Design a Spooky Icon Set
Put your design skills to the test by creating a haunting set of Halloween-themed icons
The scenario
Use the scenario to understand the project context and what you’ll be working on.
This design brief is part of the design contest for Uxcel Community members, which will run from October 1st to October 31st, 2024.
As a UI/UX designer working on a popular mobile and web app, you've been tasked with creating a special Halloween-themed icon set to be used throughout October. This icon set will replace the app's standard icons, bringing a spooky yet playful atmosphere to the user interface. You also have the option to redesign the app or website's existing icons to match the theme, improving the experience while keeping the brand's style and functionality. Your challenge is to design a cohesive set of icons that captures the Halloween spirit while maintaining usability and brand consistency.
Details
Your task
Here’s what you need to do for your project:
- Create a set of at least 10 Halloween-themed icons for common app functions (e.g., home, search, profile, settings, notifications)
- Ensure consistency in style, color palette, and theme across the icon set
- Consider both light and dark mode applications for your icons
- Design icons that are recognizable and functional in various sizes
- Develop a brief case study that explains your design process, challenges, research findings, sketches, and final thoughts on the solution
- Bonus points for making your project submission interactive or including a video of you guiding the community through the icons 🎃
Prizes
The top 20 submissions will also receive a Uxcel Gift Card to share with friends & family.
- 1st place: $500 + Uxcel merch box
- 2nd place: $300 + Uxcel merch box
- 3rd place: $200 + Uxcel merch box
- 4th place: $100 + Uxcel merch box
- 5th place: $50 + Uxcel merch box
Note: winners can also donate their prize to a charitable cause of their choice.
Instructions
Read the instructions to ensure your project receives maximum visibility.
- You can edit your project at any time.
- You must be a Uxcel Pro member to qualify for rewards.
- You must review at least 2 other project submissions to be eligible for the live contest.
- Winners will be announced within 7 days after the contest closes.
- Ensure you only submit your own work.
Note: please make sure you're 18+ years old and are allowed to take part in a skill-based competition from your country.
Evaluation criteria
Your project will be evaluated using the following criteria:
Visual design— Do designs effectively engage the user through strategic use of color, typography, and imagery?
Creativity— Does it solve problems and communicate ideas in an innovative way?
Accessibility— Does the design comply with the WCAG’s requirements and is accessible to all users? Is the design inclusive to all users regardless of their background, race, age, gender, and ethnicity?
Presentation— How effectively is the work presented, including the templates provided, the formatting of the copy, the links shared, and the explanation of the design rationale?
Templates
Recommended learning
External resources
Topics
Share
Live Contest Entries
Editors’ Choice
Project
Uxcel Halloween Icon Pack
🎃 Introducing the Uxcel Halloween Icon Pack! 🎃 This custom Halloween-themed icon set was created to enhance the seasonal user experience o
Community Choice
Project
Duolingo Halloween Icon Pack
Why Duo?Who better fits the theme of halloween than the famously unhinged green owl who hops on every trend on social media. Duolingo has br
Editors’ Choice
Project
Waze: Playful Icon Transformations
Waze is a highly popular navigation app that provides real-time, user-generated updates on traffic conditions, road hazards, speed cameras,
FAQs
What are Uxcel Briefs?
Uxcel Briefs are hands-on, real-world project challenges designed to help learners apply their skills in practical product scenarios. Each Brief simulates a situation you might encounter in a modern product team—requiring critical thinking, creativity, and user-focused solutions.
Briefs cover a variety of topics aligned with Uxcel’s six core skill categories: UX Research, Visual Design, Interaction Design, Content Strategy, Product Thinking, and Leadership. They include a clear scenario, task, recommended tools, and curated resources to guide your approach. By completing a Brief, you can sharpen your problem-solving skills, grow your portfolio, and receive expert feedback from mentors.
Briefs cover a variety of topics aligned with Uxcel’s six core skill categories: UX Research, Visual Design, Interaction Design, Content Strategy, Product Thinking, and Leadership. They include a clear scenario, task, recommended tools, and curated resources to guide your approach. By completing a Brief, you can sharpen your problem-solving skills, grow your portfolio, and receive expert feedback from mentors.
Who are Uxcel Briefs for?
Anyone looking to strengthen their product thinking and communication skills can benefit from Briefs. While they're especially useful for designers, they’re also valuable for product managers, researchers, content strategists, and aspiring professionals who want to learn how to break down product challenges and present thoughtful solutions.
How do I earn a high score on a Brief?
Start by studying the scenario and completion criteria closely. Uxcel provides relevant lessons and resources to help you prepare before diving into the challenge. Treat each Brief like a real-world project: brainstorm ideas, consider multiple approaches, and test your decisions.
Strong submissions typically go through multiple iterations and demonstrate both problem-solving and attention to detail. You’ll also improve faster by reflecting on mentor feedback, identifying patterns in your mistakes, and applying those lessons to future projects.
Strong submissions typically go through multiple iterations and demonstrate both problem-solving and attention to detail. You’ll also improve faster by reflecting on mentor feedback, identifying patterns in your mistakes, and applying those lessons to future projects.
How can I submit a Brief?
Anyone can access and complete Briefs, but only Pro members can submit their work for professional feedback from Uxcel mentors. If you're not a Pro member, you can still work on the Brief and seek feedback from peers or within the Uxcel community.
When submitting a Brief, you'll upload a showcase image, give your project a name, and write a brief description. For tips on effective submissions, check out our best practices here.
When submitting a Brief, you'll upload a showcase image, give your project a name, and write a brief description. For tips on effective submissions, check out our best practices here.
Who reviews my Brief submission?
Submitted Briefs are reviewed by Uxcel Mentors—experienced professionals from top companies who offer clear, actionable feedback. In addition, your project will be published to the Showcase page, where community members can comment, like, and offer their own perspectives. This peer engagement helps simulate a real-world design review process.
How long does it take to get feedback?
Mentor reviews typically arrive within 24–48 hours after submission. The more active your Brief is—through likes and community engagement—the more visible it becomes on the Showcase page.
Pro tip: Share your submission with your network to increase visibility and feedback. Our algorithm takes likes and reviews into account when ranking projects on the Showcase page.
Pro tip: Share your submission with your network to increase visibility and feedback. Our algorithm takes likes and reviews into account when ranking projects on the Showcase page.
Can I redo a Brief or submit more than once?
Yes! Briefs are built for practice and improvement. You can revisit the same Brief to iterate on your previous work or try a different approach. Submitting multiple times helps reinforce learning, build confidence, and track your growth over time.
Do Briefs help me build a portfolio?
Absolutely. Each completed Brief can serve as a portfolio project that demonstrates your ability to think through problems, craft user-centered solutions, and communicate your process. It’s a great way to showcase your skills to hiring managers or teammates in a credible, structured format.