Rockstar Icon Designer - Kate McInnes [40]
Set the Canvas Size
With this technique I like to start with the large scale icon as the details are added with smart filters so it's easy to tweak or even turn off the effects for the smaller icons. I'm creating a 512px icon with a moderate drop shadow underneath so I'll position the main objects 1px from the top of the artboard and leave at least 6px at the bottom for the shadow.
Block Out the Main Shapes
One of the most important things when designing icons that require a moderate level of rendering is to block out the shapes before you even think about adding the special finishes and small details. Blocking out the details will help you distinguish what looks right your designs, and change the things that may not look right.
Block out the main shapes of the design.
Apply some Base Layer Styles
Once the shape is drawn out you can begin to apply some basic gradient and line effects. These will make up the base tone of the icon. Set the effects with the Layer Styles and save them for later use in the Styles panel. If you save Layer Styles as you work on various projects, you will quickly build a valuable collection that can be used in the future.
Apply some basic gradient and line effects.
Apply some Secondary Layer Styles
Make copies of the shape layers above the first shape and apply the secondary layer effects. For this icon I've applied semi-transparent gradients through the middle of the main shapes to create a lighting effect. When you're creating transparent layer effects with Shape Layers, remember to set the Fill (located under the Opacity settings) to 0%, as this will show the effect and hide the shape.
Make duplicate layers to apply the secondary layer effects.
Tidy the Layers
Some icons can become fairly complex. Once you've made the basic icon, take the time to group any layers together to keep the Layers Panel tidy and easy to navigate. This step is especially important if you're creating an icon for sale or as part of a creative team.
Group the layers together to keep the Layers Panel tidy.
Layer Masks and Smart Objects
Another handy technique is using Vector Masks on Layer Groups. I've made a Vector Mask for the "Screen" Layer Group by dragging the Vector Mask from the Screen Shape onto the Layer Group. Once the mask was applied to the Layer Group, I then Converted it to a Smart Object and double clicked onto the Object to add some colored circles to create the wallpaper of the screen. I then selected the three circles and created another Smart Object. You need to save the Smart Object documents to see any changes to the main illustration. Save the screen and go back to the Layer Group.
Apply a vector mask to the layer group of the screen.
Create a smart object from the colored circles.
Smart Objects are layers that link to separate image assets that can be edited the same as a regular Photoshop document. The benefit to this technique is that any effect from the Filters menu can be added to the Smart Object and be toggled on or off and edited. Traditionally Filters couldn't be undone and they would permanently alter the image, so this is a fantastic way to work and it brings Photoshop much closer to Illustrator with regard to ease of editability.
Adding Filters
The great thing about Smart Objects is that they can be made inside of other Smart Objects and have Masks, Layer Styles and Adjustment Layers applied to them. I'm creating a blended wallpaper effect by applying a Gaussian blur to the Smart Object of the wallpaper design. The Layer Mask keeps the image inside of the screen area so I can apply a fairly exaggerated blur.
Apply a Gaussian blur to the Smart Object of the wallpaper design.
Applying Effects to Multiple Layers
I want to add some blurry bokeh style circles to the wallpaper so I clicked back into the monitor Smart Layer and added the circles in layers that will blend and make some nice overlaid effects. Once