#icondesigners

[creativecraig]

Icon Designer - Carlos Grangel

Having previously studied film at a level I was always inspired with the work of Tim Burton. Having research Tim I came across Carlos Grangel the creator and designer of many of the characters within his animated films such as Corpse Bride and Hotel Transylvania.

One of the things I really admire from Grangel's work is the use of exaggeration. How he can make a character be unhealthily elongated to being overweight. There is no inbetween which creates a unique and dynamic style.

Another feature that I really like about Grangel's work is realism he is able to create on his character's either that be by features or expression. This use of visual storytelling is a great example of how characters or icons can be portrayed and I intend to achieve the same aspect of expression within my own icon set.

[creativecraig]

Icon Designer - Creative Stall

Not so much as designer but a collective studio of designers, Creative Stall have created many different icon sets over the years. Above are just a selection of their more recent icon sets in which they have released.

One of things in which I really have taken inspiration from creative Stall is their use of detail created by simplicity. Creative Stall have focused on getting the essential details perfect without over cluttering them with minor details, this creates a more simplistic icon in which is clear, easy for the user to digest but still look very attractive and pleasing to the eye.

Another thing that really caught my eye from the work of Creative Stall was the use of shading both on smaller and bigger icons. The use of a shadows on their icons creates a new dynamic and a sense of depth to their icons in which the shows a more realistic view of lighting.

Overall I think Creative Stall's design concepts for their icon sets are very consistent with a great range on ideas. The use of shadows is one thing I will intend to use when creating my own Icon set.

[creativecraig]

Icon Designer - Laura Reen

Having looked at icons in general and discovered that there are many different styles that depends on approach and designer preferences, I decided to look more into the designers themselves.

Laura Reen was one of the first designer that came to mind when thinking of icons. I had previously seen her work on Dribbble and was really interested in her attentions to detail when it came to her icons. Laura tends to use a primary colour palette in which shes uses monochromatic shades of her colour palette to create details and shading.

The icon sets in which Laura creates tend to differ between 2D and 3D but still contain the same elements throughout such as thickness of lines, shading, palette choice, etc. I feel this is a great example of showing consistency when having to adapt to different situations.

Overall I feel Laura Reen's icon sets are a great example of consistency at a high level. The attention to detail is incredible with being over crowded.