New Compass - Custom Icon System

Ranger is a streaming-based extraction platform built for high-volume LiDAR and imagery analysis. From the start, it was clear the icon system needed to reflect that same mindset: precise, robust, and dependable—without getting in the way. The project began with style exploration. Before committing to a direction, I designed three distinct icon styles to test how different approaches would feel inside the product. One explored fully sharp edges, another balanced sharp and soft geometry, and the third focused on a thicker stroke weight for stronger presence. After reviewing the options, the client chose a hybrid direction: the balance of sharp and soft edges from the second style, combined with the heavier stroke weight from the third. That combination gave the icons enough authority to stand up in a technical interface, while still feeling approachable and readable at smaller sizes. Once the direction was locked, I defined the icon system itself—grid, stroke weight, corner rounding, and optical rules, and designed a small set of sample icons to validate the system before moving further. This early alignment made the rest of the process smooth and predictable. With the system approved, I moved into full production. Some icons were especially challenging due to the thicker line weight, which can easily overwhelm more complex concepts. In those cases, I focused on simplifying shapes while preserving meaning, making sure each symbol stayed clear and immediately recognizable. For a few icons, I explored multiple variations and shared them all, giving the client flexibility to choose. Before delivery, I ran a full consistency pass across the entire set—adjusting alignment, optical balance, and grid fit to ensure everything felt cohesive when viewed together. Feedback was minimal and focused, usually one to two rounds, and the final icons were exported in all required formats, ready for implementation. One thing that made this project especially effective was the client’s preparation. They provided a well-organized file with all icons grouped by usage across the app, which helped guide decisions and maintain consistency from start to finish. The result is a scalable icon system designed to support a demanding technical product—clear under pressure, consistent across contexts, and built to grow with Ranger.