Graphic Design: Create a Workstation Themed Icon Pack
Since the rapid acceleration of technology has changed the way we work, I thought it would be a nice to explore the “workstation” concept using three completely different devices that we are going to build as icons. That being said, we’re going to rely on the basic shapes and tools that you probably already work with on a daily basis, which is why this should be a really easy exercise for most of you.
How to Create a New Document
As we do with all of our projects, let’s start by setting up a New Document (File → New or Control + N) which we will adjust as follows:
- Number of Artboards: 1
- Width: 800 px
- Height: 600 px
- Units: Pixels
And from the Advanced tab:
- Color Mode: RGB
- Raster Effects: Screen (72 ppi)
We’re going to be creating the icons using a Pixel Perfect Workflow.

Quick tip: some of you might have noticed that the Align New Objects to Pixel Grid option is missing, well that’s because the new software update has improved the way Illustrator handles pixel snapping, making it less of a hassle.
How to Set Up the Layers
With each new project, I like to separate my assets using a couple of different layers, since this way I can streamline my workflow by focusing on one item at a time, which allows me to keep track of each and every shape at all time.
So, open up the Layers panel, and let’s create four layers which we will name as follows:
- Layer 1 → reference grids
- Layer 2 → desktop
- Layer 3 → notebook
- Layer 4 → tablet

The way we’re going to be using these layers within our workflow is pretty easy. We’ll want to lock all except the one that we will be working on, so that we won’t move or misplace some of the shapes by accident. Then, once we’re done with the current icon, we can then lock its layer and move on up to the next one.
How to Create the Reference Grids
As soon as we’ve layered our project file, we can start creating the reference grids, which will help us create our icons by focusing on consistency and size.
Step 1
Grab the Rectangle Tool (M) and create a 128×128 px square, which we will color using #F15A24, and then position it to the center of the Artboard using the Align panel’s Horizontal and Vertical Align Center options.

Step 2
Create another smaller 120×120 px square, which will act as the active drawing area, thus giving us an all-around 4 px padding. Color the shape using white (#FFFFFF) and then group the squares (Control + G) and create two more copies (Control + C → Control + F two times), distancing them at 40 px from the original.

Once you’re done creating and positioning the reference grids, you can lock their layer, and then move on up to the next one, where we’ll start working on our first icon.
How to Create the Desktop Icon
Assuming you’ve already positioned yourself onto the next layer (that would be the second one), let’s kick off the project by creating the first icon, which is the all-in-one desktop unit.
Step 1
Start by creating the background using a 120×120 px circle, which we will color using #1796FF, and then center align to the underlying active drawing area.

Step 2
Start working on the display, by creating its main body using a 72×46 px rectangle (#B6E5FF), which we will center align to the larger circle, positioning it at a distance of 22 px from its top edge.

Step 3
Add the screen using a 68×40 px rectangle (#0070BC), which we will center align to the previously created shape, positioning it at a distance of 4 px from its bottom edge.

Step 4
Once you’re done with the screen, add the little rectangular button using a 4×2 px rectangle (#0070BC), which we will bottom align to the larger bezel, positioning it at a distance of 6 px from its right edge.

Step 5
Add the subtle highlight using a 68×1 px rectangle (#FFFFFF) which we will position underneath the display’s screen section. Once you’re done, select and group all of the current section’s composing shapes together using the Control + G keyboard shortcut, before moving on to the next step.

Step 6
Start working on the stand, by creating a 12×8 px rectangle (#0070BC), which we will position below the larger section that we’ve just grouped.

Step 7
Create the stand’s base using a 28×2 px rectangle (#0070BC), which we will position right underneath the taller shape from the previous step.

Step 8
Finish off the stand, by adding the highlight using a 28×1 px rectangle (#FFFFFF), which we will center align to the base’s top edge. Once you’re done, select and group all of the current section’s composing shapes together before moving on to the next step.

