From its humble beginnings as a digital pen-and-ink tool for the Macintosh to its current status as an AI-powered design powerhouse, Adobe Illustrator has defined vector graphics for nearly four decades. This blog post traces the software's history, highlighting the key versions and features that changed the industry forever. The Foundation Years (1987–1996)
– Added 3D effects with ray tracing and collaboration features. 2022: Illustrator 2023 (v27) – Introduced Intertwine and improved "Share for Review." 2023: Illustrator 2024 (v28) adobe illustrator versions by year
The Typography Update. This version focused heavily on text handling, finally rivaling Aldus FreeHand (its main competitor). From its humble beginnings as a digital pen-and-ink
From the black-and-white bezier curves of 1987 to the generative AI prompts of 2025, Adobe Illustrator has not only survived but thrived by reinventing itself multiple times. The lesson for designers is clear: the Pen Tool may be eternal, but the platform around it is always evolving. Knowing the version history helps you understand why certain legacy features exist (like the flattener) and what might be coming next (hint: more AI). 2022: Illustrator 2023 (v27) – Introduced Intertwine and
Added the ability to edit designs directly in "Preview" mode (Windows version). 5.0
The "CS" era saw Illustrator integrated into a larger software package and the introduction of advanced 3D and tracing capabilities.