Adobe Illustrator review

With new features appearing with every update, will 3D Mapping and Cloud Teamwork help Illustrator keep its vector crown?

Adobe Illustrator
(Image: © Beth Crane)

Our Verdict

While there’s plenty to be excited about with Illustrator’s constant rolling out of new features, and clearly more to come, there are also plenty of reasons to consider other graphic design software if you’re just after the ability to work with standard vectors. Illustrator’s monopoly on graphic design may still be near-total, but other vector programs are steadily gaining on it, so for those with a lower budget or more simple requirements would be best off doing their research before committing. Adobe Illustrator is, however, the standard for a reason – it’s the best.

For

  • New 3D functions
  • Elegant vector editing
  • Cloud teamwork

Against

  • Subscription model doesn’t suit everyone
  • Overly complicated for basic users
  • RAM-heavy

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Adobe Illustrator has been regarded as a vital tool in the graphic design industry since it was first released in 1987. Vector format is key in graphic design, allowing users to create graphics that can be expanded infinitely, rather than raster-based graphics which can only be blown up as far as their pixels will allow.

Despite .AI, the Adobe Illustrator file format, being the default format used within printing and design, over the past few years Illustrator has struggled to keep up with its peer apps, who have in recent years overtaken it in both form and functionality.

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The Verdict
9

out of 10

Adobe Illustrator

While there’s plenty to be excited about with Illustrator’s constant rolling out of new features, and clearly more to come, there are also plenty of reasons to consider other graphic design software if you’re just after the ability to work with standard vectors. Illustrator’s monopoly on graphic design may still be near-total, but other vector programs are steadily gaining on it, so for those with a lower budget or more simple requirements would be best off doing their research before committing. Adobe Illustrator is, however, the standard for a reason – it’s the best.