How to create flat design icons in 15 minutes in Illustrator from Udemy

If you want to learn about illustrator or flat design in a rather fun, EASY. , and a straight to the point way. Then you should take this course. Dawid is an amazing lecturer who takes you step by step through each design and he shows you the perfect way to design icons you can be proud of. I cannot recommend this course enough. James Ward

Aren’t you tired of spending days watching courses and tutorials on Illustrator, that get you nowhere?

That’s because they mainly talk about the tools, not showing practical examples and how to get things done.

And I am like you: I like to learn only the important skills.

So if you want to:

learn practical Illustrator techniques
design flat icons immediately
and finally start using Illustrator independently

…then you are in for a treat.

Because this course will easily build your confidence in Illustrator and flat design.

Each lecture is a 15 minute gem pack with lots of practical Illustrator and flat design techniques, that will make you a flat design superhero.

And it’s real.

It’s happening to other students in the course:

Wonderful.

Only finished the first icon so far and I already feel a huge amount more confident in Illustrator and the overall flat design. The quality of the videos are great, clear voice and easy to follow.

Matthew Inglis

Take a look at just a small fraction of flat design magic, that’s waiting for you inside:

Powerful and simplistic techniques like long shadow effect, pathfinder, pen tool and so much more
Flat design fundamentals to feed you with all the crucial information you need
Clear, concise and practical videos, that get you straight to the point

Picture yourself opening up Adobe Illustrator and looking at your wonderful flat design creation, that you did independently in just 15 minutes.

It doesn’t matter if you are a complete beginner.

It doesn’t matter if you don’t feel confident to design independently.

It doesn’t even matter if you think, that your skillset is not enough.

Because, as one of my students, Sharon Yeo, put it:

As a complete beginner to Illustrator, this was a great course to help me quickly get started learning useful techniques in Illustrator and designing flat icons immediately. Builds confidence in being able to design flat icons independently.

There is no risk in just trying this course out. It’s completely refundable.

You are totally covered by an unconditional 30-day 100% money back guarantee.

So it’s up to you now.

Enroll in the course and become a flat design superstar.

Thanks, Dawid

PS. This is what one of my students, Ioannis Tsiakos, had to say about this course:

Easiest way to learn flat icon design

I learnt more in one hour watching this course, than i would have if i had spent days reading online tutorials. Super easy to follow and great examples/ cases that illustrate how illustrator works and how designers think when approaching a flat icon design :) Recommended.

What's inside

Learning objectives

I will learn how to design flat looking user interface icons
I will learn how to start using illustrator independenly

I will gain real-life design knowledge
I will learn practical illustrator tricks and hacks used by professionals

I will learn how to design flat looking user interface icons
I will learn how to start using illustrator independenly
I will gain real-life design knowledge
I will learn practical illustrator tricks and hacks used by professionals

Syllabus

Learn the basics of flat design: its principles and most prominent examples

Learn flat design. Start from learning the principles and the most prominent examples in the tech world.

What are Your takeaways?

Learn flat design. Let's start creating the base shape.

Learn flat design. Let's finish the icon with the fluid shape, bubbles and the background. Let's also add the colors.

Learn flat design. Let's start creating the icon with the base shape and the foam.

Learn flat design. Why don't we finish creating the icon.

Let's create the base of the icon

Learn flat design. Let's finish creating the icon

Learn how to create wine glasses flat design icon. Learn the power of the arc tool.

Learn how to create wine glasses icon: add colors and finish the icon.

Learn flat design. In this video we'll start creating the sun flat design icon. We'll create the basic shape: ellipse with the "rays".

Learn flat design. We'll finish the shape off with the colors and the background.

Learn flat design. In this video we'll start creating the dumbbell flat design icon. We'll create the basic shape.

Learn flat design. In this video we'll continue creating the dumbbell flat design icon. We'll learn how to create the long shadow effect.

Learn flat design. In this video we'll sum up what we've learnt so far and get ready for the next lectures.

In this lecture you will start creating the design

First, you will create the background.

Next, you will design the main head piece.

Now you will add the padding

Now you will attach the man piece with the earpiece

Next you wil create the earpiece.

Let's add the cable and finish the project

In this project we will receate the ChatGPT logo, It's definitely a flat design logo and a one we can recreate in around 15 minutes. I've added the exact same file I was working on in these videos, for your reference.

