From 29 January 2007 through 23 April 2007, the Quark VS InDesign.com Design Your Own Creative Suite 3 Icons Competition accepted entries of designs for alterate CS3 application icons from designers and illustrators around the world. All the icon designs we received have been collected and converted to Mac- and Windows-friendly PNG and multi-size ICO files, and are below, free to download. Enjoy them on your computer, compliments of the contest entrants, content prize furnishers, and Quark VS InDesign.com.
First Place Winner
Designed by: Kimberly Smith | United States
Download This Collection (Contains both PNG and ICO format images for Mac and Windows.)
Judge’s Comments:
Kimberly Smith’s object-oriented graphics are instantly identifiable to the applications they represent. Although visually complex, they scale surprisingly well to even the smallest of the typical icon sizes, 16x16 pixels. I would like to have seen the Dreamweaver icon designed to fit the purpose of the Web design application instead of its name, but the image is nice regardless. My only other complaint is with the InDesign icon. In the background of the lightbox something has clearly been erased or painted over, leaving harsh white stripes when the icon is viewed at larger sizes. Given that InDesign handles text more than imagery, I would also have liked to see a representation of type amidst the lightbox and slides.
Second Place Winner
Designed by: Danny Dioguardi | Canada
Download This Collection (Contains both PNG and ICO format images for Mac and Windows.)
Judge’s Comments:
Danny Dioguardi’s evolution of symbols from an homage to previous versions through new symbols are beautifully original, immediately identify the applications they describe, and certainly meet the coolness factor. I’m so excited by these designs that I’m profoundly saddened by the fact that Danny only made these three. I would love to see the theme carried through the rest of the CS3-version applications.
Third Place Winner
Designed by: Vito Zgonik | United Kingdom
Download This Collection (Contains both PNG and ICO format images for Mac and Windows.)
Judge’s Comments:
I’m a fan of this set of nine icons from Vito Zgonik. They hold true to Adobe’s CS3 branding scheme by using color-coded squares and two-letter identifiers for applications, but return the symbols and functional communication lacking in Adobe’s icons. Vito elegantly incorporated the symbols as subtle background patterns where others might have been tempted to add louder elements to compete with the central letters. Two things prevented this set of icons from scoring higher in the competition: First, the styled F Flash icon broke ranks and retreated into past Macromedia branding instead of holding a cohesive aesthetic. Second, the symbols Vito used in some of the background patterns didn’t make sense. For instance, grass brushes are used to represent FreeHand and Photoshop. I could understand such a symbol applied to the vector illustration application FreeHand or to Photoshop, which contains the grass brush patterns themselves, but by employing grass for both application icons, it weakened the result for both and looks almost as if the artist ran out of ideas by the time he got around to designing the latter of the two. Despite its relatively minor flaws, the set is beautiful. I particularly enjoy the way it incorporates and updates the popular glass-button style.
Designed by: Danny Dioguardi | Canada
Download This Collection (Contains both PNG and ICO format images for Mac and Windows.)
Judge’s Comments:
Obviously influenced by the branding of Macromedia applications before the acquisition by Adobe, Danny Diogaurdi’s rounded letterforms combine modern and retro styles.
Designed by: Joshua Cortese | NADC WSI TAFE NSW | Australia
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Judge’s Comments:
Funky and original, Joshua Cortese’s set of eight CS3 application icons is visually intriguing and fun.
Designed by: Kimberly Smith | United States
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Judge’s Comments:
Inspired by Adobe’s Apollo application, Kimberly Smith represents Adobe software as the Seven Wonders of the World in a very interesting interpretation.
Designed by: Lauren Swaab | NADC WSI TAFE NSW | Australia
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Judge’s Comments:
Eclectic and funky, Lauren Swaab’s design avoids the most common cliches that often appear in icon designs to create surprisingly effective and refreshingly creative images.
Designed by: Loic Savrimoutou | NADC WSI TAFE NSW | Australia
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Judge’s Comments:
Loic Savrimoutou’s hand-drawn, color-centric icons are a nice touch of minimalism.
Designed by: Natasha KOLESNIKOV | NADC WSI TAFE NSW | Australia
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Judge’s Comments:
Beginning with pencil sketches, Natasha Kolesniko’vs vibrant Photoshop, ImageReady, Illustrator, and InDesign CS3 icons are fun, wild, and pleasing. Sitting beside computer-polished icons on a desktop or dock, these really stand out. They make me want to draw, which is the perfect desire to elicit when the icons represent drawing and design applications.
