Adobe Illustrator Reviews

Pros

This is the ideal choice for creating high-end graphics and icons for business slide decks, brand identity projects and custom merchandise like promotional gifts.

Cons

You really need to put in a good chunk of time to learn how to use this program. While there are lots of detailed tutorials from Adobe and other creators on YouTube it is not software you can just open and start using right away.

Pros

It is an amazing product for all kinds of creation and design work. The artificial intelligence features are really impressive too and I like that it connects and works perfectly with Photoshop and InDesign.

Cons

One thing I noticed is that it does not manage computer memory very efficiently. It would also be helpful if there were more shared keyboard shortcuts and tools between Illustrator and Photoshop.

Pros

This is a highly professional application that offers incredible accuracy for making neat, polished designs. The pen tool is my personal favorite though it has a learning curve but once you master it, it is an extremely strong feature.

Cons

The program is very heavy-duty, takes a while to start up and is not very beginner-friendly. I mean it requires a significant time investment to learn and the cost is also on the higher side.

Pros

You can always count on Adobe Illustrator and since it is so common, it works flawlessly with other programs and different file formats. And because everything is built with vectors your artwork stays perfectly clear no matter how big or small you make it. You have complete command over the creative process.

Cons

You might run into occasional glitches or crashes but most of the time it runs smoothly. The other thing to note is that it is only available through a paid subscription.

Pros

A big benefit is being able to work with lots of artboards and save countless color samples. It was also really effective for creating smooth, sharp curves and lines.

Cons

The monthly fee is pretty steep. And large files make it run incredibly slowly which really interrupts my work on Zoom calls. So yes those are the parts I like least.

Pros

I must say it is an incredibly comprehensive vector toolkit, with precise drawing instruments, support for multiple layers and artboards, smooth integration with other Adobe products and keyboard shortcuts that save a huge amount of time every day.

Cons

It takes a good while to memorize all the advanced commands. The monthly subscription also stings a bit for a small company like ours.

Pros

What I like most is how simple it is to use. Plus the way the tools are always being built and made better is amazing and now getting to learn how to use the new smart computer helper is something I am enjoying.

Cons

Some of the newer tools can be a little difficult to figure out or get comfortable with. And yes the AI features work but like anything, they are not flawless.

Pros

The layout makes sense right away and there are so many functions built just for vector design that the whole creative workflow feels quick and effortless.

Cons

It could be easier to work with regular image files like JPEGs. Plus the tool that converts them to vectors does not always get the details right which annoys me.

Pros

I really like how you can put images together with simple click-and-drag actions plus all the editing capabilities available.

Cons

The software can get really slow down by things like very large files or certain preview settings but overall I would say it is okay.

Pros

The vector features and the pre-set options for printing are incredibly thorough. This means designs for banners and large signs will be perfectly prepared and match up correctly when they are sent to the printer.

Cons

It does not run properly on older computers. Like if I try to work on large, detailed projects everything slows to a crawl which can really delay getting work finished.

Pros

Adobe Illustrator new artificial intelligence features have completely automated several time-consuming tasks of mine. It also has a great collection of fonts and CAD files and the overall look of the program is really nice.

Cons

New users and people switching from different programs will surely take some time to learn it. And I think cost is another factor people avoid it at times.

Pros

The completed projects I have seen from other people who use this software for their design work were very cool and made a strong impression on me.

Cons

I just could not figure out how to use the product. I looked up tutorial videos on YouTube but none of them made it any clearer for me.

Pros

Well the amount of detail and control available is unbelievable to me. It offers creators complete liberty to make what they want and since it connects so perfectly with other Adobe apps moving between them feels smooth and integrated.

Cons

The cost can be a real barrier particularly for independent workers or small studios. Also even though it is amazingly capable some of the more complex features can seem a bit daunting when you are new.

Pros

Illustrator is a wonderful application that lets you smoothly move projects to other Adobe programs. I have used it for numerous jobs making stunning visuals both by starting fresh and by editing existing files.

Cons

It is really challenging to use at first but over time you'll gradually get the hang of it.

Pros

When it comes to graphic design I would say this is the number one application out there. It is packed with high-end features perfect for logo creation and converting images into vectors.

Cons

As a beginner I am finding the learning process quite steep even with the many tutorial guides that exist.

Pros

This is outstanding software for desktop publishing, ideal for both creative projects and touching up photos.

Cons

I have no criticisms as it is an absolutely brilliant piece of design software.

Pros

The most recent version that includes AI tools is brilliant. I am also a big fan of the rewrite feature for designing custom typefaces and lettering.

Cons

Recolor Artwork tool performs poorly with subtle shades of black, white and gray. Also I come to conclusion that the entire program is not really well-suited for fashion design work. And having a built-in Pantone color library is extremely important.

Pros

It is a great feature how the interface automatically zooms in or out to fit our projects size which really helps speed up our work.

Cons

I do not like that the keyboard shortcuts are not the same as the ones in Photoshop.

Pros

You can build pretty much anything you can dream up. It is a seriously powerful piece of software.

Cons

I have a hard time getting good with the pen tool for drawing my own shapes. I wish it was simpler. My current process involves making basic shapes and then combining them with the pathfinder tool. So it would be great if there were more guided tutorials that came with sample images to practice on.

Pros

There are so many ways to edit and adjust vector graphics here. The choices for creating gradients are outstanding too. Plus converting images to vectors is a vital feature and turning strokes into shapes is just as important.

Cons

This is not my main program and I find it confusing and more complicated than it needs to be. I am sure it's because it has so many high-level features but I am used to software that feels natural, especially since I know InDesign inside out. Also it is frustrating that even similar tools work differently or have different names here. And it bothers me that it does not work more smoothly with InDesign. Even I do not like the limited options for arranging pages and how much more time-consuming it is to use. Maybe it's because I am not an illustrator by trade.