Step 9
Start working on the little interface window, by creating the top bar using a 52×4 px rectangle (#B6E5FF), which we will center align to the larger screen, positioning it at a distance of just 4 px from its top edge.

Step 10
Add the little buttons using three 2×2 px squares (#0070BC) horizontally distanced at 2 px from one another, which we will group (Control + G) and then position over the bar, at a distance of 2 px from its right edge. Once you’re done select both the buttons and the top bar and group (Control + G) those together as well.

Step 11
Create the window’s main body using a 52×28 px rectangle (#FFFFFF), which we will position right underneath the smaller top bar.

Step 12
Next, start working on the minimalistic email interface, by creating a 4×4 px circle (#0070BC), which we will position at a distance of 4 px from the larger window’s top-left corner.

Step 13
Add the diagonal text lines using a 30×1 px rectangle (#0070BC), which we will horizontally stack at a distance of 2 px from another smaller 22×1 px one (#0070BC), grouping (Control + G) and then positioning them at a distance of 2 px from the smaller circle’s right side. Once you have them in place, select and group both the circle and the lines together using the Control + G keyboard shortcut.

Step 14
Create the remaining email sections using two copies (Control + C → Control + F twice) of the one that we’ve just finished working on, which we will vertically stack at a distance of 4 px from the original.

Step 15
Finish off the window interface by adding the side scrollbar using a 1×24 px rectangle (#0070BC) which we will center align to the larger white rectangle, positioning it at a distance of 2 px from its right edge. Once you’re done, select and group (Control + G) all of the current section’s composing shapes together, doing the same for the entire computer afterwards.

Step 16
Start working on the little keyboard by creating its main body using a 38×14 px rectangle (#B6E5FF), which we will position at a distance of 34 px from the active drawing area’s left edge, and 24 px from its bottom one.

Step 17
Add the first button row using six 4×2 px rectangles (#0070BC) horizontally distanced at 2 px from one another, which we will group (Control + G) and then center align to the keyboard’s main body, positioning them at a distance of 2 px from its top edge.

Step 18
Add the remaining buttons using two copies (Control + C → Control + F twice) of the row that we’ve just created, which we will vertically stack at 2 px from one another, making sure to adjust the third row so that its center buttons are now one big space bar.

Step 19
Give the board some dimension by positioning a 38×2 px rectangle (#0070BC) right underneath it.

Step 20
Finish off the keyboard by adding the subtle highlight using a 38×1 px rectangle (#FFFFFF), which we will center align to top edge of its main body. Once you’re done, don’t forget to select and group (Control + G) all its composing shapes before moving on to the next step.

Step 21
With the keyboard finished, start working on the little mouse by creating its main body using a 10×14 pxrectangle (#B6E5FF), which we will position onto its right side, at a distance of just 4 px.

Step 22
Add the little scroll wheel using a 2×4 px rectangle (#0070BC) which we will center align at a distance of 2 pxfrom the mouse’s top edge.

Step 23
Give the mouse some depth, by adding a 10×2 px rectangle (#0070BC) underneath its main body.

Step 24
Finish off the mouse and with it the icon itself, by adding the subtle highlight using a 10×1 px rectangle (#FFFFFF), which we will center align to the larger body’s top edge. Once you’re done, select and group (Control + G) all of the mouse’s composing shapes, doing the same for the entire icon afterwards.

How to Create the Notebook Icon
Assuming you’ve finished working on the first icon, lock its layer and then move on to the next one (that would be the third one), where we will focus on creating our second workstation.
Step 1
Start out by creating the circular background using the same 120×120 px circle (#1796FF), which we will center align to the underlying active drawing area.

Step 2
Once you’re done with the background, you can create the notebook’s screen bezel using a 56×40 pxrectangle (#B6E5FF), which we will center align to the larger circle, positioning it at a distance of 22 px from its top edge.

Step 3
Add the actual screen using a 52×34 px rectangle (#0070BC), which we will center align to the previously created shape, positioning it at a distance of 4 px from its bottom edge.

