50 Illustrator Tutorials To Create High Quality Icons

50 Illustrator Tutorials To Create High Quality Icons


1. Create a Tasty Burger Icon in Illustrator

In
this delicious tutorial It will show you how to create a
three-dimensional, scrumptious burger using Adobe Illustrator. Remember
that I’m a vegetarian, so you should definitely appreciate the effort!
2. iTune Icon

The
challenge of this tutorial is to use various Blending modes and
blending techniques to replicate the iTune icon. This tutorial is a good
exercise to master your Blend techniques.
3. Create A Briefcase Icon

In
this tutorial, It will show you how to create a briefcase icon with
rectangles, ellipses, and gradients. This briefcase icon is great for
web designs and user interfaces. Moreover, you can easily apply these
techniques to other icons, logos, and illustrations.
4. How to make a Calendar icon

In this tutorial you’re going to show you how we made the Calendar Icon from our most popular icon set “Coquette”.
5. How to Create an Hourglass Icon in About an Hour

With
simple shapes, gradients, and vector textures, this simple tutorial
will show beginning illustrators how to create an hourglass icon. There
is a whole lot you can do without the Pen Tool. We’ll be using
Illustrator CS4 for this tutorial, but those of you with older version
should be able to follow along as well.
6. Make a Mailbox Icon Using Adobe Illustrator

Attention!
This icon was not created solely for educational purposes. You can see
the working process of real designing! We are going to use various
professional techniques to create this icon, and I will give you many
useful tips along the way. So, let’s get down to work, experts!
7. Make a detailed printer icon

In
this icon design tutorial, we will construct a desktop printer icon
that is rich in detail. We will use the industry-standard vector
illustration tool: Adobe Illustrator.
8. How to Create a Shiny Bucket Icon

In
this tutorial you will learn how to make a realistic vector bucket
icon. You will learn to use the 3D Revolve function, how to add
realistic light effects and how to draw different objects to form a
composition.
9. How to Create an Alarm Clock Icon

With
simple shapes and gradients, this easy tutorial will show you how to
create an alarm clock icon. We’ll be using Illustrator CS4 for this
tutorial, but those of you with older version should be able to follow
along as well. Let’s jump into this tutorial, which beginning
illustrators will find especially useful!
10. Create a simple coin icon stack

In
the following tutorial It will show how to create a very simple coin
stack icon. First, you will need a simple circle and some 3D
Extrude&Bevel effect to create the starting coin. Next, you will use
multiple fills and strokes to improve the look of this first coin and
Transform effect to multiply it.
11. Create a Simple Storefront Icon

In
this tutorial It will show you how to create a simple storefront icon
using some rectangles, Illustrator Effects, and gradients. This icon is
great for use in e-commerce sites and the techniques in this tutorial
can easily be applied to other icons, illustrations, and logos.
12. How to Make a Vector Military Cap Icon

This
tutorial it will show the intermediate-to-advanced Adobe Illustrator
artist how to make a realistic military style cap icon using
predominately gradients, blends, and the Gradient Mesh Tool. We’ll be
using a photo reference to base this illustration on, though utilizing
creative judgement throughout the process.
13. Create a Stylized GPS Icon

Location
based software and peripherals are very popular these days. So, In this
beginner/intermediate Illustrator tutorial, I will show you how to
create a stylized GPS icon using simple shapes and gradients. Using
these basic techniques, you can easily create other icons, logos, and
illustrations.
14. Create a Vector Film Slate Icon

In
this tutorial, you’ll show you how to create a vector film slate icon.
The tutorial uses some basic shapes, some gradients, and even a blend.
Moreover, you can easily customize this tutorial with your own logo or
typography.
15. Create a wallet icon

16. Create a Vintage TV Set Icon in Illustrator
I
have been living without a TV set for exactly three years and 8 months
now. It’s great and I don’t miss a thing. Don’t get me wrong. I loved
every awful program, every commercial, every useless newscast, but it
was time for me to get on with my life. Like many other people, though, I
love vintage appliances and cherish the memories associated with the
old TV set we had when I was a kid. To celebrate that I decided to
create a fun little icon in Adobe Illustrator.
17. Quick Tip: How to Create a Clean Style Folder Icon

