import and update data from spreadsheets
- Style charts to match brand guidelines and visual systems
- Build information hierarchies that guide viewers through data
- Design reusable infographic templates
- Export infographics optimized for print and digital channels
Course Outline
Module 1: Illustrator Graph Tools Overview
- Chart types: column, bar, line, area, pie, scatter, and radar
- Creating charts from scratch and from data
- Understanding the Graph Data window
- When to use Illustrator charts vs. other tools
Module 2: Importing and Managing Data
- Preparing data in Excel or Google Sheets for import
- Importing data into Illustrator graphs
- Updating charts with new data
- Handling common data formatting issues
Module 3: Customizing Chart Appearance
- Ungrouping and editing chart elements
- Applying custom colors, typography, and styling
- Creating custom graph designs with symbols
- Balancing editability with visual customization
Module 4: Information Hierarchy and Visual Storytelling
- Principles of effective data visualization
- Creating visual hierarchy: what viewers see first, second, third
- Using color, scale, and position to emphasize key data
- Avoiding common dataviz mistakes and misleading graphics
Module 5: Building Infographic Templates
- Planning infographic structure and flow
- Combining charts, icons, and explanatory text
- Creating reusable layouts and graphic styles
- Building template systems for recurring reports
Module 6: Exporting for Print and Digital
- Preparing infographics for print: resolution and color
- Exporting for web: PNG, SVG, and interactive considerations
- Creating multiple sizes from a single source file
- Packaging files for clients and collaborators
Prerequisites & Technical Requirements
- Basic to intermediate Illustrator experience
- Adobe Illustrator CC installed (latest version recommended)
Customization Options
This course can be customized around your data types and deliverables—financial reports, marketing metrics, scientific data, or editorial infographics. Bring your actual datasets and brand guidelines, and we’ll build infographics you can use immediately.