Step 4
Add the subtle highlight using a 52×1 px rectangle, which we will color using white (#FFFFFF) and then position below the screen. Once you’re done, select and group all three shapes together using the Control + Gkeyboard shortcut.

Step 5
Create the device’s bottom section using a 72×4 px rectangle (#0070BC), which we will position below the larger screen assembly.

Step 6
Give the shape that we’ve just created a subtle highlight using a 72 x 1 px rectangle (#FFFFFF), which we will center align to its top edge.

Step 7
Start working on the notebook’s keyboard, by creating the space bar using a 16×1 px rectangle (#0070BC) which we will position on top of its bottom section, making sure to center align the two.

Step 8
Add the left key set using four 4×1 px rectangles (#0070BC) horizontally distanced at 2 px from one another, which we will group (Control + G) and then position at a distance of 2 px from the spacebar’s left edge. Once you’re done, create a copy (Control + C → Control + F) and then use to add the right key set, making sure to select and group (Control + G) them and the notebook together afterwards.

Step 9
As soon as you have the notebook, start working on the little window interface, by creating its top bar using a 36×4 px rectangle (#B6E5FF) on top of which we will add the three little 2×2 px square buttons (#0070BC). Group all four shapes together, and then center align them to the underlying screen, positioning them at a distance of 4 px from its top edge.

Step 10
Add the window’s main body using a 36×22 px rectangle (#FFFFFF), which we will position below the top bar.

Step 11
Finish off the interface by adding two 10×10 px circles (#0070BC for the left one and #B6E5FF for the right one) which we will slightly overlap (4 px), group (Control + G) and then center align to the larger white rectangle. Once you’re done, select and group (Control + G) all of the current section’s composing shapes, doing the same for the entire notebook afterwards.

Step 12
Start working on the digital pen, by creating its tip using a 4×6 px rectangle (#0070BC), which we will adjust by individually selecting and pushing its top anchor points to the inside by a distance of 1 px (right click → Transform → Move → Horizontal → ± 1 px depending on which side you start with). Position the resulting shape below the laptop, at a distance of 34 px from the active drawing area’s left edge and 44 px from its bottom one.

Step 13
Create the pen’s body using a 4×18 px rectangle (#B6E5FF), which we will position below the shape from the previous step.

Step 14
Add the pen’s rear end using a 4×2 px rectangle (#0070BC) vertically stacked on top of another smaller 2×2 pxsquare (#0070BC). Group the two (Control + G) and then position them below the larger body.

Step 15
Add the pen’s two buttons using a 2×4 px rectangle (#0070BC) vertically stacked at a distance of 2 px from another smaller 2×2 px square (#0070BC). Group the two (Control + G) and then center align them to the larger body, positioning them at a distance of 2 px from its top edge.

Step 16
Finish off the pen, by adding the subtle highlight using a 4×1 px rectangle (#FFFFFF), which we will center align to the top edge of its main body. Once you’re done, select and group (Control + G) all of the pen’s composing shapes together before moving on to the next step.

Step 17
Start working on the graphics tablet by creating its main body using a 44×26 px rectangle (#B6E5FF), which we will position onto the right side of the pen, at a distance of just 4 px.

Step 18
Add the device’s drawing surface using a 34×22 px rectangle (#0070BC) which we will center align to the larger shape, positioning it at a distance of 4 px from its left edge.

Step 19
Add the tablet’s main button using a 4×6 px rectangle (#0070BC), which we will center align to its right edge.

Step 20
Add the smaller buttons using two 4×2 px rectangles (#0070BC) distanced at 2 px from the larger one. Once you have all three buttons in place, select and group (Control + G) them together so they won’t get separated by accident.

Step 21
Give the tablet some depth, by creating and positioning a 44×2 px rectangle (#0070BC) to the bottom of its main body.

