Graphic Design: Create a Set of Yummy Icons

September 21, 2019

In today’s tutorial we’re going to learn how to create a set of ice cream icons, using some basic shapes and tools found from within Illustrator. That being said, open up the software and let’s get started.

Create a New Document

As always, the first thing that we’re going to do is create a new project file, by going over to File > New or using the Control + N keyboard shortcut, and adjusting it as follows:

Number of Artboards: 1
Width: 800 px
Height: 600 px
Units: Pixels

And from the Advanced tab:

Color Mode: RGB
Raster Effects: Screen (72 ppi)
Align New Objects to Pixel Grid: checked

Set Up Some Layers

Since we’ll be creating our icons using some basic reference grids, it would be a good idea to separate the different sections of our project using four layers which we will name as follows:

Layer 1 – reference grids
Layer 2 – shadows
Layer 3 – icons
Layer 4 – gradient overlays

Quick tip: we’ll want to lock all layers except the one that we will be working on, so that we won’t move or misplace some of the shapes by accident.

Creating the Reference Grids

Once we’ve layered our document we can start creating those reference grids that I’ve mentioned a few moments ago, which will help us create our icons with consistency in mind.

Grab the Rectangle Tool (M) and create four 96×96 px squares, which we will color using a light grey (#F2F2F2) and then distance them at 40 px from one another, making sure to align them to the center of the Artboard.

Once you have your grids, lock the current layer so that you won’t move them by accident, and then move on up to the “shadows” one.

Creating the Shadows

Since we’ll be adding a subtle shadow underneath each of our icons, we’ll create them now and then add the icons above them.

Step 1

Select the Ellipse Tool (L) and create four 40×6 px ellipses which we will color using black (#000000) and then position towards the bottom section of the reference grids, making sure to align them vertically.

Step 2

Soften the shadows by lowering their Opacity levels to 20% so that if you overlay them on another design, they’ll remain visually consistent.

Creating the First Icon

Assuming you’ve already locked the previous layer, and positioned yourself onto the “icons” one, we can start working on our four little ice creams.

Step 1

Zoom in on the first reference grid, and using the Rounded Rectangle Tool create a 44×60 px shape with a 6 px Corner Radius, which we will color using #AA8F77 and then position towards the top side of the grid, leaving a 4 px empty space gap for the outline.

6---creating-the-main-shape-for-the-first-icon

Step 2

Once you’ve positioned the icon’s main shape, we’ll need to give it an outline by selecting it, and then going over to Object > Path > Offset Path where we will enter 4 px into the Offset value field.

7---creating-the-outline-for-the-first-icon

Step 3

Once we’ve added the outline, we’ll have to color it using a darker color (#4F4343) so that it will stand out from the fill section of our icon.

8---adjusting-the-outline-for-the-upper-section-of-the-first-icon

Step 4

Create the lower wooden stick, by drawing an 8×18 px rounded rectangle with a 4 px Corner Radius, which we color using #DDB185. Give the stick the same 4 px outline (#4F4343) using the Offset Path method, and then position the two shapes underneath the upper section of the icon (right click > Arrange > Send to Back)pushing them a few pixels upwards.

8---creating-the-stick-section-for-the-first-icon

Step 5

Once we’ve added the wooden stick, we can start adding details to our icon, and we’ll start by giving it a 2 px thick highlight.

First, select the larger fill section, and create a copy after it (Control + C > Control + F) applying a -2 px offset, which we will then use to create a cutout using Pathfinder’s Minus Front Shape Mode.

9---creating-the-main-highlight-for-the-first-icon

Step 6

Adjust the resulting shape, by setting its color to white (#FFFFFF), its Blending Mode to Overlay and lowering its Opacity to 30%.

10---adjusting-the-main-highlight-settings-for-the-first-icon

Step 7

Start adding the chocolate section, covering the upper side of the ice cream, using a couple of Rounded Rectangles and #4F4343 as your fill color.

11---adding-the-chocolate-section-to-the-first-icon

Step 8

Move a few pixels towards the bottom, and add subtle shadow to the wooden stick by drawing an 8×4 pxrectangle (#4F4343) which we will adjust by lowering its Opacity to 40%.