In this video we will continue with the creation of the logo - we will add the main swirls

In this video we will finish the logo

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides hands-on experience with practical Illustrator techniques, which are essential for creating visually appealing and modern user interfaces

Breaks down the design process into manageable 15-minute segments, which helps beginners build confidence and avoid feeling overwhelmed

Focuses specifically on flat design principles and techniques, which allows learners to quickly specialize in this popular design style

Emphasizes efficiency by teaching only the most important skills, which is ideal for learners who want to quickly achieve practical results

Requires access to Adobe Illustrator, which may pose a barrier to entry for learners who do not already have a subscription

Includes sections on designing icons inspired by iOS, Android Lollipop, and Windows Phone, which is useful for mobile app development

Reviews summary

Quick flat icon design basics

According to learners, this course offers a highly practical and hands-on approach to creating flat design icons in Illustrator. Students appreciate that it focuses on immediate application and builds confidence, making it great for complete beginners. The lessons are presented in short, manageable segments, making it easy to follow along and complete specific icon projects. While it provides a solid introduction to key techniques for flat design, prospective students should note that its primary focus is on quickly creating specific examples, which may not delve deeply into broader Illustrator theory or advanced design principles.

Short lessons for quick learning.

"The lessons are short and to the point, easy to digest quickly."

"I liked that each icon was covered in about 15 minutes, making it efficient."

"The pace was great for keeping me engaged without getting overwhelmed."

"Ideal for learning small techniques in quick bursts."

Covers essential flat design tools.

"I learned practical tricks like the long shadow effect and using the Pen tool effectively."

"Specific tools like Pathfinder were explained well through examples."

"It demonstrated how to use key Illustrator features for icon work."

"The course introduced me to useful shortcuts and workflows."

Helps build confidence for new users.

"As a complete beginner, I found this course incredibly helpful to get started."

"It really built my confidence in using Illustrator for design work."

"I no longer feel intimidated by Illustrator thanks to this course."

"This is a perfect starting point if you're new to icon design."

Learn practical skills by creating icons.

"I really enjoyed creating the specific icons step-by-step; it made learning practical."

"The course immediately gets you designing, which is exactly what I needed."

"I learned how to apply Illustrator tools directly to make actual icons."

"It's very hands-on and project-focused, which helped me understand the workflow."

May not cover advanced techniques.

"The course is great for basics but doesn't go into advanced Illustrator features."

"I wish there was more detail on the underlying design principles."

"It's more about following steps for specific icons than understanding broader tools."

"Might need supplementary resources for more complex designs."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How to create flat design icons in 15 minutes in Illustrator with these activities:

Review Pathfinder Tool Techniques

Show steps

Practice using the Pathfinder tool in Illustrator to combine and manipulate shapes, which is essential for creating complex flat design icons.

Show steps

Open Illustrator and create a new document.
Create basic shapes (rectangles, circles, etc.).
Experiment with different Pathfinder options (Unite, Minus Front, Intersect, Exclude).
Create more complex shapes by combining multiple Pathfinder operations.

Study 'Flat Design Principles'

Show steps

Deepen your understanding of flat design principles to create more effective and visually appealing icons.

View The Game Maker's Companion (Technology in... on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of a book or online resource that covers flat design principles.
Read about the key characteristics of flat design, such as simplicity, minimalism, and the use of bold colors.
Analyze examples of well-designed flat icons and identify how they apply these principles.

Read 'Adobe Illustrator Classroom in a Book'

Show steps

Supplement your learning with a comprehensive guide to Illustrator, reinforcing the tools and techniques used in flat design icon creation.

View Adobe Illustrator Classroom in a Book 2025... on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of 'Adobe Illustrator Classroom in a Book'.
Read the chapters relevant to shape creation, path manipulation, and color application.
Follow along with the tutorials and examples provided in the book.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Recreate Existing Flat Icons

Show steps

Sharpen your skills by replicating existing flat design icons, focusing on accuracy and attention to detail.

Show steps

Find examples of flat design icons online (e.g., Dribbble, Behance).
Choose icons of varying complexity to recreate in Illustrator.
Analyze the shapes, colors, and shadows used in the original icons.
Recreate the icons in Illustrator, paying close attention to detail.

