MKF Designs 

For this project I was asked to create an icon set, consisting of 12 separate icons. The main theme of the icons was supporting eco-friendly alternatives and ways of sustainability. The client wanted to focus on action words of recycle, rot, reduce, repurpose, and so on. They wanted a sleek design that highlighted a main aspect throughout each icon. 

To begin my design process I wanted to explore all options or possibilities. This is why I decided to to write out a word list, it got me thinking of different color associations, types of recycling, any objects that can be reused, anything that has to do with plants, common phrases, or anything that I can think of without limiting myself. After creating my word list I started on my sketches, along with my sketches I started thinking of certain aspects and details I wanted to try, such as only strokes or offset colors. 

After doing at least 25 sketches, I collaborated with other designers to get feedback and critiques. I decided to run with the idea of utilizing at least one leaf throughout the each icon, also I wanted to try only using one color for the leaf and only one color for the strokes of the other objects the leaf is paired with. 

Once I had a good amount of sketches and a direction to pursue after discussing with peers, I began working on digital sketches and compositions. I only created six icons in the beginning to find a reference with my client before making the other six icons. With my first digital compositions, I began using a smaller gray strokes to help the green of the leaf be the focal point. I was not too happy with some of the shapes/lines but it was a start. 

I once again collaborated with my peers and my client and was able to create some more icons, but then was able to refine them even more. I decided to go with thicker strokes to help them feel not so spread out or flat. By doing that it helped everything flow better and made the leaf part feel not so plopped on to the page. I think having the one green accent helps the eye move to the main message and then you are able to move around the piece. The angle of each stem of the leaf also helps to contribute to helping the viewer move their eyes around the icon, it helps represent the main message of being eco-friendly but then directs you to a way to reuse, repurpose, rot and so on.