Concept Icon Set
Role: Student Project
Tools Used: Illustrator
Course: Design Fundamentals, Bellevue College (Fall 2022)
Overview
For this assignment, I was tasked with creating a set of icons based on word pairings chosen from two category lists. The goal was to explore visual metaphor, symbolism, simplification, and consistency within a design system. I chose the pairings Ninja Communication, Viking Fitness, Shark Finances, and Magic Film/Cinema, and created three icons for each for a total of twelve icons.
My goal was to create a cohesive visual style while pushing myself to think creatively about how unrelated concepts could be combined into a single, recognizable symbol.
Process
Brainstorming and Direction
I started by breaking down each pairing into meaning and recognizable elements. From there, I identified a primary symbol for each category that would act as a visual anchor:
• Ninja → shuriken
• Viking → helmet
• Shark → fin/body shape
• Magic → wand
I explored ways to blend these elements with their secondary meaning using simple forms, repetition, and contour balance.
Ninja Communication
For this set, I focused on communication symbols such as Wi-Fi, speech bubbles, and messaging icons, and integrated a shuriken shape into each one. The most challenging part was blending the shuriken with the Wi-Fi symbol without losing readability, but after exploring different arrangements, I found a version that worked while still keeping the icon clean and recognizable.
Viking Fitness
For the Viking Fitness icons, I treated the Viking helmet as the core visual element and combined it with common fitness objects. I experimented with kettlebells, barbells, and gymnastics rings, and played with positioning the horns as arms or lifted handles to imply strength and movement.
Shark Finances
In the Shark Finance set, I merged shark silhouettes with banking and currency visuals. These included concepts like ATM withdrawals, paper money, and a shark acting as a bank teller. This was one of the more playful sets, and it helped me explore how far symbolism can stretch while still remaining understandable.
Magic Film/Cinema
This set was the most fun to create. I used a magic wand as the primary shape and combined it with film-related symbols such as tickets and cameras. I added sparkles and motion curves to create a sense of movement and whimsy inspired by film moments like Cinderella’s transformation or spellcasting imagery.
Results and Reflection
I’m proud of how the icons turned out, especially since the exercise pushed me to simplify shapes while balancing clarity and creativity. After submitting the project, I received feedback encouraging me to simplify some icons further, especially in areas where movement effects might not scale well at smaller sizes.
Moving forward, I’ll continue refining my approach to icon design with the mindset that the simpler the form, the faster and easier it is to recognize; especially when scaled or viewed from a distance.