Icon Design Tutorials on Speckyboy Design Magazine

20+ Best Tutorials for Designing Icons in Illustrator

Paul Andrew — Sun, 03 Nov 2024 17:23:20 +0000

Having the techniques for creating custom icons in your design skillset is very useful. Even though there are many pre-designed icon sets available for download, nothing compares to creating your own.

If you’re new to icon design, the Adobe Illustrator tutorials we’ve curated in this collection offer an ideal starting point. You’ll be able to learn the basics of icon creation and explore new techniques to improve your skills.

And, if you already have some knowledge of icon design in Illustrator, these tutorials can help you brush up on your skills and discover new techniques that will help you streamline the creation process.

Either way, this collection of free Adobe Illustrator tutorials is a valuable resource for creating custom icons that will set your design work apart from the rest.

If you prefer to create your icons in Photoshop, this collection of tutorials is for you.

The Top Icon Design Tutorials for Illustrator

How to Create a Mobile App Icon

If you’ve been tasked with creating a mobile app icon, this tutorial will come in handy. It’s a video tutorial full of practical tips on using shapes, gradients, and clipping masks to produce an attractive icon for your mobile app.

How to Create a Social Media Icon Set

If you’ve been thinking about how you can make your own social media icon, this tutorial will be helpful. It’s a step-by-step guide that will show you how to use simple shapes like the ellipse and rounded rectangle tool in conjunction with the align and stroke panels.

Clean Filled Color Icon Set

Save time cleaning up with this template filled with colorful cleaning icons. This pack includes 16 high-quality color images in various vector formats. The SVG size is 128×128, and the PNG is 512×512.

How to Create a Space Icon Set

Want to know how to create space-related icons? In this tutorial, you are given a step-by-step guide to creating a shuttle, a lander, a satellite, and a moon. Get ready to engineer yourself an out of this world set of icons.

How to Create a Battery Icon

This battery icon tutorial will teach you compositional construction, shape alignment, and grid positioning in Adobe Illustrator, all while creating your first battery icon to power all your future design projects.

80 Map & Navigation Icons

Make your next map project a breeze with this map and navigation template. You will get 80 icons in various vector formats and a PNG file for each icon. PNG files are sized at either 256×256 or 512×512.

How to create a Revolver Icon

Ready to try your aim at making a vector revolver? Well, this tutorial has you covered! This step-by-step tutorial will take you through the process of making a cute revolver pistol.

How To Draw a Rocket Icon

Want to take your graphic skills to the stratosphere? This video tutorial will take you through the process of manipulating various shapes into a rocket spaceship. Are you ready for lift-off?

How to Create a Simple Drum Icon

It’s time to get rocking to the beat of our own drum! This step-by-step tutorial will have you creating a simple vector drum icon complete with sticks. It’s time to rock it out!

School & Education Line Icon Set

Save time on your next vector design project with these thin-line flat icons and pictograms. You will get a zipped file that has an editable vector file format and high-quality JPG files for the enclosed icons.

How to Create a House Mockup Icon

Want to show people the floor plan of your dream house? This step-by-step vector design tutorial will have you opening doors and windows to the home of your dreams. Don’t forget the additional floors!

How to Create a Cast Icon

When you have to have your very own branded cast icon, you have to make it yourself! In this step-by-step tutorial, you will learn compositional construction, shape alignment, and grid positioning, as well as how to make your vector cast icon.

How to Create a Notebook Icon

Make your own spiral-bound vector notebook with Teela’s tutorial. She takes you step-by-step through the process of making a spiral-bound notebook that you can use in your next design project.

Graphic Design Line Icons

Save time the next time you need graphic design icons by downloading this template. It includes 72 different icons in both SVG and PNG formats. The SVG icons are measured at 64x64px, and the PNG icons are 512x512px.

How to Create a Collection of Apple Products

Apple has some of the most recognizable products. In this step-by-step tutorial, you’ll create your very own vector icons of the iPad, iMac, Magic Mouse, and Wacom Tablet.

How to Create a Computer Peripheral Icon Set

If you’ve been tasked with creating computer peripheral icons, this tutorial is just what you need. This first portion of a series of tutorials teaches you how to make the mouse icon using Adobe Illustrator.

How to Create a Visibility Icon

Need to make a branded visibility icon? You’re in luck! In this step-by-step tutorial, you will learn how to make a visibility icon using basic geometric shapes, tools, and colors.

How to Create a Map Icon

Want to know how to make a detailed vector map icon? You’re in the right place because, in this step-by-step tutorial, you’ll learn how to use basic tools and effects and master the transform and distort effects.

How to Create a WYSIWYG Text Editor Icon Set

In this tutorial, you will learn how to create vector icons of the familiar text editor icons. You will learn how to create everything from the justify icon to the ruler icon.