Designed by: Richard Scott | Australia
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Judge’s Comments:
I was struck by the appropriateness and detail of the symbols in Richard Scott’s images, particularly the dynamic of the figures in the Acrobat icon. His Dreamweaver and Illustrator designs also were dead on in their illustration of the concepts represented by those applications. What I didn’t like about Richard’s icons was the association to Microsoft Office branding they brought to mind. Although Adobe applications integrate with one another about as well as Office applications, few feel excited and creatively inspired by Microsoft Office. The association, I feel, hurts what is an otherwise beautiful collection of icons.
Designed by: Rok Krznar | United Kingdom
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Judge’s Comments:
Rok Krznar updates the trend of glass-like user interface elements by taking Adobe’s flat CS3 icons and raising them into charming glass or plastic buttons.
Designed by: Tim Nagle | NADC WSI TAFE NSW | Australia
Download This Collection (Contains both PNG and ICO format images for Mac and Windows.)
Judge’s Comments:
Tim Nagle’s icon set is a playful suite of illustrations. I found many of the symbols to be confusing, however, such as the image of inscribing a letter to represent ImageReady, an application whose function was to prepare and process graphics for the Web.
Designed by: Tyrone Blackman | NADC WSI TAFE NSW | Australia
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Judge’s Comments:
Whereas many of the other contest submissions restored identifiable symbols imagery to Adobe’s color-coded identification of CS3 applications, Tyrone Blackman followed Adobe’s lead and took the theme a few steps further. With subtle shape differences, and without even the two-letter Periodic Table of the Elements-style monikers Adobe used, Tyrone’s designs identify InDesign, Illustrator, Flash, Dreamweaver, and Photoshop by only color . The result is cool and ultra-hip icons that work at any size.
Designed by: Adam Betts | United States
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Judge’s Comments:
Adam Betts brings the CS3 application box imagery into the icons, retaining the flavor of Adobe’s vision but going beyond the simple gradient, colored boxes of the default icons. This set was contributed to the library but was not considered for judging in the competition, at the author’s request.
Designed by: Anatoliy Omelchenko | USA
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Judge’s Comments:
Definitely among my favorites, Anatoliy Omelchenko’s abstract representations of Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and Acrobat. Simple in design but instantly recognizable as harbingers of their respective applications, Anatoliy’s designs are remarkable examples of graphic design. This set was contributed to the library but was not considered for judging in the competition, at the author’s request.
##NOLIGHTBOX##
I can’t believe how bad these all are. The winning entry is so busy and looks like clip art with letters slapped on.
The only professional looking set is Adam’s and why he wouldn’t allow it to be judged is beyond me.
This contest, and the many fascinating icon sets that have developed out of Adobe’s staid, low-key new icon set, seem to bear out Adobe’s wisdom in going with such a minimalist approach. Would we have seen such an outpouring of creativity had Adobe just gone with another variation on the previous theme?
Wow! I have to agree with the judges. The first set is simply amazing. Very creative and well designed. My only bit of constructive criticism is that these designs will get lost when reduced.
But, congratulations, non the less.
I love this contest and agree that the default CS3 icons leave a bit to be desired. I have to say that my favorites are the icons by Adam Betts and Vito Zgonik. Good stuff all around.
Very disappointed with these designs, all are way too busy. The thing about icons is they are icons… not mini websites. I already had Adam’s set from a link on lifehacker(?) but the rest leave a lot to be desired. I also can’t believe that these were the only entries.
Let it not go unnoticed that I have no room to talk – as I entered squat :)
I have to agree with the first poster here. The majority of these icon sets are extremely poor, way too busy, and don’t come any closer to “solving the problem” of Adobe’s original icons.
I wish I had known about this competition sooner, as I am in the process of designing my own CS3 icon replacement set and would have contributed what I have done so far.
Have a look at the icons here:
http://www.archimediadesign.com/assorted/cs3icons/
Gotta love the Apollo and R2. Device central icons look like an old Ericsson cell I used to have. They’re nice, apparently the Apple gel look is still in fashion.
hmmm.
i’ll stick with the adobe icons i think.
to be fair, some are better than others – but in general, this is like a lesson in bad icon design, especially the ‘winner’.
Wow… all of these suck except Adam Betts and Rok Krznar’s entries. Why Mr. Betts chose not to have his entry judged is beyond me. All the other icons look like clipart with cheap word art and default PS brushes slapped on…
wow. The winner is sure horrid– like said, being low on conceptual strength and contrast, busy, unequal on interrelated visual volumes etc it pretty much breaks all the rules of good icon design.
I’ll stick with the original CS3 icons thankyouverymuch. You see, one thing they do really well is stand out on my dock and enable me start up apps with a mere glance.
One word: No.
Ick.
Mostly, just horrid. I can see that, and I’m not a designer.
Adam’s is nice, though.
