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25 Elegant Icon Design Tutorials By Photoshop

Posted: 02 Feb 2012 06:10 AM PST

Icons is a part of website design normally but some time we need in our print media designs as well whenever we working on brochure designs or any publishing material as newspaper or designing while creative books, so many resources offering free download icons and some premium resources also exist with high-quality icons including free source files where we can modification as per our requirement.

Luckily today we arrange special tutorial roundup for icon designs from around the web, there're a lot of icon design tutorials that go concluded the method of designing a beautiful icon, same way we choose and sharing to you below eye-catching icons design tutorials with easy steps and tricky ways of learning.

How To Draw a Vintage Polaroid Camera Icon

In this tutorial, we will create a Polaroid camera icon. We will use lots of layer styles and draw manually with the brush tool to achieve a realistic appearance. Let's get started!

Create a Mobile App Icon in Photoshop

This tutorial is part of a three-part series explaining how to design UI elements for mobile applications in Photoshop. In this part, we will explain how to design an icon for your mobile device's home screen. Let's get started!

Create a Shiny Lock Icon Design

A popular icon that you can find on the internet is the lock icon. It is widely used to identify secure Web pages. It often indicates password fields for secure files. Wherever you wish to place a lock icon, this tutorial will show you how to create an attractive one for you to use!

Creating a Set of Digital Painting Icons Part 4 – Digital Tablet Icon

For this forth installment of the "Creating a Set of Digital Painting Icons" series we will create a pen tablet from scratch, specifically the Wacom 12″ Cintiq tablet. This model combines touch and pressure sensitivity, which allows users to draw directly on the screen. These capabilities make it a favorite for illustrators. Let's get to work.

Create a Futuristic Bicycle Icon in Photoshop

It's fun and challenging to create items from scratch in Photoshop. In this tutorial we will create a futuristic bicycle icon from scratch using some basic Photoshop tools. Let's get started!

Create a Star Trek Style Communicator in Photoshop

In this tutorial, we will draw a retro Star Trek style communicator, a voice communication device used in the original Star Trek series. We will combine layer styles and lots of manual drawing. So, prepare your Wacom to boldly go where no Photoshop tutorial has gone before.

Creating a Cool Yellow Helmet Icon

Construction icons have always been popular on-screen, and although those dot-com "under-construction" pages have mostly vanished from our screens, the trusty ol' yellow helmet icon still has its uses. In this tutorial, we'll be creating our very own icon from a photograph.

Create a Sweet Donut Icon in Photoshop from Scratch

In this icon design tutorial we will learn how to make a sweet and tasty donut icon from an initial sketch. So let's begin, and remember: don't try to bite the screen!

Create an Open Book Icon In Photoshop

In this tutorial we will demonstrate how to create an open book icon in Photoshop. Let's get started!

Draw a Roll of Camera Film in Photoshop

Icon design can be a lot of fun. In this tutorial we will demonstrate how to create a roll of camera film using Photoshop. Let's get started!

Create a Download Folder Icon in Photoshop

Icons are an important part of most interactive and web design. While icons are small, they can often be challenging to create. In today's tutorial we will demonstrate how to create a download folder icon using different shapes and reflections in Photoshop. Let's get started!

Draw magnifying glass

Learn how to create magnifying glass, which you can use it as button or as icon

Create a Golden Heart-Shaped Box

In today's tutorial, we will demonstrate how to create an elegant, heart-shaped box in Photoshop. Let's get started!

Create a Battery Core Icon in Photoshop

In this tutorial you will be creating a semi-realistic, sci-fi icon that could be used as a battery or dock icon. Let's get started!

Create a Cute Twitter Bird Icon in Photoshop

Today, we will demonstrate how to create a cute Twitter bird icon in Photoshop. Let's get started!

Making a Photoshop Shield!

In this tutorial, we're going to use the Path Tools in Photoshop to draw a shield-like shape. Then using some gradients, we're going to give it a metallic edge and shiny center. I actually made this tutorial when making the default icons for some posts here on PSDtuts, so if you go to the main listing on the site you'll see them in action.

How to Draw a Shopping Bag Icon in Photoshop

In this tutorial you will learn how to drawn a red shopping bag icon. This tutorial will cover the basic techniques of drawing such as creating the shape, shading, and adding shadows.

Draw a Trophy Icon in Photoshop

Today, we will demonstrate how to draw a trophy icon in Photoshop. Let's get started!

Create a Camera Lens Icon in Photoshop – Screencast

Icon design is a fun but detailed process. In this tutorial, we will demonstrate how to create a camera lens icon using Photoshop. Let's get started!

Create an Electrical Outlet Icon in Photoshop

In today's tutorial, we will be making use of vector masks and layer styles in Photoshop to create a high quality electrical outlet icon. Let's get started!

Create a Realistic iMac Icon in Photoshop

There is a lot that you can do in Photoshop with just a few select tools. Today, we will demonstrate how to create a realistic iMac icon in Photoshop that includes a 27-inch screen, a keyboard, and a mouse. Let's get started!

Create an Iconic Retro-Modern Ball Chair in Photoshop

The ball chair, popularized by Finnish interior designer Eero Aarnio was the cornerstone of any mid-century or 1960's living area. Today, we will learn how to create this iconic piece of furniture from scratch in Photoshop. Let's get started!

How To Create a Detailed Briefcase Icon in Photoshop

Follow this step by step guide to create a detailed briefcase icon in Photoshop. We'll build the rough outline with basic shapes, then add depth and definition with various Photoshop layer styles such as Inner Glow and Stroke. To really bring the icon to life we'll use real photographic textures to give a tactile leather feel to the icon.

Create an Apple Safari Icon in Photoshop

Learn how to create a detailed Apple Safari icon in Photoshop. This tutorial will show you how to create shapes and use different layer styles to create effects.