Step 22
Finish off the tablet and with it the icon itself, by adding the subtle highlight to upper edge of the device using a 44×1 px rectangle (#FFFFFF). Once you’re done select and group (Control + G) all of the tablet’s composing shapes, doing the same for the entire icon afterwards.

How to Create the Tablet Icon
We are now down to our third and last icon, so without wasting anymore time make sure you’re on the right layer (that would be the fourth one), and let’s wrap things up.
Step 1
As we did with all the other icons, start by out by creating the circular background using a 120×120 px circle (#1796FF), which we will center align to the underlying active drawing area.

Step 2
Create the tablet’s main body, using a 44×58 px rectangle (#B6E5FF), which we will center align to the larger circle, positioning it at a distance of 22 px from its top edge.

Step 3
Add the screen section using a smaller 40×50 px rectangle (#0070BC), which we will center align to the previously created body, positioning it at a distance of 6 px from its bottom edge.

Step 4
Once you have the screen in place, focus on adding the subtle highlight which we will create using a 40×1 pxrectangle (#FFFFFF), which we will position below the larger shape.

Step 5
Create the front square button using a 4×4 px rectangle (#0070BC), which we will position right below the highlight, making sure to center align it to the larger shape.

Step 6
Add the side buttons using two 1×4 px rectangles (#0070BC), which we will vertically distance at 2 px from one another, which we will group (Control + G) and then position onto the right side of the tablet, at a distance of 10 px from its top edge. Once you’re done, select and group (Control + G) all of the tablet’s composing shapes before moving on to the next step.

Step 7
Start working on the digital document, by creating the white page using a 32×42 px rectangle (#FFFFFF), which we will center align to the tablet’s screen.

Step 8
Next, create a 4×4 px square which we will color using #0070BC, and then position at a distance of 4 px from the paper’s left edge, and 8 px from its top one.

Step 9
Take a couple of moments and add in the little text lines using ten 1 px tall rectangles, which you will vertically stack at 2 px from one another, positioning them as see in the reference image. Once you have all the lines in place, don’t forget to select and group (Control + G) them together before moving on to the next step.

Step 10
Finish off the document, by adding the little page indicator using a 2×2 px square (#0070BC), which we will bottom align to the larger rectangle, positioning it at a distance of 4 px from its right edge. Once you’re done, select and group (Control + G) all of the document’s composing shapes together, doing the same for the entire tablet afterwards.

Step 11
Next, we’re going to start working on the mobile keyboard, and we will do so by creating its main body using a 56×16 px rectangle (#B6E5FF), which we will position below the tablet.

Step 12
Separate the keyboard from the tablet by adding the dock insertion using a 48×2 px rectangle (#0070BC), which we will center align to its top edge.

Step 13
Add the smaller highlights to the sides of the keyboard’s top edge, using two 4×1 px rectangles which we will color using white (#FFFFFF).

Step 14
Add the center highlight using a wider 48×1 px rectangle (#FFFFFF), which we will position below the dock insertion.

Step 15
Create the first button row, using seven 4×2 px rectangles (#0070BC) horizontally distanced at 2 px from one another, which we will group (Control-G) and then position at a distance of 2 px from the keyboard’s left edge, and 1 px from its center highlight.

Step 16
Create the remaining button rows using two copies (Control + C → Control + F twice) of the one that we’ve just grouped, which we will vertically stack at 2 px from one another, positioning them below the original. Adjust the third row by selecting and removing the fourth and fifth keys, and then turning the third one into a spacebar by expanding its width to 16 px.

Step 17
Add the touchpad using a 10×10 px square (#0070BC) which we will position onto the right side of the button rows, at a distance of just 2 px.

Step 18
Finish off the keyboard, and with it the icon itself, by adding a 56×2 px rectangle (#0070BC) to the bottom of the keyboard. Once you’re done, select and group (Control + G) all its composing shapes, doing the same for the entire icon afterwards.

Great Job!
It might have been a long one, but with some patience I’m sure you ended up with a nice looking icon pack, and learned something new and useful during the process.

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