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Wacom’s Inkling is a digital pen that captures your sketch from paper. Recording your strokes and transferring your sketch digitally for further editing on your computer. The Inkling has a pressure sensitive ballpoint tip and can create layered sketches.
It’s exciting to see new technology unfold, bringing tools that bridge the gap between traditional, freehand sketching and digital input with a mouse or tablet. Both the iPad with its finger-painting and the Inkling give artists the tools to interact more directly with their devices, removing the clunky layer between your hand and your canvas.
A special thank you to my friend, artist Jamie Berry, who brought the Inkling to my attention.
I’m having so much fun designing this icon for drafts and sketches! Perhaps because I love this part of the process myself. Gathering inspiration, finding reference, doing research, catching ideas that spark in mind maps and mood boards.
The texture I used for the Moleskine (image below) is the same as the one I originally designed for the leather wallet, briefcase, satchel, old book and folder icons in the Organizer Collection. I felt that it worked well for the Moleskine and that it helped make the icons fit smoothly together, connecting the Moleskine with other icons.
While I was working on the icon for “Sketches, Drafts”, I came up with several variations. First I felt I had to pick one, but then I realised that a lot of people probably have different kinds of inspirational material that they collect. There could be drafts of text or images or a combination. There could be textures and palettes. Or combinations. So, why not include all three!? I’m calling them Sketches/Drafts, Ideas and Inspiration but naturally you can modify their names so that they work for you. How could you make use for these icons?
I’m really struggling with this icon for “Dreaded Report”. Maybe some of the boring, corporate cubicle office culture that I’m trying to infuse this icon with, is rubbing off on me?
So I made some variations, one with a ballpoint pen, one with a graph and one with a skull. And then I can’t make up my mind… Should I put them all in the collection, or leave some out? What do you think? [To be continued... ]
When I’m happy with the sketches for the icons, I launch Adobe Illustrator and start blocking out the icons, drawing simple, clean vector shapes using my pen tablet. I’m designing the Collection of Process Icons in the same style that was established for the first three collections of desktop icons. In this unique design project, everything from the icon concept to the simple and elegant style is based on feedback from you. The look and feel for Process Icons uses the same set of perspectives with simple, uncluttered shapes that are easy to distinguish and find on your desktop. The style is based around a rich colour palette and elegant, natural textures.
Icon design process. Adding details, colour, shading and light
Once I’ve blocked in the basic shapes, I start adding details and colours, next shading and last highlights. In this example with the alarm clock you’ll notice the same palette of reds as in the icon with the Cookery Book, the same greys as in the Gear icon and the same soft cream as in the Shoebox icon. Using the same style consistently, ensures that all the icons fit together and that you can mix and match the different collections to suit your needs.
And in case you were wondering about the dotted lines across these images, yes they are the watermarks I designed for these icon previews to at least make it more difficult for people who want to steal images. [To be continued... ]
Here’s the third part of the story about a new design project I’m working on. It’s about the creative process of a new collection of icons called “Process”.
Today and tomorrow. Icon sketches
These are my sketches for icons that represent things that need to be taken care of “Today” and “Tomorrow”, or “Later”. Many of you have asked for “Today” and “Tomorrow” icons, some of you cooperate on projects where time needs to be specified, others need to schedule work to be published or for deadlines.
While I was working on these icons, I thought “what about adding the dates of a month, wouldn’t that be handy if you really need to indicate time with icons?”
So I made a few sketches to see what it would look like, and I’m thinking of adding a full month of days to the set. What do you think? [To be continued... ]
I’m Kate England, an artist, illustrator and designer. I’m currently editing my contribution to the book Swedish Illustrators to be published 2012.
Marmalade Moon is my creative journal, a place where I share inspiration and document my creative journey. Read more >>
