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Dawid Tuminski

If you ever wanted to learn graphic design and have something to show for it, then you are in for a treat.

Welcome to How To Create App icons in Affinity Designer.

The course that  will help you get real graphic design and Affinity Designer skills.

Because it's all about practicality.

Inside you will find more than 15 mobile application icon designs that will help you understand

Read more

If you ever wanted to learn graphic design and have something to show for it, then you are in for a treat.

Welcome to How To Create App icons in Affinity Designer.

The course that  will help you get real graphic design and Affinity Designer skills.

Because it's all about practicality.

Inside you will find more than 15 mobile application icon designs that will help you understand

  • the Pen tool

  • the custom shapes tools

  • fills, strokes and gradients

  • transformations, including rotating, flipping and stacking

  • shape creation techniques, like dividing, adding and subtracting

and lots more.

So if you ever felt disappointed after learning design software, because you couldn't see any practical benefits from what you learnt, you will love this  course.

Its main goal is you gaining serious design and Affinity Designer skills that will stay with you for the rest of your design career.

The course is more than 20 (. ) projects teaching you how to create:

  • a Camera app icon

  • a Podcast app icon

  • a Chrome browser icon

  • a modern smartphone mock up

to name just a few.

We will get our hands dirty and design modern flat design icons from A to Z.

And in the process you will learn simple as well as more advanced Affinity Designer techniques.

It's recommended that you have some basic understanding of Affinity Designer.

We won't be talking about every fundamental aspect of it - we will dive straight into the creation process so you can learn as much as possible in as reasonable amount of time as possible.

The course will help you gain confidence in creating flat design artwork and using Affinity Designer independently.

You will get skills that will help you build a portfolio of custom, nicely looking graphic design elements that yo can use in your own projects.

So if you really want to learn Affinity Designer and you don't want to spend months watching tutorials that get you nowhere, give this course a shot.

Hope to see you inside.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to create flat design app icons in affinity designer
  • How to use basic and more advanced tools in affinity designer

Syllabus

Introduction

If you ever wanted to learn graphic design and have something to sho for it, then you are iin for a treat.

Welcome to How To Create App icons in Affinity Designer.

This course will help you get real graphic design and Affinity Designer skills, because it's all about practicality.

Inside you will find more than 15 mobile application icon designs tht will help you understand

  • the Pen tool

  • the custom shapes tools

  • gradients

  • transformations

and lots more!

We will get our hands dirty and design modern flat design icons from A to Z.

And in the process you will learn simple as well as more advanced Affinity Designer techniques.

At the end of it, you will hopefully gain confidence in creating flat design artwork and using Affinity Designer independently.

Read more
First you wil create the smartphone that will host all the icons

We will start of with creating a new document.

I've attached all the neccessary files to this lecture.

Just download the zipped file, unzip it and you are ready to go!