Design a Set of Flat Icons for a Specific Theme

Show steps

Apply your knowledge by designing a cohesive set of flat icons around a specific theme, such as travel, food, or technology.

Show steps

Choose a theme for your icon set (e.g., travel, food, technology).
Brainstorm a list of icons that fit within the chosen theme.
Sketch out your icon ideas on paper or digitally.
Create the icons in Illustrator, using the techniques learned in the course.
Ensure consistency in style, color palette, and line weight across the entire set.

Follow Advanced Illustrator Tutorials

Show steps

Explore advanced Illustrator techniques through online tutorials to enhance your flat design skills.

Show steps

Search for advanced Illustrator tutorials on websites like YouTube or Skillshare.
Focus on tutorials that cover topics such as complex shape creation, gradients, and advanced shading techniques.
Follow along with the tutorials, practicing the techniques as you go.
Adapt the techniques learned in the tutorials to your own flat design projects.

Create a Flat Design Icon Library

Show steps

Build a personal library of flat design icons to showcase your skills and provide a valuable resource for future projects.

Show steps

Plan the scope of your icon library (e.g., number of icons, themes, styles).
Design and create the icons in Illustrator, ensuring consistency and quality.
Organize your icons into a well-structured library, using clear naming conventions.
Consider creating variations of each icon (e.g., different sizes, colors, states).

Career center

Learners who complete How to create flat design icons in 15 minutes in Illustrator will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Icon Designer

An Icon Designer crafts visually appealing and functional icons for various digital interfaces. This course directly helps those seeking to become an Icon Designer by focusing on practical Illustrator techniques for creating flat design icons quickly. The course's step-by-step approach, teaching techniques like the long shadow effect and the use of the pen tool, builds a foundation for designing icons effectively. Because the course is project-based, those aspiring to be icon designers will find it especially helpful, and this project-based learning is a direct route to building a professional portfolio.

See salaries and explore the career path for Icon Designer

Mobile App Designer

A Mobile App Designer focuses on the visual and interactive design of mobile applications. This course directly helps a Mobile App Designer by providing practical skills in creating flat design icons, which are common in mobile interfaces. The course emphasizes using Illustrator independently to quickly generate icons, a skill that’s very helpful to a designer. The course's project-based approach, where students create icons for various use cases, will be particularly helpful for mobile app designers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mobile App Designer

User Interface Designer

A User Interface Designer focuses on the visual elements of a user interface. This course helps a UI Designer build skills in creating aesthetically pleasing flat design icons, which are essential for modern interfaces. The course's emphasis on practical skills and quick design techniques in Illustrator allows user interface designers to efficiently produce high quality icons. This course can be particularly valuable for understanding how to independently use Illustrator to design icons and create designs that are suitable for user interfaces.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Interface Designer

Product Designer

A Product Designer is involved in the design of a product and considers user experience and visual elements. This course helps a product designer create flat design icons, which are often used in digital products. The course offers practical skills in Illustrator and emphasizes independent icon design, which is very helpful for product design workflows. Because this course uses real-world projects to teach icon design, a product designer will find it highly valuable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

Freelance Designer

A Freelance Designer works on various design projects for multiple clients. This course will be helpful to a freelance designer, providing practical Illustrator skills to create flat design icons, which are frequently needed for various projects. The course emphasizes quick, efficient design techniques and independent work in Illustrator, which can be useful for managing diverse client needs. The focus on how to design quickly and independently may appeal to those who want to build their own freelance business.

See salaries and explore the career path for Freelance Designer

Visual Designer

A Visual Designer focuses on the overall visual and aesthetic aspects of a product or brand. This course may be useful for a visual designer as it introduces practical skills in creating flat design icons using Illustrator, a skill that improves the designer's ability to produce high quality visual assets. This course may be especially useful for visual designers because its focus on creating icons quickly and learning practical Illustrator techniques. This course's project based approach may help build confidence in independent design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Visual Designer

Graphic Designer

A Graphic Designer creates visual concepts for various media. This course may be useful to a Graphic Designer as it provides practical Illustrator skills and builds confidence in flat design techniques, which are important in many aspects of graphic design. This course can help graphic designers by teaching them how to quickly produce clean, flat design icons, as the course focuses on techniques like the pathfinder and pen tool. The course, focusing on learning practical techniques and immediate design, makes it useful for graphic designers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic Designer

