Welcome to how to create an abstract icon set in Adobe Illustrator! The theme we're working on will be chess. In this tutorial we will learn the step by step process of how to create an abstract set of icons using basic shapes and tools.

For more examples of abstract icon sets, check out GraphicRiver where you can find a wide variety of different abstract icons.

1. How to Set Up a New Project File

Step 1

Let's get started by setting up a New Document in Adobe Illustrator (File > New or Control-N). For this tutorial, we will use the settings below:

• Number of Artboards: 1
• Width: 850 px
  
• Height: 850 px
  
• Units: Pixels
  

In the Advanced tab, use the following settings:

• Colour Mode: RGB
  
• Raster Effects: Screen (72ppi)
  
• Preview Mode: Default

Step 2

Go to Edit > Preferences > General and set the Keyboard Increment to 1 px. 

Step 3

Go to Units and use the settings shown below. 

• General: Pixel
  
• Stroke: Points
  
• Type: Points

2. How to Set Up the Layers

Step 1

Next, you will need to structure the project by creating layers. Select the Layers panel and create two layers. Name them as follows:

• Layer 1: Background
• Layer 2: Icons

Step 2

Make sure that you select the background layer to begin creating the background.

3. How to Create the Background Color

Step 1

With the background layer selected, click on the Rectangle Tool (M) and create a 850 x 850 rectangular area to place your icons in. This should fit the entire area of the Artboard.

Step 2

Make sure that the rectangle is still selected, and click on the Gradient Tool. In the angle section, select 45 Degrees from the drop-down menu.

Step 3

Select two colors for the gradient. For this tutorial, we will use the following:

• R: 70
• G: 82
• B: 162

Step 4

For the second color, we will use the following:

• R: 138
• G: 105
• B: 173

Step 5

The final background should look like the image below. Lock the background layer by clicking on the lock icon, and click on the icon layer to start creating the icons. 

4. How to Create a Pawn Icon

Step 1

Choose the Pen Tool (P) and adjust the settings of stroke to the following:

• Stroke Weight: 6
  
• Cap: Round Cap
  
• Corner: Miter Join
• Align Stroke: Align Stroke to Center

Step 2

Start by selecting the Ellipse Tool (L) and creating a small circle. To create a perfect circle, press and hold the Shift key on the keyboard whilst clicking and dragging with the mouse.

Step 3

Select the Pen Tool (P) and create two lines underneath the circle.

Step 4

Select the Rounded Rectangle Tool (M) and create a shape underneath the two lines. You can adjust the curvature of the corners by pressing the Up Arrow or the Down Arrow on your keyboard whilst creating the shape (clicking and dragging with the mouse).

With the shape still selected, change it to a fill shape.

Step 5

Duplicate the shape by copying it (Control-C) and then paste it into place (Control-Shift-V). 

Add a stroke to the second shape with a width of 20 pt. For the best results, align the stroke to the outside. 

Step 6

With the second shape still selected, go to the top menu and select Object > Expand to open the Expand window. Make sure both Fill and Stroke are selected, and then click OK.

Step 7

This will create a shape from the stroke. Make sure that the shape is still selected and, using the Pathfinder, click on Unite. This will merge the shape.

Step 8

Change the shape to a stroke by using the Eyedropper Tool (I) and align the stroke to the outside.

Step 9

Use the Ellipse Tool (L) to create a small circle at the bottom to complete the pawn icon.

5. How to Create a Rook Icon

Step 1

To start creating the rook icon, use the Rectangle Tool (M) to create a small rectangle shape.

Step 2

Create a slightly larger rectangle shape and set it to Stroke by using the Eyedropper Tool and selecting one of the strokes we used previously on the pawn icon. 

Step 3

Use the Rectangle Tool (M) to create a small rectangle shape at the top. Then use the Ellipse Tool (L) to create a small circle at the bottom (holding the Shift key on the keyboard to create a perfect circle). 

Step 4

Use the Rectangle Tool (M) and follow the steps below to create the top of the rook icon.

Step 5

Select all the shapes in Step 4 and click on Pathfinder > Unite.

Step 6

This will merge all the shapes together.

Step 7

With the new shape selected, change it into a stroke by using the Eyedropper Tool (I) to ensure that the weight of the stroke is the same.

Step 8

To create the semicircles, you need to start by creating a circle using the Ellipse Tool (L). Place a rectangle over the circle using the Rectangle Tool (M).

Step 9

Select both the shapes (making sure that the rectangle is arranged on top of the circle) and then select Pathfinder > Minus Front.

Step 10

This will remove the rectangle shape and the part of the circle which is overlapping.

Step 11

Duplicate the semicircle by copying it (Control-C) and then pasting it (Control-V).

Step 12

Select the duplicate semicircle and then Right-Click on it. From the menu, select Transform > Select. Choose Vertical axis at 90 Degrees and then click OK.

Step 13

Make sure that both semicircles are aligned horizontally opposite each other.

Step 14

Place the semicircles on either side of the shapes to complete the rook icon.