Next you will create the main shape and add the wallpaper

In this video you will add the navigation icons

Now you will add the the applications wireframe

In this lecture you will add the hour and notification icons

Next, create the signal, wi-fi and battery icons

How to create a telephone application icon

Fist you will create a telephone app icon

In this sction you will create a messages application icon

First, yuo will create the document and color palette

Now, you will create the messages app icon

How to create a contacts application icon

First, trace the image to crate the main shape

Create the clipping mask and finish the icon

How to cteate the chromo browser application logo

Create the main shape for the icon

Divide the logo and add the shading

How to create a camera application icon

How To Create a Camera App Icon

How to create a Gmail inspired email app icon

Create the main envelope shape

Add the paper and Gmail logo

How to create a Google Play logo inspired application icon

Create the rounded triangle first

Divide the shape and add colors

How to create a gallery app icon

9How to create a gallery app icon

How to create a Google Maps logo inspired application icon

Create the maps' background

Create the marker using the Tear tool

How to create a thmes application icon

How to create the themes app icon

How to create a television application icon

Create the main body and the screen

Now add the dials and buttons

How to create a travel app icon

Create te main continents shape

Add the magnifying glass and the background

How to create a food application icon

First create the bun and the lettuce

Add the cheese and the background

How to create the podcast app Icon

First create the top capsule

Create the stand and add the background

How to create the alarm clock application icon

Create the main shape of the clock

Add the dial and the legs

How to add shading to complex shapes

Add the colors and the background

How to create the hour and weather widget

Finally, add the hour and weater widget

Let's sum up what we've learnt in the course

Let's sum up what we've learn in the course

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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 App Icons in Affinity Designer with these activities:
Practice Pen Tool Mastery
Refine your pen tool skills to create precise shapes and paths, essential for app icon design.
Browse courses on Pen Tool
Show steps
  • Find online tutorials focusing on advanced pen tool techniques.
  • Practice tracing complex shapes and logos using the pen tool.
  • Experiment with different pen tool settings and path editing options.
The Non-Designer's Design Book
Learn the fundamentals of design to create more visually appealing app icons.
View Presentation Book on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity.
  • Analyze existing app icons to identify how these principles are applied.
  • Apply these principles to your own app icon designs to improve their visual impact.
Shape Creation Exercises
Reinforce your understanding of shape creation tools by completing a series of focused exercises.
Show steps
  • Create basic shapes (circles, squares, triangles) using different methods.
  • Combine and modify shapes using boolean operations (add, subtract, intersect).
  • Experiment with different stroke and fill styles to enhance the shapes.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Mastering Affinity Designer
Expand your knowledge of Affinity Designer with a comprehensive guide.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters relevant to shape creation and manipulation.
  • Follow along with the book's tutorials to practice different techniques.
  • Refer to the book as a reference when encountering challenges in the course.
Explore Advanced Gradient Techniques
Master advanced gradient techniques in Affinity Designer to add depth and visual interest to your app icons.
Show steps
  • Search for online tutorials specifically focused on advanced gradient techniques in Affinity Designer.
  • Experiment with different gradient types (linear, radial, conical) and blending modes.
  • Practice creating complex gradients with multiple color stops and opacity adjustments.
Design a Set of App Icons for a Fictional App
Apply your skills by designing a cohesive set of app icons for a fictional application, reinforcing your understanding of design principles and Affinity Designer tools.
Show steps
  • Brainstorm ideas for a fictional app and its core functionality.
  • Sketch out several different icon concepts for the app.
  • Create the final icon designs in Affinity Designer, focusing on consistency and visual appeal.
  • Present your icon set in a visually appealing mockup.
Portfolio of App Icons
Showcase your skills by creating a professional portfolio of app icons designed using Affinity Designer.
Show steps
  • Select your best app icon designs from the course and personal projects.
  • Create visually appealing mockups to showcase the icons in context.
  • Write brief descriptions for each icon, highlighting the design process and key features.
  • Organize your portfolio in a clear and professional manner, either online or in print.

