Vector Creation – Drawing Without the Pen Tool with Jason Hoppe

This seminar is for CreativeLive subscribers only. Not subscribed? Start here!

This course is a practical Adobe Illustrator class that shows how to build polished vector artwork without relying on freehand Pen Tool drawing. In this session, Jason Hoppe demonstrates how to treat Illustrator as a structural sandbox, using basic shape tools and smart path editing techniques to construct clean, professional graphics with precision.

By focusing on a powerful set of tools—including the Direct Selection Tool, Corner Widgets, and the Convert Anchor Point Tool—you’ll learn how to reshape points, refine curves, and build complex objects from simple rectangles and circles. The class breaks down how to manipulate paths more efficiently so you can create icons, flat-style objects, and vector assets with more confidence and control.

Whether you’re new to Illustrator or want a faster, more structured way to work, this class offers a streamlined approach to vector construction that doesn’t depend on strong drawing skills.

This class includes a dedicated 30 minutes of Q&A directly with Jason Hoppe.

What You'll Learn

• Deconstruct complex objects by breaking them down into foundational shapes.
• Manipulate paths with precision using the Direct Selection Tool.
• Use Corner Widgets to create variable-radius corners and smooth organic curves.
• Convert anchor points cleanly between sharp corners and smooth curves.
• Build professional vector assets from simple rectangles and circles without using the Pen Tool.

Who It's For

• Beginner graphic designers who want to create high-quality vector graphics without relying on the Pen Tool.
• Icon and UI designers who want to build clean, symmetrical assets from geometric shapes.
• Illustrators and marketers who need to quickly prototype professional digital assets, technical diagrams, or flat-style vector objects.
• Self-taught Illustrator users who want to strengthen their fundamentals and discover more efficient path-editing techniques.

How to Join

• The class will be delivered via Zoom Webinars. You’ll need access to Zoom through a web browser or the Zoom app in order to participate.
• To reserve your spot, register using the Sign Up form and button above. Space is limited.
• A unique Zoom join link will be sent to the maximum number of participants per class. You’ll receive this link one hour before the class start time.

About the Instructor

An Adobe® Certified Expert and Adobe® Certified Instructor, Jason Hoppe has accrued more than 17 years’ experience in high-end production training, photo retouching, color correction, and creative workflow management.

In fact, Jason has been performing high-end electronic production since the industry’s inception. Also during this time, Jason has taught prepress and electronic design to hundreds of Seattle-based creative professionals and aspiring designers in a variety of settings, including one-on-one tutoring, classroom instruction, live webcasting, and large group training.

He currently teaches the Adobe® Creative Suite at The School of Visual Concepts, Luminous Works and Seattle Central College and was the founding Instructor at CreativeLive.