In
the following tutorial you will learn to create a clean folder icon. By
using some simple shapes and the Appearance Panel, you will see just
how easy it is to make a great looking icon.
18. Windows 7 icon with Illustrator
In this tutorial we will use Adobe Illustrator CS4 to create the music icon of the Windows 7 style.
19. Create a Stylized First Aid Icon in Illustrator
In
this tutorial you’ll use a combination of craft and Illustrator’s 3D
tools to create a first aid icon. You can use the techniques you learn
in this tutorial to create realistic rounded box icons of your choice.
This works well for complex icons at large sizes and scales down nicely.
20. Create a Safe Icon in Adobe Illustrator
In
the following tutorial you will learn to create a safe icon. We’ll use a
variety of Adobe Illustrator tools and techniques to create this icon.
Learn how to make a place to stash your vector gold. It’s all about the
details you put into this design to give it a bit of shine.
21. How to Create a Juicy RSS Feed Icon
Let’s
learn how to make a unique RSS feed icon. This tutorial requires a
familiarity with Adobe Illustrator’s basic tools as we’ll use the
gradient mesh tool and make light use of Illustrators mapping feature.
22. Translucent IM Style Illustrator Icon Tutorial
The
shiny and glossy image of ‘Web 2.0′ is right at home when it comes to
icons. Follow this Adobe Illustrator tutorial to create a scalable
vector Instant Messaging style icon with the impression of a glossy and
semi-translucent surface.
23. Make a Handy 3D Vector Calendar Icon
Learn
to make a handy calendar icon to use on your blog, website, or print
projects. We’ll use Illustrators Path and 3D tools to create this
design. Also, a simple page curl effect will be demonstrated as well.
Let’s jump into this tutorial.
24. Create a Cute Panda Bear Face Icon
Lately,
I have been working on some children illustrations, creating some über
cute creatures. In the following easy tutorial, I’ll show you how to
create a cute panda bear face icon all from ellipses (well, actually
there is one rectangle for the background). The great part about this
tutorial, is that you can easily apply the techniques to other icons,
illustrations, logos, or other projects.
25. How to Make an Opulent Chair Icon
In
this tutorial, you will learn how to make a chair icon using gradient
mesh, the pathfinder tool and the appearance panel. Don’t let this tut
deceive you, with a bit of imagination you can create an entire
collection of soft furnishing icons in minutes with a few easy tricks.
26. Design a Stylish Wallet Icon in Illustrator
In this simple tutorial I’ll show you how to create the wallet icon from my Women’s Icons using Adobe Illustrator CS4.
27. How to Turn Glasses into a Great Geek Icon
28. Beginner Illustrator Tutorial – Create a Vector RSS Icon
The
best way to learn the ropes of a new application is to get stuck in
with a working project. This Adobe Illustrator tutorial covers the
simple steps involved in creating a vector RSS icon and includes a range
of handy techniques that can be put into practice in future creations.
29. Craft a Delicious Chinese Food Icon
This
tutorial you will demonstrate how to craft a delicious Chinese food
icon set. This tutorial requires a generous command of Adobe
Illustrator’s tools. Let’s dig into this yummy icon design tutorial,
which includes numerous vector illustration techniques.
30. How to Create a Transparent Battery Icon
In
this tutorial, we’ll create a detailed icon of a battery similar to the
one used for the iPhone touch. The battery “fuel” color can be changed
as well as the “fuel” level, allowing the icon to be used to create a
battery or power meter for applications, or simply as a graphic in any
type of design.
31. Create a Vector Lock Icon Design
In
the following tutorial, you’ll learn how to create a lock icon with
some effects, opacity masks, gradients, and simple shapes in
Illustrator. Many of these techniques can be applied easily to other
icon designs.
32. How to Make an Icy Cocktail
Do
you desire to drink an icy refreshing cocktail on a sunny day? I know I
am, so in this Illustrator tutorial, I will explain how I draw a
refreshing cocktail drink in Adobe illustrator. Hope you will find this
useful and inspiring to make other kinds of drinks or cocktails.
33. Reflections Done Right – Creating a Money Roll Icon
Cash-in
when you follow this tutorial for creating accurate and logical
reflections. I’ll cover how to use shading and masking to create an
illustration that’s worth the look.
34. How to create icon
Basic Icon Tutorial
which combines a simple idea and approach to creating an icon that is
really simple to use and fun to do. You will need some experience on
using Adobe Illustrator for this tutorial. So Let’s get started on our
tutorial.
35. How To Create An Academy Icon From Simple Shapes
In
this tutorial you will learn how to construct a cool academy icon by
putting together simple shapes in Illustrator and then applying layer
effects on them in Photoshop. I’m using a German versions of both
