Laura Coyle
In her 18 years as a professional illustrator Laura Coyle has become a successful and in-demand artist for major national clients.
Her training began in traditional illustration media, and her career took off in tandem with the digital revolution in art and design. Laura’s hybrid style of inked linework blended with digital embellishment was sought-after among a new generation of art directors. Adobe Illustrator has always been her program of choice; years of using it professionally has given her a fundamental mastery of the software. As Illustrator matured and became even more versatile, Laura grew with it, expanding the ways it has enhanced her artwork and delivery to her clients.
Being self-taught, she understands the daunting process that learning Illustrator can be. There is something about anchor points and bezier curves that can intimidate even the most confident digital artist. Having been in those shoes, she strives to demystify the program, make it accessible and, more importantly, fun to use. In her three years of teaching online classes to hundreds of students, and on her popular YouTube channel, Laura has become known for her clear explanations, organized approach, and friendly, engaging manner.
Laura grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and earned her BFA in Illustration from Auburn University. She began her freelance career in the East Village, leaving her portfolios with seemingly every art director in New York City, while working part time as a photographer's assistant. She returned to Atlanta to make illustration her full time job, and developed a notable client list working on projects for major brands like Amazon, Hallmark and Target. Hasbro commissioned Laura to design a refresh of the classic Parcheesi game board in her signature style. Her greeting cards for Papyrus and paper product designs appear on store shelves across the country. Laura has illustrated advertising and editorial assignments for American Express, UPS, The Wall Street Journal, Proctor and Gamble and many others.
Laura is an enthusiastic teacher who takes a detailed and methodical approach to Adobe Illustrator and communicating the logic of working with vector art. Her lessons present clear and thorough explanations with a building-block approach that gets new users quickly mastering basic skills that will form the foundation for advanced techniques. Experienced Illustrator users will benefit from the shortcuts she presents, her efficient workflows, and her deep knowledge of the program.
Along with her Illustrator Essentials classes, Laura teaches project-focused workshops featuring swirls, patterns and colorful artwork, to keep you engaged while developing your skills. She encourages participation in our online forum and her monthly live Illustrator demonstrations, where she takes questions, discusses the latest features, and helps you uncover the expressive possibilities within Adobe Illustrator.
