My name is Chris Nielsen. I earned my MFA Degree in Illustration from Cal State University, Fullerton in 1998. I have been an instructor at CSUF for the last 25 years now. I also teach computer graphics classes at Orange Coast College, East LA College and Santa Ana College.

I have a BFA Degree in Graphic Design and an MFA Degree in Illustration. I have been a computer graphics instructor at 4 local colleges here in southern California, where I live, for the last 25 years! My teaching approach is simple: I never take it for granted that you are going to come to me with previous experience. I did not teach you, so that doesn't mean anything. I teach you as if you just landed here from Mars and you have never heard of Adobe Illustrator. So, I teach you from the very basic, introductory steps like setting up your Workspace and your Preferences first. Then, since the Pen Tool is the hardest tool to learn in Illustrator, we start with Pen Tool Drawing Rules and Lessons. After that, it gets easier and easier for you since you just learned the hardest thing first! I will show you all the ins and outs and fun tricks about this amazing Vector Drawing Application.