Illustrator and Photoshop, so some screenshots are in German. You should
be able to understand it fine though, as I provide detailed
instructions and numerous sample images.
36. Design A Coffee Mug Icon
I’ve recently decided to dive head first into the world of vector art using Adobe
Illustrator. It’s not that I’ve never used it before, or don’t know the
basics; it’s just, usually my first instinct is to open up Photoshop.
However, there are so many projects that Illustrator is so much better
suited for. The most obvious advantage in using Illustator is the
ability to create scalable, vector objects.
37. How to Create a Gearbox Settings Icon Using Simple Shapes
Much can be done in Illustrator without relying on the Pen tool, as demonstrated by the recent hourglass tutorial.
Utilizing only simple, predefined shapes, as well as tools like the
Pathfinder and transformations, entire illustrations can be created from
scratch. In this tutorial, we’ll create an icon suitable for portraying
options, settings, preferences, etc., similar to OS X’s system
preferences icon.
38. How to Create a Vector Safari Compass icon in Illustrator
The Safari browser
from Apple has a great little icon that works well in small formats
while also displaying quite a lot of intricate details when viewed in
large format. Navigate through this Adobe Illustrator tutorial to draw
up your own vector Safari inspired compass in Adobe Illustrator.
39. Make 3D Yet Flat Looking Shopping Basket Icons
Shopping
for a new icon? Look no further. Learn how to create a custom shopping
basket icon for your next web design project. We’ll combine 3D qualities
with a flat look. You’ll need a firm understanding of Adobe
Illustrators tools to complete this tutorial.
40. Drawing A Pencil Icon
Nowadays we can see icons
everywhere, from a game console to web applications. Icons are getting
more and more popular and play an important role, maybe the most
important role in user interfaces. However, the resources about icon
design are not that popular which is why when we have done our first
steps in icon design, it was really hard to find a good starting point.
41. Design a Vector Audio Speaker Icon In Illustrator
In
this intermediate tutorial, I’ll show you how to create a vector
speaker icon. When you break down the elements you’ll find it fairly
easy. We’ll be using some ellipses with gradients, the Grid Tool, and
the Mesh Tool to create this icon design.
42. How to make a CD icon using Illustrator in 5 minutes
In
this tutorial, you will create a vector icon of CD using Adobe
Illustrator CS3. This can be done in only 5 minutes. Here we use
Illustrator rather than Photoshop as we want to make a vector icon. This
CD icon can be incorporated into club flyers or postcards promoting a band or show.
43. How to Create a Magic Wand Icon
In
this Illustrator tutorial, I will show you how to create a magic wand
icon. This tutorial will utilize gradient feathering and some simple
shapes. These techniques are easily translated to other icons,
illustrations, and logos.
44. How To Create A Slick IPod Icon Using Illustrator
A
great little illustrator tutorial form Creative Nerds, which shows you
how to create an iPod icon using illustrator. The perfect tutorials for
beginners learning their way around illustrator simply because the whole
iPod is created using only basic default illustrator shapes. I hope you
enjoy the tutorial and feel to leave a comment to let us know how you
got on creating the iPod icons.
45. How to Create a Vector Smiley Icon
Have
you ever wanted to make your own set of emoticons? Using the basic
techniques brought about on this tutorial, you can easily create your
own set of emoticons.
46. How To Create Bell Using Illustrator
This
tutorial guides you through the process of drawing Christmas bells in
Illustrator. Use them for decorating your web-site’s header or desktop.
Let’s get started.
47. Design Float Circle Icon (AI Tutorial)
In this tutorial you will create a Designer float icon using adobe Illustrator that will match with the awesome fasticon set.
48. How To Create An Espresso Machine Icon Inside Adobe Illustrator
Thousands
of people can’t imagine their mornings without a cup of coffee.
Espresso machines are the best friends of hardly working creative’s
around the world. In this Illustrator tutorial I will guide you through
the process of creating an espresso maker icon using simple illustration
techniques.
49. Creating a Comment Icon in Illustrator
You
are going to create a simple comment icon that can be use on a website
or CMS. We’ll use some simple illustrator techniques to achieve the
effect.
50. How To Create a Cubist Icon Style Logo Design
Follow
this logo design process walkthrough to see the making of a cubist
style logo design made up of lots of detailed vector facets. Not only
will we be creating the actual design in Adobe Illustrator, but I’ll
also be describing the whole logo design process in this tutorial, from
the initial sketches right through to finishing off the final design.