I have been using vector graphics quite a lot recently. Their elegant minimalism, scalability, and abundance make them perfect for so many situations.
How I've been using them
Recently I have been making a lot of signage at work. Some of this signage is to express what PPE (personal protective equipment) is needed to enter a certain area. My biggest concerns when making signage like this are: is it concise and is it universally understandable — this makes vector graphics a perfect medium. The minimalism of vector graphics cuts straight to the point while remaining professional. I have recently been working with Material Design Icons, which includes extensive community-generated icons that capture a variety of use cases. I was able to find PPE icons that matched everything I needed, or could be compounded.
Compounding vector icons
Because of the way vector images are drawn and displayed, it is relatively easy to combine two vector images. For my safety signage, I was able to overlay an eye symbol with a checkmark onto a t-shirt symbol to convey high-visibility clothing.
Software I use
When making or modifying vector icons, I tend to use Adobe Illustrator because I have the most familiarity with it. I have also used Inkscape at work, which is open-source. For vector overlays onto PDFs or raster images, I use Bluebeam Revu — this is usually for architectural drawings.
Sourcing icons
I have found several great sources for free .svg icons:
- Material Design Icons - Open-source, great for more general icons
- FontAwesome - Some icons open-source, great for brands and applications