12---adding-the-subtle-shadow-to-the-first-icon’s-stick

Step 9

Next, add a 2 px thick highlight following the exact same process used for the upper section of the ice cream, only this time use a Clipping Mask to mask its lower section so that it won’t overlap the shadow. Then, simply set the fill color to white (#FFFFFF) and adjust its Transparency by setting its Blending Mode to Overlay and lowering its Opacity to 30%.

13---adding-the-highlight-to-the-first-icon’s-wooden-stick

Step 10

Finish off the icon, by adding some texture to the stick using four 1×4 px rounded rectangles (#4F4343) with a 0.5 px Corner Radius.

14---adding-texture-to-the-first-icon’s-wooden-stick

Then, simply select all the icon’s shapes and group them together using the Control + G keyboard shortcut so that they won’t get separated when using the icon on a different project.

Creating the Second Icon

Position yourself onto the second reference grid, and let’s start working on our second icon.

Step 1

Start by creating two 22×36 px rounded rectangles with a 11 px Corner Radius, which we will color using a bright yellow (#FCD757) and then position towards the upper section of the reference grid, leaving the same 4 px gap for the outline.

15---creating-the-top-section-for-the-second-icon

Step 2

Unite the two shapes into a single object using Pathfinder’s Unite function, and then adjust its lower section, by removing the bottom-centered anchor point using the Delete Anchor Point Tool, and then adjusting the roundness of the remaining anchors to 6 px.

16---adjusting-the-upper-section-of-the-second-icon

Step 3

Give the resulting shape a 4 px thick outline (#4F4343) using the Offset Path method.

17---adding-the-outline-to-the-upper-section-of-the-second-icon

Step 4

Create the lower section of the ice cream, by drawing a 44×20 px rounded rectangle (#FC7A57) with a 6 px Corner Radius. Give it a 4 px outline (#4F4343) and then position the two shapes underneath the yellow section, making sure that their outlines overlap.

18---creating-and-positioning-the-lower-section-of-the-second-icon

Step 5

Start working on the two wooden sticks, by creating a 4×18 px rounded rectangle (#DDB185) with a 2 px Corner Radius and a 4 px outline (#4F4343). Then create a copy after it (Control + C > Control + F) which we will position at a distance of 10 px making sure to vertically align the two sticks to the icon.

19---creating-the-second-icon’s-two-wooden-sticks

Step 6

Since we now have all the sections of our icon, we can start adding details to them.

Start by creating the 2 px thick highlight for the yellow section, using white (#FFFFFF) as your fill color and Overlay as your Blending Mode, making sure to lower the Opacity to 40%.

20---adding-the-highlight-to-the-yellow-section-of-the-second-icon

Step 7

Next, add a highlight to the orange section, using the exact same color values and transparency settings from the previous step.

21---adding-the-highlight-to-the-orange-section-of-the-second-icon

Step 8

Add the subtle shadows and highlights to the two wooden sticks, only this time set the thickness of the highlight to 1 px.

22---adding-the-subtle-shadows-and-highlights-to-the-second-icon’s-wooden-sticks

Step 9

Finish off the icon, by adding a couple of 2×2 px circles and some diagonal rectangles using #4F4343 as your fill color.

23---adding-the-final-details-to-the-second-icon

Once you’re done, don’t forget to select all the icon’s composing elements and group them together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

Creating the Third Icon

Make sure you’ve positioned yourself onto the third reference grid, and then zoom in on it so that you can have a better view of what you’re going to be doing.

Step 1

Start by creating the main shape of the icon using a 44×60 px rounded rectangle with a 6 px Corner Radius,which we will color using #D6DB71 and then position towards the upper section of the reference grid.

24---creating-the-main-shape-for-the-upper-section-of-the-third-icon

Step 2

Select the shape, and then adjust its top corners by setting their Corner Radius to 22 px from within the Transform Panel, making sure to create its outline (#4F4343) using a 4 px thick offset.

25---adjusting-the-top-corners-of-the-thir-icon’s-upper-section

Step 3

Give the upper section of the icon a 2 px thick highlight using the Offset Path-Minus Front method, coloring the resulting shape using white (#FFFFFF) making sure to set its Blending Mode to Overlay and to lower its Opacity to 40%.

26---adding-the-highlight-to-the-upper-section-of-the-third-icon

Step 4

Finish off the icon, by grabbing a copy (Control + C > Control + V) of the first ice cream’s wooden stick, and positioning it underneath the upper section (right click > Arrange > Send to Back).

27---adding-the-wooden-stick-to-the-third-icon

Creating the Fourth Icon

We’re now down to our fourth and last icon, the biscuit one, which we will create using a very similar process

Step 1

Position yourself onto the third reference grid, and then create the upper section of the icon using a 40×32 px rounded rectangle (#EFCBB1) with a 6 px Corner Radius. Give it the usual 4 px thick outline (#4F4343) and then vertically align the two shapes towards the top section of the grid.

28---creating-the-upper-section-of-the-fourth-icon

Step 2

Add the 2 px thick highlight using white (#FFFFFF) as your fill color, Overlay as your Blending Mode, making sure to lower its Opacity to 40%.

29---adding-the-highlight-to-the-upper-section-of-the-fourth-icon

Step 3

Start working on the lower section of the ice cream, by creating a 44×54 px rounded rectangle (#AA8F77) with a 6 px Corner Radius, then give it an outline (#4F4343) and position the two shapes towards the lower section of the reference grid, leaving a 4 px empty space gap between them and the circular shadow.

30---creating-and-positioning-the-lower-section-of-the-fourth-icon

Step 4

Add a darker section to the ice cream’s biscuit, by creating a copy of its main shape, and then adjusting it by setting its color to # 8E7561, the Radius of the top Corners to 0 px and then shortening its height to just 20 px.

31---adding-the-darker-section-to-the-fourth-icon’s-biscuit

Step 5

Next, give the lower section a 2 px thick highlight only this time lower its Opacity to 30%.

32---adding-the-highlight-to-the-lower-section-of-the-fourth-icon

Step 6

Add a 44×4 px rectangle on top of the darker shape that we’ve just created, making sure to color it using the same value that we’ve used for the outlines (#4F4343).

33---adding-the-horizontal-divider-to-the-lower-section-of-the-fourth-icon

Step 7

With the horizontal outline in place, add a 40×2 px highlight right underneath it, using white (#FFFFFF) as your fill color, Overlay as your Blending Mode and 30% for your Opacity.

34---adding-the-horizontal-highlight-to-the-lower-section-of-the-fourth-icon

Step 8

Finish off the icon, by adding a couple of 4×4 px circles (#4F4343) over the ice cream’s biscuit section, which we will horizontally distance at 2 px from one another, positioning them on four rows.

Once you’re done, don’t forget to select all the icon’s elements and group them using the Control + G keyboard shortcut.

35---adding-finishing-touches-to-the-fourth-icon

Creating the Gradient Overlays

With all four icons finished, we can now focus on the last part of the process, where we will create the subtle gradient overlays, which will add to the overall visuals of the assets.

Step 1

Before we move on to the fourth and last layer, grab a copy (Control + C) of each icon’s main outlines by selecting them using the Direct Selection Tool (A) and then pasting them (Control + F) onto the “gradient overlay” layer.

36---creating-the-main-shapes-for-the-gradient-overlays

Step 2

Unite each of the four icons outlines so that you can apply a smooth gradient to them afterwards.

37---using-pathfiner’s-unite-shape-mode-to-create-the-main-shapes-for-the-gradients

Step 3

Select the first shape, and apply a Linear Gradient to it, using #C69C6D for the left color, and #603813 for the right one, setting the Angle to -60 degrees. Then adjust its Transparency by setting its Blending Mode to Overlay and lowering its Opacity to 80%.

38---creating-the-gradient-overlay-for-the-first-icon

Step 4

Select the second shape, and create the gradient overlay for the second icon, using #FBB03B for the left color and #ED1C24 for the right one, setting the Blending Mode to Overlay while lowering the Opacity to 60%.

Step 5

Create the gradient overlay for the third icon, using #D9E021 for the left color and #009245 for the right one, setting the Blending Mode to Overlay and the Opacity to 60%.

40---creating-the-gradient-overlay-for-the-third-icon

Step 6

Create the fourth and final gradient overlay, using the exact same values from the first icon.

It’s a Wrap!

There you have it guys, a fairly comprehensive process on how to create your very own ice cream icons using nothing more but some basic shapes and tools. I hope you’ve manage to keep up with the steps and most importantly learned something new along the way.

By Freepik Academy