Digital Illustrator

A Digital Illustrator creates illustrations using digital drawing software. This course may be helpful to a digital illustrator because its emphasis on quick, practical techniques in Illustrator makes the creation of flat design icons more efficient. The course's focus on skills, like the long shadow effect and the pen tool, can be useful for digital illustrators who are looking to expand their skills. This course may be especially useful for illustrators who want to learn how to use Illustrator more independently.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Illustrator

Web Designer

A Web Designer creates the layout and visual design of websites. This course may be useful for a web designer because the ability to create flat design icons is valuable for building modern user-friendly website interfaces. The course will help teach web designers how to quickly and independently create icons in Illustrator, a skill that can help designers save time. With the focus on practical skills and flat design fundamentals, this course may appeal to those who seek to increase their speed and independence in icon creation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer

Branding Designer

A Branding Designer develops the visual identity of brands. This course may be useful to a branding designer by providing skills in creating flat design icons in Illustrator, which may be part of a brand's visual assets. The course focuses on practical and efficient techniques in Illustrator, allowing for a more streamlined design process. The approach of having students learn through practical examples may help branding designers expand their design toolbox, as the course teaches the designer how to independently create icons.

See salaries and explore the career path for Branding Designer

Motion Graphics Artist

A Motion Graphics Artist creates animated visuals for various media. This course may be helpful to a motion graphics artist as it teaches flat design icon creation in Illustrator, which is useful for generating assets for motion graphics. The course's practical techniques and focus on independent work in Illustrator may help motion graphics artists expand their skillset. Because the course demonstrates how to design in a clear and concise way, it may be very valuable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Motion Graphics Artist

Game Artist

A Game Artist creates visual assets for video games. This course may be helpful to a game artist because it gives them experience in flat design icon creation in Illustrator, which may be useful for user interfaces and other visual elements in games. The course’s practical approach and focus on independent work in Illustrator is useful for efficient asset creation. The course's methods, which demonstrate how to design icons in a clear and concise way, can be valuable to game artists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Artist

Marketing Designer

A Marketing Designer creates visual content for marketing campaigns. This course may be helpful to a marketing designer by teaching practical Illustrator skills for creating flat design icons, which are useful for marketing materials. The course focuses on techniques like the long shadow effect and the pen tool, which can improve a marketing designer's capabilities for effective visual communication. The fact that the course teaches independent icon creation may be useful for marketing designers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Designer

Animator

An Animator creates moving images for various media. This course may be helpful to an animator as it teaches flat design icon creation in Illustrator, which can be used as assets for animations. The course’s emphasis on the practical use of Illustrator and its focus on independent work may be valuable to animators who need to develop their own creative assets. The course's approach to teaching the practical techniques may appeal to those who want to work independently.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animator

Instructional Designer

An Instructional Designer creates educational materials. This course may be helpful to an instructional designer because it introduces techniques in Illustrator for creating flat design icons, which can be integrated into educational content. The course's emphasis on practical skills and quick design techniques can save time in instructional design workflows. This course, which teaches independent icon creation, will be valuable for those who want to create their own content.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in How to create flat design icons in 15 minutes in Illustrator.

Adobe Illustrator Classroom in a Book 2025 Release

Save

Provides a comprehensive guide to Adobe Illustrator, covering a wide range of tools and techniques. It is particularly useful for beginners and intermediate users who want to deepen their understanding of the software. The book includes step-by-step tutorials and real-world examples, making it an excellent resource for learning how to create flat design icons. It can be used as a reference text throughout the course.

Adobe Illustrator Classroom in a Book 2025 Release

Kindle Edition

The Game Maker's Companion

Save

Explores the principles of flat design, including typography, color palettes, and layout. It provides valuable insights into creating visually appealing and user-friendly flat designs. While not specifically focused on icon design, the book's principles can be applied to create effective and aesthetically pleasing flat icons. This book is more valuable as additional reading than as a current reference.

The Game Maker's Companion (Technology in Action)

Kindle Edition

How to create flat design icons in 15 minutes in Illustrator

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Quick flat icon design basics

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses