IconScout - Complete Student Guide
Get 60 premium downloads per month from IconScout through the GitHub Student Developer Pack for high-quality icons, illustrations, and design assets.
Student guide based on official documentation. Not affiliated with IconScout or GitHub.
What is IconScout?
IconScout is a comprehensive design asset platform that provides millions of high-quality icons, illustrations, 3D assets, and graphics for web and mobile projects. It’s a one-stop solution for designers and developers looking for professional design resources.
Key Features
- Massive Icon Library: Over 4 million icons in various styles and formats
- 3D Illustrations: Modern 3D graphics and illustrations for contemporary designs
- Vector Graphics: Scalable SVG and vector illustrations
- Multiple Formats: SVG, PNG, ICO, ICNS, and other formats available
- Design Tools Integration: Plugins for Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, and more
- Custom Collections: Curated icon sets and illustration packs
- Search and Filter: Advanced search with style, category, and format filters
What You Get with Student Pack
- 60 Premium Downloads/Month: Access to premium icons and illustrations
- Full Format Access: Download in SVG, PNG, and other formats
- Commercial License: Use downloaded assets in commercial projects
- No Attribution Required: Use assets without crediting IconScout
- Design Tool Plugins: Access to Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD plugins
- Priority Support: Enhanced customer support for students
How to Redeem IconScout
Step 1: Verify Your GitHub Student Pack
- Go to GitHub Education
- Click “Get Student Benefits”
- Verify your student status with a valid .edu email or student ID
- Wait for approval (usually 1-7 business days)
Step 2: Access the IconScout Offer
- Once approved, visit your GitHub Student Pack dashboard
- Find “IconScout” in the partner offers list
- Click “Get access” or “Redeem offer”
- You’ll be redirected to IconScout’s student redemption page
Step 3: Activate Your IconScout Account
- Create a new IconScout account using your student email
- Or log in to your existing IconScout account
- Apply the student promotional code provided
- Verify your email address when prompted
- Start downloading premium design assets!
Getting Started with IconScout
Finding the Right Assets
Search Techniques
- Use specific keywords for better results
- Filter by style (line, filled, flat, 3D)
- Sort by popularity, newest, or relevance
- Browse curated collections and categories
Asset Categories
- Icons: UI icons, business icons, social media icons
- Illustrations: Web illustrations, mobile app graphics, marketing visuals
- 3D Assets: Modern 3D icons and illustrations
- Logo Ideas: Logo templates and branding elements
Download and Usage
Available Formats
- SVG: Vector format, scalable and editable
- PNG: Raster format in multiple sizes (16px to 512px)
- ICO: Windows icon format
- ICNS: macOS icon format
Licensing Information
- Commercial use allowed with premium downloads
- No attribution required for premium assets
- Can be used in client projects and products
- Cannot be resold as standalone graphics
Best Practices
- Plan Your Downloads: With 60 downloads/month, plan which assets you need
- Download Multiple Formats: Get both SVG and PNG versions for flexibility
- Organize Your Assets: Create folders to organize downloaded graphics
- Check Consistency: Use icons from the same style family for cohesive designs
- Optimize for Web: Choose appropriate sizes and formats for web use
- Keep Originals: Save original SVG files for future editing
Design Tool Integration
Figma Plugin
- Search and insert icons directly in Figma
- Automatically imports as vector shapes
- Maintains original quality and scalability
Sketch Plugin
- Browse IconScout library within Sketch
- Insert icons as symbols or shapes
- Sync with your IconScout account
Adobe XD Plugin
- Access icons and illustrations in Adobe XD
- Import assets with proper formatting
- Streamline your design workflow
Project Applications
Web Development
- UI/UX design icons for interfaces
- Navigation and menu icons
- Social media and contact icons
- Loading and status indicators
Mobile App Design
- App icons and interface elements
- Onboarding illustrations
- Empty state graphics
- Achievement and gamification icons
Marketing Materials
- Infographic elements
- Presentation graphics
- Social media content
- Email newsletter assets
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
Download Limit Reached
- Monthly limit resets on the date you activated your account
- Plan your downloads strategically throughout the month
- Focus on essential assets first
- Consider downloading multiple formats of key icons
Plugin Not Working
- Ensure you’re logged into your IconScout account in the plugin
- Check that your design tool is up to date
- Restart the design application if issues persist
- Clear plugin cache if available
Search Results Poor
- Try different keywords or synonyms
- Use filters to narrow down results
- Browse categories instead of searching
- Check spelling and try broader terms
Getting Help
- Visit IconScout Help Center
- Check the IconScout Blog for design tips
- Contact IconScout support through their website
- Reach out to GitHub Education support for Student Pack issues
Advanced Tips
Building Icon Libraries
Consistency Guidelines
- Choose icons from the same style family
- Maintain consistent stroke width and style
- Use similar color schemes across projects
- Create style guides for team projects
Organization Strategies
- Create project-specific folders
- Use descriptive filenames
- Maintain both SVG and PNG versions
- Document icon usage in style guides
Design Workflow Integration
Version Control
- Keep original downloaded files separate from edited versions
- Document any modifications made to original assets
- Maintain backup copies of frequently used icons
- Use consistent naming conventions
Team Collaboration
- Share downloaded assets with team members
- Create shared asset libraries in design tools
- Document icon choices and rationale
- Establish team guidelines for asset usage
Maximizing Your 60 Downloads
Strategic Planning
- Audit your current projects for icon needs
- Download foundational icons first (arrows, UI elements)
- Focus on icons you’ll use multiple times
- Consider seasonal or project-specific needs
Asset Reuse
- Download versatile icons that work across projects
- Choose icons that can be easily customized
- Focus on timeless designs over trendy styles
- Build a personal icon library for future use
Make the most of your IconScout access by planning your downloads strategically and building a comprehensive library of high-quality design assets!