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

  1. Go to GitHub Education
  2. Click “Get Student Benefits”
  3. Verify your student status with a valid .edu email or student ID
  4. Wait for approval (usually 1-7 business days)

Step 2: Access the IconScout Offer

  1. Once approved, visit your GitHub Student Pack dashboard
  2. Find “IconScout” in the partner offers list
  3. Click “Get access” or “Redeem offer”
  4. You’ll be redirected to IconScout’s student redemption page

Step 3: Activate Your IconScout Account

  1. Create a new IconScout account using your student email
  2. Or log in to your existing IconScout account
  3. Apply the student promotional code provided
  4. Verify your email address when prompted
  5. 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

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!