Graphic Design: Create Furniture Icon Pack
In today’s tutorial we’re going to engage our inner carpenter, and create some modern looking furniture icons, using digital wood in the form of geometric shapes as our prime material. So, assuming you already have Illustrator up and running in the background, bring it up and let’s get started!
How to Create a New Document
As we do with every new project, start by setting up a New Document (File > New or Control-N) which we will adjust using the following settings:
- 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)
We’re going to be creating the icons using a Pixel Perfect Workflow
Quick tip:some of you might have noticed that the Align New Objects to Pixel Grid option is missing, well that’s because the new software update has improved the way Illustrator handles pixel snapping, making it less of a hassle.
How to Set Up the Layers
With each new project, I like to separate my assets on a couple of different layers, since this way I can streamline my workflow by focusing on one item at a time, which allows me to keep track of each and every shape at all time.
So, open up the Layers panel, and let’s create four layers which we will name as follows:
- Layer 1 > reference grids
- Layer 2 > drawer
- Layer 3 > sideboard
- Layer 4 > bed
The way we’re going to be using these layers within our workflow is pretty easy. We’ll want to lock all except the one that we will be working on, so that we won’t move or misplace some of the shapes by accident. Then, once we’re done with the current icon, we can then lock its layer and move on up to the next one.
How to Create the Reference Grids
As soon as we’ve layered our project file, we can start creating the reference grids, which will help us create our icons by focusing on consistency and size.
Step 1
Grab the Rectangle Tool (M) and create a 128×128 px square, which we will color using #F15A24, and then position it to the center of the Artboard using the Align panel’s Horizontal and Vertical Align Center options.
Step 2
Create another smaller 120×120 px square, which will act as the active drawing area, thus giving us an all-around 4 px padding. Color the shape using white (#FFFFFF) and then group the squares (Control + G) and create two more copies, one on the left and another on the right, distancing them at 40 px from the original.
Once you’re done creating and positioning the reference grids, you can lock their layer, and then move on up to the next one, where we’ll start working on our first icon.
How to Create the Drawer Icon
Assuming you’ve already moved on up to the second layer, let’s kick off the project by creating the first icon. That being said, zoom in onto its reference grid so that you have a better view and let’s get started.
Step 1
Select the Pen Tool (P), and using a 4 px thick Stroke with the color set to #2B3249, create the icon’s background line by drawing a 120 px wide line segment, which we will center align to the underlying active drawing area, at a distance of 8 px from its bottom edge.
Step 2
Create the drawer’s front section using an 80×48 px rectangle, which we will color using #EAA871 and then position above the background line that we’ve just created at a distance of 12 px, leaving a 10 px gap towards the active drawing area’s right edge.
Quick tip:since we’re going to be using strokes to define the outline and any other hard elements (like the background in this case) you have to know that there are two possible distance values that separate one shape from another. The first one is the distance between the edge of an outline and another shape, while the second one is the distance between the center of the outline and another shape, which will be larger since you’re adding the 2 px that make up half of its Stroke’s Weight.
Step 3
Give the shape that we’ve just created an outline using the Stroke method, by creating a copy after it (Control + C) which we will paste in front (Control + F) and then adjust by changing its color to #2B3249, and then flipping its Fill with its Stroke (Shift + X) making sure to set its Weight to 4 px. Then, once you’re done select and group both shapes together using the Control + G keyboard shortcut.
Step 4
Create the three drawers by drawing two 80 px wide 4 px thick horizontal Stroke lines (#2B3249) which we will vertically stack at a distance of 16 px from one another, grouping (Control + G) and then center aligning them to the larger underlying rectangle.
Step 5
Next, draw in the little handles using three 12 px wide 4 px thick Stroke lines (#2B3249) which we will position to the center of the drawer sections that we’ve created in the previous step, selecting and grouping all of the drawer’s front section composing shapes together afterwards.
Step 6
Create the drawer’s side section, using a 20×48 px rectangle, which we will color using #C68355 and then position onto the left side, vertically center aligning it to the front section’s fill shape, at a distance of 0 px.