How to Create a Santa Claus Icon

Santa has come to town as an eggnog hipster! Learn how to create this vector icon to spice up your holiday season with this step-by-step tutorial. Make sure you don’t include the beard.

How to Create a Camera Icon

Cameras have become an integral part of our lives. So much so that we never leave the house without one. In this step-by-step tutorial, you will learn how to make your own vector-based camera icon.

How to Create a Halloween Icon Pack

Are you ready to create your own spooky Halloween-themed icons? Then you’re in for a frightful time making them with this step-by-step tutorial. You’ll create your own gallows, coffin, creepy eye, and your own haunted house.

How to Create a Map Icon

In this step-by-step tutorial, you use basic design theory, compositional construction, shape alignment, grid positioning, and basic shapes to create a wonderful map icon.

How to Create a Collection of Moving Icons

We all know the pain of moving. But with this step-by-step tutorial, you won’t strain a muscle to create a vector moving cart, packed boxes, and packed truck icons.

How to Create a Retro Science Icon Set

Science is a detail-oriented field of study. Design your own detailed vector icons of scientific wonders with this step-by-step tutorial, taking you through the creation of the test tubes, microscope, and lamp checker icons.

How to Create a Set of Cleaning Icons in Adobe Illustrator

Cleaning is such dirty work. But with this tutorial of cleaning themed vector icons, you’ll have nothing to worry about but the sweet smell of roses.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are these Illustrator tutorials?

These tutorials guide you through the process of designing icons using Adobe Illustrator. They cover various techniques to create icons of different styles, sizes, and purposes.
What types of icons can I learn to create with these tutorials?

You can learn to design a wide array of icons, such as app icons, web icons, symbols for user interfaces, and thematic icons for different industries or topics.
Are these tutorials suitable for all skill levels?

Yes, there are tutorials for everyone, from beginners to advanced users. Beginners can start with basic shape construction, while more experienced designers can delve into complex designs.
Do I need the most recent version of Illustrator for these tutorials?

While having the latest version can be beneficial, most tutorials utilize fundamental Illustrator tools that are available in earlier versions as well.
How long does it typically take to complete an icon design tutorial?

The time varies depending on the complexity of the icon and your proficiency with Illustrator. Some basic icons can be created in a matter of minutes, while more intricate designs may take longer.
Can beginners in Illustrator start with icon design tutorials?

Absolutely! These tutorials often begin with basic principles, making them a great starting point for those new to Illustrator and interested in graphic design.
What skills will I gain from these icon design tutorials?

You’ll develop skills in vector illustration, learn about effective iconography, and understand how to convey ideas and functions through symbolic imagery.
Is learning icon design in Illustrator beneficial for my career?

Definitely! Icon design is a crucial skill in graphic design, UI/UX design, and web development, enhancing your abilities and portfolio for career opportunities in these fields.

Unleash Your Icon Design Creativity

Creating custom icons from scratch might seem like a tedious process, but in reality, it’s a fun way to unleash your creativity and add a personal touch to your design projects. Use these Illustrator tutorials to master your icon design skills.

30+ Best Icon Design Tutorials for Photoshop

Paul Andrew — Sun, 27 Oct 2024 23:57:07 +0000

Icons: they can be logos, symbols, words, and so much more. When designed well, they’re incredibly engaging and memorable. Think of them as visual companions to the stories you have to share with the world.

Icons are easy to create, thanks to powerful software like Photoshop. With Photoshop, you can rapidly design stunning icons to use anywhere. It’s easy to do, and the app makes the process intuitive.

Want to get started? You’ve come to the right place. Below, we’ve gathered 30 of the very best Photoshop icon design tutorials from around the web. They span a vast array of creative designs and capture many learning styles. But they share a flexibility and ease of use that helps you learn and create your own icons quickly.

So, get ready to dive in and explore these fantastic tutorials. From app icons to shadows and business logos, there’s something for everyone. And you’ll see both written and video tutorials, so it’s easy to find guides that match your preferred learning style.

Before reading on, you might also enjoy our companion article, 20+ Tutorials for Creating Icons in Adobe Illustrator. Give it a read now for even more options inside a different Adobe app.

Icon Design Tutorial FAQs

What are icon design Photoshop tutorials?

These tutorials guide you through the process of creating various types of icons using Photoshop. They cover everything from basic shapes to more complex, detailed icon designs.
Can beginners learn icon design with these tutorials?

Absolutely! Many tutorials start with basic principles, making them suitable for beginners, while also offering advanced tips for those more experienced.
What types of icons can I learn to design with these tutorials?

You can learn to design a wide array of icons, such as app icons, web icons, and symbols for different purposes, using various styles and techniques.
Do I need the latest Photoshop version for these icon tutorials?

