Man, this is a fantastic guide! You make some extremely valid points like having a point of focus in your icons, using stock textures to represent symbolism. It's amazing to see how much thought and effort goes into your icons and it totally shows because each icon seems complete in itself.
Paint textures are a favourite of mine too because they can add so much to an icon visually!
It also makes me feel really lazy about my icon-making process because usually my only thought when I sit down to make icons is, "how can I infuse colour into this cap". Next time, I'm going put my thinking cap on actually try composing an icon.
Thank you so much for this guide! It was not only incredibly detailed and informative but it also gave the kick I needed. (as in, if I am not good or suck at composition, then I am not giving the icon enough thought).
I had this idea when you asked for this guide that I was gonna have to write an essay, and then I realized the best way to demonstrate my point was with a whole lot of examples.
I always think of composition as something that occurs organically. I mean just look at the icon you're using right now you probably didn't put a whole lot of thought into the composition, but it already follows the rule of thirds, and this icon (which I love to death, btw) is a perfect example of the use of that compositional technique. Composition becomes more important the more complex your icons become, so the more text and textures you pile on the image the more you need to consider it so that you don't confuse that point of interest, which needs to remain constant throughout the whole icon making process. In my mind so long as that point of interest stays the point of interest then compositionally you're doing great, if it changes though to one of the textures or text when it wasn't originally intended to be, that's where you haven't done it right and
( ... )
When you made the request icons I was already in awe how much thought you put into making icons. I never really think about telling a story (apart from a tiny part of my last 20insp set), more following a theme like hair porn or favorite female characters. I have to agree that half and half can be really weird, so I always try to add lights and shadows to make for that or just deleted the cap and try to use the psd for another cap from the same scene^^
I bought a Bamboo Fun a week ago and it makes cutting things out so much easier. I have to be honest, I can't draw at all, but using PS with a pen makes the whole icon process so much more intuitive. I'm using the tablet for everything (after two days I was completely used to it and now the mouse feels a little weird in my hands) since I mainly bought it for relieving my wrist. Being comfortable making icons is just a positive side effect.
To be honest it never feels like I put thought into an icon beyond the initial idea, it all just kinda happens. I can't draw well with the tablet either (I can barely write with it) but it makes icon making sooooo much easier, especially for painted style icons.
this is such an amazing post. i love how well you explained your reasoning behind everything, it made me look at your icons with brand new eyes. wow, this is incredibly fucking brilliant and i'm so fucking inspired. thank you so much for posting this, its incredible, i love it.
Re: holy grail *poisonfieldJuly 14 2014, 02:33:56 UTC
Thank you! I always find tutorials/guides more useful if the reasons why something is done is explained since most of the techniques people already know, but they don't always know why they are combined in a particular manner.
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Paint textures are a favourite of mine too because they can add so much to an icon visually!
It also makes me feel really lazy about my icon-making process because usually my only thought when I sit down to make icons is, "how can I infuse colour into this cap". Next time, I'm going put my thinking cap on actually try composing an icon.
Thank you so much for this guide! It was not only incredibly detailed and informative but it also gave the kick I needed. (as in, if I am not good or suck at composition, then I am not giving the icon enough thought).
ILUUUUU <3 And thank you once again!
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I always think of composition as something that occurs organically. I mean just look at the icon you're using right now you probably didn't put a whole lot of thought into the composition, but it already follows the rule of thirds, and this icon (which I love to death, btw) is a perfect example of the use of that compositional technique. Composition becomes more important the more complex your icons become, so the more text and textures you pile on the image the more you need to consider it so that you don't confuse that point of interest, which needs to remain constant throughout the whole icon making process. In my mind so long as that point of interest stays the point of interest then compositionally you're doing great, if it changes though to one of the textures or text when it wasn't originally intended to be, that's where you haven't done it right and ( ... )
Reply
When you made the request icons I was already in awe how much thought you put into making icons. I never really think about telling a story (apart from a tiny part of my last 20insp set), more following a theme like hair porn or favorite female characters.
I have to agree that half and half can be really weird, so I always try to add lights and shadows to make for that or just deleted the cap and try to use the psd for another cap from the same scene^^
I bought a Bamboo Fun a week ago and it makes cutting things out so much easier. I have to be honest, I can't draw at all, but using PS with a pen makes the whole icon process so much more intuitive. I'm using the tablet for everything (after two days I was completely used to it and now the mouse feels a little weird in my hands) since I mainly bought it for relieving my wrist. Being comfortable making icons is just a positive side effect.
Reply
I can't draw well with the tablet either (I can barely write with it) but it makes icon making sooooo much easier, especially for painted style icons.
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i love how well you explained your reasoning behind everything, it made me look at your icons with brand new eyes.
wow, this is incredibly fucking brilliant and i'm so fucking inspired.
thank you so much for posting this, its incredible, i love it.
xo
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I always find tutorials/guides more useful if the reasons why something is done is explained since most of the techniques people already know, but they don't always know why they are combined in a particular manner.
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