MrTee2000 icon design takes time from generating ideas, to design and then uploading and tagging, it perplexes me how anyone can upload thousands of icons regularly
Hi, It is true that icon design is a tough process considering all of the above steps. But, you'll get used to it from experience, it'll become easier for you. Read the quarterly design reports put together by Monica. It has tonnes of useful info. My personal experience, Just list out the major categories to start working on. See what are the elements to be included based on other icon sets that are already there. Get some inspiration but never copy at any stage. Try to add those topics but also those that aren't already available. A lot of factors like trends, supply-demand (refer to reports) come into play here.
Once you got the list ready, work on the icons in a basic style like an outline, and then it'll become easier to work on other styles: glyph, flat, filled outline, etc. This way you can increase the number of icons.
But after a lot of learning I've come to know these four factors are important:
- Relevance (create icons for what the customers are looking for)
- Quantity along with good quality
- Uniqueness
- Consistency (building out large families with consistent styling and variety)
I'm not a full-time icon designer. I work on repeating patterns, web design, stock photos, some personal work, etc. But with icon design, once you get used to the process, everything will become easier over a period of time. Of all the platforms out there, Iconfinder is the best and most convenient marketplace. They make the process easier, with more time left for you to focus on creative work.
You don't need a huge number of icons, just have quality work that covers a range of categories and cater to what the customers are looking for. I need to learn a lot myself and implement whatever I've said here.
All the best for your icon business!