Create A Wooden House Icon in Photoshop

In today's tutorial we will demonstrate how to create a wooden house icon in Photoshop by applying textures to basic shapes.

How to Deal With Your ‘Right-brained’ (Creative) Human Resource

Posted: 02 Feb 2012 01:36 AM PST

It is often perceived that being a manager makes your life a lot easier. All you need to do is order people and get the task done. This is not the case in reality. We all know that everybody has his own personality so managing people with different attitudes is not at all an easy thing. Since one person is different from another, understanding them is really important to be able to manage the team properly. As a manager, if you know how to manage your team mates, you definitely will be able to make the work environment much more productive such as a graphic designer shows his productivity in printing services as well.

Employees can be of two kinds. You might have a few people who are analytical and some people who are more into the creative stuff. Obviously, you need to handle both the kinds with different set of rules. Creative people are a little more difficult to handle because their working style is associated more with emotions, visuals and they need an inspiration every now and then to work more effectively.

However, analytical people are not the ones lost in their own thoughts. They are more formal kind of employees and somewhat less difficult. Now, that you are aware of the kinds, if you look around, you can surely differentiate between the both kinds i.e., analytical and creative. You will mostly find the creative people in the designing department or writing department. Since creative people are difficult to handle, we will be giving away a few tips to manage creative people so that they feel at ease at work.

Discuss but do not Dictate

To begin with, working with a close coordination is way too important. Obviously, if you want them to work on a certain project, all you need to do is brief them about it. You should not get into too many details about the project or inform them of your expectations because if you are doing this, you are building walls against their creative thoughts. All you need to do is brief them and let them handle the project their way. Discussing your point of view is fine however, dictating them and giving them a set of rules and regulations is not good.

You can put creative people into boundaries. Be a helping hand in the development but do not create hurdles by giving too many instructions. The best way to handle creative employees is to give them the liberty and freedom to work in their own style. You can obviously coach them but as said earlier, do not dictate them. Give them a freehand when it comes to choices and avoid detailed planning.

Make Way for Organic Process

When it comes to creative people, a lot of their work depends on thinking and we all know that creative work is an organic process so let them do it their own way! Brainstorming can help in numerous ways so make sure you manage to have a lot of brainstorming sessions. Make sure you do not reject any idea and just make a list of all the ideas that are coming your way in brainstorming sessions. You can surely sort out the best ideas later on which are workable.

As a manager, you should also encourage your workers to have brainstorming sessions with each other. This will not only develop a healthy relationship among your employees, they will also sense the fact that you trust them and you are not always there to watch them. You can later on have a group meeting and the entire group can present you the best of their ideas.

Workspace Should Be Inspiring Enough

How dull and boring those cubicles in offices appear? Well, we all know that they look very boring and creative people can have a hard time working in a boring place. You need to foster your workspace with creativity. Make your office colorful and decorate it with the things which can help your creative team in their creativity.

You can always display your creative team's best work which will always remind them of their best ideas. Your office does not have to be quiet. If it is dull, boring and quiet, you have created a killing environment for new ideas. Play some music and create a relaxing environment for employees. You can have a separate casual room for employees to have a casual communication. Do not be a rigid employer and if you can, make sure you allow flexible timings for your creative team.

Feedback is Important

Employees really want to know what you think of their idea so make sure you provide them with constructive feedback and criticism. Creative people are emotional people so they are attached to their ideas. As a manager, you should be very careful with the selection of your words for feedback. Never ever criticize your employee and try to focus on their work only. Anything that is creative will have to face a lot of opinions.

Creative people really appreciate feedback, even on smallest things like a business card design. Even so, some people appreciate a positive feedback and have little tolerance for negative criticism. Being a manager, make sure you analyze it thoroughly. If it exactly what your client needs and you do not like it, then it is just a matter of personal choice. If you think there is a room for improvement, do inform your employee about your opinion. Focus more on improving the project instead of criticizing it simple because you dislike it.

Setting Parameters is Important

It is important to give your creative team a freehand however, developing style parameters is also essential. You need to define deadlines and technical specifications so that they can work and complete the project within given deadlines and specifications. Setting guidelines is important when it comes to a certain kind of designing. So make sure you clear in the beginning what is and is not acceptable.

Failure is a Part of Life

No matter whatever the situation is, do not let failure affect you or your team. This can and things do go wrong. However, if your team has not managed to come up with a great project, you should not just stop giving them work. It is important for you to trust your team instead of taking the work away from them. Have faith in them and do not fear failure.

Teach them to Communicate Properly

Some ideas can be great but if they are not communicated properly, they are of no use. People who developed the idea might be able to visualize it perfectly but not everyone can do it. They have to be really good at communication to be able to deliver ideas perfectly. Arrange sketch pads and pens so that thinkers can also show their ideas to your client. Train your designers to be able to give logic for designing a certain thing in a certain way. Justifying the design is important so coach them to do it properly.

Having a Difference of Opinion Can Be Healthy

If your team is having difference of opinion, take it as a healthy sign instead of taking it negatively. Even you might have a difference of opinion with them but handle it in a calm and composed way. Make sure that the doors for communication is always open and every thing should be taken in a positive way.

Learning is Important

In creative world, technology is changing rapidly so you must make sure that you encourage your creative team to stay updated with the new developments and learn the new technology as well. As a manager, it is your duty to provide them with the material which can help them in learning.

Zoning out can be Productive

For creative people, sometime zoning out is the best way to think of new ideas so make room for it as well. Offer your employees some free time for relaxation. This will definitely increase their productivity level.

Conclusion

Managing creative people is never easy but it is not something impossible. If you do it properly, you can definitely have a great time working as well.