Tom’s Graphic Design Journal

Everyone (or at least I) get impressed and drool over fancy reflective beveled icons. They are much more "web 2.0" and "Mac" looking. Even Microsoft creates some nice glassy looking icons for their software these days. It just seems like the way to go and it is just about a cliche now.

There are people who get tired of it...thus we get pixel art (which is technically more of reverting to an old style - or retro) and several other graphical "movements" I will say in terms of computer user interfaces.

The globes are perhaps overdone but always attractive. What is interesting though is to take that technique and apply it to other shapes and uses. Paul Boyer has taken this popular style and, I feel, expanded upon it taking it to the next level. Some of his work can be found on Win Customize, a web site that has resources on customizing your Windows user interface. He has an entire section called "Icon-A-Day." He even has gone through the trouble of making some tutorials and some very good screencasts. Yes, I've watched over 30 minutes of video tutorials by him and he certainly knows his stuff. He also makes things look easier than they are But in fact, it isn't terribly difficult to create those fancy reflective globes.

Boyer prefers CorelDRAW, while I've seen many many tutorials for glass globes for Photoshop (and even Illustrator), I have to agree with Boyer's choice for some of the more advanced shapes. CorelDRAW seems to be much faster as well, but that could also be because Boyer is good at what he does there. Though I have followed some tutorials for Photoshop and will say they are much more painstaking.

Boyer's icons are much more than glossy globes though. In fact, his icons are actually highly detailed and unique. I know that's difficult with all the glossy reflective icons out there, but his illustrative style is certainly refreshing and I have personally not seen many other icons with his style. I'm not an expert in the field, but I have customized my Windows interface and icons before. I've used LiteStep and many other skin programs, I've made my computer look like a Mac, and I've been to many of these customize sites years ago at least. So to me, he is the Godfather of pretty shiny icons.

I also want to make a note here. While Boyer has many icons to download in ico format for use right away on your computer, it is also possible to follow his tutorials and create larger size images. His icons are more than "icons" they are in fact illustrations and certainly have their place online and even in print. So, before you think I'm writing here about just something nifty to use for your computer settings...think again. I personally plan to read more of his stuff and watch more of Boyer's videos so I can learn how to create some nice original icons for myself to use in my blog here.

Everyone (or at least I) get impressed and drool over fancy reflective beveled icons. They are much more "web 2.0" and "Mac" looking. Even Microsoft creates some nice glassy looking icons for their software these days. It just seems like the way to go and it is just about a cliche now.

There are people who get tired of it...thus we get pixel art (which is technically more of reverting to an old style - or retro) and several other graphical "movements" I will say in terms of computer user interfaces.

The globes are perhaps overdone but always attractive. What is interesting though is to take that technique and apply it to other shapes and uses. Paul Boyer has taken this popular style and, I feel, expanded upon it taking it to the next level. Some of his work can be found on Win Customize, a web site that has resources on customizing your Windows user interface. He has an entire section called "Icon-A-Day." He even has gone through the trouble of making some tutorials and some very good screencasts. Yes, I've watched over 30 minutes of video tutorials by him and he certainly knows his stuff. He also makes things look easier than they are But in fact, it isn't terribly difficult to create those fancy reflective globes.

Boyer prefers CorelDRAW, while I've seen many many tutorials for glass globes for Photoshop (and even Illustrator), I have to agree with Boyer's choice for some of the more advanced shapes. CorelDRAW seems to be much faster as well, but that could also be because Boyer is good at what he does there. Though I have followed some tutorials for Photoshop and will say they are much more painstaking.

Boyer's icons are much more than glossy globes though. In fact, his icons are actually highly detailed and unique. I know that's difficult with all the glossy reflective icons out there, but his illustrative style is certainly refreshing and I have personally not seen many other icons with his style. I'm not an expert in the field, but I have customized my Windows interface and icons before. I've used LiteStep and many other skin programs, I've made my computer look like a Mac, and I've been to many of these customize sites years ago at least. So to me, he is the Godfather of pretty shiny icons.

I also want to make a note here. While Boyer has many icons to download in ico format for use right away on your computer, it is also possible to follow his tutorials and create larger size images. His icons are more than "icons" they are in fact illustrations and certainly have their place online and even in print. So, before you think I'm writing here about just something nifty to use for your computer settings...think again. I personally plan to read more of his stuff and watch more of Boyer's videos so I can learn how to create some nice original icons for myself to use in my blog here.