6. How to Create a Knight Icon

Step 1

To start creating the knight icon, create a duplicate of the rook icon. With the duplicate icon, use the Selection Tool (V) or the Direct Selection Tool (A) to remove the middle shapes of the icon.

Step 2

Use the Polygon Tool to create a triangle. Whilst using the Polygon Tool, press the Up Arrow key or Down Arrow key on the keyboard to increase or decrease the number of sides. 

To create an equilateral triangle,press and hold the Shift key on the keyboard whilst creating the shape.

Create a smaller equilateral triangle and place it in the middle.

Step 3

Rotate the semicircles on either side of the triangle so that the strokes align diagonally (Right Click > Transform > Rotate).

Step 4

To create the head of knight icon, use the Rounded Rectangle Tool and the Ellipse Tool (L) to create the shapes below.

Step 5

Use the Rectangle Tool (M) and place two rectangles above the shapes as shown below.

Step 6

Use the Minus Front Tool on the overlapping shapes. 

Step 7

This will create a straight edge where the shapes used to overlap. Move the two shapes together so that they resemble the image below.

Step 8

Use the Minus Front Tool again to remove the left side of the shape and change them both into a stroke.

Step 9

Select both shapes and use Pathfinder > Unite to combine them into a single shape.

Step 10

Select the Add Anchor Point Tool (+) and add a point near the left corner of the shape. Then use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to drag the top left corner to the left to create the ear.

Step 11

Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) and remove the point shown in the image below.

Step 12

Use the Pen Tool (P) and draw out three extra points on the right side of the shape.

Step 13

Select the curve points and drag them to the middle using the mouse to create the neck of the horse. Hold the Shift key on the keyboard to select multiple points.

Step 14

Once you are happy with the way the horse head looks, use the Ellipse Tool (L) to create the eye (remember to press and hold the Shift key on the keyboard to create a perfect circle).

Step 15

Add a line underneath the head and position it underneath the previous shapes to create the final knight icon.

7. How to Create a Bishop Icon

Step 1

To start creating the bishop icon, create a duplicate of the knight icon. With the duplicate icon, use the Selection Tool (V) or the Direct Selection Tool (A) to remove the top shapes (the horse head) of the icon.

Step 2

Use the Ellipse Tool (L) and hold the Shift key on the keyboard to create a perfect circle on top of the icon.

Step 3

Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to move the top point of the circle slightly upwards. This will create an egg-like shape.

Step 4

Select the handlebars with the Direct Selection Tool (A) and move them to the middle point to create a teardrop shape.

Step 5

Use the Ellipse Tool (L) to create a circle and place it on top of the teardrop shape. Then use the Pen Tool (P) to create a cross, and place it inside the teardrop shape to create the final bishop icon.

8. How to Create a Queen Icon

Step 1

To start creating the queen icon, create a duplicate of the bishop icon. With the duplicate icon use the Selection Tool (V) or the Direct Selection Tool (A) to remove the top and middle shapes of the icon.

This will leave just the two circles at the bottom and the semicircles on the sides.

Step 2

Rotate the semicircles slightly. To do this, Right-Click on the shapes, and then go to Transform > Rotate, following the image below.

Step 3

Use the Ellipse Tool (L) to create two circles, with the outer circle using a stroke and the inner circle using a fill. Remember to hold the Shift key on the keyboard to create a perfect circle.

Step 4

Use the Ellipse Tool (L) to create two overlapping circles side by side on top of the other shapes.

Step 5

Use the Ellipse Tool (L) to create a small circle on top.

Step 6

To create the base of the crown, use the Pen Tool (P) or the Rectangle Tool (M) to draw the shape as seen in the image below. When using the Pen Tool, you can hold the Shift key on the keyboard in order the draw a straight line vertically or horizontally. This will make it easier to align.

From there, use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to select the curve points (hold Shift to select multiple points) and move the points towards the centre with the mouse to transform the corners into curves.

Step 7

Complete the queen icon by placing the crown on top of the shapes, as shown in the image below.

9. How to Create a King Icon

Step 1

To create the king icon, duplicate the queen icon. With the duplicate icon, use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to delete the middle circle shapes.

Step 2

Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to delete the small circle shape at the top of the crown.

Step 3

Use the Rectangular Shape Tool (M) to create two squares (one larger outline and one smaller fill shape). Place the smaller square inside and in the middle of the larger square.

From there, select both squares and rotate them both by 45 degrees (Right Click > Transform > Rotate) and place both squares in the centre space of the icon.

Step 4

Use the Pen Tool (P) to create a small cross on top of the crown.

Awesome! You're Finished!

Congratulations! You have successfully completed this tutorial. Feel free to share your own creations below! I hope you found this tutorial helpful and that you've learned many new tips and tricks that you can use for your future illustrations. See you next time!

Learn More Icon Skills!

If you liked this and are looking to learn some new icon skills, check out these tutorials below! Expand your expertise by going through these in-depth guides. Happy designing!

Check out my video course on Animating Icons in Adobe Illustrator and After Effects:

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