Icons are essential in any graphical user interface. They are effective visual cues for performing tasks or navigating to a certain location. There are many resources online that can help and inspire you in your own icon designs and – in this collection – we share some of the best tutorials on the topic.

In this article, you’ll find awide selection of tutorials and resources to help you learn about designing icons.

General Tutorials

1.The Making of an Icon

2.How To Make An Icon

3.10 Mistakes in Icon Design

4. Icon Design: Bitmap vs Vector

5. Professional technique for creating icons

6. 7 Principles of Effective Icon Design

7.10 Tips for Effective Icon Design

8.Icon Design Explained (Quickly)

9.How to Design Mini Icons

Illustrator Tutorials

10.Make a Handy 3D Vector Calendar Icon

11.Vector Film Slate Icon

12.How to Turn Glasses into a Great Geek Icon

13.Detailed Camera with Photo Icon

14.How to Design a Set of Multicolored Buddy Icons

15. Adobe Bridge Icon

16.How to Create a Vector Safari Compass in Illustrator

17.Translucent IM Style Illustrator Icon Tutorial

18.Create a Vector RSS Icon with Illustrator

19.Juicy RSS Feed Icon

20.How to Make a Vector Military Cap Icon

21.Delicious Chinese Food Icon

22.Transparent Battery Icon

23.Vector Lock Icon Design

Photoshop Tutorials

24.Custom Hard Drive Icon

25.Create a Speed Gauge and Watch Icon

26. Design a Detailed Compass Icon

27.Safety Icon Design

28. Design a Glossy Download Icon

29. Creating a Cool Yellow Helmet Icon

30. Create a Jaguar Style Folder Icon

31.Vista Error Icon

32. Vista Folder Icon Tutorial

33. Design The iTunes Icon For The iPhone

34. XP Style Money Icon

35.Angry Emoticon

36. XP Style iPod Icon

37. LG LCD Monitor Icon

38.Adobe Photoshop CS3 Style Icons

39. Clock Icon

40. World Icon Tutorial

41. How to Make a Folder Icon

42.Glossy RSS icon

43. Recreate the Famous Yahoo! Smiley

44. Skype Buddy Icon

45. Create A Mockingly Smiley

46.iTune Icon

47.Fast Folder Icon Making

48. Stylish Search Icon

49. Creating a clock icon

50. Computer Icon Tutorial

Summary

Icon sets can be an important part ofweb design, whether you’redesigning for a hotel or a car dealership.  Usingimages that both fit the theme of the design and the type of business is important to keep in mind when designing icon sets.  Often you don’t have to design these sets though- look below for a number of free icon sets to ensure a professional look and to save yourself time!

Related content

• 40 Beautiful Free Icon Sets
• Web-based Favicon Generators and Favicon Resources
• 30 Beautiful Photoshop Illustration Tutorials