Having the latest version can be beneficial, but most icon design tutorials can be followed using older versions that include fundamental tools and features.
How long does it typically take to complete an icon design tutorial?

Simple icon tutorials might take just a few minutes, while more intricate designs could take longer to master.
Can learning from these tutorials help in professional development?

Developing icon design skills can be highly beneficial, especially for graphic designers, UI/UX designers, and digital artists, enhancing your portfolio and professional skill set.

Conclusion

From simple vector-based glyphs to more intricate designs, Photoshop provides the perfect platform for creating icons that effectively convey a meaning or message. Whether a beginner or an experienced designer, mastering icon design in Photoshop is an essential skill for any UI designer.

With this collection of Photoshop tutorials, UI designers will be able to learn the essential techniques for creating professional icons. They cover various topics, from basic shape creation to advanced design tips, and can help you enhance your UI skills and stay up-to-date with design trends.

8 CSS & JavaScript Snippets for Icon-Based Navigations

Eric Karkovack — Sun, 06 Oct 2024 21:30:19 +0000

Icons are among the most versatile tools in a web designer’s arsenal. They can be used as attention-grabbing visuals just about anywhere on a website or app. Whether they’re alerting users of a flash sale or a new social media notification, they usually get the point across.

Thus, utilizing icons in a site’s navigation seems like a natural fit. Visually, it sure makes sense. But doing it well does require some careful planning.

With accessibility being such a key concern, extra steps need to be taken when icons aren’t accompanied by text. Context is also vital. While it may be obvious that the little house icon takes you to the home page, other concepts aren’t so easy to convey.

Today, we share eight unique CSS and JavaScript code snippets that bring icons to navigation. Along the way, we’ll point out some elements that make them stand out – for better or worse.

Sliding Icon Navigation

This navigation is attractive, makes great use of the allotted space, and keeps accessibility in mind. Click on an icon, and you’ll witness a slick “sliding” effect that highlights the icon and displays accompanying text (which is also available to screen readers). Also, note that the total width of the container never grows or shrinks – it’s beautifully consistent.

See the Pen Sliding Icon Menu by Steve Gardner

Sweet Gooey Tabs

The included “gooey” navigation effect on this tabbed menu is both fun and intuitive. Combined with clean icons, descriptive text, and bold coloring, it would be perfect for a mobile or web app. That said, it might be most effective in small doses. Larger menus could become a little, well, overwhelming and sticky.

See the Pen TAB Gooey Icon Navigation Menu Concept

Why Not Change the Whole Screen?

Sure, there are some similarities with the previous example. But this gooey menu kicks it up an extra notch, thanks to its background color-changing effect with each selection. The animated icons also “draw” upon click, making for a more exciting user experience. The only thing missing here is accessibility, but that could be resolved with some screen reader text.

See the Pen Animated Tab Bar by abxlfazl khxrshidi

Vertical Icons with Context

A vertical navigation bar offers a means to create highly visual navigation that doesn’t take up too much space. But icons alone aren’t enough. Usually, it makes sense to expand the menu in some way. This particular CSS-only example uses a hover effect to display the menu item’s title. It’s clean and intuitive.

See the Pen Vertical Icon Navigation Menu by Saxon Chuang

Enter the Dark Mode Icon Menu

Dark design seems to become more popular every day. And this icon navigation bar is a perfect compliment. Click on one of those noir icons, and they’ll turn a bright white with a bright red underline. The menu uses jQuery to create a smooth animation. Again, you’ll want to add your own accessibility features here.

See the Pen Simple Icon Navigation by Ganesh Chikhalikar

Push Button Icon Menu

If you’re looking for dead-simple navigation with some super-cool animation, you’ll want to stop right here. This icon-based menu was built for a kiosk, and you can definitely see that inspiration. But an industrious designer could add some text here and utilize this snippet for a microsite or landing page.

See the Pen SVG Kiosk Icon Menu by Chris Gannon

Expandable Vertical Navigation

Here’s another icon-based vertical menu that does a great job of staying out of the way. But what if you need more context? Click or tap on the hamburger icon on the upper left of the screen to expand the menu, which includes a search field. There’s more that could be done here, such as expanding each menu item with a click or hover. But it’s neat nonetheless.

See the Pen Google Nexus Menu by Ahmed Elhanony

Form a Semi-Circle

This circular layout could make for an interesting utility menu. It takes up limited space and can be neatly tucked away into a corner. Perfect for allowing users to access a few key account functions, for example.

See the Pen Circular Menu by Mojtaba Seyedi

The snippets above offer a little something for everyone. They feature different space requirements, interactions, and, despite their simple looks, underlying complexity. Each could be the perfect fit for your particular project.

More CSS Menu & Navigation Snippets

The post 8 CSS & JavaScript Snippets for Icon-Based Navigations appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.