Are you looking for an icon or illustration for your project? We can help!
Icon request process
This is a guide on when and how to request a new icon from the Acorn Design System team.
1. Review
Review existing libraries
In this phase, you are working on a design or a project that requires a new icon. First, check our platform libraries to see if there is anything in there that fits your needs. If there is, go ahead and use the icon. If there isn't anything suitable, go to the next phase.
Figma:
Desktop: Acorn Desktop Icons
Mobile: Acorn Mobile Icons
Website:
You can also refer to our website for a list format of all our icons (easier to Command+F / Control + F)
See something you like but it's in a different platform’s library? We can convert any icon, from desktop to mobile, or mobile to desktop. Make sure you know what specific sizes you're looking for when filling out the request form.
2. Define
Define the icon metaphor
If you can't find what you're looking for in our existing libraries and have a new icon concept in mind, review this checklist and try to figure out most of these details before moving on to the next step.
- What is the icon?
- Where and how will it be used?
- Proposed icon design
- What sizes do you need?
- Timeline - when do you need it?
- Attach example images of icons or inspiration (some inspiration can be found on Noun Project or Flaticon)
- Does this proposed icon follow our existing design system patterns?
- If it doesn't follow existing patterns, what is the rationale behind creating a new pattern?
If you need any help answering the above questions, feel free to reach out to us beforehand to chat about it.
3. Request
Fill out our request form
To request an icon, fill out this form. This form can also be found in the the #acorn-design-system Slack channel under the tab Requests & Sign-ups at the top of the channel.
Try to provide as much detail in the form as possible. This will help us create the perfect icon.
4. Creation
The Acorn team works with you to create your desired icon
Once we have reviewed your request, a JIRA ticket will be created to track and manage it and you will be added as a collaborator.
The Acorn team then works with our external icon designer, Carlotta, to produce the final icon that adheres to our icon system. Typically, Carlotta will provide some explorations for the proposed icon and any feedback or best practices recommendations. Any explorations, feedback and iterations will be maintained in the ticket throughout the entire process.
How long do requests take?
For complex icon metaphors requiring explorations, it can take up to a few weeks depending on how many iterations we go through and the number of requests we have in our backlog at the given time. Please try to put in the icon request as early as possible.
For more simple or straightforward icons where you know exactly what you're looking for, it will take much less time. The turnaround is usually a few business days.
5. Handoff
Final icons are added to our libraries and engineering assets are provided
Once the icon is complete, the Acorn team will provide links to the added icons in the Figma libraries and engineering handoff files in the JIRA ticket.
Engineering handoff
Desktop: An SVG file will be uploaded to the JIRA ticket that you can provide to the engineering team. This SVG is different than the ones downloaded from Figma as it will have desktop-specific settings applied to it, is optimized, and contains a Mozilla license in there, ready for implementation.
Mobile: A link to the icon in the repository will be provided in the JIRA ticket. Please always ensure engineers are pulling icons from the repo as opposed to Figma. The repo icons have proper naming conventions for each platform, is optimized, and contain a Mozilla license in the files.
Questions
Please send us a message in #acorn-design-system.