Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Icon Artist

💰 $65,000 - $110,000

DesignUI/UXArtVisual DesignGraphic Design

🎯 Role Definition

As an Icon Artist, you are the architect of our product's visual shorthand. You will be responsible for creating a clear, consistent, and beautiful system of icons that guides users and communicates complex actions and ideas with elegant simplicity. This role sits at the intersection of brand identity, user interface design, and pure artistry. You will be a key steward of our design system, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure every icon not only looks stunning but also functions flawlessly within the user experience. Your work will directly impact how users perceive and interact with our products every day.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Junior Graphic Designer
  • Illustrator
  • UI Designer
  • Production Artist

Advancement To:

  • Senior Icon Artist / Senior Visual Designer
  • Lead Product Designer
  • Art Director
  • Design System Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • UI Designer
  • Illustrator / Brand Illustrator
  • Motion Graphics Designer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conceptualize and execute high-quality, pixel-perfect icons from scratch for user interfaces across our web, mobile, and desktop platforms.
  • Develop, manage, and maintain a comprehensive and scalable icon library within our established design system, ensuring consistency and ease of use for the entire product team.
  • Collaborate closely with UI/UX designers, product managers, and engineers to understand functional requirements and translate complex ideas into simple, intuitive visual representations.
  • Iterate on icon designs based on user feedback, usability testing results, and peer reviews to continually refine the user experience.
  • Ensure all iconography strictly adheres to brand guidelines, maintaining a cohesive visual language across all digital touchpoints and marketing materials.
  • Explore and create multiple icon styles (e.g., line, filled, two-tone) to support different contexts, UI states, and product lines.
  • Optimize icon assets for performance and scalability, exporting them in various formats (SVG, PNG, icon fonts) for different technical implementations.
  • Create clear and concise documentation for the icon library, including usage guidelines, naming conventions, and best practices for designers and developers.
  • Manage the entire icon creation lifecycle, from initial concept sketches and mood boards to final asset delivery and implementation support.
  • Systematically organize, name, and version control all icon assets using tools like Figma, Sketch Libraries, or a dedicated Digital Asset Management (DAM) system.
  • Define and refine the core visual DNA of our icon family, including grid systems, stroke weights, corner radii, and foundational shapes.
  • Conduct regular visual audits of existing products to identify inconsistencies in iconography and propose strategies for alignment and system-wide improvement.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc requests for spot illustrations and other small visual assets that complement the icon set and enhance the overall product aesthetic.
  • Research and stay current with industry trends in iconography, UI design, and visual communication to bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the team.
  • Participate actively in design critiques, workshops, and brainstorming sessions, providing constructive feedback to peers and effectively articulating your own design decisions.
  • Prepare and present icon concepts and design rationales to stakeholders at various levels, skillfully gathering feedback and securing buy-in.
  • Partner with motion designers to ideate and create animated versions of icons for micro-interactions and enhanced user feedback.
  • Ensure all icons are designed with accessibility in mind, considering factors like legibility at small sizes and clarity for users with diverse visual abilities.
  • Collaborate with localization teams to ensure icons are culturally appropriate and universally understood across different global markets.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve any visual or technical issues related to icon implementation in the live product environment, working alongside developers.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Expert proficiency in vector design software, particularly Figma, Adobe Illustrator, or Sketch.
  • Deep understanding of design systems and proven experience building or contributing to scalable icon libraries.
  • Strong grasp of fundamental visual design principles, including composition, balance, rhythm, color theory, and grid systems.
  • Technical knowledge of asset optimization and exporting for multiple platforms (SVG, PNG, icon fonts).
  • Experience creating and working with precise pixel grids to ensure sharpness and clarity at all resolutions.
  • Familiarity with platform-specific UI guidelines, such as Apple's Human Interface Guidelines and Google's Material Design.
  • Ability to create simple animations or specify motion properties for icons using tools like After Effects or ProtoPie is a plus.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional attention to detail and a passion for pixel-perfect craftsmanship.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills to clearly articulate design rationale and process.
  • Excellent collaboration and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
  • Highly organized with an ability to manage time effectively and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced, agile environment.
  • A systematic approach to problem-solving, capable of both high-level conceptual thinking and detailed execution.
  • A receptive and humble attitude towards receiving and providing constructive feedback to improve design quality.
  • Proactive and self-motivated with a strong sense of ownership and responsibility.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate's Degree or equivalent professional experience, supported by an outstanding portfolio.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Graphic Design
  • Fine Arts / Illustration
  • Visual Communication
  • Human-Computer Interaction

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3-5 years of professional experience focused on icon design, visual design, or UI design for digital products.

Preferred:

  • A portfolio that clearly demonstrates expertise in creating systematic, scalable icon sets for web and mobile applications is required.
  • Verifiable experience contributing directly to a mature, large-scale design system is highly preferred.
  • Experience working within an agile development process is a strong plus.
Explore More Careers