The Best are the ones of Adam. If you want to replace the CS2 splash screen of PS and Ai, feel free to visit this links:
http://planetoideblanco.blogspot.com/2007/04/splash-screen-la-cs3.html
http://planetoideblanco.blogspot.com/2007/04/ahora-un-splash-para-photoshop.html
Wow and I thought what adobe came up with was bad. Adam’s set isn’t bad, certainly better then adobe’s; jml put it best, Ick!
I’m sure the competitors put in alot of time and effort so I feel for them; however, I do feel that the winner here is the Macromedia Team that developed the original CS3 icons:
Arrrghh, my eyes! But seriously, almost ll of these are truly awful. The winning entry is incredible – they really serve no purpose as icons. Adam Betts and Vito Zgonik seem like the only ones who have a clue! Then again, we shouldn’t be surprised that Kimberly’s icon set won.
1st place? are you kidding me? hideous. busy.
kudos to adam, vito, and rok (although rok’s designs seem a bit dated). still, creative simplicity is best.
the rest of the entries are absolutely atrocious.
i’m still floored by the designs that won 1st place. what were the judges thinking? oh, well.…
I’m stunned at how bad these are!
The winning entry is absolutely dreadful! No relation between icons… they’re for a SUITE of applications! Fussy, busy, will not scale well! They’re pictures, NOT icons!
Adam’s set is the best of the bunch.
The results don’t surprise me in the least when looking at the dee-sign of this web site… Horrific.
It’s frightening, to me, that there are “designers” out there that are capable of creating such trashy icons (aside from Adam and even Rok’s). Even more frightening are the judges endorsing such terrible designs. Is this some sort of belated April fools joke?
I totally agree with the first comment from Mark, most of these are plain ugly. Far too much detail, horrible overall look, and badly executed.
The only good ones are Vito and Adam’s icons.
Comments are spot on. Most of these haven’t reached the level of simplification to be iconic and the level of consistency to work together as a set.
Anatoliy Omelchenko’s comes the closest I think to achieving the goal among those who didn’t follow the official Adobe CS3 style more closely (and some of those are nicely done as well).
The contest was a good idea though. :)
Cool! I love them!
An icon should be able to instantly represent visually the application it belongs to. All of this can be done in a visually appealing way, but without extraneous detail and fluff. The first place icon collection is pathetic. Adam Betts’ design is the clear winner among the participants, and worth the download. The rest are garbage (particularly first place)!
ouch! the winners icons are the worst i ever seen. hurts my eyes.
judge, hello? i’m sure if someone does some research, he’ll find out that these are just clipart pictures. there is even a clue:
“In the background of the lightbox something has clearly been erased or painted over”
is kimberly your best friend?
Ohh my god!…the first place it ugly! Adam Beths are okay though
What? a recount?
Wow, you guys are relentless. Like a pack of starving coyotes on a wounded calf. lol
I was expecting at least a few good icons. Unfortunately these are almost all totally awful. Talk about a pile of shite! First place is particularly shite.
The only ones which are even remotely attractive are Adam, Rok and Vito’s.
man… thoe winner’s are HORRIBLE. I know its been said in every post, but it bears repeating, lest she ever get the idea of attempting to design an icon set again.
In fact most of them were bad. The only decents ones were Vito’s, Rok’s, and Adam’s. And adam wasnt even in for judging.
Danny’s werent horrible either, i jsut dont liek the fact that he used the old imagery in his representations.
Then again the new icons and branding schema for the product lines dont bother me at all. I thiunk they could stand some glass as Vito or Rok have done, but they arent bad enough to make me change the icons the programs are shipped with it.
it’s easy to criticise and yes most of these are not great. Vito’s are clean and sophisticated and I like Richard’s unique looking icons.
I am puzzled as to why everyone is raving about Adam’s though.….just copy and paste from the new CS3 boxes!? Rok’s aswell look good but where is the originality?.….I believe this comp was about generating new and unique icons. Although alot are poor at least it is obvious they are original creations.
in fairness, a few are good but everything else are crap! sorry but i’m totally disappointed.
those who agreed that the winner deserved it, sorry but i have to disagree. totally disagree. just looking at it’s preview size now, i don’t think it will look good on high resolution screens.
everything sucks like quark.
to be fair, here’s my explanation:
first prize: not too clear. dreamweaver = dreamcatcher?! pfff! indesign uses lightbox? i think it’s for illustrator. the brand new spanking Photoshop became an old camera? illustrator: is that a trashcan? logos are not of the same size, not of the same look and feel, not family. this sucks big time. Not even the best.
second prize: are those brooches?? What’s that element behind the logos? And it’s not CS Cubed. It’s CS THREE. It’s barely readable! OH CRAP!
third prize: it’s just the original logo with background on it and murdered the “family” feel of the set. It just replaced the flash logo and acrobat. Not even good.
And this site breaks on firefox especially this comment box.
Am I the only one having trouble downloading these?
