Welcome back to another icon tutorial! Today we’re going to follow a step-by-step guide for designing a studio monitor icon. This little speaker is perfect for music-inspired illustrations, icon sets, and flat vectors. Using some simple geometric shapes and tools in Adobe Illustrator, we’ll quickly create an icon that’s music to your ears (and eyes).
So, put on a jam and let’s get started!
Tutorial Details: Studio Monitor Icon
- Program: Adobe Illustrator CS6 – CC
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Topics Covered: Design Theory, Compositional Construction, Shape Alignment, Grid Positioning, How to Design a Studio Monitor Icon
- Estimated Completion Time: 30 Minutes
Final Image: Studio Monitor Icon
Step 1
Start by first setting up a New Document by going over to File > New (or using the Control-N keyboard shortcut), which we will adjust:
- Number of Artboards: 1
- Width: 128 px
- Height: 128 px
- Units: Pixels
And from the Advanced tab:
- Color Mode: RGB
- Raster Effects: Screen (72ppi)
- Preview Mode: Default
Quick tip: most of the indicated settings can be automatically triggered if you set the document’s Profile to Web. The only setting you’ll need to adjust manually is the Artboard’s Size (Width x Height).
Step 2
Once we’ve set up our project file, we can start working on the actual icon. First, create the background using a 120 x 120 px circle, which we’ll color using #FF8D4D. Then, center align to the underlying Artboard using the Align panel’s Horizontal and Vertical Align Center options.
Step 3
Create the studio monitor’s side section using a 40 x 64 px rounded rectangle with an 8 px Corner Radius, which we’ll color using #776663. Then, center align to the underlying circle, positioning it at a distance of 34 px from its left edge.
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Step 4
Create an outline using the Stroke method and creating a copy of it (Control-C), which we will paste in front (Control-F). Then, adjust by changing its color to #422C21, and then flipping its Fill with its Stroke (Shift-X), making sure to set its Weight to 4 px and its Corner to Round Join. Then, before moving on, select both shapes and group them together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.
Step 5
Add the monitor’s front section using a copy (Control-C) of the two shapes that we’ve just grouped, which we will paste in front (Control-F) and then move a few pixels to the left using the Move tool (right click > Transform > Move > Horizontal > -12 px).
Step 6
Create the speaker cone using a 24 x 24 px circle (#FFC550) with a 4 px thick outline (#422C21), which we will group (Control-G) and then center align to the monitor’s front section, positioning it at a distance of 12 px from the bottom edge.
Step 7
Add the cone’s center section using an 8 x 8 px circle (#422C21), which we’ll center align to the larger shapes.
Step 8
Create the circular ring using a 14 x 14 px circle with a 2 px thick Stroke (#422C21), which we will then center align to the previously created shape.
Step 9
Adjust the ring, by selecting its bottom and right Anchor Points using the Direct Selection Tool (A), and then removing them by pressing Delete, setting the resulting Stroke’s Cap to Round.
Step 10
Repeat the exact same process only this time remove the circle’s top and left Anchor Points, selecting and grouping (Control-G) all of the cone’s composing shapes together once you’re done.
Step 11
Create the tweeter cone, using an 8 x 8 px circle (#FFC550) with a 4 px thick outline (#422C21), which we’ll group (Control-G) and then position above the larger cone, at a distance of just 8 px.
Step 12
Add the monitor’s front bass port using a 20 x 4 px rounded rectangle (#FFC550) with a 2 px Corner Radius, which we will position below the larger speaker cone, at a distance of 6 px from its bottom edge. Once you’re done, select and group all of the monitor’s composing sections together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.
Step 13
Finish off the icon, by creating and positioning a 68 px wide 4 px thick Stroke line (#FFC550) with a Round Cap to the bottom of the studio monitor, selecting and grouping (Control-G) all its composing sections together afterwards.
That’s a Wrap!
Great job! I hope you found these steps fun and useful. Maybe you’ve even learned something new you can use in your future creations!