Career center

Learners who complete How To Create App Icons in Affinity Designer will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Icon Designer
An icon designer specializes in creating visually appealing and functional icons for various digital interfaces. This course is directly relevant, as it focuses on creating app icons using Affinity Designer. Icon designers need a strong understanding of design principles and proficiency in design software, both of which are addressed in this course. The course's practical, hands-on approach to designing icons helps build a portfolio and develop an understanding of modern design trends. The focus on flat design artwork specifically helps you enhance the icon designer skillset.
User Interface Designer
A user interface designer focuses on the visual elements with which users interact. The course directly applies to this role, as it teaches how to create visually appealing and functional app icons. User interface designers need a strong understanding of design principles and software, which this course provides in the context of Affinity Designer. The course's focus on creating modern flat design icons helps build a foundation in current UI trends. By creating numerous app icons, one hones their skills and develops a portfolio, increasing their prospects as a user interface designer.
Graphic designer
A graphic designer creates visual concepts to communicate ideas. The course helps build skills in graphic design, particularly in creating app icons. Graphic designers must be proficient in design software, and this course offers practical experience with Affinity Designer. The curriculum emphasizes understanding the pen tool, custom shapes, fills, strokes, gradients, transformations, and shape creation techniques. This course is beneficial as its hands-on approach to designing modern flat icons from A to Z helps build a strong design foundation, positioning one for success as a graphic designer.
Digital Artist
A digital artist creates artwork using digital tools and software. The course helps build skills in Affinity Designer, a popular tool for digital art. Digital artists need a strong understanding of design principles and software proficiency, which this course offers through practical application. By learning to create app icons, one develops skills in shape creation, transformations, and the use of color, all essential for digital art. This course will help those wishing to become digital artists build a portfolio that is centered around digital creation.
Illustrator
An illustrator creates images for various media, including books, magazines, and websites. This course enhances skills in digital illustration, specifically in creating icons and graphic elements. Illustrators require a solid understanding of design principles and proficiency in design software, which the course addresses through practical application. The course's focus on the pen tool, custom shapes, and color helps build essential illustration skills. Aspiring illustrators will find this course an effective way to build a portfolio of attractive graphic design elements.
Game Artist
A game artist creates visual assets for video games, including characters, environments, and user interface elements. This course enhances skills in creating icons and graphic elements, which are essential for game UIs. Game artists benefit from a strong understanding of design principles and software proficiency, which the course provides through hands-on experience with Affinity Designer. By learning to create app icons, one hones skills applicable to creating game assets, such as shape creation and transformations. This course is a great on-ramp to becoming a game artist.
Brand Identity Designer
A brand identity designer creates the visual elements that represent a brand, including logos, color palettes, and typography. The course assists in building skills relevant to creating visual elements, especially icons. Brand identity designers need a solid understanding of design principles and software proficiency. The course will be useful as it gives practical experience with Affinity Designer and focuses on creating visually appealing icons. Brand identity designers will find the lessons on the use of color, shape, and transformations help them build a strong design foundation.
Product Designer
A product designer focuses on the user experience and design of a product, whether it be physical or digital. The course enhances skills in creating visual elements for digital products, such as app icons. Product designers need a strong understanding of design principles and software proficiency, areas this course develops through practical application. By learning to create app icons, one gains a better understanding of visual communication and user interface design. Those seeking a career as a product designer will find this course will provide them with a foundation to design eye catching and effective layouts.
User Experience Designer
A user experience designer focuses on improving the usability and accessibility of digital products. While this role primarily focuses on usability, understanding design principles is beneficial for creating user-friendly interfaces. This course may be useful by providing insights into creating visually appealing app icons, an important aspect of user interface design. Taking this course provides a better understanding of the visual aspects of user experience design. Those hoping to enter a career as a user experience designer will find this course useful in giving them a better perspective on the world of interface design.
Marketing Designer
A marketing designer creates visual assets for marketing campaigns, including advertisements, social media graphics, and website banners. This course may be useful by enhancing skills in creating visually appealing graphics. Marketing designers will find value in learning to use Affinity Designer, a popular tool for graphic design. The skills one learns in the course, especially around creating flat design icons, can be applied to marketing assets. Taking this course helps one gain hands on experience creating a wide variety of app icons, and ultimately gives them an edge as a marketing designer.
Web Designer
A web designer creates the visual layout and design of websites. The course may be useful by helping them learn about creating icons and graphics for websites. Web designers require skills in design software and an understanding of visual principles, areas this course touches upon. Web designers will find the lessons on gradients, transformations, shape creation, and the pen tool to be very beneficial. This course gives one the practical skills needed to create custom, eye-catching design elements for websites.
Mobile App Developer
A mobile app developer creates applications for mobile devices. While primarily focused on coding, understanding design principles is beneficial for creating user-friendly apps. This course may be useful by providing insights into creating visually appealing app icons, an important aspect of app design. Mobile app developers with design skills can better collaborate with designers or create their own design elements. By learning to create flat design icons, a mobile app developer gains a better understanding of the visual aspects of app development. It provides a foundation to creating apps that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Motion Graphics Designer
A motion graphics designer creates animated graphics for videos, websites, and other media. While this role primarily focuses on animation, understanding design principles is beneficial for creating visually appealing motion graphics. This course may be useful by providing insights into creating icons and graphic elements. Motion graphics designers will find the lessons on gradients, transformations, and shape creation techniques helpful. This course provides a useful foundation for becoming a motion graphics designer.
Animator
An animator creates moving images using various techniques including computer generated imagery. This course helps build skills that are relevant for creating animated graphics, particularly in icon design for animated interfaces. Animators will find the lessons on gradients, transformations, and shape creation techniques helpful, as these are critical for creating polished animations. The course's focus on the pen tool, gradients, and transformations helps build essential animation skills. By taking this course, animators may further refine their understanding of the visual aspects of 2D animation.
Art Director
An art director is responsible for the overall visual style and image of a project or campaign. While this role often requires an advanced degree, this course can provide practical design skills. Art directors need a strong understanding of design principles and software proficiency, and the course offers a hands-on approach to learning Affinity Designer. By learning to create app icons, one develops a stronger understanding of design elements and visual communication. This course may provide a stepping stone towards a career as an art director.

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 App Icons in Affinity Designer.
Provides a comprehensive guide to Affinity Designer, covering everything from basic tools to advanced techniques. It's a useful reference for understanding the software's capabilities and exploring different design approaches. While the course focuses on app icons, this book broadens your understanding of Affinity Designer for other design projects. It is helpful for those who want to deepen their knowledge beyond the specific projects covered in the course.
Introduces fundamental design principles like contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity. It's a great resource for understanding the basics of visual design, even without prior experience. While the course focuses on the technical aspects of creating app icons in Affinity Designer, this book provides the theoretical foundation for creating visually appealing and effective designs. It is more valuable as additional reading to supplement the course.

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