I tried two sets (the only decent ones) and I get a zip that gives an unexpected end of archive error, and there’s only one or two icons inside.
I agree with these, that say, that most of these sets are quite amaterish and unprofessional.
Also, i cannot understand, how did the jury choose the icons made by Kimberly Smith???
Well, Kimberly tried, to mimic some Apple designe icons… so kitschy icons. OMG!
The only three sets that i think should be at the top 3 are Adam Betts’s, Rok Krznar’s and Vito Zgornik’s icons.
Sorry guys, but the jury didn’t do a good job at all.
My first reaction is that most of the sets are somewhat of a pick and choose. They fail to incorporate icons for all the applications in the creative suites. That should be points off. Adobe, I believe was trying to capture the simplicity that macromedia had with the logos and icons and even packaging. Although I think Adobe should have carried over and adapted the logos for their apps that macromedia had, the icons truly are perfect as they are. Easier to find than the ever changing flowers and feathers and what not, and utilizing a solid single color to really make the icons stick out. If you notice you probably see the color now quicker than the letters making it easy to spot the app. Honestly I think there should be another contest. Rules should include the whole suite of apps so that you wouldnt have a couple of oddball apps that dont match the family. And no using any of the past or current adobe elements. This is a new era in adobes life and adobe is the only one that has captured that fact. These icons are like looking at the first pass of concepts before really hammering out the creative design. Be Creative and think about all aspects of the purpose of icons. Take the first three ideas you have sketch them out and then throw them away and start over. thats going to make your creative juices boil over!
Peace out!
I am interested in what you the winners used to draw your images. I am reoriented to the market and aside from Photoshop/Illustrator (or similar) programs, what do you use to acquire light and 3‑d imaging? Assuming that there is more program use than straight computer painting. Any insights for a novice?
thanks
It’s incredible that those icons won the first place… they look so childish it’s simply unbelievable. Just take a look at the Dreamweaver icon… WTH is that ? Dreamcatcher representing the Dreamweaver ? Why in the hell ? She ever used Dreamweaver in her life ? Also, InDesign icon as you already mentioned, was badly retouched, so many errors… you said it yourself… so why she won that first place in the end is beyond me.
Only 100% professional icons are those done by Adam Betts who is real professional in everything he does. Same story goes for those done by Danny Dioguardi. Too bad he created 3 icons only.
Conclusion: First place winner should be anyone else in this competition except this Kimberly character.
Don’t show lamb to a rabid wolf is the lesson of this page.
Then I saw this:
http://graphicjunkie.deviantart.com/gallery/
and I thought, oh well, lambs for the slaughter.
Has the “winner” ever used InDesign? How does a lighttable with slides make any sense? It’s not Aperture, it’s a page layout program for chrissakes! That’s about the worst thing an icon can do… look like a different type of program entirely.
First off, I wanna tell this “cut-the-crap” character that this site does NOT break on Firefox (least not on my Firefox, anyway). I agree with most people here that Vito’s designs are very pleasant, and work nicely as a set. I dunno why everyone is raving about Adam Betts’ entry, th0ugh—scaled down, it looks like a vomity mess (maybe there are more sheep than wolves on this page?).
Now, Anatoliy is one guy who hasn’t gotten enough credit; his designs aren’t the prettiest on the desktop, but they’re definitely the most thoughtful designs of the whole bunch—pity he only made 4 of dem… Danny’s designs are also good (see comment above, rinse, lather, repeat).
Oh my… this gives me renewed belief in my own ability as an icon designer, even though I’ve never tried it before! I’m not a fan of the new Adobe logos either, but Rok Krznar’s modification of them is better than any of the other entries here.
I really like Adam’s and Vito’s designs, simple yet creative.
I agree with the first post. In my opinion awful icons apart, of course from Adam’s set.
Your icons are freeeeking awesome! keep up the great work!
Yeah, I can’t download them either.
Just absolutely terrible!
i really like adam’s. now how do i apply it???
coooool!
tnk’s
greeting’s from Chile!!
see me in.……
http://www.buenojo.com/webpartner
No comment about the first place winner (as usual)…“kitsch” would be the only way to describe it. Admittedly, I was a bit nostalgic for the older icons so I looked for replacements right away and settled with Vito’s because I did not want to venture too far off of Adobe’s vision. I am not gaga about Adam’s like everyone else because color-wise they are a bit too busy and I did not like how the uppercase and lowercase were nearly the same size, shoved in the corner as if they were about to melt off the page with the rest of the composition. I’ll eventually go back to Adobe’s original icons…but for now, Vito will help me through the transition.
terrible icons! all too busy! the first is absolutely horrible! an icon nowadays has to be simple and contrasting, and these are not!
horrible icons! I really like Adams Icons… I dont have comments on first place winner… Its looking horrible…