Step 7
Give the newly created shape a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249) using the Stroke method, selecting and grouping (Control + G) both of them together afterwards.
Step 8
Take a couple of moments, and get creative by drawing the little wood texture onto the drawer’s side section, using a 2 px thick Stroke with the color set to #2B3249, and the Cap to Round. Once you’re done, group (Control + G) and then mask the texture’s lines using a copy (Control + C > Control + F) of the underlying fill rectangle (right click > Make Clipping Mask) making sure to group the texture to the side section afterwards.
Also, since we’re done working on the drawer’s body you can select both its sections and group those as well.
Step 9
Start working on the drawer’s first leg, by creating its front section using a 6×14 px rectangle which we will color using #C68355, give a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249) grouping (Control + G) and then positioning the two underneath its larger body so that their outlines overlap, making sure to align them to the visible surface of its right edge.
Step 10
Create the leg’s side section, using an 8×14 px rectangle (#AA693C), which we will adjust by selecting its bottom-left anchor point with the help of the Direct Selection Tool (A) and then pushing it to the right by a distance of 3 px (right click > Transform > Move > Horizontal > 3 px).
Step 11
Give the resulting shape a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249) selecting and then grouping the two shapes together afterwards using the Control + G keyboard shortcut.
Step 12
Give the leg a shadow, by creating a 12×6 px rectangle which we will color using #2B3249, and then adjust by selecting and pushing its bottom-right anchor point to the top by a distance of 2 px (right click > Transform > Move > Vertical > 2 px).
Once you’re done, position the resulting shape onto the leg, aligning it to its front section’s top-right corner, selecting and grouping (Control + G) all of the leg’s composing shapes afterwards.
Step 13
Create the second leg using a copy (Control + C > Control + F) of the one that we’ve just finished working on, which we will position onto the left side of the drawer, at a distance of 6 px, selecting and grouping the two together as a pair afterwards.
Step 14
Add the drawer’s left legs by creating a copy (Control + C > Control + F) of its right ones which we will position at a distance of 26 px from the originals.
Then, once you’re done, select and group all of the drawer’s composing sections together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.
Step 15
Start working on the decorative books, by creating a 6×20 px rectangle which we will color using #8195C1, give a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249) group (Control + G) and then position above the drawer, at a distance of 20 px from the active drawing area’s right edge.
Step 16
Create the second book using a copy (Control + C > Control + F) of the one that we’ve just finished, which we will position onto the left side so that their outlines overlap, making sure to change the color of its fill shape to #ED664C.
Step 17
Create the second book’s side section using a 10×20 px rectangle which we will color using #D35444, give a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249) and then position onto its left side, selecting and grouping (Control + G) them both together, doing the same for both books afterwards.
Step 18
Start working on the little lamp, by creating an 8×20 px ellipse, which we will color using #8195C1, and then position on top of the drawer, at a distance of 32 px from the active drawing area’s left edge.
Step 19
Adjust the shape that we’ve just created by selecting and removing its right anchor point in order to cut in half. Then, create a copy (Control + C > Control + F) of the resulting shape, which we will position onto the right side at a distance of 4 px, selecting and then uniting both shapes together by pressing Control + J twice.
Step 20
Give the resulting shape a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249) and a 12 px wide 2 px thick horizontal detail line (#2B3249) which we will position at a distance of 4 px from the drawer’s main outline. Once you’re done, select and group all three shapes together using the Control + G keyboard shortcut.
Step 21
Create the lamp’s upper section using a 24×16 px rectangle which we will color using #DCE5F4, and then center align to its lower body, at a distance of 0 px.
Step 22
Give the shape that we’ve just created a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249) and a 24 px wide 4 px thick horizontal detail line (#2B3249) positioned at a distance of 2 px from the outline’s bottom edge. Add an 8×6 px ellipse (#2B3249) to its top edge, and a 10 px tall 2 px thick string line (#2B3249) to the right side of the lamp, selecting and then grouping all of the upper section’s composing shapes together using the Control + G keyboard shortcut.
Step 23
Finish off the lamp and with it the icon itself, by adding the little shadow using a 12×6 px rectangle (#2B3249) which we will position just underneath the lamp’s upper section, adjusting it by selecting and pushing its anchor point to the top by 2 px (right click > Transform > Move > Vertical > -2 px).
Once you’re done, select and group (Control + G) all of the lamp’s composing shapes together, doing the same for all of the icon’s composing sections afterwards.
How to Create the Sideboard Icon
Assuming you’ve successfully finished working on the first icon, lock its layer and then move on up to the next one (that would be the third one) and zoom in onto its reference grid so that we can get started.
Step 1
As we did with the first icon, start by creating the horizontal background line using a 120 px wide 4 px thick Stroke with the color set to #2B3249, which we will center align to the underlying active drawing area, at a distance of 8 px from its bottom edge.
Step 2
Start working on the actual sideboard by creating its front section using a 90×36 px rectangle, which we will color using #C68355, give a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249) grouping (Control + G) and then positioning the two above the background line, at a distance of 6 px from its top edge, and 4 px from the active drawing area’s right edge.
Step 3
Using the Rectangle Tool (M) create a 78×24 px shape, which we will color using #EAA871, and then center align to the front section that we’ve just created.
Step 4
Give the shape that we’ve just created a 4 px outline (#2B3249) using the Stroke method, and then select and group them both together using the Control + G keyboard shortcut.
Step 5
Next, create the inner darker section of the front using a 34×24 px rectangle, which we will color using #2B3249 and then center align to the lighter section.
Step 6
Create a smaller 26×4 px rectangle, which we will color using #AA714B and then center align to the larger one that we’ve created in the previous step.
Step 7
Draw in the little handles using two 8 px tall 4 px thick stroke lines (#2B3249), which we will position onto the sides of the inner darker section, leaving a 4 px gap onto their right and top edge. Once you’re done, select all the inner section’s composing shapes and group (Control + G) them together, doing the same for the entire front afterwards.
Step 8
Create the sideboard’s side section, using an 18×36 px rectangle (#C68355) with a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249) which we will position onto its left side, making sure the outlines end up overlapping.
Step 9
Next, take a couple of moments and draw in the little wooden texture using a 2 px thick Stroke (#2B3249) with a Round Cap, grouping (Control + G) and masking them (if you need to) using the underlying shape as a Clipping Mask (select desired shapes > right click > Make Clipping Mask). Once you’re done, don’t forget to select and group all of the side section’s composing shapes together using the Control + G keyboard shortcut, doing the same for the sideboard’s composing sections afterwards.
Step 10
Start working on the sideboard’s legs, by creating an 8×10 px rectangle (#AA693C) with a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249) which we will position underneath its right side, at a distance of 8 px from the active drawing area’s right edge.
Step 11
Add the little leg shadow using an 8×6 px rectangle (#2B3249) which we will adjust by selecting and pushing its bottom-right corner to the top by 2 px (right click > Transform > Vertical > – 2 px). Once you’re done don’t forget to select and group all three shapes together using the Control + G keyboard shortcut.
Quick tip:at this point you might be wondering why we didn’t add a side section to the legs. Well that’s because cylindrical shapes are usually represented in a flat state where all you see is the front of the body.
Step 12
Create the second leg using a copy (Control + C > Control + F) of the one that we’ve just finished working on, which we will position onto its left side at a distance of 6 px, selecting and grouping (Control + G) the two together afterwards.
Step 13
Create the remaining legs using a copy (Control + C > Control + F) of the ones that we’ve just grouped, which we will position onto the left side of the sideboard, at a distance of 8 px from the active drawing area’s left edge. Then, once you have them in place, select and group all of the sideboard’s composing sections together using the Control + G keyboard shortcut.
Step 14
Start working on the lamp, by creating its base using an 18×6 px rectangle (#8195C1) with a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249) which we will group (Control + G) and then position on top of the sideboard, at a distance of 22 px from the active drawing area’s right edge.
Step 15
Create the lamp’s leg using a 6×24 px rectangle (#DCE5F4) with a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249) which we will group (Control + G) and then position onto the base that we’ve just created, center aligning the two to one another.
Step 16
Create the lamp’s upper section using a 34×24 px rectangle (#8195C1) with a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249) which we will group (Control + G) and then position onto the leg’s top end, so that their outlines overlap.
Step 17
Give the lamp some depth, by creating a darker section using an 8×24 px rectangle with a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249), which we will group (Control + G) and then position onto its left side, doing the same for the entire upper section afterwards.
Step 18
Add the lamp’s little string switch using a 12 px tall 2 px thick Stroke (#2B3249), which we will position onto the bottom-right edge of the upper section’s outline.
Step 19
Finish off the lamp by adding the little shadow using a 6×6 px square (#2B3249) which we will adjust by selecting and pushing its bottom-right corner to the top by 2 px (right click > Transform > Move > Vertical > – 2 px). Center align the resulting shape to the leg’s top edge, selecting and grouping (Control + G) all of the lamp’s composing shapes afterwards.
Step 20
Create the little ball using an 8×8 px circle which we will color using #ED664C, give a 4 px outline (#2B3249), group (Control + G) and then position on top of the sideboard, at a distance of 14 px from the lamp.
Step 21
Start working on the little cactus bowl by creating a 20×8 px ellipse which we will color using #DCE5F4, giving it a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249). Group (Control + G) the two shapes positioning them onto the left side of the ball, at a distance of 6 px.
Step 22
Create the actual cactus plant, using a 12×24 px ellipse (#85BF82) with a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249) which we will center align to the bowl that we’ve just created, positioning it at a distance of 32 px from the active drawing area’s top edge.
Step 23
Add the plant’s vertical detail line using a 2×14 px ellipse (#2B3249), which we will center align to the bottom of the green shape’s visible surface, slightly adjusting it by pinching its top and bottom anchor points with the Anchor Point Tool in order to make them pointy. Once you’re done select and group all three shapes together using the Control + G keyboard shortcut.
Step 24
Finish off the icon, by positioning the cactus plant behind the bowl by right clicking > Arrange > Send to Back, selecting and grouping all of its composing sections together afterwards using the Control + G keyboard shortcut.
How to Create the Bed Icon
We are now down to our third and last icon of the bunch, so assuming you’ve refilled your coffee cup, move on up to the last layer and let’s finish this!
Step 1
Start by creating the horizontal background line using a 120 px wide 4 px thick Stroke with the color set to #2B3249, which we will center align to the underlying active drawing area, at a distance of 8 px from its bottom edge.
Step 2
With the background line in place, start working on the bed by creating a 40×6 px rectangle, which we will color using #C68355, give a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249), grouping (Control + G) and then positioning the two on top of the line, at a distance of 8 px from the underlying active drawing area’s right edge.
Step 3
Create another wider 60×6 px rectangle (#AA714B) with the same 4 px thick outline (#2B3249) which we will group (Control + G) and then position onto the left side of the shapes from the previous step, selecting and grouping all of them together afterwards.
Step 4
Start working on the front section of the bed’s upper body by creating a 48×16 px rectangle which we will color using #EAA871, give a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249) followed by a 48 px wide 4 px thick horizontal divider line (#2B3249) aligned to their center. Once you’re done, group (Control + G) all three shapes together and then position them on top of the bottom section, at a distance of 4 px from the active drawing area’s right edge.
Step 5
Create the side section using a 60×16 px rectangle (#C68355) with a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249) which we will group (Control + G) and then vertically center align to the bed’s front so that their outlines overlap.
Step 6
Take a couple of moments and draw in the little wooden texture lines using a 2 px thick Stroke (#2B3249) with a Round Cap, grouping and masking them (if you need to) using the underlying rectangle as a Clipping Mask (select desired shapes > right click > Make Clipping Mask). Once you’re done, select and group all of the side section’s composing shapes together using the Control + G keyboard shortcut, doing the same for the bed’s upper section afterwards.
Step 7
Start working on the headboard’s front section using a 52×28 px rectangle, which we will color using #EAA871, give a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249) followed by a 52 px wide 4 px thick horizontal detail line at the top, which we will group (Control + G) and then position on top of the bed’s upper body, right aligning it to its side section.
Step 8
Create the headboard’s side section using an 8×28 px rectangle (#2B3249) with a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249) which we will group (Control + G) and then position onto the left side of the shapes that we’ve created in the previous step.
Step 9
Using a 2 px thick Stroke (#2B3249) with a Round Cap, draw in the little wooden texture lines, grouping (Control-G) and masking them (if you need to) using the underlying rectangle as a Clipping Mask (select desired shapes > right click > Make Clipping Mask). Once you’re done, select and group all of the side section’s composing shapes together using the Control + G keyboard shortcut, doing the same for all of the headboard’s composing sections afterwards.
Step 10
Start working on the mattress by creating its front section using a 36×8 px rectangle, which we will color using #DCE5F4, give a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249) grouping (Control + G) and then positioning the two above the bed’s front section.
Step 11
Create the side section using a 58×8 px rectangle (#B0BDD1) with a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249), which we will group (Control + G) and then position onto the left side of the shapes that we’ve just created in the previous step, grouping the two sections together afterwards.
Step 12
Create the pillows using a 36×8 px rectangle (#DCE5F4) with a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249) adding an 8 px tall 4 px wide vertical divider line (#2B3249) to their center. Group (Control-G) all three shapes and then position them on top of the mattress, center aligning them to the headboard’s front section.
Step 13
Create the little blanket using a 20×10 px rectangle, which we will color using #85BF82, give a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249), grouping (Control + G) and then positioning the two onto the front section of the bed’s mattress.
Once you’re done, select and group all of the bed’s composing sections together using the Control + G keyboard shortcut.
Step 14
Start working on the little speaker unit by creating its front section using a 20×12 px rectangle (#8991A3) with a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249), on top of which we will add two 4×4 px circles (#2B3249) on each side. Select and group (Control + G) all four shapes together, center aligning them to the front section of the headboard.
Step 15
Create the side section using a 6×12 px rectangle (#6A7084) with a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249) which we will group (Control + G) and then position onto the left side of the shapes that we’ve just created in the previous step. Once you’re done, don’t forget to select and group (Control + G) all of the speaker’s composing sections so that they won’t get separated by accident.
Step 16
Start working on the lamp by creating its leg using a 6×44 px rectangle (#8195C1) with a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249) and a 6 px wide 2 px thick horizontal divider line (#2B3249), which we will group (Control + G) and then position on top of the mattress, at a distance of 24 px from the active drawing area’s right edge.
Step 17
Create the lamp’s upper body using 26×22 px rectangle, which we will color using #ED664C, give a 4 px thick outline (#2B3249), center aligning the two to the upper section of the leg.
Step 18
Start adding details to the lamp’s upper body by creating a 14×8 px ellipse (#2B3249) which we will position on top of the outline that we’ve just created, followed by a 26 px wide 4 px thick horizontal divider line (#2B3249) positioned at a distance of 2 px from it. Finish off this section by adding the little string switch using an 18 px tall 2 px thick Stroke line (#2B3249), selecting and grouping (Control + G) all its composing shapes together afterwards.
Step 19
Finish off the lamp and with it the icon itself, by creating the little diagonal shadow using a 6×6 px square (#2B3249) which we will center align to the leg’s upper section, adjusting it afterwards by selecting and pushing its right anchor point to the top by 2 px (right click > Transform > Move > Vertical > -2 px). Once you’re done, select and group (Control + G) all of the lamp’s composing shapes together, doing the same for the icon’s sections afterwards.
It’s a Wrap!
There you have it guys, a pretty straight forward guide (well an easier one to those from IKEA) on how to build your very own furniture icon pieces, using nothing more than the basic shapes and tools that you probably already work with on a daily basis.
I hope you had fun going through the steps and most importantly learned something new along the way.
